Kestrel (Combat Vehicle)
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| |
| Kestrel VTOL | |
| Production information | |
| Manufacturer | Blackwell Corporation [1] |
| Mission | |
| Type | VTOL |
| Introduced | 3007[2] |
| Technical specifications | |
| Mass | 25 |
| Armor | ProTech 4 |
| Engine | 160 ICE |
| Speed | 194 km/h |
| Crew | 2 |
| Communications System | Dalban StarLink Classic |
| Armament |
2x Machine Guns |
| BV (1.0) | 76[1] |
| BV (2.0) | 155[3] |
Description
Originally an old Clan design, the Kestrel was redesigned in 3007 by Wolf's Dragoons for their 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.[1]
For many years, Wolf's Dragoons was the only known user of the Kestrel in the Inner Sphere. 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.[1]
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.[1]
Variants
- Medevac - Glimpsed only once, this variant introduced in 3022[2] apparently replaces the weaponry with paramedic equipment. BV (2.0) = 126[4]
- Medium Laser - A field variant introduced in 3030[2], this version replaces the Machine Guns with a single Medium Laser, power amplifier, and heat sinks. This dramatically reduces the cargo space available.[1] BV (2.0) = 252[5]
- Small Laser - A field variant introduced 3017[2], this version replaces the Machine Guns with paired Small Lasers, power amplifier, and heat sinks. This dramatically reduces the cargo space available.[1] BV (2.0) = 175[6]
- SRM - A field variant introduced 3042[2], this version replaces the Machine Guns with a single SRM-2 and a ton of ammunition.[1] BV (2.0) = 192[7]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade, pp. 64-65, "Kestrel VTOL Profile"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Master Unit List, "Kestrel VTOL variants"
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Inner Sphere), p. 27
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Inner Sphere), p. 29
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Inner Sphere), p. 30
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Inner Sphere), p. 31
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Inner Sphere), p. 32