During the era before the Robotech Masters invaded, the
Global Military Police did some experimentation with hover
platforms that, ironically, bore some resemblance to the
platforms the Robotech Masters' Bioroids were later to employ to
great effect.
These platforms were one-man, high-speed patrol ships,
designed for use against terrorists or urban violence. They were
armed with a high-speed, rapid-cycling 23mm gatling cannon and
some very good maneuverability.
These hovercraft were used during the same period of time as
the Garland series of mecha, and retired at about the same time
for about the same reason--they were considered too expensive to
maintain and unnecessary for normal patrol work. They were
replaced by the hovercycle that most Southern Cross personnel
used by the time of the Second Robotech War.
This unit is based on the ones seen in the Megazone 23
movies, to complement the Garland and Hargun mecha. All
statistics are made up, any errors are probably my fault; I can't
read the original Japanese in the art books.
RPG STATS
Class: Light patrol vehicle
Crew:
One. One passenger may also ride the 'craft, hanging on behind the pilot,
but this is not recommended (for safety reasons).
M.D.C. BY LOCATION:
Main Body: 120
23mm Cannon: 30
Windshield: 10
(1) Pilot: (Whatever body armor he's wearing)
NOTES:
(1)
Because of his position on the platform, the pilot is a viable
target, especially from the side. The platform rider relies on
his maneuverability and body armor to protect him from gunfire.
POWER PLANT: Pratt & Whitney AT-972 Aviation Turbine Engine
RANGE: Two hours flight time
SPEED:
Hover stationary: up to 100 feet off the ground Fly: up to 250 mph, altitude ceiling of 10,000 feet
HEIGHT: 6 ft. 6 in. (without rider)
WIDTH: 8 ft.
LENGTH: 6 ft.
WEIGHT: 1000 lbs.
WEAPON SYSTEMS:
23mm RAPID-FIRE GATLING CANNON: This gun system, capable of
limited side-to-side and up-and-down rotation, is designed for
standard patrol tasks involving anti-armor and anti-personnel.
While not as heavy a weapon as some carried by mecha, it is
more than sufficient for the normal assault and defense
functions performed by these hovercraft.
Primary Purpose: Anti-Armor/Anti-Personnel
Secondary Purpose: Defense
Mega-Damage: 8D6 per burst
Rate of fire: Equal to the pilot's hand-to-hand attacks
Payload: 40 bursts
Range: 2000 ft
STANDARD EQUIPMENT:
HEADS-UP DISPLAY: Displays flight and targeting data on the
hovercraft's windshield.
FLIGHT COMPUTER: Plots flight data and displays it on pilot's
helmet or the hovercraft's HUD.
TARGETING COMPUTER: Plots targeting for 23mm cannon and displays
data on pilot's helmet or the hovercraft's HUD.
