Kestrel (Combat Vehicle)
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| |
| Kestrel VTOL | |
| Production information | |
| Manufacturer | Blackwell Corporation |
| Mission | Special Operations/Infantry Transport |
| Type | VTOL |
| Technical specifications | |
| Mass | 25 |
| Armor | ProTech 4 |
| Engine | 160 ICE |
| Speed | 194 km/h |
| Crew | 2 |
| Armament |
2x Machine Guns |
| BV (1.0) | 76[1] |
| BV (2.0) | 155[2] |
Description
The Kestrel was designed for Wolf's Dragoons special operations teams, particularly the Seventh Kommando. Lightly armed and armored, the Kestrel spent more on stealth than weapons and armor. In fact the heaviest armor, located on the front of the VTOL, can only survive a single Large Laser hit before it's gone. In addition, the oddly sized infantry bay doesn't allow a full platoon, but is too large for a squad. In the wrong hands, the Kestrel is nothing more than a target, but when used properly it is an excellent VTOL for special operations support.
For many years, Wolf's Dragoons was the only known user of the Kestrel. However, there have been enough combat losses that other powers have at least a few Kestrels in service. It also appears that the Dragoons sold several Kestrels to MI6.[3]
Armament
As a special operations transport, the Kestrel relies on stealth and speed more than weaponry. To encourage this mindset, the Kestrel only mounts a pair of Machine Guns.
Variants
- Medevac - Glimpsed only once, this variant apparently replaces the weaponry with paramedic equipment. BV (2.0) = 126[4]
- Medium Laser - A field variant, this version replaces the Machine Guns with a single Medium Laser, power amplifier, and heat sinks. This dramatically reduces the cargo space available.[5] BV (2.0) = 252[6]
- Small Laser - A field variant, this version replaces the Machine Guns with paired Small Lasers, power amplifier, and heat sinks. This dramatically reduces the cargo space available.[7] BV (2.0) = 175[8]
- SRM - A field variant, this version replaces the Machine Guns with a single SRM-2 and a ton of ammunition.[9] BV (2.0) = 192[10]
References
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade, p. 65
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Inner Sphere), p. 27
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade, p. 64
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Inner Sphere), p. 29
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade, p. 64
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Inner Sphere), p. 30
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade, p. 64
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Inner Sphere), p. 31
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade, p. 64
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Inner Sphere), p. 32