Frontier Developments has released the Elite Dangerous Kestrel Mk II update, introducing a new Core Dynamics combat vessel alongside a substantial audio overhaul and numerous bug fixes. The small frame Kestrel Mk II is designed for agility and precision, offering enhanced boost maneuverability and a new plasma based Shock Accelerator.
In addition to the new ship and ARX pre built packages, the update significantly reworks on foot combat audio, weapon sound profiles, environmental mixing, and spatial clarity. Several gameplay issues tied to Powerplay, ship kits, audio behavior, and UI feedback have also been resolved.
Elite Dangerous – Kestrel Mk II Update
New Ship and Equipment
- Added Core Dynamics Kestrel Mk II combat vessel
- Introduced Mk II Agile Boost Thrusters
- Increased lateral and vertical thrust while boosting
- Improved maneuverability during boost
- Added Mk II Plasma Shock Accelerator
- Burst fire Shock Cannon with plasma damage type
- Built in plasma slug functionality
- Added in world holo screen adverts for Kestrel Mk II
Pre Built Ships Available via ARX
- Kestrel Mk II Standard 16,520 ARX
- Standard ship
- Owners Club decal
- Kestrel Mk II Stellar 33,000 ARX
- High spec ship
- Primacy White paint job
- Aggro ship kit
- Owners Club decal
- Kestrel Mk II Galactic 60,000 ARX
- Includes all Stellar content
- Flare animated holo kit
- Swift ship kit pack
- Owners Club decal
Audio Overhaul
On Foot Combat Audio Rebalance
- Reworked combat audio to improve situational awareness
- Extended gunfire carry distance with clearer directional feedback
- Improved enemy fire directionality and reduced reverb clutter
- Enhanced explosion and grenade clarity with sharper transients
- Adjusted surrounding gunfire mix when hit to improve threat identification
- Improved legibility of hit markers, shield breaks, and kill confirmations
Weapon Audio Refresh
- Manticore Executioner
- Heavier, more powerful sound profile
- Improved threat and distance readability
- Manticore Intimidator
- Updated audio to match threat profile
- Clearer close range impact
- Karma AR 50 and Karma P 15
- Redesigned audio assets
- Sharper impacts and improved presence
- Improved indoor behavior and bullet impacts
- Shield Disruptor and Frag grenades
- Distinct audio signature for Shield Disruptor
- More impactful and readable explosions
Environmental and Mixing Improvements
- More natural indoor reverb and echo behavior
- Reduced settlement ambience metal droning
- Quieter distant ships and engines while on foot
- Improved explosion room shake detection
- Unified hit feedback EQ across weapons
- Improved indoor and outdoor occlusion filtering
- New compression settings for sharper hardpoint weapon detail
Issue Tracker Fixes
- Resolved Caspian Explorer cargo scoop issue
- Fixed CQC rank re awarding starter zone permit
- Resolved NPC Crew rank progression getting stuck
Bug Fixes
- Adjusted 2025 Festive Jumper textures to reduce shine
- Improved Caspian Explorer ship kit metallic texture behavior
- Improved floating cargo scooping with Caspian Explorer
- Prevented Powerplay Commodities from being stored in Squadron Bank
- Fixed Powerplay Reinforcement score not applying for criminal kills
- Fixed Powerplay PvP kills not rewarding score or merits
- Fixed side decals not displaying correctly on Zorgon Peterson Adder
- Fixed Autoloader mod UI not displaying Reloading when ammo depleted
- Resolved long range explosion audibility issues
- Fixed rare audio hang when exiting ship during menu interactions
Elite Dangerous originally launched on December 16, 2014, for PC, with later releases on Xbox One and PlayStation 4. The Kestrel Mk II update is live as of February 24, 2026.
Have you noticed these changes? Share your thoughts in the comments!
