Editing JOV-99 Kestrel

{{Status|Canon}}
{{Disambig header|the vehicle initially cut from Halo: Combat Evolved|the vehicle introduced in Halo: Spartan Strike|AV-30 Kestrel}}
{{Vehicle infobox
|name=JOV-99 Kestrel
|image=[[File:HCE-AV30Kestrel.png|300px]]
|manufacturer=[[Vestol Corporation]]{{Ref/Site|Id=cuttingroomlore|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/canon-fodder-cutting-room-lore|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Cutting Room Lore|D=26|M=7|Y=2022}}
|line=
|model=JOV-99
|cost=
|length=
|width=
|height=
|mass=
|max speed=
|engine=
|hull=
|armament=*2 autocannons
*2 missile pods
|crew=One operator
|complement=
|consumables=
|othersystems=
|firstuse-title=In service
|firstuse=
|role=Light strike, battlefield support{{Ref/Reuse|cuttingroomlore}}
|affiliation=*[[Colonial Military Authority]]{{Ref/Reuse|cuttingroomlore}}
*[[United Nations Space Command]]{{Ref/Reuse|cuttingroomlore}}
**[[UNSC Army]]{{Ref/Reuse|cuttingroomlore}}
}}

The '''JOV-99 Kestrel''' is a ground attack aircraft designed and manufactured by [[Vestol Corporation]]. Before the dissolution of the [[Colonial Military Authority]], the craft was a common sight among their forces on various [[human]] [[Human colonies|colonies]]. The Kestrel continues to see service among some [[UNSC]] [[UNSC Army|Army]] garrisons, local defense forces, and colonial militias.{{Ref/Reuse|cuttingroomlore}}

==Overview==
===Design details===
The JOV-99 Kestrel flies via two rotors flanking the main fuselage. At the front of the aircraft are two autocannons and two missile pods, with an open canopy cockpit in between. At the rear of the Kestrel is a stubby tail, and there are two struts adjacent each rotor that act as static landing gear.{{Ref/Reuse|cuttingroomlore}}

===Development history===
Developed for use on [[Human colonies|frontier worlds]] by [[Vestol Corporation]], the JOV-99 was intentionally made to be easily-transportable, low-cost, reliable, and easy to maintain. Very few of the craft's components need to be sourced from the [[Inner Colonies]], resulting in most Kestrel production being handled by colonial industries and contractors. Several elements of the JOV-99 Kestrel were borrowed by [[Misriah Armory]] in their development of the [[AV-30 Kestrel|AV-30 Light Assault VTOL]], also titled the Kestrel.{{Ref/Reuse|cuttingroomlore}}

===Usage===
Initially seeing service by the [[Colonial Military Authority]] on numerous colonies, the JOV-99 Kestrel was considered for widespread adoption within the [[United Nations Space Command]] sometime after the effective dissolution of the CMA. However, Misriah Armory's [[AV-49 Wasp|Wasp]] was ultimately selected to replace the Kestrels supplied to [[UNSC Army]] and colonial militia forces. While the Wasp is a capable aircraft, many army garrisons, local defense forces, and militias continue to use the JOV-99 Kestrel as it does not require constant off-world maintenance inputs. Because of this, Vestol Corporation continues to profit off of the Kestrel by supplying upgrade packages and selling licenses for local manufacture of the aircraft.{{Ref/Reuse|cuttingroomlore}}

==Production notes==
The Kestrel was originally modelled for inclusion in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''. Little is known of the vehicle's intended role within the game,{{Ref/Twitter|game_fabricator|464436273029980160|Marcus Lehto|Quote=Did the Kestrel ever get out to the public?|D=11|M=7|Y=2021}} but it was cut partly because ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' lacked vehicle physics that can effectively simulate VTOL aircraft.{{Ref/YouTube|Id=H2CE|DWI7AhQFpTE|Bungie|Cutting Room Floor Weapons Vehicles and Characters|Y=2020|M=12|D=17|Detail=Official Bungie upload of the BTS video from the ''Halo 2'' Collector's Edition}}{{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}} The vehicle was later concepted for ''[[Halo 2]]'', before being cut once more.{{Ref/Reuse|H2CE}} In [[2022]], it was announced that, as part of the [[Digsite|Digsite Alpha]] initiative for ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]'', the vehicle will be added back into ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' as a canon vehicle.{{Ref/Reuse|Halo Waypoint}} 

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:HCE_Kestrel_Concept_1.jpg|Concept art of the cut Kestrel.
File:HCE_Kestrel_Concept_2.jpg|Concept art of the cut Kestrel.
File:HCE_Kestrel_Concept_3.jpg|Concept art of the cut Kestrel.
File:HCE_Vehicle-Kestrel1.jpg|The Kestrel, ported into ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
</gallery>

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

{{Human aircraft}}
[[Category:UNSC aircraft]]