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| {{Status|Canon}} | | {{Ratings}} |
| {{Disambig header|the vehicle introduced in Halo: Spartan Strike|the vehicle initially cut from Halo: Combat Evolved|JOV-99 Kestrel}} | | {{Era|H2}} |
| {{Vehicle infobox | | {{Template:Not Canon}} |
| |name=AV-30 Light Assault VTOL
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| |image=[[File:HSS Kestrel.jpg|300px]]
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| |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>
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| [[Reverse Engineering and Prototyping–Xenotechnology department|REAP-X department]]
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| |line=
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| |model=AV-30
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| |cost=
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| |length=
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| |width=
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| |height=
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| |mass=
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| |max speed=
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| |engine=
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| |hull=
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| |armament=*2 [[GAU-10/A heavy autocannon]]s{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}
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| *2 [[M302 rocket pod]]s{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}
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| |crew=One operator
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| |complement=
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| |consumables=
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| |othersystems=
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| |firstuse-title=In service
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| |firstuse=[[Post-Covenant War conflicts]]
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| |role=Ground support, fast attack{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}
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| |affiliation=[[United Nations Space Command]]
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| }} | |
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| 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}}
| | <center>'''''Kestrel''' links here. For the Insurrectionists ship, see [[Kestrel (Ship)]]''</center> |
| | [[Image:Kestrel concept.jpg|right|150px]] |
| | [[Image:Kestrel concept 2.jpg|right|150px]] |
| | [[Image:Kestrel concept 3.jpg|right|150px]] |
| | The '''Kestrel''' is a [[UNSC]] aircraft seen in the ''[[Halo 2]]'' Collector's Edition disc that was cut from the game. |
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| ==Overview==
| | {{Deletemat}} |
| ===Design details===
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| 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}}
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| ===Armaments===
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| 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}}
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| ==History==
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| ===Development history===
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| 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}}
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| 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}}
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| ===Operational history===
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| 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}}
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| ==Production notes==
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| ===''Halo: Combat Evolved'' predecessor===
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| 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}}
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| <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>
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| ===MEGA Bloks===
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| [[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.
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| 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}}.
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| <gallery>File:Light Assault VTOL.jpg|MEGA Bloks' Light Assault VTOL.</gallery>
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| ==Trivia== | | ==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. | | *Since the Kestrel is an aircraft, it may have had weapons similar to the [[Hornet]]'s defense systems, such as the machine gun and missiles. It may also have been used to transport troops quickly if it were to have a troop bay, much like modern helicopters. |
| {{Clear}}
| | *The name ''Kestrel'' was also that of a cargo ship in [[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]. |
| | | *It was placed by modders into custom maps available only to ''[[Halo Custom Edition|Halo: Custom Edition]]''. |
| ==Gallery==
| | *The Kestrel may have been an early version of the Hornet or [[Hawk]], as both are quite similar looking. |
| ===Concept art===
| | *The name Kestrel was found in the Halo Combat Evolved game code. |
| <gallery>
| | *The aircraft could possibly be named for the Hawker-Siddeley Kestrel FGA.1, the direct forerunner and prototype of the Hawker-Siddeley Harrier jump-jet, the only VTOL jet currently in active service. |
| File:HCE_Kestrel_Concept_1.jpg|Concept art of the ''Combat Evolved'' JOV-99 Kestrel.
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| File:HCE_Kestrel_Concept_2.jpg|Concept art of the ''Combat Evolved'' JOV-99 Kestrel.
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| File:HCE_Kestrel_Concept_3.jpg|Concept art of the ''Combat Evolved'' JOV-99 Kestrel.
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| File:HCE-AV30Kestrel.png|Cutout of the original cut Kestrel model from ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
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| 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}}
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| </gallery>
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| ===MEGA Construx===
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| <gallery>
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| File:MC_Kestrel_Blueprint.png|A blueprint of the MEGA Kestrel.
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| </gallery>
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| ===Canon version===
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| <gallery>
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| File:SpartanStrike - Kestrel vs Covies and Prometheans.png|A Kestrel engaging the Covenant and Prometheans.
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| File:SpartanStrike - KestrelvsGhost.png|A Kestrel versus a Ghost.
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| File:SpartanStrike - WallDestruction.png|A Kestrel destroying a wall.
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| </gallery>
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| {{Clear}}
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| {{linkbox|gallery=yes}}
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| ==List of appearances==
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| *''[[Halo: Spartan Strike]]'' {{1st}}
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| *''[[Halo: Legacy of Onyx]]''
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| ==Sources==
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| {{Ref/Sources}}
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| {{Human vehicles}}
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| [[Category:UNSC vehicles]] | | {{Deleted Material}} |
| | [[Category:Vehicles]] |
