AV-30 Kestrel

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

Halo 2 predecessor
The Kestrel was originally a aircraft that was cut from Halo: Combat Evolved in early stages of the game's development. Various pieces of concept art for the craft were shown in the Halo 2 Collector's Edition disc, and the name Kestrel is also found in the Halo: Combat Evolved game code. Its design inspired for 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, alter 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. A background seemingly at odds with the canonical depiction's 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 ONI'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, performing quite similarly to the Brute Chopper.

List of appearances

 * Halo: Spartan Strike