by Pieter Thomassen, with Peter Walker and Robert Morgenstern
edited by Tim Wing
Designation: Lojredbeth Deuawhaug (UEDF designation SSA-1A Sniper), Lojredbeth Deuawhaug-likran (SSA-1B Sniper) ship launched anti-ship/ground torpedo
- Type: Ship launched anti-ship/ground torpedo.
- Service history: Entered service around 1830.
- Length: 1203 cm.
- Diameter: 375 cm.
- Wingspan: 453 cm.
- Weight: 54100 kg (SSA-1A), 53900 kg (SSA-1B).
- Warhead: High Explosive (SSA-1A), Nuclear reaction (SSA-1B).
- Weight/yield: 1509 kg (SSA-1A), 326 kT(SSA-1B).
- Propulsion: 13 fusion/plasma reaction engines with one common protoculture energizer, one protoculture cell for electrical power.
- Guidance: Multi-spectral active/passive sensors with Reflex AI guidance.
- Max speed: Mach 20.
- Range: 10.3 kps delta-v.
- Platforms: Most Zentraedi Capital Ship classes.
History:
The nuclear Sniper missile is the primary weapon of mass-destruction available to the common Zentraedi fleets, which usually lack Reflex Cannon armed ships.
As the primary heavy strike weapon of the Zentraedi Fleet, the Sniper is equipped with the best engine available; not a rocket engine, but a fusion-plasma propulsion set. This gives the Sniper vastly superior range and speed compared to more conventional missiles. Also, the warhead on the nuclear Sniper is one of the largest warheads available to the Zentraedi.
In addition to the nuclear missile, a version with a conventional warhead is issued to the Zentraedi fleets. This missile has a less powerful warhead and less extensive fusing options than the SSA-2 Scrapper, and it were these limitations that lead to the development of the heavier conventional missile.
The basic missile shape is that of an elongated cone, with twelve circumference thrusters and a thirteenth, central thruster. Eight sensor blisters are mounted around the body, giving an excellent sensor coverage and a very accurate and ECCM capable guidance. An additional four radar aerials are mounted further aft.
The main disadvantage of the Sniper is that, compared to its Scrapper sibling, it is slower and less ranged, and thus easier to intercept. However, a nuclear version of the Scrapper, which would alleviate this, has never been encountered.
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.
Images from – Macross Perfect Memory (1983)
Content by Pieter Thomassen, with Peter Walker and Rob Morgenstern, edited by Tim Wing
Copyright © 2000, 1997 Robert Morgenstern, Pieter Thomassen, Peter Walker; 2016 Tim Wing