Kestrel Front-line Transport
Mass: 200 tons
Chassis: Unknown
Power Plant: Fusion
Armor: BAR 5
Armament:
1 LRM 20
1 Rotary AC/5
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3145
Tech Rating/Availability: F/X-X-X-X
Cost: 7,837,469 C-bills
Mass: 200 tons
Frame: Unknown
Power Plant: Fusion
Armor: BAR 5
Armament:
1 LRM 20
1 Rotary AC/5
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3145
Tech Rating/Availability: F/X-X-X-X
Cost: 7,837,469 C-bills
Type: Kestrel
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Tonnage: 200
Battle Value: 780
Equipment Mass
Engine Fusion 45
Safe Thrust: 4
Max Thrust: 6
Structural Integrity: 0
Heat Sinks: 0 0
Fuel: 300 6
Cockpit: 20
Armor Factor (BAR 5): 204 5.5
Armor
Value
Nose 62
Wings 51/51
Aft 40
Weapons
and Ammo Location Tonnage Heat SRV MRV LRV ERV
LRM 20 NOS 10 6 12 12 12 0
SV Chassis Mod (STOL) BOD 0 - - - - -
CASE BOD 0.5 - - - - -
LRM 20 Ammo (18) BOD 3 - - - - -
Advanced Fire Control BOD 2 - - - - -
5 External Stores Hardpoint BOD 1 - - - - -
Rotary AC/5 Ammo (40) BOD 2 - - - - -
Rotary AC/5 AFT 10 1 20 20 0 0
Heavy Vehicle BayThe Kestrel was an unusual, experimental fixed-wing support craft.
It's not known whether this aircraft reached production status or if it remained a mere prototype in the test-flight stage, as most of the data on the craft was lost during the chaos of the Clan Wolf invasion of Terra who haven't bothered to produce more since its conquest, but it appears that this vehicle was intended to be a companion to the
Warpig. Warpigs were apparently intended to mount into the Kestrel nose section and fly to the front, with the Kestrel protecting its payload via stealth armor, front-mounted air-to-air missiles, and a rear-mounted rotary autocannon. The Kestrel would then land near the front line and unload the Warpig, which would proceed to the objective on the ground.
The prototypes, however, did not have stealth armor, and were instead clad in thick but brittle BAR 5 armor. The main culprit was the Warpig, whose light weight rapidly ballooned into an assault vehicle as more and more design requirements were thrust upon the Warpig, not all of which had clear military utility. Consequently, the Kestrel's planned vehicle transportation module increased from the expected manageable 50 tons to an absurd 100 tons - half of the Kestrel's loaded weight - forcing the designers to use a lighter chassis and armor types instead of the planned reinforced chassis and stealth capabilities.
The lead manager of the project insisted that the Kestrel use an ICE powerplant, believing the lower tech option to be more rugged and reliable. However, the design team was well aware that the already bloated Kestrel would not fly with one; the most advanced fusion turbines available were the only powerplants light and powerful enough to produce enough thrust to become airborne. The lead manager was persistent, so the design team had to bypass the issue by showing a (fake) Kestel prototype featuring the requested ICE turbines for the walk-around tour while secretly switching it with the real Kestrel during the test flight later that day. Somehow they weren't caught, and the lead manager approved the design after the Kestrel successfully took off and landed with a vehicle mounted in the nose bay.
