AV-30 Kestrel

The Kestrel is a combat vehicle used by the United Nations Space Command. The Kestrel hovers above the ground via ducted air fans rather than using traditional wheels or treads. It is armed with a pair of twin-linked autocannons.

Halo 2 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. Various pieces of concept art for the craft are shown on the Halo 2 Collector's Edition disc. Its design inspired the canonical version introduced in Halo: Spartan Strike.

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 confirmed the vehicles exist in canon, though not necessarily in the manner depicted by MEGA Bloks. 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 REAP-X division as part of a line of exotic attack vehicles, 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. 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 Brute Chopper but maneuvers much like the Ghost.

List of appearances

 * Halo: Spartan Strike