Editing AV-30 Kestrel

{{Status|Canon}}
{{Disambig header|the vehicle introduced in Halo: Spartan Strike|the vehicle initially cut from Halo: Combat Evolved|JOV-99 Kestrel}}
{{Vehicle infobox
|name=AV-30 Light Assault VTOL
|image=[[File:HSS Kestrel.jpg|300px]]
|manufacturer=[[Misriah Armory]]{{Ref/Site|Id=waypoint|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/kestrel|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Kestrel|D=15|M=2|Y=2021}}<br>
[[Reverse Engineering and Prototyping–Xenotechnology department|REAP-X department]]
|line=
|model=AV-30
|cost=
|length=
|width=
|height=
|mass=
|max speed=
|engine=
|hull=
|armament=*2 [[GAU-10/A heavy autocannon]]s{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}
*2 [[M302 rocket pod]]s{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}
|crew=One operator
|complement=
|consumables=
|othersystems=
|firstuse-title=In service
|firstuse=[[Post-Covenant War conflicts]]
|role=Ground support, fast attack{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}
|affiliation=[[United Nations Space Command]]
}}

The '''AV-30 Light Assault VTOL''', more commonly known as the '''Kestrel''', is a combat vehicle used by the [[United Nations Space Command]], manufactured by [[Misriah Armory]].{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}

==Overview==
===Design details===
The Kestrel hovers above the ground by three independently-powered ducted air fans rather than using traditional wheels or treads. These fans allow the Kestrel to easily navigate narrow spaces and partake in acrobatic aerial maneuvers.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=157}} The vehicle's airframe bears a broad resemblance to the [[AV-49 Wasp]] aircraft used by the UNSC and the older [[JOV-99 Kestrel]] models - though fails to achieve the same flight performance characteristics of either of those two craft. As such, the vehicle predominantly hovers close to the ground.{{Ref/Site|Id=CRL|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/canon-fodder-cutting-room-lore|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Cutting Room Lore|D=26|M=07|Y=22}} 

===Armaments===
The standard production model of the Kestrel is armed with a set of twin-linked [[GAU-10/A heavy autocannon]]s. Some experimental models are also armed with a pair of [[M302 rocket pod]]s - a Class-1 Guided Missile Launching System.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}{{Ref/Reuse|MC97102}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}

==History==
===Development history===
The AV-30 Kestrel is based on the [[JOV-99 Kestrel|JOV-99]] aircraft of the same name developed by the [[Vestol Corporation]] for the [[Colonial Military Authority]] (CMA). When the CMA was effectively dissolved at the tail end of the [[Insurrection]], [[Misriah Armory]] lobbied for Kestrels earmarked for transfer to [[UNSC Army]] garrisons to be replaced with their own fledgling [[AV-49 Wasp]] project instead.{{Ref/Reuse|CRL}} The basic philosophy behind the Kestrel continued to live on in the [[Reverse Engineering and Prototyping–Xenotechnology department]] (REAP-X) department of the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]]; during the [[Human-Covenant War]], ONI invested heavily into prototyping new weapons and equipment for the modern battlefield. Most of these designs failed to progress past the initial theoretical stage, though for the AV-30 project, the craft was deemed to have a perfect mix of lethality and survivability. ONI skunkworks engineers started off development on the AV-30 program with several competing design philosophies encompassing various shapes, armament combinations, and turbine layouts, ultimately leading to the final AV-30 design that was handed off to Misriah Armory for serial production.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}

While Misriah's AV-30 Kestrel was ultimately based on both REAP-X's prototype,{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} they also incorporated elements of the older JOV-99 model before manufacture began in earnest. Despite this, the AV-30 would ultimately fail to achieve the flight performance characteristics of the JOV-99 Kestrel.{{Ref/Reuse|CRL}}

===Operational history===
In July [[2557]] AV-30 Kestrels were used by [[headhunters]] during the [[Battle of Installation 03]] and the [[Skirmish in New Phoenix]].{{Ref/Game|HSS|Kestrel in-game vehicle}} During the defense of [[Onyx]] of October [[2558]], UNSC forces used Kestrels against the [[Created]] as part of a larger air attack including [[Pelican]] dropships and [[AV-14 Hornet]]s.{{Ref/Novel|LoO|Chapter=25}}

==Production notes==
===''Halo: Combat Evolved'' predecessor===
The Kestrel was originally an aircraft that was cut from ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' at an early stage of the game's development, though the name remained in the game's code.{{Citation needed}} Various pieces of concept art for the craft are shown on the ''[[Halo 2]]'' [[Halo 2 Collector's Edition#Collector's Edition DVD|Collector's Edition disc]]. Its design inspired the canonical version introduced in ''[[Halo: Spartan Strike]]''. In [[2022]], it was announced that, as part of the [[Digsite|Digsite Alpha]] initiative for ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]'', the original Kestrel design would be added back into ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' and made canon as the JOV-99 Kestrel.{{Ref/Site|Id=Halo Waypoint|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/cutting-room-floor|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Cutting Room Floor|D=26|M=7|Y=2022}}
<gallery>File:HCE-AV30Kestrel Render.jpg|''Halo: Combat Evolved''{{'}}s conceptual Kestrel.{{Ref/Twitter|game_fabricator|464436273029980160|Marcus Lehto|Quote=Did the Kestrel ever get out to the public?|D=03|M=3|Y=2021}}</gallery>
===MEGA Bloks===
[[MEGA Brands]] released toy building sets of the UNSC [[siege bike]] and the so-called Light Assault VTOL, later identified as the Kestrel. In a Q&A edition of the [[Halo Bulletin]], [[Frank O'Connor]] [http://blogs.halowaypoint.com/Headlines/post/2013/03/28/The-Halo-Bulletin-32813.aspx confirmed] the vehicles exist in canon, though not necessarily in the manner depicted by MEGA Bloks.{{Ref/Site|Id=Frankie|URL=http://blogs.halowaypoint.com/Headlines/post/2013/03/28/The-Halo-Bulletin-32813.aspx|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=The Halo Bulletin: 3.28.13|D=30|M=04|Y=2013}} Background information seemingly at odds with the canonical depictions was provided for the toys.

The Light Assault VTOL is said to be an aircraft designed for used in confined environments to provide ground and air-to-air support. Developed by the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]]'s [[Reverse Engineering and Prototyping–Xenotechnology department|REAP-X]] division as part of a line of exotic attack vehicles,{{Ref/Reuse|Frankie}} the VTOL is armed with a pair of twin-linked GAU-10/A HAC autocannons and a single M302 Class-1 Guided Missile Launch System.{{Ref/Site|Id=MC97102|URL=https://www.megaconstrux.com/en-us/halo/sets/unsc-light-assault-vtol-97102|Site=Mega Construx|Page=UNSC Light Assault VTOL|D=15|M=2|Y=2021}} In contrast, the canonical version is represented as a ground combat vehicle armed only with a pair of autocannons; indeed, it performs similarly to the [[Barukaza Workshop Chopper|Brute Chopper]], but maneuvers much like the {{Pattern|Karo'etba|Ghost}}.

<gallery>File:Light Assault VTOL.jpg|MEGA Bloks' Light Assault VTOL.</gallery>

==Trivia==
*Following the UNSC tradition of naming vehicles after animals, the AV-30 is named after the [[Wikipedia:Kestrel|Kestrel]], a group of falcons capable of hovering in still air.
{{Clear}}

==Gallery==
===Concept art===
<gallery>
File:HCE_Kestrel_Concept_1.jpg|Concept art of the ''Combat Evolved'' JOV-99 Kestrel.
File:HCE_Kestrel_Concept_2.jpg|Concept art of the ''Combat Evolved'' JOV-99 Kestrel.
File:HCE_Kestrel_Concept_3.jpg|Concept art of the ''Combat Evolved'' JOV-99 Kestrel.
File:HCE-AV30Kestrel.png|Cutout of the original cut Kestrel model from ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
File:MC Concept Kestrel.png|Concept art for the Mega Contrux version of the Kestrel.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.facebook.com/megaconstruxmx/photos/a.1414975092049172.1073741828.1406790922867589/1463960180483996/?type=3&theater|Site=Facebook|Page=Mega Construx|Quote=Our designer friends sent us their latest creation. Check out their concept for the Halo ONI REAP-X Light Assault VTOL.|D=18|M=07|Y=2023}}
</gallery>

===Canon version===
<gallery>
File:SpartanStrike - Kestrel vs Covies and Prometheans.png|A Kestrel engaging the Covenant and Prometheans.
File:SpartanStrike - KestrelvsGhost.png|A Kestrel versus a Ghost.
File:SpartanStrike - WallDestruction.png|A Kestrel destroying a wall.
</gallery>

{{Clear}}
{{linkbox|gallery=yes}}

==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo: Spartan Strike]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Legacy of Onyx]]''

==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}

{{Human vehicles}}

[[Category:UNSC vehicles]]