Though it is not widely known, several mecha commonly associated with the UN Spacy, and later the United Earth Defense Force (UEDF), were also operated by the Soviet military. During the salad days of the early unification period, East-West relations were far better than they had ever been before, or subsequently. As a full-fledged member of the United Nations of Earth Government, the Soviet Union had full rights to purchase any weapons systems available to the UN Spacy. Despite the strenuous objections of the United States and other Western nations, who were chiefly concerned about the Soviet Union using these examples to reverse engineer their own copies, the Soviet Union purchased several weapons systems prior to the battle with Dolza’s Armada. After the first Robotech War, additional examples of various weapons systems were delivered before relations between the newly formed United Earth Government and the Eastern Block of Soviet Independent States broke down.
The ADR-04 Defender was one of the three Destroid types purchased by the Soviet Union during the prewar period. The ADR in the Russian designation stood for Antivozdushnyy Robot (anti-air robot). Roman was the reporting name given to the type by the UEDF. Around 120 were delivered, of which only a few survived the Zentraedi Rain of Death. The few surviving examples were recommissioned after the war. It is unclear how many were still in service by the time of the Invid Invasion. Most analysts think that the type was completely withdrawn from Soviet service in the late twenties, though it is possible that they were all transferred to the Soviet Surface Navy and converted into ship-board anti-aircraft turrets.
Variants:
ADR-1: Of the surviving ADR-1 Romans, six were the standard ADR-04 Defenders, as purchased from Chrysler-Vickers.
ADR-1-X: These still had the Rheinmetall Type PFG-966 78mm caseless autocannons, but the radar unit was replaced with one of Soviet origin. This radar had only around half the range and targeting capabilities. Three of these types existed.
ADR-1 Type II: Nine were rebuilt with reconditioned bodies, and with replacement arms which launched SA-7M, short range anti-aircraft type missiles. Each launcher had a payload of 24, for a total of 48 missiles. These Romans retained the excellent Thomson PA-3 long range pulse Doppler phased array air search radar.
ADR-1 Type II-X: 20 were rebuilt with the same SA-7M Weapons fit as the Type II, but with a locally produced replacement radar. This radar replacement unit had only half the range and targeting capabilities. No other sensors were installed except for Infrared and Ultraviolet imaging for the pilot. 10 of the Type II-X units were stationed on the lapetus (the Soviet Navy’s one Prometheus-class air craft carrier).
ADR-1 Type III: The final fifteen to be rebuilt from spares and captured parts were of the same spec as the earlier Type II-X, but added two Omsk Works 57mm AK-747-3 naval anti-aircraft cannons. Eventually, as the lack of spare parts took its toll on the PFG-966 cannons and Thompson radar, all other variants were “upgraded” to this standard.
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
Though it is not widely known, the VF-1 Valkyrie did also serve with the Soviet Air Force. During those salad days of the early unification period, East-West relations were far better than they had ever been before, or subsequently. As a full-fledged member of the United Nations of Earth Government, the Soviet Union had full rights to purchase any weapons systems available to the UN Spacy. Despite the strenuous objections of the United States and Japan, who were chiefly concerned about the Soviet Union using these examples to reverse engineer their own copies, enough VF-1s were purchased prior to the battle with Dolza’s Armada to equip two fighter squadrons (24 in total). After the first Robotech War, an additional 16 were delivered before relations between the newly formed United Earth Government and the Eastern Block of Soviet Independent States broke down.
In Soviet service, the VF-1 was referred to as the NoP-1 Val’kiriya (the Russian word for Valkyrie), and carried the UEDF reporting name of Victor. The No in the prefix stood for Northrop, the type’s manufacturer, and the P stood for peremennaya velichina (переменная величина), the Russian word for variable. Three types served with the Soviet Airforce and Navy: The Victor A, which was a standard VF-1A, the Victor B, which was a standard VF-1D, and the Victor C, which was a reconstructed version of the VF-1A equipped with fusion turbines and avionics of Soviet origin. The SuP-1 Victor D was not a VF-1, but rather was a reverse engineered copy produced by the Sukhoi Design Bureau, proving the United States and Japan right in their fears, however belatedly.
By the beginning of the Second Robotech War, the Soviets still retained 27 fully operational NoP-1 Victors. This was enough to supply one squadron for both the Soviet Air Force and the Navy. These Veritechs were able to stay in service so long in comparison to their UEDF counterparts because the Soviets put far fewer annual flight hours on each airframe, thus not exceeding the types meager flight hour limit of 2000 hours. The SuP-1 was only slightly more common with a total of 134 being produced before the program was canceled. The Victor remained in service right up to the Invid Invasion in 2031. None are known to have survived the war.
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
SCAR CBR Mk. 1F TFA-P Type 2 Male OfficerSCAR CBR Mk. 1F TFA-P Type 2 Male EnlistedSCAR CBR Mk. 1F TFA-P Type 2 Male NCO SCAR CBR Mk. 1F TFA-P Type 2 Arm ShieldFreedom fighter during the Invid Occupation, wearing CBR Mk. 1F TFA-P Type 2 armor, with 12 gauge shotgun.
SCAR CBR Mk. 1F TFA-P Type 9 Tactical Flying Armor, Tactical Air Corps.
SCAR CBR Mk. 1F TFA-P Type 9 Male OfficerSCAR CBR Mk. 1F TFA-P Type 9 Male EnlistedSCAR CBR Mk. 1F TFA-P Type 9 Male NCO
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
Weight: 11.4 kg TFA-P Type 2); 11.2 kg (TFA-P Type 9); 7.8 kg (LJA Light Jump-Armor)
The SCAR CBR Mk. 1F TFA-P (Tactical Flying Armor – Plate) was designed specifically for pilots and aircrew. While not all aircrew in the United Earth Defense Force (UEDF) wore TFA-P armor, the vast majority who flew combat aircraft did. Because of the size and bulkiness of the armor, the cockpits of most aircraft had to be redesigned to accommodate the pilot in this guise. Pilots who found themselves assigned to units operating older air frames, however, would have to make due with traditional flight suits.
The CBR Mk. 1F TFA-P had many of the same features as other Southern Cross armors, but wear designed specifically for pilots. The TFA-P armors had integrated G-Suits, with expanding air bladders built into the legs and torso of the armor. An integrated oxygen supply was also built into the armor. It must be stressed though that these armors were not full environmental suits. They had no pressure sealing or radiation protection. What’s more, since they were not simple plate armor systems, they could not be worn over a space suit, as was the case with the CBR Mk. 1 and 2 Tactical Body Armors. The CBR Mk. 1F TFA-P armors are composed of a plastic-ceramic composite for maximal resistance to penetration and thermic explosive damage for minimal weight. The armor stops most small arms fire and grenade and shell fragments, and provides poor to fair resistance against heavier infantry weapons, such as a 12.7mm machine-gun round. The TFA-P armor consists of separate leg, arm, torso, and helmet units, and covers the entire body.
Like all armor of the Southern Cross, the TFA-P armors fell out of use soon after the Invid occupation of Earth and the destruction of the UEDF.
The CBR Mark 1F TFA-P armors have the following features:
Thermal regulation system: Full temperature control, by the use of Peltier-electric cooling units in armor, conducting heat between the thermally conducting inner and outer layers of the armor. A simple reversal of the voltage can alternate the armor from heating to cooling the pilot. Between the thermally conducting layers on all these pieces, and on the inner surfaces of all other pieces of armor, is a thin insulating layer, designed to minimize non-directed heat transfer. The Peltier-electric units are powered by small batteries in the armor units that contain them, and are designed to assist pilot comfort in hot and cold climes. The units are insufficient for protection above 75 and below -55 degrees Celsius. Heat resistant up to 500K for brief periods.
Integrated Oxygen Control System: The suit is designed to be plugged into the aircraft’s oxygen supply system. The suit also carries its own independent oxygen supply, with 10 minutes maximum.
Tactical Helmet: The helmet has a removable face-shield with variable-tint photochromic polarized polycarbon eyeslits. Contrary to popular belief, the eyeslits do not have integrated night vision or IR spectrum imaging. The NVG-645 can be attached directly to the faceplate, providing both of these features.
Tactical Radio: Narrow band, short range tactical radio for communication at the platoon level. The microphone and speakers are built into the helmet. This communication system will also wirelessly synch with longer range tactical radios, both dismounted and vehicle mounted.
Integrated G-suit: Integrated g-suits composed of air bladders in the legs and torso that automatically inflated in order to assist the pilot in dealing with high g maneuvers encountered in air to air combat.
CBR Mk. 1F TFA-P types:
CBR Mk. 1F TFA-P Type 2: Worn by aircrews assigned to the UEDF Civil Defense Flying Corps. The typical paint scheme for this armor was gray and white, with red and black trim.
CBR Mk. 1F TFA-P Type 9: Worn by aircrews assigned to the UEDF Tactical Air Corps. The typical paint scheme for this armor was intermediate brown earth and light desert tan. Note that the desert tan portions of the armor were so light that they were often mistaken for having been painted white.
CBR Mk. 1F LJA Light Jump-Armor: Worn by Special Purpose soldiers assigned to the UEDF Reconnaissance Escort Patrol Division (REP). This armor was specifically designed for both High Altitude Low Opening (HALO) and High Altitude High Opening (HAHO) jumps. It is also worn by aircrews in the REP. Typical paint schemes were theatre of operations specific, though the official paint scheme mirrored the REP’s official colors of light lavender with white trim and red shoulders.
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
Sturm, Ruger & Co. M1993 .38 Special (9×29.5mmR) and .357 Magnum (9×33mmR) Service Revolver
by Tim Wing
The M1993 service revolver was first introduced as the Sparrow Hawk in 1993. The revolver was later adopted by the UN Spacy as the M1993 Service Revolver. Though originally adopted as a special purpose sidearm for the UN Spacy Pistol Shooting Team, the Ruger Sparrow Hawk was procured in the largest numbers as the two inch barreled M1993A1 Survival Pistol. This pistol was issued to Veritech Pilots and other air crewmen starting in 2008. It continued to serve in this capacity all the way through till the Invid Invasion. The irony that the pilots of aircraft packed with advance alien technology carried a old fashioned wheel gun as their last line of defense was lost on very few people.
The CM1 Typhoon was a three-wheeled tactical vehicle built by Gram’nik Garma Eldarim (Gram’nik Powered Vehicles) on occupied Tirol for the United Earth Expeditionary Forces (UEEF). The Typhoon was based on a pre-existing Tirolian all-terrain vehicle. Minor changes were made to the design, which included the addition of Terran standard motorcycle controls, UEEF standard tactical radio systems and durability improvements for military service. The Typhoon was fully electric, with a quick charging automotive battery of Tirolian design. The Typhoon replaced the HR-32 Flash-Clapper light cavalry hover cycle in UEEF service beginning in the mid-twenties. Later, the CM1 was replaced by the VR-series Cyclone Veritech combat cycles.
Robotech (R) is the property of Harmony Gold. This document is in no way intended to infringe upon their rights.
The VHT-2 Hoplite was McDonnell Douglas’s follow on to the VHT-1 Spartas Veritech Hover Tank. It was designed in the later part of the Second Robotech War, and was rushed into production just in time to see action against the Bioroids it was specifically designed to fight. The Hoplite continued in production all the way up to the Invid Invasion.
The Hoplite was based on the same chassis as the VHT-1 Spartas, only with different arms and a different weapons fit. In place of the VHT-1’s 125mm particle cannon and triple barreled ion cannon combination, the Hoplite mounted two Oerlikon PP65 68mm medium ion cannons, one in each arm. This change was made due to the fact that the 125mm main gun of the Spartas was found to be overkill for defeating the armor of the Robotech Masters Bioroids. The smaller PP65s had enough penetration capability to consistently disable or destroy a Bioroid, yet they had a much higher rate of fire. More importantly, these ion cannons could be used in Battloid mode, making the carry of the EU-11 gun pod redundant.
Note that the Hoplite is often time confused with the VHR-2 Myrmidon Veritech Hover Recon Vehicle.
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
The Kaldoudiana-class Super Dimensional Destroyer was built by the Karbarrans from 1726 through 2044. This ship was, and continues to be, the most common ship in the Karbarran fleets. As can be seen by the ship’s lines, its design was heavily influenced by Zentraedi ships of the time. The Kaldoudiana-class served with the United Earth Expeditionary Force (UEEF) as the Gardinia-class during the Sentinels Campaign. This was done through the same lend-lease arrangement that all Karbarran ships of the UEEF fell under.
The Kaldoudiana-class was a small destroyer, at just 500 meters in length. They mounted a fixed battery of heavy particle beam cannons, firing forward. Hanger space for aerospace fighters was fairly minimal, with room for around twenty. Later Kaldoudiana-class ships also mounted two batteries of missile tubes for Terran designed Barracuda, Warhawk and Spacehawk missiles.
Famous ships of the Kaldoudiana-class include the first of the unlucky three UEEF ships to be named Izamu. This first UES Izamu was lost in action while fighting the Invid during the Sentinels Campaign.
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: Yoshitaka Amano, Shinji Aramaki and Hideki Kakinuma
After the First Robotech War, the UN Spacy absorbed huge amounts of Zentraedi equipment into their forces. Much of this equipment was replaced with Terran designed equipment in short order, while some designs, such as the Reguld Battle Pod and the Reentry Pod, were extensively modified and remained in service for another decade in one form or another. The longest serving of all the former Zentraedi mecha, however, is the Roiquonmi Glaug Tactical Battle Pod. It, officially at least, is still counted as “in service” by the Terran Union Armed Forces.
Before the First Robotech War even began, the Glaug was already a rare mecha. The Roiquonmi factory satellite was destroyed in the mid nineteenth century after a fairly short production run. By the time the war started, having a Glaug was a big deal for a Zentraedi Officer. So much so that some officers took to hording them for themselves, at the expense of their comrades. After the war, the Glaug got even rarer. When the UN Spacy completed salvage operations in the wake of the battle with Dolza’s armada, only 164 serviceable examples had been recovered. This was from a fleet of around five million space ships.
The original intent was for the Glaug to serve alongside the refit Regulds of the Reconnaissance Expeditionary Forces, until such time that these units could be equipped with Terran designed mecha. This didn’t exactly happen. While the Reguld quickly passed into reserve status, the Glaug proved almost impossible to retire. Not because it was an excellent weapon system (though it was), but because the Zentraedi Officers and Noncommissioned Officers who crewed them lobbied so hard to keep them in service! The moral and loyalty of the Zentraedi within the ranks always being a concern, United Earth Expeditionary Force chose to allow this vanity mecha to stay in service, at great expense. The expense and impracticality of keeping such a low-density weapons system in service cannot be overstated.
As of the writing of this article, the ZBP-02 Glaug is still in service in limited numbers. Exactly how many is hard to calculate. The Terran Navy still maintains and operates 27, all assigned to high ranking Zentraedi officers. Due to the rank of the officers who “own” them, these mecha rarely see actual use. This is just as well, as parts are obviously hard to come by. Around fifty ZBP-02 Glaugs were transferred to the Tirolian military, along with the Zentraedi officers who piloted them, in the middle thirties. It is unknown how many of those remain in service. Lastly, a few are known to be in service with the Federal Combined Planetary Forces on Earth and in the militaries of the Terran Union colonies, though exact numbers are unknown. In all cases, they are assigned to Zentraedi officers of high enough rank and influence to keep their beloved Glaugs in active service.
Upgrades and modifications
The ZBP-02 Mk. I Glaug was essentially unmodified, save for the installation of UN Spacy radios and IFF devices. Other than that, it was a standard Glaug for full size Zentraedi. As the Zentraedi population of the UN Spacy was micronized, all Glaugs were converted to ZBP-02 Mk. II standard. The Mk. II kept all the Glaug’s original weapons system and sensors, and replaced the cockpit with one suited to a micronized pilot. To do this, the interior was gutted and replaced with a heavily armored crew compartment. This armored plug was located in the back third of the original cockpit area. It featured a full virtual environment far superior to the two tiny displays present in the original configuration. Access was through a top mounted hatch. The hatch was configured like the commander cupola on a Terran style tank, with a ring of vision blocks to act as backups in the case of display systems failure. The pilot’s seat and controls could be elevated through three positions. Position one was all the way down, for use when piloting the mecha in the virtual environment. Position two was slightly elevated, for piloting the mecha using the vision blocks. Position three was all the way up, so the pilot could operate the mecha with his upper torso exposed. Positions two and three did not allow for actual aiming of the Glaug’s weapons systems, though they could still be fired. The cupola also had a pintle mount, on which an external crew serve weapons could be attached.
The only significant weapons upgrade for the Glaug came with the ZBP-02 Mk. II Mod. 1. In this variation, the Moldile Lunaditsz 95 (also known under the Terran designation of IC-L) 44mm impact cannons in the upper mounts of the arms were replaced with Makral Martszur-4 (also known under the Terran designation of PB-10) four-barreled rotary particle beam cannons, as seen on the Reguld. Additional upgrades were proposed for the ZBP-02 Mk. II Mod. 2, which would have included newer weapons and sensors, but this never came to pass. What happened instead was a slow drift from Mk. II Mod. 1 standard over the course of the next fifty years. Nowadays it can be said that no two Glaugs are alike, as many have been modified, fit with different sensor suites and weapons systems, and repaired to keep running with differing solutions and degrees of success! Because of this, most Glaugs still in service have taken up the status of hanger queens.
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.
Designation: Quanitszip/Rockwell FA-100 Swift Aerospace Fighter (Refit Quanitszip Gnerl)
I. Dimensions:
Length: 20.6 meters
Width: 14.2 meters
Height: 14.2 meters
Weight (full load): 42 metric tons (FA-100A, C and E), 38 metric tons (FA-100B, D and F)
II. Type:
Design: Quanitszip design bureau, Rockwell International
Builder: Rockwell International
Variants:
FA-100A Swift: One man, Zentraedi size crew aerospace fighter. Minimal upgrades from the Model 3 Gnerl on which it was based.
FA-100B Swift: Two man, human size crew aerospace fighter. Upgrades included a full Terran avionics suite. This version retained its original Zentraedi weapons fit.
FA-100B+ Swift: Two man, human size crew aerospace fighter. Upgrades included a full Terran avionics suite. Upgraded version of the FA-100B. Touwhaug Gativar-9s replaced with missile launchers designed to carry Angel of Death nuclear anti-ship missiles.
FA-100C Swift: One man, Zentraedi size crew aerospace fighter. Upgrades included a full Terran avionics suite. This version retained its original Zentraedi weapons fit.
FA-100C+ Swift: One man, Zentraedi size crew aerospace fighter. Upgrades included a full Terran avionics suite. Upgraded version of the FA-100B. Touwhaug Gativar-9s replaced with missile launchers designed to carry Angel of Death nuclear anti-ship missiles.
FA-100D Swift: Two man, human size crew aerospace fighter. Upgrades included a full Terran avionics suite, with a larger radar than that found on the B and C variants. This necessitated the removal of the original particle beam cannons. Armament consisted of six GU9 55mm cannons (three to a side) and two missile bays for RMS-1 Angel of Death nuclear anti-ship missiles (one per side).
FA-100E Swift: One man, Zentraedi size crew aerospace fighter. Upgrades included a full Terran avionics suite, with a larger radar than that found on the B and C variants. This necessitated the removal of the original particle beam cannons. Armament consisted of six GU9 55mm cannons (three to a side) and two missile bays for RMS-1 Angel of Death nuclear anti-ship missiles (one per side).
FA-100F Swift: Two man, human size crew anti-ship aerospace fighter. Anti-starship patrol craft variant of the FA-100D. Upgrades included mission specific avionics. Four of the six GU9s were also dropped, with the extra room dedicated to reaction mass. By the late twenties, all remaining FA-100s had been upgraded to this specification.
III. Service History:
FA-100 Swift: Served with the UN Spacy from 2012 until 2017, with the UEDF Tactical Armored Space Corps from 2018 until 2021, with the REF/UEEF Tactical Naval Corps from 2018 until 2026 and with the Colonial Defense Forces from 2019 until 2042.
IV. Propulsion:
Three Varrebotzs type 49 plasma-shock expansion engines in the back. The thrusters have a maximum output of 190 kN for short periods and a sustainable output of 120 kN.
Three Varrebotzs type 50 plasma-shock expansion engines with vectorable nozzles (drawing their plasma from the type 49 engines), mounted in the back between the type 49 engines. These thrusters have a maximum output of 45 kN for short periods, and serve both as attitude thrusters and as boost engines for emergency accelerations.
Four Varrebotzs type 51 plasma-shock expansion engines (drawing their plasma from the type 49 engines) in two pairs, one to port and one to starboard, in the center of the flanks. These engines are the primary jaw and roll attitude thrusters and have vectored thrust capabilities. Each thruster has a maximum sustained output of 78 kN.
Four Varrebotzs type 57 plasma-shock expansion engines under the cockpit. These engines are the primary VTOL thrusters and have vectored thrust capabilities. This installation can deliver 150 kN sustained thrust per engine or 180 kN for short periods.
Assorted attitude thrusters, fed from the type 49 engines.
Protoculture supply: average operational life 175 hours operational use (350 hours for FA-100F).
VI. Sensory Systems:
(FA-100A)
Radar tracking:
VFAS1-SS phased array radar with spherical coverage, for various scan/track, targeting, mapping, reconnaissance and navigation functions.
Optical tracking:
VFAS1-SS Multi-band digital camera system, for medium range all attitude infra-red imaging, optical and ultra-violet band detection and tracking.
VFAS1-SS Multi-frequency laser ranger and designator.
VFAS1-SS high resolution long range optical/IIR cluster in the nose, on top of the gun armament.
Tactical Electronic Warfare System (TEWS):
Elettronica Radar Warning Receiver (RWR)
OlDelft Infra-red Warning Receiver (IRWR)
VFAS1-SS Active sensor jammer system
VFAS1-SS Chaff and flare dispenser
(FA-100B and C)
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.
(FA-100D, E and F)
Radar tracking:
Hughes APG-114 X-band pulse-Doppler phased array, providing spherical long-range detection and tracking of targets at all altitudes. Equipped with special ‘stealthy’ modes. This radar is essentially the APG-113 with a larger and more powerful antenna.
All other avionics the same as FA-100B and C.
VII. Armament:
Cannons:
(FA-100A, B and C)
2 x Makral PB-8 triple-barreled rotary particle beam cannons mounted in the extreme nose of the plane. The sub-barrels can each fire a particle beam of 2.5 MJ every second, all can be fired in parallel, for maximum localized damage, or in series for increased chances of a hit. Typically, Gnerl pilots fired in serial mode.
1 x Makral AD-1 particle pulse cannon mounted in the extreme nose with the Makral Martszur-4 cannons. This cannons fires distinct packages of particle energy (‘annihilation discs’) at 3500 m/s in bursts of up to 1 second in duration. A maximum duration burst contains 25 MJ of particle energy, and will usually impact in a concentrated area. The Makral Rianulran 23 cannon has a recharge cycle of 8 seconds, yielding a rate of fire of 7.5 rpm.
(FA-100D, E and F)
6 x Mauser GU9 55mm single barrel autocannon; cannon fires APFSDS (Armor Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot) and HESH-I (High Explosive Squash Head-Incendiary) rounds at 250 rounds/minute. Each cannon has an ammunition supply of 530 rounds. All cannons are side mounted, three to each side. Note that the FA-100F only mounted two GU9s with an ammunition supply of 640 each.
Missiles:
(FA-100A, B and C)
3 x Touwhaug Gativar-9 missile launchers, lying flush with the skin between the engines. Each missile launcher carries two MPA-1 Mitten missiles in a ready for launch position, and four more missiles as reloads. The total load-out for the Swift is 18 missiles.
(FA-100B+, C+, D, E and F)
2 x HMM-20 heavy multi missile launchers, mounted flush on the left and right sides. Each launcher carried 20 heavy missiles for a total of 40. Missiles consisted of:
40 x Firebird missiles. 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 radar seeker.
or 40 x RMS-1 “Angel Of Death” Nuclear Stand-off missiles. Reaction warhead (200 kT) mounted on a long range (250 km) Mach 4.0 combined multi-spectrum imager and active radar homing Reflex missiles. Customized for anti-starship operations. Maximum delta-v in space is 4 kps.
(All)
1 x hardpoint on the upper pods for a Touwhaug Rasilszt-13 missile launcher. The missile launcher carries 5 MPA-4 Miff, MPA-2 Megrim or MPA-3 Morgoth missiles, or a combination of these. Due to excessive drag and limited utility this option was never used in an atmosphere.
VIII. Armor:
The armor of the Swift is composed of an advanced titanium-steel alloy. The armor stops all small arms and heavy infantry weapons fire, provides reasonable 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 cockpit area of the human size Swift variants had additional armor. It provided excellent poor resistance to medium mecha-mounted weaponry.
The Swift provides full protection from nuclear, biological, and chemical hazards, using a fully enclosed cockpit environment. The internal consumables supplies can provide atmosphere for four days’ maximum, and the pilot can pack sufficient food and water containers for that period, although the cockpit will be somewhat cramped. Human size crew configured Swifts had much greater endurance, with consumables adequate for up to two weeks. This was also the max endurance for the craft’s protoculture power supply.
IX. Development:
First deployed operationally in 1891, the Gnerl was the last trans-atmospheric fighter used by the Zentraedi. The UN Spacy, and later the United Earth Defense Force (UEDF) and the United Earth Expeditionary Force (UEEF), used the Gnerl after the First Robotech War as the FA-100 Swift. Several upgraded variants were fielded, some with minimal changes and some with major modifications to include full Terran sensor and weapons refit and conversion to human sized crew compartments. Theses variants saw limited use during the Sentinels Campaign, but were by and large transferred to the Colonial Defense Forces by the mid twenties.
The FA-100 Swifts were fast trans-atmospheric fighters with an egg-shaped nose housing a powerful cannon installation and three thrusters at the back. The hull also accommodated three double dual-purpose missile launchers nested between the engines. All FA-100s were based on the model 3 Gnerl with its more extensive VTOL setup. Changes common to all FA-100 variants were the addition of wheels in place of the original’s landing skids, UN Spacy style auxiliary power unit receptacles and other deck handling provisions needed for operation on human ships. Also, common to all variants was the addition of UN Spacy compatible Identify Friend or Foe (IFF) transmitters/receivers and radios.
Though the baseline FA-100A Swift only included the modifications listed above, later variants included the addition of Terran electronics and weapons systems, as well as versions converted for human size crews. All “Micronian” crew variants had the entire cockpit replaced with a two seat tandem cockpit arrangement with a transparent armored canopy. The edition of the more vulnerable traditional canopy rather than a fully enclosed virtual environment was a concession to the micronized Zentraedi pilots who would make up the majority of FA-100 crews. With all the space that was freed up by the smaller crew compartment, Rockwell was able to triple the Swift’s delta-v with the addition of larger reaction mass tanks. Increased ammunition supply and a small privy for the crew filled the rest of the available space.
Thanks to the its impressive 15.2 kps of delta-v and store of nuclear armed Angel of Death anti-ship missiles, the role in which the Swift excelled was long range patrol. For this reason, the human size crew variants stayed in service for quite a bit longer than was originally planned. Because the Colonial Defense Forces rarely had a surplus of capital ships, the FA-100 filled an important niche here. The last refit Gnerl was not retired until the early 40’s, when they were replaced by Legioss fighters.
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: Tim Wing; 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
Content by Tim Wing, Pieter Thomassen, with Peter Walker and Rob Morgenstern
SCAR CBR Mk. 1F TFA-P Type 2 Arm Shield
The original intent was for the Glaug to serve alongside the refit Regulds of the Reconnaissance Expeditionary Forces, until such time that these units could be equipped with Terran designed mecha. This didn’t exactly happen. While the Reguld quickly passed into reserve status, the Glaug proved almost impossible to retire. Not because it was an excellent weapon system (though it was), but because the Zentraedi Officers and Noncommissioned Officers who crewed them lobbied so hard to keep them in service! The moral and loyalty of the Zentraedi within the ranks always being a concern, United Earth Expeditionary Force chose to allow this vanity mecha to stay in service, at great expense. The expense and impracticality of keeping such a low-density weapons system in service cannot be overstated.
