MACROSS MECHA DESIGNS
OPTIONAL SYSTEMS RPG STATS

(Version 1.0 - Last modified: Friday, 18-Jan-08 02:59:01 PST)

One of the greatest advantages of the variable fighters are their versatility. With three distinct modes of operation, the mecha can reconfigure themselves into a form best suited for any situation with only a moment's notice. The UN Spacy has tried to expand on this adaptability by developing several add-on systems that can be mounted on a VF-Series fighter when additional or unique capabilities necessary. Some of these systems are listed below.

CONTENTS

• YF/VF-SERIES EXTERNAL HEAVY WEAPONS MODULE
• VF ROCKET SLED

(More systems will be added in the future)

During the Project Super Nova design contest on planet Eden many new weapon systems were tested and evaluated by the UN Spacy. One of the more impressive weapon systems was an integrated external weapons module that could be mounted on the right arm of any variable fighter in battloid mode. In addition to dual rapid fire laser cannons and a five-tube micro-missile launcher, the weapon module contains an experimental high intensity pulse cannon of incredible power, enough to punch through the armor of an old Mac-II Monster in one shot. Unfortunately although the firepower of the weapons module was extremely impressive, the mechanism suffered from several bugs and design flaws, the most dramatic of which claimed one test pilot's life in the early trials when the pulse cannon overloaded and exploded, completely destroying a VF-11 test mecha.

Although the weapon system was not approved during Project Super Nova, development work continued and eventually most the problems were solved by 2044. The VF-Series External Heavy Weapons Module is used by UN Spacy special forces in situations where extremely heavy firepower is required and intense combat is expected. The one major flaw with the system is that a VF equipped with it is limited to gerwalk and soldier modes and cannot transform into fighter mode, which means that the VF fighters cannot rely on their incredible speeds. Still, the immense power of the module can give UN Spacy soldiers the edge they need in confrontations where the lives of thousands or millions of colonists hang in the balance.

The External Heavy Weapons Module is considered a secret weapon by the UN Spacy and is only issued to soldiers in extreme situations. The weapon system is not available prior to 2044 and afterwards is usually only found on major UN Spacy bases and starships. The weapons module can be used on any variable fighter in soldier or gerwalk mode, and can be ejected from the right arm in a single melee round if necessary.

STATISTICS:

• Type: External heavy weapons module.
• Weight: 1,200 kg.
• MDC of Module: 150. All damage to the right arm of the mecha is applied to the weapons module FIRST. Note that if the MDC of the module is depleted the capacitor for the pulse cannon will explode (see below).

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

1. DUAL RAPID-FIRE LASER CANNONS:
   • Primary Purpose: Assault
   • Secondary Purpose: Anti-mecha
   • Range: 2000 feet (610 m)
   • Damage: 1D6 M.D. per laser shot.
   • Rate of Fire: Each laser can fire up to 15 shots per melee round, and may be fired as aimed, burst, or wild shots from one or both lasers (see modern weapon proficiency rules).
   • Payload: Unlimited. The lasers draw power from the VF's internal fusion reactor.
2. EXPERIMENTAL HIGH-INTENSITY PULSE CANNON:
   • Primary Purpose: Heavy Assault
   • Secondary Purpose: Anti-fortification
   • Range: 4000 feet (1220 m)
   • Damage: 1D6x100 M.D. (!) per blast.
   • Rate of Fire: The cannon is powered by an internal capacitor which holds enough power for one shot. After firing the capacitor requires 30 seconds to recharge, during which time almost all power from the VFs internal fusion reactor is directed into the capacitor. While the capacitor is recharging the VF cannot use any energy weapons and must rely on missiles or autocannons for defense. Once charged the capacitor can hold the charge indefinitely until needed.
   • Payload: Conditionally Unlimited (see above).
   • Note: If the weapons module is destroyed while the capacitor is charged, the pulse cannon will discharge and explode. (!) Roll full damage, and apply damage to the right arm of the VF wearing the module first. Any leftover damage once the right arm is destroyed is then applied directly to the main body of the mecha.
3. MICRO-MISSILE LAUNCHERS (5):
   • Primary Purpose: Assault/Defense
   • Secondary Purpose: Anti-personnel
   • Missile Types: Any type of UN Spacy Micro Missile can be used (Plasma/Heat are standard issue).
   • Range: Varies with missile type, typically 1 mile (1.6 km).
   • Damage: Varies with missile type, typically 1D6x10 M.D.
   • Rate of Fire: Each tube can fire 1 micro-missile per round, so volleys of up to 5 missiles per round are possible.
   • Payload: 3 missiles per tube, 15 total.

As a primarily space-based military force, the UN Spacy fleet has often been forced to conduct space-to-surface attacks on land-based enemy installations. The most dangerous part of these operations falls to the VF pilots who must launch from a starship in orbit over a target planet, rapidly enter the planet's atmosphere and then engage enemy mecha or ground defenses. During re-entry the pilots are extremely vulnerable, as they cannot maneuver or dodge incoming fire without risk of losing control and disintegrating from atmospheric stress on the VF. Many pilots lost their lives during these attempts to "penetrate the envelope," leading UN Spacy engineers try and find a way to counteract the risk of attack during reentry. The VF Rocket Sled is one of the more successful results of this research.

The VF Rocket Sled is a rocket-shaped booster unit that can be fired from the standard UN Spacy ship-mounted heavy missile launcher. The nose cone of the missile is hollow and contains a cradle that can hold almost all types of Variable Fighters, complete with full FAST pack armaments. When launched the rocket sled immediately accelerates to Mach 4.4 (2,948 mph/4,745 kmph) and enters the atmosphere. The high rate of speed during reentry makes the sled very difficult to hit using ground-based weaponry, while the protective shielding of the rocket protects the VF inside from the stress of the rapid re-entry. Once the rocket sled reaches the denser layers of the atmosphere explosive charges blow away the nose cone while the rear part of the sled detaches, allowing the VF to quickly regain mobility.

The VF Rocket Sled has become a standard tool of UN Spacy special forces. The Northampton-class Stealth Frigate has even been designed to include a transport system between the ship's hangar bay and main missile launchers, allowing VF Rocket Sleds to be launched in extremely rapid succession. VF Rocket Sleds were most recently used by the Macross 7 during Operation Stargazer, where an elite group of pilots were inserted onto the Protodeviln's icy homeworld in an attempt to destroy them. During the assault not one pilot was lost during the re-entry phase of the mission, although the mission failed because of the power of the Protodeviln beings.

STATISTICS:

• Type: Assault Rocket Sled
• Speed: Mach 4.4 (2,948 mph/4,745 kmph) maximum for up to 5 minutes of constant thrust.
• MDC Values:
  

  Nose Shields (3)           200 each
  VF Cradle                  100 
  Rocket Booster (rear)      300
  

SPECIAL BONUSES:

During re-entry all attackers have a -5 penalty to hit the VF Rocket Sled.

If the rocket sled is hit, all damage is taken from the nose shields and rocket booster first before being applied to the VF. If a nose shield or the rocket booster is destroyed an emergency blow-away system will be triggered that will eject the damaged sled from around the variable fighter. Unfortunately the pilot must make a piloting roll at -20% in order to gain control of the VF, otherwise the fighter suffers 6D6 M.D. to the wings and main body due to re-entry stress. The damage will continue each round until the pilot makes a successful piloting roll and regains control of the fighter.

If the VF Rocket Sled successfully reaches deep atmosphere without damage it will automatically detach and the pilot will have complete control of the fighter.

WEAPONRY:

None. The VF Rocket Sled is not armed.

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