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The third (and final) OmniMech of Khan Yvonne Hazen's so-called "Falcon Series" is the 40-ton Kestrel.  Intended to serve alongside the Summoner II and Black Harrier OmniMechs, this unit is lighter, faster, and more maneuverable.  Yet, it still manages to achieve a pod-space of 13.5 tons . . . not including a fixed Active Probe located in the head.

Khan Hazen issued a call for her Scientists to begin design work on the new OmniMech in 3012 when it became clear that the recently introduced Summoner IIs and Black Harriers required a lighter and faster cousin to scout for the Star and to flush out hidden enemies.  Design and development took five years with the first prototype undergoing combat trials in 3017 and being authorized for production in 3018.

The base chassis was built around the frame of the ancient Mercury II, itself the predecessor of Clan Coyote's Coytl (the first true Clan OmniMech).  However, the design incorporated ferro-fibrous armor plating (6.0 tons, for an AV of 115), endo-steel internal structure, double strength heat sinks, and a 280-rate extra-light fusion engine.  This engine provided the Kestrel with the ability to walk at speeds of 75.6 kilometers per hour and run at 118.8 kph.  Seven jump jets were installed as fixed equipment (two each in the right and left legs, one each in the right, center, and left torsos) for a total jump range of 210 meters.  To aid the design in its role of a so-called point-'Mech, the Kestrel also featured a fixed Active Probe in the head.

Only ten double-strength heat sinks were incorporated in the design, but the resulting pod-space was quite astounding:  13.5 tons.  Five full tons more than the slightly faster and more mobile Viper OmniMech . . . six if one included the fixed Active Probe as well!  Of course, detractors of this newest Jade Falcon OmniMech pointed out that the Viper had heavier armor protection (by one ton) than the Kestrel.  Indeed, the latest Jade Falcon design only carried the same amount of armor as the 35-ton Adder. 

But the Falcons deemed this was sufficient for the role they intended for the Kestrel to fill. 

The Prime configuration mounts an ER PPC in the right arm, supported by an LRM-15 launcher with Artemis IV and three tons of ammunition (for 24 salvoes!) in the left torso.  Max heat is 27 with 20 dissipated.  Max damage is 30 points from 1 hex to 21 hexes, then just 15 points at ranges 22-23.  BV is 2190.

Configuration A is armed for close combat.  The main gun is a Large Pulse Laser in the right arm, with two SRM-6 launchers with Artemis IV fire-control mounted one each in the right and left torsos.  Each missile pack is fed by a ton of ammunition (for 15 double salvoes).  A center-torso mounted ER Small Laser completes the weapon suite.  Max heat is 27 for 20.  Max damage is 39 at ranges 1-6, 34 at 7-9, and 10 points at ranges 10-20.  BV is just 1684.

Configuration B is a sniper.  A pair of ER Large Lasers (right arm and left arm) are the main guns with only a single ER Small Laser as a back-up weapon (center torso).  But all three guns are tied into a right torso mounted two-ton Targeting Computer for maximum accuracy at all ranges.  Three additional DHS are fitted to the chassis as well.  Max heat is 33 for 26.  Max damage is 25 at ranges 1-6 and then 20 at ranges 7-25.  BV is 2160.

Configuration C carries a mixed battery of missiles and pulse lasers.  Two Medium Pulse Lasers (right arm and left arm) are the only non-ammunition dependent weapons.  The left torso carries an LRM-10 with Artemis IV FCS and two tons of ammo (24 salvoes), while the right torso features a Streak SRM-6 launcher with a ton of ammo.  Max heat is 23 for 20.  Max damage is 36 from ranges 1-12, dropping to 10 at 13-21.  BV is 1827.

Configuration D is one favored by many Falcon Warriors.  The only weapon with a range greater than six hexes is an ER Large Laser in the right arm.  This gun is supported by eleven ER Small Lasers (mounted one in the center torso, two in the left arm, and four each in the right and left torsos).  Four additional DHS are carried as well.  Max heat is 41 with 28 dissipated, but the Warrior assigned to this machine is cautioned not to use the ER Small Laser battery and ER Large Laser simultaneously.  Max damage is 65 (!!) for an alpha-strike at ranges 1-6, dropping to 10 at 7-25.  BV is 1893.

Configuration E has an ER Large Laser (right arm), a Medium Pulse Laser (left arm), a Streak SRM-6 with one ton of ammo (15 salvoes) in the left torso, an Anti-Missile System with one ton of ammo (24 bursts) in the right torso, and an ECM Suite (center torso).  One additional DHS is mounted.  Max heat is 28 for 22.  Max damage is 29 from 1-12 and 10 from 13-25.  BV is 1937.

Configuration F has an LB-5X autocannon with two tons of ammunition (40 bursts) in the right arm, supported by an ER Large Laser in the left arm.  A center torso mounted ER Small Laser is the only other weapon.  Max heat is 22 for 20.  Max damage is rather anemic, but this configuration excels in the air defense role:  20 points from 1-6, 15 from 7-24, and 10 at range 25.  BV is a mere 1556.

Configuration G carries the ATM system when it becomes available.  An ATM-6 with three tons of ammo (30 salvoes) occupies the left torso.  Secondary weapons are two ER Medium Lasers (right arm and left arm) and two Medium Pulse Lasers (right torso).  One extra DHS has been mounted.  Max heat is 29 for 22.  Max damage is 46 at 1-9 with ATM-HE, 40 at 10-12 with standard ATMs, 26 at 13-15 with standard ATMs, and 6 at 16-27 with ATM-ER.  BV is 2073.

Configuration H is armed with an Ultra AC-5 autocannon and two tons of ammo (40 single bursts or 20 double taps) in the right arm.  This is supported by an SRM-4 in the right torso with a ton of ammo (25 salvoes), two Heavy Medium Lasers in the left arm, and an ER Small Laser in the center torso.  Max heat is 27 for 20.  Max damage is 43 at 1-6, 38 at 7-9, and 10 at 10-21.  BV, however, is extraordinarily low at 1484.

Finally, Configuration I is armed for anti-personnel operations.  The right arm mounted Large Pulse Laser is the single heavy weapon on the design, while an Anti-Missile System with one ton of ammo (24 bursts) is mounted in the right torso.  But in close, six AP Gauss Rifles and three tons of ammo (20 bursts per APG) are carried (two each in the left arm, right torso, and left torso).  Max heat is 24 for 20.  Max damage is 28 at 1-9 and 10 at 10-20.  BV is 1640.