ROBOTECH Technical Files

by Pieter Thomassen and Peter Walker, with Rob Morgenstern

edited by Tim Wing

Attachments:

• VF-4 Lightning reference file
• VF-4 Lightning gallery

Designation: Rockwell Bell VF-4 Lightning III Fleet Defense Veritech Fighter

I. Dimensions:

Fighter Mode

• Wingspan: 12.65 meters
• Height: 5.31 meters
• Length: 16.8 meters
• Mass: empty 13.95 metric tons

II. Type

• VF-4A, -4G: One man all weather aerospace combat mecha, three form Veritech.
• VF-4B: Two-man all weather aerospace combat-capable trainer mecha, three form Veritech.

III. Service History

• VF-X-3: Experimental non-variable aircraft, saw operation from 2011 until 2013.
• VF-X-4: Experimental two-form (fighter and GERWALK) veritech fighter aircraft, saw testing from 2013 until 2014.
• YF-4: Preproduction three-form veritech prototype. Introduced in early 2014 and immediately accepted into service as the VF-4A.
• VF-4A: Served with the UN Spacy from 2014 until replaced by the -4G.
• VF-4B: Served with the UN Spacy from 2014 until 2017, with the UEDF Tactical Armored Space Corps and Navy from 2018 until 2024, and with the UEEF Naval Air Arm from 2018 until 2021.
• VF-4G: Served with the UN Spacy in 2017, with the UEDF Tactical Armored Space Corps and Navy from 2018 until 2024, and with the UEEF Naval Air Arm from 2018 until 2021.

IV. Propulsion

VF-4A, -4B

• 2 x Nakajima/P&W/Rolls Royce FF-2011 fusion turbines, max. unboosted output 137 kN each (boosted, 270 kN each).

VF-4G

• 2 x Nakajima/P&W/Rolls Royce FF-2011+ fusion turbines, max. unboosted output 162 kN each (boosted, 318 kN each).

All

• 2 x Turbo-Union ATF 350 miniaturized fusion plasma-air/reaction mass intermix ramjets. Mounted on the upper rear (fighter mode), on the arm blocks [Reserve]. Each engine is rated to 38.4 kN standard thrust, max overboost to 77.3 kN each.
• 2 x ramjet engines, used at high altitude at speeds above Mach 3.
• 2 x P&W HMM-1A high-maneuverability vernier thrusters are mounted on the arm blocks.
• Powerplant: 2 x RRL-2P miniaturized protoculture-cell energizer.
• Assorted small reaction thrusters and gyroscopes for all-environment maneuvers, attitude adjustment, and stability.

Fuel Capacity

• 18 Standard Canisters of Protoculture,
• 16.4 lit. D2O reactant for fusion engines.

V. Performance (VF-4G):

Fighter Mode:

• Max level speed at sea level : Mach 1.12
• Max level speed at 10 km: Mach 3.25
• Max level speed at 30+ km: Mach 5.33
• Stall speed (VTOL shift possible): 185 kph.
• Initial climb rate: over 30000m per minute.
• Unboosted service ceiling: 35 km.

GERWALK Mode:

• Max level speed at all altitudes: 550 kph
• Stall speed: 0 kph (hover)
• Max loiter time: 450 seconds

Battloid Mode:

• Max running speed: 128 kph.
• Max flying speed at all altitudes: 240 kph.

General:

• Range (space): Total delta-v 5.74 kps on internal reaction mass. An additional 5.6 kps delta-v can be added by four conformal FAWT packs (see armament section).
• Protoculture supply: 250 hours operational use.
• G limits: -5.0/+11.5.

VI. Electronics:

Radar tracking:

• Hughes APG-113 X-band pulse-Doppler phased array, providing spherical long-range detection and tracking of targets at all altitudes. Equipped with special ‘stealthy’ modes.

Optical tracking:

• Phillips AllView multi-band digital camera system, for medium range spherical infra-red imaging, optical and ultra-violet band detection and tracking
• Thomson LT-5 multi-frequency laser ranger and designator.

Tactical Electronic Warfare System (TEWS):

• Elettronica Radar Warning Receiver (RWR)
• OlDelft Infra-red Warning Receiver (IRWR)
• Westinghouse ALQ-250(V) active sensor jammer
• Chaff dispenser
• Flares.

VII. Armament:

Cannons:

VF-4A, -4B

• 2 x EP-4 single barrel particle cannons stored in the upper engine pods in Fighter mode and in the wrists in Battloid and Guardian modes. Each cannon can fire a particle beam with a yield of 9 MJ every second. This installation, reminiscent of the particle cannons on the Quaedluun-Rau Power Armor, was so successful that it was emulated on the later Beta Fighter as well, and only a lack of space kept it from the Alpha.

VF-4G

• 2 x EP-13B1 three-barreled 80mm particle gun pods, firing 170 rounds per minute in full automatic mode, also capable of firing all three barrels simultaneously in semiautomatic mode at approximately one shot per second. This weapon fires 8.2 MJ pulses per barrel in each mode and was developed in 2032 by the REF. The weapons are stored in the same position as the older cannons.

Missiles:

• 12 x MCHS-4 Recessed conformal missile bays on the upper (4) and lower (6) engine pods and the lower forward hull section (2) containing one semi-recessed long range missile each.

Hardpoints:

There are 2 inner-overwing and 2 outer-underwing hardpoints. The inner hardpoints can only be used if the upper FAWT-packs are not mounted. These hardpoints are generally used for specialized weapons that do not fit into the FAWT-pack missile bays or in an atmosphere. Each hardpoint can carry:

• 1 x MER (Multiple Ejector Rack) for two Derringer missiles. These missiles have a range of 70 km (A variant) or 130 km (E/F variants) and a speed of Mach 3.0, guided by a combined optical, IIR, and active radar seeker.
• or 1 x MER for three AGM-65R Maverick air-to-ground missiles (outer-underwing hardpoint only).
• or 1 x RMS-2 “Angel Of Death” Nuclear Stand-off missile. A reaction warhead (200 kT) mounted on a long range (293 km) Mach 4.0 combined multi-spectrum imager and active radar homing missile and apreferred ordnance for anti-starship missions. Maximum delta-v is 5 kps.
• or 1 x Firebird missile. A conventional warhead mounted on the frame of a RMS missile with a range of 234 km and a speed of Mach 6.5, guided by a combined IIR and active/passive radarseeker. Delta-v in space is 4.0 kps.
• or 1 x RMS-3 “Archangel of Death” nuclear stand-off missile. A reaction warhead (500 kT) mounted on a long range (454 km) Mach 4.0 combined multi-spectrum imager and active radar homing missile. Customized for anti-starship operations. Maximum delta-v is 6 kps.
• or 1 x CBM-200 cluster missile. A long range missile based on the RMS-3 with 200 cluster bomblets with a range of 1 km and a speed of Mach 4.0.
• or 1 x Carapace missile container (see notes below).
• or 1 x MER for three Mk-82 Paveway V 230kg bombs; various fuse options, laser-guided (outer-underwing hardpoint only).
• or any other military cargo such as a recon pod, missile or cargo pod.
• The Carapace missile container is an armored casing with three missile tubes. Each tube can be loaded with 1 x medium range (65 km) Mach 3.0 combined active radar and thermal imager guided AMM-1 Stiletto missile, or with 2 x medium range (65km) Mach 3.2 combined infra-red imager and active radar homing 260mm Diamondback missiles, or with 4 x 190x540mm short range (8.2km) combined active radar and home-on-jam/infra-red imager guided Hammerhead missiles.

FAWT packs:

• 4 FAWT (Fuel and Weapons Tactical) space pack mounting points are located on the underwing and overwing joints between wings and engine pods. Each attachment point can carry a combination fuel tank/conformal missile bay, but the pack is not compatible with atmospheric flight regimes. The additional tankage suffices for 5.6 kps delta-v. Each missile bay can carry:
• 2 x Derringer missiles. This missiles has a range of 70 km (A variant) or 130 km (E/F variants) and a speed of Mach 3.0, guided by a combined optical, IIR, and active radar seeker.
• or 1 x RMS-2 “Angel Of Death” Nuclear Stand-off missile. A reaction warhead (200 kT) mounted on a long range (293 km) Mach 4.0 combined multi-spectrum imager and active radar homing missile. Maximum delta-v is 5 kps.
• or 1 x Firebird missile. A conventional warhead mounted on the frame of a RMS missile with a range of 234 km and a speed of Mach 6.5, guided by a combined IIR and active/passive radarseeker. Delta-v in space is 4.0 kps.
• or 1 x Carapace missile container (see notes below).

The most common payloads for these mecha are:

• Space strike: 4 FAWT packs loaded with 4 x RMS-2 missiles and 2 x RMS-2 missiles on the outer hardpoints and the standard internal load-out.
• Space superiority: 4 FAWT packs loaded with 4 x Firebird missiles and 2 x Carapace missile containers (one loaded with Diamondback missiles and one loaded with Hammerhead missiles) on the outer wing hardpoints and the standard internal load-out.
• Atmosphere strike: 8 x Derringer missiles or 6 x AGM-65R Maverick missiles on MER’s mounted on the hardpoints (underwing hardpoint only for Maverick missiles) and the standard internal load-out.
• Air superiority: The standard internal load-out, occasionally increased with Carapace missile containers (see notes above) loaded onto the hardpoints with the appropriate missiles for the mission.

VIII. Armor:

The armor of the Lightning is composed of an advanced titanium-steel alloy. The armor stops all small arms and heavy infantry weapons fire, provides good resistance to light mecha-mounted weaponry, such as the Zentraedi 22.3mm HE autocannon round, and poor resistance to medium mecha-mounted weaponry, such as the Valkyrie’s 55mm APFSDS round.

The Lightning provides full protection from nuclear, biological, and chemical hazards, using an overpressure cockpit environment activated by radiation and hazardous chemical sensors, or manually when biological warfare conditions are anticipated. The internal consumables supplies can provide atmosphere for one day maximum.

IX. Development:

The Lightning III design project was started when the first veritech fighter, the VF-1 Valkyrie, was in its prototype stage. The technological advancement of that time took place at such a speed that the impressive Valkyrie could already be improved upon. Combat experience gathered by the SDF-1 Macross during the return voyage from the outer edge of the solar system highlighted faults in the conceptualization of the VF-1. The initial encounters with heretofore unknown Zentraedi mecha such as the Gnerl fighter and later the Quaedluun-rau Power Armor showed that the multi-purpose VF-1 Valkyrie was less than ideal when used as a space superiority fighter or as an interceptor. In the latter case, the very fast Valkyrie could still not develop enough speed to keep up with the Zentraedi Gnerl, and neither did it have enough missiles to offset the higher enemy numbers. Compared to the Quaedluun-Rau, the VF-1 lacked the missile firepower that made the alien design so deadly; in addition, the energy beam armament of the Zentraedi mecha was more effective in space than the cannon armament of the Earth fighters.

It was then decided that the VF-1 was not to be complemented but completely replaced by a new veritech, one with a larger number of long range missiles than the VF-1, and with an energy cannon armament as well. In addition, the new fighter would have to be faster than the Valkyrie, capable of at least keeping up with the Gnerl.

In 2011, the first post war prototype for what was to eventually be the VF-4 was built. Designated the VF-X-3, and constructed primarily from VF-1 components, it was a non-transformable technology demonstrator. Though it excelled at what it was designed to do, there was no pressing need for a replacement for the Valkyrie, nor any surplus industrial capacity when it emerged from the factory. After about two years, in 2013, conditions changed with the beginning of the Malcontent Uprisings and a rebuilt production base. The UN Spacy once again took up its arms, and the Valkyrie successor project suddenly received a high priority once more. The VF-X-3 received a redesign, this time with very few components carried over from the VF-1. This prototype was not a full variable fighter. Rather than have a battloid mode, the VF-X-4 was limited to just fighter and GERWALK modes. It was decided by the design team at Rockwell International that the battloid mode did not add enough in the way of combat capability to justify the added weight and complexity. This was not the direction that the UN Spacy wanted to go however, and they demanded yet another redesign.

The Lightning III’s final form came to fruition with the YF-4. This prototype was a full three-form veritech fighter with fighter, GERWALK and battloid modes. Though pretty, the YF-4 had a horribly complex transformation sequence. It was this complexity that ended up being the fighter’s Achilles’ heel. The transformation sequence had a failure rate of over
50%. The most common fault was the fuselage failing to transition from its fighter/GERWALK position to battloid position. This fault led to three crashes, one of which resulted in the death of test pilot Jose Orona Reyes, during the test and evaluation phase. Prior to its redesign, the Rockwell International and Textron team had produced what was a very promising space supremacy fighter. The addition of the third form caused the fighter to balloon in size, complexity and cost. Even though the YF-4 had serious problems, the UN Spacy ordered the fighter into production before the testing phase was even complete.

Though troubled, the VF-4 Lightning III showed some serious potential. The new fighter showed no spectacular improvement over the Valkyrie on paper, but the actual combat capability of the mecha increased several hundred percent over its predecessor. The armament now comprised two heavy particle beam cannons in the wrists in battloid mode and on the upper engine nacelles in Fighter mode, effectively tripling the cannon firepower in space. The missile armament was doubled over that of the Valkyrie, but more important was that the new standard load-out was carried on conformal, low drag hardpoints. The result was an effective combat speed more than doubled over that of the Valkyrie, for this mecha carried its missiles on hardpoints under the wings. The VF-1 thus suffered from a sub-Mach 2 speed restriction when carrying missile racks, requiring them to be jettisoned or fired prior to acceleration above this speed. Naturally this made for a major combat restriction. The Lightning, with its semi-internal storage, could reach its maximum speed while still carrying its standard missile load. Should heavier weapons be required, then the Lightning could mount these on four hardpoints. Doing so imposed a same loaded combat speed limit as the Valkyrie had, but this was required only for such missions as bombing runs or stand-off missile launches, which didn’t require quite such high speeds. The new fighter was also designed to use conformal fuel and weapons packs in space if needed, much like the Super Valkyrie. In space, the VF-4 really came into its own. With 40% more reaction mass than the VF-1, the Lightning III enjoyed a significantly expanded combat envelope. An increase in Vernier and maneuvering thrusters made the VF-4 more agile in space as well. The only performance measure that the Lightning III was inferior to the Valkyrie in was atmospheric low speed maneuverability. This was significant, as most aerial combat took place at sub-sonic speeds. Still, the VF-4 was not designed with close range air to air combat as a priority. It was primarily a space fighter and high-speed, high-altitude interceptor, both of which were roles that it excelled in.

The YF-4 entered production in 2014 as the VF-4A. VF-4s were initially produced for UN Spacy naval and space forces, where they replaced the Falcon and older Valkyries. A two seat combat capable training version known as the VF-4B was also procured. Its transition to production model did not solve any of its problems with the transformation sequence. After several high-profile crashes, the entire VF-4 fleet was temporarily grounded. When they were finally cleared for flight again, they were limited to fighter mode only!

In 2017, the revised VF-4G entered production. Though it solved most of the safety issues with the transformation sequence, the three yearlong redesign nearly doubled the unit cost of each mecha. Furthermore, the transformation sequence was not made fully reliable. Conversion time from fighter to battloid mode was now much slower, and still trouble prone with a 5% failure rate. This lead to the grounding of the fleet several more times during its short service life. The VF-4G also introduced an upgraded version of the FF-2011 fusion turbine and improved particle beam cannons, those these improvements were little consolation in light of the type’s faults.

At the time of the United Earth Expeditionary Force’s main force fold-jump in 2022, only 800 some Lightning IIIs had been built, of which almost all were left on Earth. Most VF-4s served on for a short time with the UEDF Tactical Armored Space Corps and Navy until they were withdrawn from service in 2024. The remaining aircraft were placed in reserve at the Sea of Tranquility mecha depot.

When assigning blame for the failure of the VF-4, it’s easy to point the finger at the UN Spacy for insisting that the VF-X-4 be turned into a three form veritech. To be fair, however, it was Rockwell International that insisted that the type could be turned into a battloid mode capable veritech, and they again who later insisted that the transformation problems could be resolved by time the fighter went into production. Both of the assurances turned out to be false. The failure of the VF-4 was one of the primary contributors to the United Earth Forces deciding to transition to primarily conventional fighter in the early twenties. Indeed, the VF-4 nearly caused the death of the veritech fighter. Had it not been for the unsolicited design proposal of the VF/A-6 Alpha by a then unknown aerospace startup by the name of Maxwell Dynamics, the veritech fighter may very well have become a foot-note in the annuals of military history.

Robotech (R) is the property of Harmony Gold. The Super Dimension Fortress Macross (R) is the properties of Big West Advertising and Studio Nue. This document is in no way intended to infringe upon their rights.

Original artwork by: Shoji Kawamori, Miyatake Kazutaka, Haruhiko Mikimoto and Hidetaka Tenjin

Acknowledgement is extended to the work of Egan Loo and the Macross Compendium. Egan Loo is given all credit for all quotes and paraphrasing of the Macross Compendium that has been utilized in this publication.

Images Courtesy of Chad Wilson (Marchly) and the Macross Mecha Manual. Chad Wilson is given all credit for all images from the Macross Mecha Manual that have been utilized in this publication.

Acknowledgement is extended to Peter Walker, Pieter Thomassen and Robert Morgenstern of the unofficial Robotech Reference Guide. Peter Walker, Pieter Thomassen and Robert Morgenstern are given credit for all quotes and paraphrasing of the unofficial Robotech Reference Guide that has been utilized in this publication.

Content by Pieter Thomassen, Peter Walker and Robert Morgenstern, edited by Tim Wing

Copyright © 2001, 1999 Robert Morgenstern, Pieter Thomassen, Peter Walker; 2015 Tim Wing

ROBOTECH Technical Files

by Rob Morgenstern with Peter Walker

Designation: Radarsat-18 Radar and Communications Satellite

Propulsion Systems:

Miscellaneous station-keeping thrusters, gyroscopes and torquer bars.

History:

The United Earth Defense Force (UEDF) Tactical Space Corps deployed several types of Communications Satellites which provided relays to Space Station Liberty and the Moon bases, as well as intercontinental communication relays. Their destruction by the Robotech Masters fleet heralded the beginning of the Second Robotech War. The Radarsat-18 was one such type. It also provided deep space detection capabilities to search for approaching ships and celestial bodies.

Robotech (R) is the property of Harmony Gold. The Super Dimension Fortress Macross (R) is the properties of Big West Advertising and Studio Nue. This document is in no way intended to infringe upon their rights.

Original artwork by: Shoji Kawamori, Miyatake Kazutaka, Haruhiko Mikimoto and Hidetaka Tenjin

Acknowledgement is extended to Peter Walker, Pieter Thomassen and Robert Morgenstern of the unofficial Robotech Reference Guide. Peter Walker, Pieter Thomassen and Robert Morgenstern are given credit for all quotes and paraphrasing of the unofficial Robotech Reference Guide that has been utilized in this publication.

Content by Robert Morgenstern

Copyright © 1999 Robert Morgenstern, Pieter Thomassen, Peter Walker

ROBOTECH Technical Files

by Rob Morgenstern with Peter Walker

Designation: Robert-6 Deep Space Sensor Buoy

Propulsion Systems:

Miscellaneous station-keeping thrusters, gyroscopes and torquer bars.

History:

The UN Spacy Deep Space Sensor Relay provided sensors aimed at the outer solar system to assist with detecting anomolies and fold phenomenon. These sensors helped identify the arrival of Breetai’s fleet in search of the lost Macross

Robotech (R) is the property of Harmony Gold. The Super Dimension Fortress Macross (R) is the properties of Big West Advertising and Studio Nue. This document is in no way intended to infringe upon their rights.

Original artwork by: Shoji Kawamori, Miyatake Kazutaka, Haruhiko Mikimoto and Hidetaka Tenjin

Acknowledgement is extended to Peter Walker, Pieter Thomassen and Robert Morgenstern of the unofficial Robotech Reference Guide. Peter Walker, Pieter Thomassen and Robert Morgenstern are given credit for all quotes and paraphrasing of the unofficial Robotech Reference Guide that has been utilized in this publication. 

Content by Robert Morgenstern

Copyright © 1999 Robert Morgenstern, Pieter Thomassen, Peter Walker

Geosynchronous Reconnaissance Orbital (GRO) Space Station

by Tim Wing

The GRO space stations were built in large numbers and placed in geosynchronous orbit around Earth and her many colonies, to include Mars, Eden, Glorie and Liberte. These space stations served as radar installations and helped coordinate the orbital the defense of the planets they orbited.

Robotech (R) is the property of Harmony Gold. Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross (R) is the property of Big West Advertising, Tatsunoko Studio and Ammonite studio. This document is in no way intended to infringe upon their rights.

Original artwork by: Kogawa Tomonori, Hiroyuki Kitazume, Miyo Sonoda, Hiroshi Ogawa, Hirotoshi Ohkura and Takashi Ono

Content by Tim Wing

Copyright © 2015 Tim Wing

ROBOTECH Technical Files

by Pieter Thomassen, with Peter Walker.

Designation: Raptor-class Orbital Corvette (FAC)

Names and disposition:

• The Raptor corvettes were unnamed warships. A total of 600 Raptors were built for the Federal Space Defense Force (FSDF, Navy) on the L-5 orbital factories.
• The Raptors entered service with the FSDF from 2048 onwards, with production ending in 2062.

Ship’s complement:

• Crew (4 men); commander, pilot, defensive systems operator and offensive systems operator.
• Life support limits are for the crew and 4 supernumeraries (the latter for short durations only and very cramped internally).

Dimensions:

• Length: 35.8 m over all.
• Height: 10.4m.
• Width: 21.2m.
• Mass: 300 metric tons (unloaded).

Propulsion systems:

• Main power system: RRG mk56 protoculture-fueled Reflex furnace.
• Maneuvering thrusters: 15 x Rocketdyne PR-200 plasma-shock expansion engines with protoculture energizer mounted in one bank of three on the ventral side and in three banks of four on the dorsal side. The thrusters can maneuver the corvette with 3.5 g in those directions.
• Reaction-mass thrusters (main): 2 x Rocketdyne PR-700 plasma-shock expansion engines with protoculture energizer in the back. The engines carry enough fuel for a sustained 4-g acceleration for 15 minutes. 10 g of acceleration can be sustained for six minutes.
• Reaction-mass thrusters (secondary): 10 x Rocketdyne PR-350 plasma-shock expansion engines with protoculture energizer mounted on a rotary platform on the sides. The engines are mounted in two blocks of two engines on each side facing in one direction and in one single mount per side facing in the opposite direction. Typically, the 8 tandem engines face to the rear and the two singles to the front, but the entire engine mount can rotate and make the tandem engines face forward, to the dorsal or to the ventral side. The tandem engines, when both firing in the same direction, can impart 2 g on the Raptor for 23 minutes.
• Planetary Capabilities: The Raptor can land and take-off from planetary surfaces, but is optimized for space. The craft can attain higher speeds during an orbital insertion or in evasive maneuvers, but cannot sustain these in an atmosphere.

Endurance and mobility limits:

• The dry stores endurance is three days maximum. After this time, the ship will have to restock its supplies.
• The ships’ missile launchers are typically exhausted after one battle.
• The Reflex furnace can function for about 5 years at normal usage levels before an energizer rebuild is necessary.
• Reaction thruster endurance for the Raptor class is 90 minutes at 1 g, 18 minutes at 4 g and and 6 minutes at the flank acceleration of 10 g. The maximum delta-v is about 15 kps.
• Typical sustained atmospheric speed is 1200 kph, while burst speed (using overboosted engines) is 6600 kph for short periods, but the Raptor is easily detectable at this speed and is advised to accelerate to orbit or decrease speed and altitude as soon as possible.

Weapon systems:

• Two General Electric OMD-1 mass driver cannons in rotary turrets on the outside of the auxiliary engine pods. These cannons can fire a 0.220 kg projectile at speeds approaching 30 kps. The ammunition supply for each cannon is 1000 projectiles. The turrets can rotate in the vertical plane through 360 degrees, and elevate 10 degrees inward and 50 degrees outward. The impact energy of one projectile is 198 MJ, the rate of fire is 20 tripple salvos per minute.
• There are two projectiles; the Kinetic Core Penetrating (KCP) round is a depleted-uranium dart that will impact and penetrate until its energy is spent, causing damage to airtight compartments by breaching them and thus exposing them to explosive decompression as well as by leaving an hypersonic and superheated shock-trail in its wake. The Kinetic Penetrating Incendiary round is a tungsten capped plastic composite which vaporizes after the outer hull layers have been breached into a directed plasma hot enough to ignite the ship structures themselves. The blast overpressure can blow out several ship sections as well.
• Two Bofors E-55 laser cannons mounted in a gimbal turret for close-in fighter defense. In the Raptor-A corvette the turrets are mounted on top of the Raptor next to one another behind the rear cockpit, in the later Raptor-B one turret is placed on the dorsal centerline behind the rear cockpit, the other is placed on the ventral centerline before the bottom maneuvering thruster cluster. Each turret has 360 degrees horizontal rotation and 95 degrees vertical elevation. The turrets mount one Bofors E-55 20MJ laser cannon apiece. Each cannon can fire once every second.
• Four secondary E-47S particle beam cannons are mounted on the auxiliary engine housing. In the most common flight configuration, they point forward. The cannons are the adapted (-S) version of the standard Mauser E-47. The E-47S version is optimized for both space and the Raptor wing mounting and can fire 12.5 MJ maximum particle beams at 60 shots/minute. The particle beams can rotate 45 degrees outward and 15 degrees inward.
• Two missile canisters mounted at the rear of the mass-driver cannons contain 16 RMS-2 “Angel Of Death” Nuclear Stand-off missiles. A reaction warhead (up to 200 kT) mounted on a long range (15 to 293 km) Mach 4.0 combined multi-spectrum imager and active radar homing Reflex missile, customized for anti-starship/anti hive operations. The maximum delta-v in space is 5 kps

Design notes:

The Raptor class corvettes are basically orbital defense craft with secondary atmospheric capabilities. Each Raptor can be subdivided into four sections: nose, main body and the two side thruster/cannon assemblages. The nose contains the crew positions. The four man crew was located in two cockpits in tandem, each containing two men with their backs to one another. The forward cockpit seats the pilot facing forward and the offensive systems operator facing backward, the aft cockpits holds the commander in the forward seat and the defensive systems operator in the back seat. Both the pilot and the commander can pilot the craft, and the systems operators can take over each other’s tasks; this to ensure that the loss of one cockpit will not immobilize the craft. The nose section further contains the forward landing gear, the life support equipment, small cargo spaces and assorted electronics. The section is about two meters wide and runs 40% of the crafts’ length. There are also some minor fuel tanks located here.

The main body is about 10 meters wide and high. However, the edges are sloping so the total result is a rounded rectangle. The aft part contains the two main engines, the forward part the fuel tanks, maneuvering thrusters and defensive turrets. About halfway the main body are the side mountings for the auxiliary engines/cannon pods.

The side pods can rotate through 360 degrees on their mountings, so the thrusters mounted on the pods can point at any point of the vertical plane. The four particle beams are mounted on the front end of the tandem thruster assemblages, and the main mass driver cannons are mounted on yet another 360 degrees rotatable mounting on the outside of the auxiliary engines. Therefore, the main cannons do not necessarily point in the opposite direction of the auxiliary engines. The two anti-ship missile pods are mounted to the rear of the cannon assemblages, and the missiles are expelled from their launchers backwards and to the side of the ship, so that they drift clear before engine ignition.

The Raptor corvettes are capable of planetfall and of making orbit, but as this uses up a large amount of the reaction mass, standard procedure is to base them on an orbital station and only send them to the surface for servicing and maintenance. Additionally, the Raptor can fight in an atmosphere, but is not really suited for it. The only scenarios in which this happens is when a Raptor chases hostile craft into an atmosphere, but preferably these ‘leakers’ are left to the planetary defense forces.

History:

After the Third Robotech War against the Invid, the Terran forces entered a large expansion program, with the aim to build a fleet capable of protecting the Earth against any known adversary. This was possible because Earth was now a protoculture producing planet, and because the Robotech Factory satellite was repaired and in operation once more. Among the vessels produced were the Orchid class Frigates, the Valiant class Battlefortresses, the Eisenhower class heavy cruisers, the Intrepid class of light cruisers and many more. One of the designs was for a Reflex cannon intended for orbital use, functioning much like the Zentraedi Monitor class of Battlecruiser had done. However, there was also a requirement for an anti-fighter and dropship vessel, to protect the lower orbital reaches where the larger ships were too vulnerable to surface and space launched missile strikes.

Of course, so small a vessel would not be able to defend even itself against the larger ships, let alone a battle fortress, but it would, because of its larger numbers and small size, be quite effective against dropship and fighter sized enemy forces. The armament was therefore optimized against these opponents, with only a secondary capability against larger vessels.

The primary armaments of the Raptor class are its two large mass driver cannon mounted at the sides. These rapid firing cannons can destroy smaller dropships and shuttles with one salvo, and seriously damage the larger types. The two cannons are independently rotatable of the auxiliary engines, and have a reasonable field of fire. As a secondary armament against larger starships, against which the mass driver cannons are less effective, the Raptor mounts 16 ‘Angel of Death’ missiles. These missiles, further developments of the missiles that were so effective in the Zentraedi Holocaust, are specifically designed to penetrate starship defenses. However, all contemporary ships carry specialized defense systems against these missiles, so only in a massed attack can these missiles expect any degree of success.

The other armaments are defensive in nature. Four particle beams are mounted on the auxiliary engine pods, and typically deliver supporting fire against fighter aircraft surrounding dropships, or against the vulnerable parts of the dropships themselves. The main defensive battery consists of two laser cannon turrets. In the -A version, of which only a limited production run was made, these two turrets were mounted next to one another on top of the corvette. The tactical strategy was that this massed anti-fighter firepower in one quadrant, with the other quadrants covered by other corvettes (a typical corvette squadron has four vessels) or devoured of hostiles. It was soon recognized that a more balanced placement would increase survival chances by lessening the chances of losing both cannons to one hit, increasing the covered quadrants of singly operating corvettes and made no difference in the volume of fire of corvette formations. The -B series therefore carried one turret on the lower hull, and one turret on the upper hull. This series has entered series production, and is expected to be in service for many years to come. There are also plans to convert the -A series into -B series, as they come in for regular maintenance.

Robotech (R) is the property of Harmony Gold. Megazone 23 (R) is the property of A.D. Vision and studios AIC, Artland & Tatsunoko. This document is in no way intended to infringe upon their rights.

Original artwork by: Shinji Aramaki, Toshihiro Hirano, Haruhiko Mikimoto, Yasuomi Umetsu and Hiroyuki Kitazume

Acknowledgement is extended to Peter Walker, Pieter Thomassen and Robert Morgenstern of the unofficial Robotech Reference Guide. Peter Walker, Pieter Thomassen and Robert Morgenstern are given credit for all quotes and paraphrasing of the unofficial Robotech Reference Guide that has been utilized in this publication. 

Content by Pieter Thomassen, with Rob Morgenstern

Copyright © 2003-1995 Robert Morgenstern, Pieter Thomassen, Peter Walker

ROBOTECH Technical Files

by Pieter Thomassen, with Peter Walker

edited by Tim Wing

Attachments:

• Valivarre-class reference file
• Valivarre-class gallery

Designation: Valivarre-class Super Dimensional Battleship (SBB).

Names and disposition:

• SBB-01 UES Valivarre: Commissioned in 2016, static guard-ship for the Robotech Factory Satellite from 2028.
• SBB-02 UES Spica: Commissioned in 2018, destroyed 2028.
• SBB-03 UES Antares: Commissioned in 2019, destroyed 2023.
• SBB-04 UES Aldebaran: Commissioned in 2020, destroyed 2025.
• SBB-05 UES Polaris: Commissioned in 2021, destroyed over Earth in the UEEF counter invasion, 2031.

These ships were built at the Robotech Factory Satellite and in the Luna base shipyard. Their names are written with the ‘UES’ prefix.

Ship’s complement:

• Ships’ crew (1,879 men),
• One mechanized division (5,350 men) (not always assigned),
• Air group (1,800 men),
• Life support limits are for a full combat complement and about 5,000 supernumeraries (13,000 men total).

Dimensions:

• Length: 1391 m (main hull).
• Height: 239 m (main hull), 367 m (over all).
• Width: 180 m (main hull), 312 m (over all).
• Mass: 14,250,000 metric tons, operational (typical).
• Fuel Mass: 1,500,000 metric tons, maximum (typical)

Propulsion systems:

• Main power system: RRG mk9 protoculture-fueled Reflex furnace cluster. The power plant of the Valivarre-class vessel can deliver up to 30.8 Petawatts of power, and can operate for ninety-four minutes at maximum power before overheat initiates auto shutdown.
• Maneuvering Thrusters (8): Fusion-plasma reaction thruster clusters mounted on the main hull; located on the ventral, dorsal and sides on one third and two third the length of the main hull. Auxiliary thrusters are located on the side bodies.
• Reaction-mass Thrusters (1): Energica SIHF-02 Fusion-Plasma Reaction Thruster with protoculture energizer, mounted in the rear of the main hull. Due to the modular design of this engine, and its ability to function partially, no secondary engines are mounted.
• Anti-gravity System (1): 21 RRG Starturtle anti-gravity pods.
• Space Fold (1): RRG Mk3b spacefold, later upgraded to a Mk3h spacefold.
• Planetary Capabilities: The Valivarre-class has atmospheric capabilities through its reaction thrusters and anti-gravity system. The ships’ lower body has sufficient strength to let the ship land on it, although the landing ground should be as firm as possible (granite is recommended). The ship would float in an ocean, and this is the preferred method of landing.

Endurance and mobility limits:

• The dry stores endurance is limited to about 8 years with a full crew complement. The on-board life support and recycling system is based on a smaller version of that of the Macross-class, and the extensive recycling installations ensure that only incidental biomass losses need to be replenished. Water stores are recycled almost completely. The hydroponics installations on board provide the crew with a steady supply of fresh foods, and some is exported to smaller ships in the fleet.
• The mecha consumables supplies (missiles mainly) are reasonably extensive, and can sustain continuous combat operations for over twenty days against the Invid. However, a battle against Zentraedi or other like forces with a capital ship capability will swiftly drain the stores of anti-ship missiles, as these are not usually carried in very large numbers.
• The ship launched missile magazines should suffice for two large battles or three or more skirmishes.
• The ground troops embarked can be supplied for twelve days of sustained combat.
• The Reflex furnace can function for about 35 years at normal usage levels before an energizer rebuild was necessary.
• At full power, the main propulsion systems can produce up to 391 Giganewtons of thrust at a minimal reaction mass efficiency profile, or as little as 13.5 Giganewtons of thrust at a maximum efficiency setting. At lower power levels, these thrusts are commensurately smaller.
• At full power, the Valivarre-class can achieve a maximum delta-v of 193 kps at the cruising acceleration of 0.1 gees, a maximum delta-v of 38.4 kps at the battle acceleration of 1.0 gees, and a delta-v of at most 10.8 kps at the flank acceleration of 2.5 gees. At lower power levels, these ranges are commensurately smaller.
• The fold systems are not navigationally guaranteed for any single jump beyond 10 kiloparsecs. If longer voyages are required, the ships have to conduct multiple fold jumps.
• The maximum sustained atmospheric speed is limited to Mach 3. A higher speed can be attained while accelerating to orbit, or in emergencies, but this stresses the engines to above their sustainable heat tolerances. The maximum hover time on the anti-gravity systems is limited only by the protoculture supplies and maintenance requirements.

Weapon systems:

• RRG Reflex Cannon Mk.4 (1): As in Zentraedi Monitors, the front section of the Valivarres is formed by the booms of the main battery. In order to fire, the cannons open vertically, the beam being generated between the two booms. The effects of this weapon against planets equals the heat and blast effects of the detonation of fusion weapons of 50 MT, if fired at full power. If utilized against starships, the largest vessels can be destroyed with the leakage of the beam. A direct hit will vaporize the target vessel. The weapon can also be set to a wider dispersal. In this setting, it is capable of clearing a wide area of fighters and other mecha, although starships in this area will only be blinded. The cannon has an effective range of 300,000 km. The capacitors for the cannon can be recharged to full power in 55 to 60 seconds.
• Krupp MBPC-2 heavy particle beam (5): A heavy weapon firing 2.5 TJ of particle energy per shot, equivalent to approximately 500 tons of TNT, out to an effective range of 300,000 km. Capacitors can charge and fire each weapon six times per minute at maximum capacity.
• One of these cannons is mounted in a ‘chin’ mount behind conformal covers in the lower bow halve, one in the dorsal cannon boom, two in the ‘elbow’ links to the outriggers, and one is located on the forward ventral, in front of the bridge. Unlike the cannons mounted on the Seron Thoun, these large particle beams resembled the more advanced weapons of the Macross-class in design and firepower.
• RRG LT-15 Double Laser Turret (20): Installed in a low lying turret, this double barreled weapon has an effective range of 300,000 km, and delivers 1,500 MJ of laser energy every two seconds at the highest rate of fire.
• Ten of these turrets were mounted forward in the main battery booms, the other ten were dispersed over the other hull areas.
• PL-2a Point Defense turrets (12): Mounted behind movable panels in the upper main hull (8) and the side bodies (4), these standard REF weapons can fire 56 MJ of particle energy four times per second.
• VLR-1 Skylord rocket launch tubes (8): Mounted to fire a rocket horizontally away from the cannon boom. These launchers fire the SLBM sized Skylord, a rocket with a special 3 MT nuclear fusion warhead that accelerates at 10 g throughout its flight and has a delta-v of 8 kps. A conventional warhead is also available. Each launcher has sixteen rockets in the ready magazine.
• Mk. 253 Missile Launchers (8): A launcher with 10 individual launch silos. The silos each contain 6 ready missiles in a rotating mechanism, which can reload while firing. The ready magazines store 400 missiles per launcher. These launchers typically fire Warhawk and Spacehawk missiles. Typical warheads are anti-mecha cluster munitions, nuclear reaction anti-warship and nuclear reaction re-entry capable weapons.
• Four launchers are located near the engine, the other four in the bow.

Air group and mecha complement:

See naval air group compositions for a detailed summation.

Aerospace forces

• 450 veritech fighters and space fighters,
• Three combined squadrons with 36 AEW planes, reconnaissance planes and couriers, and two transport squadrons with 24 shuttles of diverse design.

Ground forces mecha (if embarked):

• 210 Destroids (various types).

Electronics and major subsystems:

• DS-2 Barrier Defense System: An advanced forcefield system which covers the full four posteradians around the ship with a yellow-greenish forcefield (or if desired, only part of the ship). This field will stop all solids and directed energy weapons (except lasers through a narrow band). However, excess energy which cannot be shunted from the field will be stored in the virtual structure of the field itself. The storage wattage is high but not infinite, and when the barrier overloads the field will discharge the stored energy particles. This discharge will have the force of a high-yield (>45 MT) fusion bomb. However, as the discharged energetic particles’ vectors will be away from the field and its generating vessel, the vessel will survive, though it will suffer severe damage to its internal electronics and power systems, and will not be battleworthy until repairs are made.
• DS-1 Pinpoint Barrier Defense System: A smaller system which uses four movable disks of forcefield, conformal to the ship’s surface, to repel light torpedo attacks, or particle beam fire. It serves as a back up to the DS-2 system.

Design Notes:

The Valivarre class appears at first sight to be a mixture of the SDF-3, a Nupetiet-Vergnitz Flagship and a Rineunadou Lojmeuean Monitor. The class is however modeled on the Seron Thoun class, a Border Fleet design built by the Robotech Empire from C.E. 1730 onwards.

The general hull form resembles that of the Zentraedi Flagship class, though it is of course far smaller. The aft section mounts an engine of the same modular design philosophy as the one mounted in the Flagship. Forward of the engine is the center part of the hull, with a command citadel (virtually identical to the citadel on the SDF-3) on top. To the sides are the two shoulders which mount the side bodies. Forward of the center section is the Reflex Cannon, which forms the foremost part of the ship. The main cannon has about the same firepower as the original Seron Thoun version, but incorporates many newer technologies first seen on the SDF-1 and is in fact more reliable than the original design, as well as smaller in size which frees up internal volume for other uses.

The two side bodies are, as in the original Border Fleet design, devoted to sensor installations. Each side body mounts four large ‘horn’ antenna and numerous sensor blisters. These sensors form the FTL sensor suite of the ship, capable of detecting folds within 20 to 30 lightyears. Also, the side bodies protect the engine and central sections from incoming broadside fire. In addition to the side bodies, three large sensor horns are mounted on the nose, and two large disk-shaped EM sensors are mounted on the lower ventral hull.

Internally, the Valivarre class is radically different from its Zentraedi template. As all former Zentraedi in the Earth forces are micronized, the internal arrangements of the class are redesigned to cater to the micronian size of its crew, and the smaller size of their mecha. Also, the technological level of the ships’ systems is on par with that of the Sian Macross design, which is almost 200 years more advanced. As a result of the smaller size of many systems, there is room for an additional heavy cannon in the nose of the ship, and the consumable supplies are relatively larger as well. In addition, a high standard of comfort has been achieved in the crew quarters.

The aft section of the ship is the engineering area with the main engines, Reflex furnaces and the fold system. Centrally located in the ship are the administrative offices and the crew quarters, while the ship is directed from the command citadel. The forward part of the ship houses most of the heavy armaments and most of the mecha.

History:

The Valivarre class was designed in 2015 as emergency program capital ships that could be built in less time than it took to complete a new Macross or Pioneer class battlefortress. The requirement for fast available capital ships was prompted by the destruction of the SDF-1 Macross and the SDF-2 Odyssey, at a moment when Earth’s capital ship building capacity was still limited and the Robotech Factory Satellite in a dilapidated state.

Rather than embarking on a crash program to build more Macross class fortresses, the UN Spacy decided to design a smaller, reflex-cannon equipped vessel that could be built faster in the specialized Lunar construction dock that had built the SDF-2 Odyssey as well as in the less advanced yards that were producing the Tokugawa class space carriers. Although this delayed the construction of what would eventually become the SDF-3 Pioneer, the result was a more numerous (and less irreplaceable) class of battleships that was capable of almost all functions required of a full-scale battlefortress at only 80% of the mass and in 70% of the building time.

To cut down on the design effort, the Spacy design bureaus looked for suitable hull and engine designs it could copy in the archives of the Robotech Factory Satellite and there stumbled on the Seron Thoun class of Border Fleet battlecruiser. This design fit the required size and mass requirements and was swiftly adopted. After some deliberation, the UN Spacy decided to build the ships with as much visual similarity to the Seron Thoun as it could. In this way, identifying these vessels as hostiles by remaining Zentraedi the expedition encountered was delayed for some moments. This idea was subsequently used on the design for the SDF-3 Pioneer as well, which ended up designed to resemble a larger Border Fleet monitor.

Five ships of the Valivarre class were commissioned between 2016 and 2021. The first of the class was named after Tirol’s star, to commemorate the long search for that system then underway, and the other ships were named after prominent stars in the Earth skies. From 2017 to 2029 the class was in the forefront of the search efforts, often forming the heavy core of a Space Action Group. During such actions, the Antares was destroyed in 2023, and the Aldebaran in 2025. The three surviving ships fought on until 2028, when the Spica and the Valivarre engaged a heavy enemy force which destroyed the Spica outright and crippled the FTL capability of the Valivarre. The damage to the name ship of the class was so severe that complete repair was considered uneconomical and the Valivarre became the flagship of the guard fleet for Space Station Equality, the former Robotech Factory Satellite. In 2030 the United Earth Expeditionary Force (UEEF) returned to Earth to defend against the Robotech Masters; however, the squadron containing the final remaining battleship, Polaris, didn’t defold over Earth until the fighting was over. The Polaris remained in the Earth system and survived the intial Invid Invasion, but was destroyed a few months later while covering a UEEF counter-invasion.

After the war, the Tirolian Republican Navy adopted this design. The result is the Nairok class, half-sisters of the Valivarre, named after Tirolian colonial stars. They are best described as a ‘Valivarre with an Ikazuchi look’, as the exterior hull design is Terran in concept, rather than the blistering shapes favored by the Tirolians. Seven ships of this class are now in service, with several more building. The new vessels are named Nairok, Lexa, Enih’s, Lodnihp, Dared, and Kirdlab.

Robotech (R) is the property of Harmony Gold. This document is in no way intended to infringe upon their rights.

Original artwork by: Alex Fauth (?) or Tatsunoko Production Co., Ltd.

Acknowledgement is extended to Peter Walker, Pieter Thomassen and Robert Morgenstern of the unofficial Robotech Reference Guide. Peter Walker, Pieter Thomassen and Robert Morgenstern are given credit for all quotes and paraphrasing of the unofficial Robotech Reference Guide that has been utilized in this publication. 

Content by Pieter Thomassen and Peter Walker

Copyright © 2004, 1999 Robert Morgenstern, Pieter Thomassen, Peter Walker

SDF-2 Odyssey Super Dimensional Fortress

by Tim wing

Attachments:

• Sian Macross technical file
• SDF-2 reference file
• SDF-2 gallery

Though technically of the Macross class, the SDF-2 UES Odyssey warrants its own entry. The Odyssey was laid down in November of 2003 at the Moon Base Apollo, with an expected in service date of 2008. As this was Earth’s first large capital ship to be built completely from scratch, the program was fraught with delays. With construction finally wrapping up in January of 2014, the SDF-2 was destroyed by in dry dock by forces loyal to the Zentraedi Malcontent, Lord Khyron.

By the time of the SDF-2’s near completion, the ship’s size had increased from 1200 meters to 1620 meters. The ship’s mecha hangers consisted of two newly constructed Niven-class ARMD vessels, both of which were total losses along with the SDF-2. The ship also had a completely redesigned bridge and upper structure. The ships crew spaces were all optimized for human sized personnel. Lastly, the ship was not capable of transforming into the “giant space-robot”, which was an ad-hoc modification on the SDF-1 anyway.

General Characteristics

• Ship Type: Super Dimension Fortress
• Government: U.N. Spacy
• Manufacturer: OTEC Company (Earth origin)
• Ship Name: UES Odyssey
• Laid down: 2003
• Launch Date: (projected) September 2014
• Commission Date: (projected) September 2014
• Number of Class Commissioned: 2 (SDF-1 Macross, SDF-2 Odyssey)
• Dimensions: length 1,620 meters
• Mass: in excess of 18,000,000 metric tons
• Structure: hypercarbon frame, hypercarbon hull
• Power Plant: Protoculture fired Reflex Furnace cluster
• Primary Systems: two main reaction engine clusters (main thrusters), gravity control system, fold system cluster
• Secondary Systems: Pin-Point Barrier/Full Barrier System

Armament

• 1 x Reflex cannon with beam polarizing converging system (bow)
• 8 x converging beam cannons
• 4 x high speed 178 cm electro magnetic rail cannons
• Multiple large automatic anti-ship missile launchers
• Multiple missile emplacements
• Docked Craft: 2 x H.J. Niven-class ARMDs

Robotech (R) is the property of Harmony Gold. The Super Dimension Fortress Macross (R) is the properties of Big West Advertising and Studio Nue. This document is in no way intended to infringe upon their rights.

Original artwork by: Miyatake Kazutaka

Acknowledgement is extended to the work of Egan Loo and the Macross Compendium. Egan Loo is given all credit for all quotes and paraphrasing of the Macross Compendium that has been utilized in this publication. 

Images Courtesy of Chad Wilson (Marchly) and the Macross Mecha Manual. Chad Wilson is given all credit for all images from the Macross Mecha Manual that have been utilized in this publication. 

Content by Tim Wing

Copyright © 2015 Tim Wing

Forestall-class Armored Reflex Missile Defense (ARMD) / Super Dimensional Aerospace-craft Carrier (SDCV)

by Tim Wing

The Forestall-class Armored Reflex Missile Defense (ARMD) was a continuation of the First Robotech War H. J. Niven-class ARMD. Though similar in appearance, the Forestall-class was a completely new ship. From the outset, this class was designed as a fold capable aerospace-craft carrier (though it did not receive the designation SDCV until later). Significant design differences included a raised control tower and aerospace-craft handling accommodations on the dorsal side of the ship. The Forestall-class was also twenty meters longer than the Niven-class.

Only two ships were built before the type was superseded by more advanced designs. Both the Forestall and the Riesling served with the UNDF Tactical Space Corps until the beginning of the Second Robotech War. Both ships were destroyed while on station, when the Robotech Master’s Fleet attacked and destroyed the Space Defense Reserve Fleet (SDRF) at the Sea of Tranquility Ship Yard on Earth’s Moon in the opening days of the war.

The UES Forestall is perhaps most famous for its role as the primary location in the filming of “Do You Remember Love”. Though the film did not come out until after the war, and after the ship had been destroyed, principle filming had taken place in late 2028. The war, of course, delayed the release of the film.

General Characteristics

• Ship Type: Armored Reflex Missile Defense (ARMD) vessel, later reclassified as a Super Dimensional Aerospace Carrier (SDCV)
• Government: United Earth Government
• Primary Users: UN Spacy, UEDF Tactical Space Corps
• Manufacturer: OTEC Company
• Ship Class: 2 ARMD Class
• Ship Name: ARMD-13 UES Forestall, ARMD-14 UES Riesling
• Commission Date: July 2014
• Number of Class Commissioned: 2

Dimensions

• Length: 450 meters
• Width: 220 meters
• Mass: standard operating displacement 174,000 metric tons

Propulsion

• Power Plant: 2 x Protoculture Fired Reflex Furnace clusters
• Primary Systems: 2 x OTMN-3T main nozzle clusters; multiple Vernier thrusters; 1 x advanced gravity control system; 1 x Spacefold Drive

Armament

• 5 x heavy particle beam cannon
• 2 x anti-ship missile launchers (mounted dorsal starboard and dorsal port)
• 6 x guided anti-ship missile launchers
• Multiple laser turrets
• Multiple anti-aircraft missile launchers

Air Group (2014)

• 66 x QF-3000E Ghosts
• 262 x VF-1 Valkyries

Robotech (R) is the property of Harmony Gold. The Super Dimension Fortress Macross (R) is the properties of Big West Advertising and Studio Nue. This document is in no way intended to infringe upon their rights.

Original artwork by: Miyatake Kazutaka

Acknowledgement is extended to the work of Egan Loo and the Macross Compendium. Egan Loo is given all credit for all quotes and paraphrasing of the Macross Compendium that has been utilized in this publication. 

Images Courtesy of Chad Wilson (Marchly) and the Macross Mecha Manual. Chad Wilson is given all credit for all images from the Macross Mecha Manual that have been utilized in this publication. 

Content by Tim Wing, Egan Loo, Chad Wilson (Marchly)

Copyright © 2015 Tim Wing

ROBOTECH Technical Files

by Pieter Thomassen and Robert Morgenstern, with Peter Walker

Designation: RRG YMH-10 Self-Propelled ‘Synchro’ Cannon

I. Dimensions.

• Length: 11.2 meters
• Width:  7.7 meters
• Height: 3.8 meters (without cannon); 7.2 meters (with cannon)
• Weight: 8.4 metric tons.

II. Type.

• One-man self-propelled high yield energy cannon

III. Service Life

• YM-4: First prototype cannon developed in 2039. No series production.
• YMH-6: First mobile prototype cannon, developed in 2040. No series production.
• YMH-10: Limited production version, in service with the Expeditionary Forces from 2041.

IV. Propulsion.

• Hover engine: 4 x Allison HJ-5 directional hover jets providing 21 kN of thrust each.
• Propulsion engine: 2 x Rolls Royce HP-4 electrical turbofans, providing 3 kN of thrust each.
• Powerplant: 1 x RRL-2R Miniaturized Protoculture-cell energizer.
• Fuel Capacity:
• 8 standard cannisters of protoculture
• 4.5 liter D2O.

V. Performance.

• Maximum speed: 40 kph.
• Maximum hover height: 1.2 meters.
• Maximum cell endurance: 120 hours typical operational use (propulsion systems and energy generation to empty one magazine).

VI. Electronics Suite.

Radar tracking:

• Westinghouse APG-307 medium range (up to 50 km) UWB phased array spherical pulse-Doppler radar, for ‘stealthy’ detection and tracking of targets, with battlefield surveillance modes.

Optical tracking:

• Philips AllView II multi-band motion-stabilized digital spherical camera system, for medium range 360 degree infra-red imaging, optical and ultra-violet band detection and tracking
• Thomson LT-8 multi-frequency laser ranger and designator.

Tactical Electronic Warfare System (TEWS):

• Elettronica Radar Warning Receiver (RWR)
• OlDelft Infra-red Warning Receiver (IRWR)

VII. Armament.

• 1 x RRG FC-4 plasma cannon capable of firing up to six blasts per minute. Each blast has a maximum yield equivalent to 0.06 kT. The cannon is a line-of-sight weapon that can fire out to a maximum range of 15 km, in clear weather on Earth and Earth-like planets, depending on the surrounding terrain. The cannon can carry 400 rounds of ammunition.

VIII. Armor.

The skin of the Synchro Cannon is composed of an advanced titanium-steel alloy. The skin stops all small arms fire, provides fair protection against heavier infantry weapons, such as a 12.7mm machinegun round, and poor resistance to light mecha-mounted weaponry, such as the Zentraedi 22.3mm HE autocannon round.

The Synchro Cannon provides full protection from nuclear, biological, and chemical hazards, using a sealed cockpit environment activated by radiation and hazardous chemical sensors, or manually when biological warfare conditions are anticipated. The internal consumables supplies can provide atmosphere for one day maximum, although filters can purify outside air for release into the cockpit.

IX. Development.

The Synchro Cannon is a very high yield direct-fire weapon system designed to attack enemy emplacements and thick mecha concentrations such as those used by the Invid. As such, it is a complement to the Destabilizer weapon systems, which break down Invid force fields, and thus give the Synchro Cannons a clear line of fire. Originally, the specifications asked for a pure particle beam weapon. However, the required firepower/size combination could not be achieved with the then-present technological levels and the cannon was reworked into a fusion-powered plasma cannon, which used twin synchrotrons, and resulted in the nickname of ‘Synchro Cannon’.

The Synchro Cannon operates by running a fusion reactor (not unlike those found in fusion turbines) off the protoculture cells. When a shot is fired, a relatively large amount of the fusion plasma is drawn from the reactor and injected into a plasma expansion chamber, pre-loaded with a small slug of matter, which is quickly super-heated; this process produces a larger amount of cooler plasma, which can be more easily handled by the cannon stage. That stage consists of an ion extractor and divider, which separates the plasma in positive and negative ions. Both streams are then lead to dedicated synchrotrons, which accelerate the matter streams. Both beams are then rejoined in the barrel, and the result is a plasma stream of very high speed and tremendous destructive power.

To the left side of the cannon barrel is the fusion reactor and the matter supply for the plasma cannon; to the right is the cockpit. In the rear of both the cockpit and the powerplant body is one of the propulsion turbofans. The cannon uses a hovercraft undercarriage, on which it can rotate through 360 degrees. This gives the cannon some mobility, but speed is low, terrain clearance is difficult due to the high center of gravity, and the cannon cannot be fired on the move. Consequently, the Synchro Cannon is mostly a heavy support or even a siege weapon rather than an assault cannon. However, the self-propelled cannon lacks any defensive capabilities and relies on other mecha to defend it.

Several of these cannons made it to the Earth’s surface during the attack on Reflex Point. However, they were too few in number, and to cumbersome, to have an appreciable impact on the fighting.

Robotech (R) is the property of Harmony Gold. Genesis Climber MOSPEADA (R) is the property of Fuji Television, Artmic Studio and Tatsunoko Production. This document is in no way intended to infringe upon their rights.

Original artwork by: (Genesis Climber MOSPEADA) Yoshitaka Amano, Shinji Aramaki and Hideki Kakinuma

Acknowledgement is extended to Peter Walker, Pieter Thomassen and Robert Morgenstern of the unofficial Robotech Reference Guide. Peter Walker, Pieter Thomassen and Robert Morgenstern are given credit for all quotes and paraphrasing of the unofficial Robotech Reference Guide that has been utilized in this publication. 

Content by Rob Morgenstern

Copyright © 2001, 1997 Robert Morgenstern, Pieter Thomassen, Peter Walker