by Peter Walker and Pieter Thomassen with Rob Morgenstern
edited by Tim Wing
Attachments:
- Cyclone reference file
- Cyclone galleries
Designation: Continental Battlemecha Ltd VR-Series Military Operation Soldier Protection Emergency Aviation Dive Armor (MOSPEADA) Cyclone Veritech Armored Motorcycle
I. Dimensions
(VR-017 Crusader)
Motorcycle mode
- Total Height: 1.29m
- Total Width: 0.50m
- Total Length: 2.41m
Battloid mode
- Total Height: 2.50m
- Total Breadth: 1.03m
- Total Depth: 1.70m
- Total Weight: 169kg
(VR-038 Cyclone)
Motorcycle mode
- Total Height: 1.09m
- Total Width: 0.50m
- Total Length: 2.05m
Battloid mode
- Total Height: 2.10m
- Total Breadth: 1.03m
- Total Depth: 1.60m
- Total Weight: 72 kg
(VR-052 Cyclone)
Motorcycle mode
- Total Height: 1.09m
- Total Width: 0.50m
- Total Length: 2.05m
Battloid mode
- Total Height: 2.30m
- Total Breadth: 1.03m
- Total Depth: 1.60m
- Total Weight: 132kg
II. Type:
One man motorcycle, two-form Veritech high-mobility power armor.
III. Service History:
- YVR-010 MOSPEADA: Test and evaluation prototype from 2026 to 2028.
- VR-010 Cyclone: Low rate initial production variant, served with the United Earth Expeditionary Force (UEEF) Expeditionary Marine Corps (Marines) in limited numbers from 2027 until replaced by the VR-011.
- VR-011 Rifleman: Served with the UEEF Marines from 2027 until replaced by the VR-022.
- VR-012 Cyclone: Served with the UEEF Expeditionary Tactical Corps (TC) from 2028 until replaced by the VR-020.
- VR-013 Cyclone: Served with the UEEF Marines and TC from 2028 until replaced by the VR-038.
- VR-015 Spider: Served with the UEEF Marines from 2029 until 2038.
- VR-017 Crusader: Served with the UEEF Marine and TC in limited numbers from 2030 until replaced by the VR-057.
- YVR-020 Cyclone: Test and evaluation prototype, tested in 2030.
- VR-020 Blowsperior: Served with the UEEF Marines from 2030 until replaced by the VR-041.
- VR-021 Nova: Served with the UEEF Marines from 2030 until 2032 and with the UEEF Expeditionary Navy Tactical Naval Corps (Navy TC) from 2030 until 2060.
- VR-022 Cyclone: Served with the UEEF Marines from 2032 until replaced by the VR-052.
- VR-024 Comet: Served with the UEEF Marines from 2032 until 2054.
- VR-032 Cyclone: Served with the UEEF Navy Expeditionary Fleet Air Wing (FAW) from 2035 until replaced by the VR-052.
- VR-038 Cyclone: Served with the UEEF Marines and TC from 2037 until 2055.
- VR-041 Blowsperior: Served with the UEEF Marines and TC from 2040 until 2055.
- VR-042 Cyclone: Served with the UEEF Expeditionary Tactical Air Corps (TAC) from 2040 until replaced by the VR-052.
- VR-052 Cyclone: Served with all branches of the UEEF from 2041 until 2055.
- VR-057 Super Cyclone: Served with the UEEF Marines and TC from 2044 until 2055.
IV. Performance:
(Typical)
Speed, Motorcycle mode: 220kph max.- Speed, Battloid (running): Approximately equal to that of the pilot.
- Speed, Battloid (flying): 185 kph at up to 61m, hover at 9.1m
- Max Output: 98hp / 16000rpm
- Protoculture supply: 100 hours operational use, on one standard protoculture cell (except the VR-017, which uses two).
- Typical Range: 380 km.
V. Electronics:
(VR-038 Cyclone, VR-041 Blowsperior)
- Harris CT-12 computer targeting system and HUD in Battloid mode.
- Short range radio.
(VR-052 Cyclone)
- Avionica VR-34 short range millimeter radar (3 km range).
- Phillips Miniview UV, IIR and optical sight system with light intensifier and computer enhancement.
- Harris CT-12B computer targeting system with stereoscopic laser targeting and HUD in Battloid mode.
- Short range radio.
(VR-017 Crusader)
- As with the VR-052, but the targeting sensors are capable of a traverse up to +20 and -60 degrees in altitude above the horizon.
- Note: All externally-mounted Cyclone weapons have integral laser designators built in, and the Cyclone is designed to detect and use the laser ‘paint’ for the targeting of the weapons.
VI. Personal Armor:
To use the Cyclone, the pilot must be wearing a suit of CVR-1 or CVR-3 body armor, to which the Cyclone attaches in Battloid mode. The introduction of the VR-017R Crusader required minor modifications to the armor, which was designated the CVR-1/17, and this new armor is not fully backwards-compatible with the Cyclones supported by the older CVR-1 system, though most components of the armor are identical.
VII. Armament:
Internal
(VR-041 Blowsperior)
- 2 x GR-103, a RPG launcher built into the Cyclone’s chest. The launcher holds six 60mm x 150mm Recluse terminally laser- and radar-guided rocket-propelled grenades in each side of the chest for a total of twelve. The missiles are armor piercing or high explosive, and have a range of 0.8 km.
(VR-038 and VR-052)
- None.
External:
(VR-017 Crusader)
- 1 x EP-41R heavy output dual beam cannon, firing 1.0 MJ shots at a maximum sustained rate of the rate of 30 shots per minute, but capable of instantaneous rate of fire of 300 shots per minute. This weapon is mounted on the right shoulder of the Crusader Cyclone, and is capable of +60 to -30 degree traverse in altitude, and a 15 degree traverse in azimuth. The weapon is powered from its own dedicated protoculture cell, and is somewhat unreliable, tending to overheat at maximum firing rate. The gun machinery requires the removal of the Cyclone’s flip-up targeting sensor, which is replaced by a fixed monocular head piece attached to a modified CVR helmet.
- 2 x GR-10 triple-tube rocket-propelled grenade launchers, mounted to the outer leg portion of the CVR-4 armor, for a total of six tubes, with a single missile in each tube. Guided by the Cyclone’s internal sensors, this weapon fires the same Recluse projectiles as the GR-103.
- 1 x LRC-10 long range dual laser cannon mounted to the left forearm plate. Deriving its power from the Cyclone’s main generator, the LRC-10 is capable of firing 3.0 MJ pulses from each barrel at a total rate of fire of twenty shots per minute. This weapon is based upon a miniaturized version of the gun machinery of the Alpha’s EP-13. Like the EP-41R, this weapon is prone to malfunction.
- 1 x GR-22 triple 45mm x 260mm Scorpion mini-missile tube mounted on the right front wheel cover, with one set of reloads. The six Scorpion missiles are laser-guided, have plasma warheads, and a range of 1.7 km. Mounting of this system in Battloid mode requires a unique piece of forearm armor that is part of the CVR-1/17.
(All Cyclones mount one of the following additional packages)
A Model:
- None, though hand-held weapons are possible, especially including the EP-37 and the Mars Gallant H-90.
C Model:
- 1 x M312SC Military recording camera, for archival and reconnaissance in battlefield environments. Camera set includes IR-illuminator, and night-vision capability on a high-resolution wide-bandwidth CCD chip and six low-resolution narrow-band CCDs for full optical, near- and far-IR, and UV color imaging. Camera is capable of digitally storing thirty minutes of footage at highest resolution, or twelve hours at the lowest. Unit is also capable of three-color hard-copy production of single frames. Camera mounts to the right shoulder hardpoint in all modes.
F Model:
2 x GR-97 dual 45mm x 260mm Scorpion mini-missile tube mounted on the forearm plates (front wheel covers). The two Scorpion missiles are laser-guided, have plasma warheads, and a range of 1.7 km.
H Model:
- 2 x CADS-1, long ceramic swords that extend from round shields mounted on the forearms (front wheel covers). The swords vibrate at an extremely high frequency and can cut through most armors. The shields are covered in an advanced Chobham armor for additional protection against slow-moving explosive rounds and Invid annihilation disks. This model is mainly used for special operations, and is almost exclusively used on the VR-041.
L Model:
- 1 x RL-6, a hand-held rocket launcher that fires Tarantula Rocket-Propelled Grenades, similar in range and yield to the Recluse projectiles fired by the GR-103. It has a six missile payload. Weapon is fully usable without the Cyclone, but must be fired without benefit of the uplink to the Cyclone’s targeting system. Weapon mounts to the interior of the right forearm plate (front wheel cover) in Battloid, and on the right shoulder hardpoint in Cycle mode.
M model:
- 1 x M122MK field medical kit mounted on the right forearm plate (right front wheel cover) containing numerous field-expedient medical supplies, including sterile blood-plasma substitutes, antibiotics, bandages, pressure bandages, burn treatments, and so forth.
- 1 x M132DK field medical diagnostic apparatus. System is capable of monitoring a wide array of body functions, and includes a defibrilator and miniature artificial blood circulation and oxygenation system.
T Model:
1 x EP-40, a 40mm pulse particle beam gun mounted in place of the right forearm plate (right front wheel cover) of the Cyclone. Firing 750 kJ per shot, it can pierce almost any armor, and stores 45 rounds per energy magazine. Magazines can recharge from the Cyclone’s main generator, but at a slow rate. Weapon is also targetable from Cycle mode, though the arc of fire is limited. A targeting camera is mounted in the front, uplinking with the Cyclone’s main targeting system. Action is semi-automatic. This weapon is appreciably lighter than the EP-37, at 4.5kg, but is still somewhat difficult to hold in prolonged combat without the added strength of the Cyclone.
Hand-held:
A pilot may use a hand-held weapon in any hand not already occupied with a Cyclone weapon mounted on the inner forearm plate (such as the EP-37, EP-40, or RL-6). The most typical weapon carried is the Mars Gallant H90 in rifle mode.
- 1 x EP-37 60mm hand-held particle beam gun, capable of piercing almost any armor and doing devastating amounts of damage; each shot is rated at around 1.5 MJ. This weapon holds 15 rounds per energy magazine. Alternatively, the weapon may fire 30 shots at the lower energy setting of 750 kJ per shot. When used without the Cyclone system, the weapon is heavy (11.3 kg), and is difficult to aim. However, because servos connect the forearm plate/front wheel cover to the Cyclone torso (these servos, which double as shock absorbers in motorcycle mode, are often omitted from Battloid-mode sketches of the vehicle), the pilot’s strength is augmented for all items physically mounted to the forearm plate, ameliorating the difficulty in using the weapon. Additionally, the gun possesses a sighting camera which can link into the Cyclone’s targeting system. Weapon is mounted to the inside of the right forearm plate (right front wheel cover) in Battloid and the right shoulder hard-point in Cycle mode. Action is semi-automatic. GM-15 12.7mm Gatling Gun – Entertainment Bible#16
- 1 x M-100 12.7mm hand-held 3-barrel rotating gatling machine gun, used for anti-personnel use. This weapon uses 2 magazines containing 100 rounds each and can fire at a rate of 600 rounds per minute. The weapon also includes a large sensor/designator that can tie into the Cyclone’s targeting system to assist in aiming. The Cyclone system’s arm servos provide the strength to operate the weapon as well as dampening the recoil to allow this weapon to be used one or two handed. When used without the Cyclone system, the weapon is heavy, difficult to aim, and likely to cause significant injury to the operator from the recoil, though a port is built into the underside of the weapon that accepts a standard tripod.
VIII. Cyclone Armor:
The armor of the Cyclone is composed of an advanced titanium-steel alloy. The armor on the Bartley 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 (though the pilot will be badly concussed). The armor on all other models is significantly better, but the added weight reduces the vehicle’s maneuverability. Field tests show that a Cyclone can sometimes withstand two or more blasts from Invid plasma guns. Vulnerable areas of the pilot are part of the upper arms, which are unarmored. The thighs and helmet are not protected by the Cyclone, but are covered by the CVR armor. Nuclear, biological, and chemical protection is limited to that provided by the CVR armor.
IX. Development:
The Continental Battlemecha designed VR-series Cyclone, also known as the Military Operation Soldier Protection Emergency Aviation Dive Armor (MOSPEADA), is definitely the most innovative design in multiform mecha since the renovation of the SDF-1. The most recent series of wars taught the Earth’s militaries that basic infantry units suffered great liabilities: they were relatively slow compared to armor and mecha, and they were too vulnerable to even the smallest weapons. Though the UN Combined Forces tried to improve upon the latter problem, the clunky HES body armor suffered from poor mobility. The UN Spacy made the first step towards improving things with the introduction of the its first hard armor, the Lightweight Personal Armor System (LPAS). The latter met with some success, but it became apparent that a man-sized mecha would be of invaluable use to the infantryman as a weapons platform, as would a personal vehicle Continental Battlemecha fulfilled this desire with the Cyclone, a Veritech motorcycle that attached itself to a slightly modified version of the CVR-1 hard armor. Adopted in 2027 by the UEEF Marines and Tactical Corps as their primary infantry vehicle, and as security mecha and an emergency vehicle for downed pilots by the Navy and Tactical Air Force branches, this small, nimble mecha has seen service on hundreds of worlds and all theaters of engagement. Prior to this, the Cyclone was available in more limited numbers, mainly for use in special forces units, and several hundred were brought to Earth with the relief mission in 2030.
The Cyclone is a tough, durable piece of hardware that maximizes the versatility, survivability, and lethality of an individual soldier. The weapons systems are modular, accurate, and flexible, and the motorcycle mode is unmatched in its role. In all, one can expect to see more mecha like this in the future.
The most prolific variants of the Cyclone were the VR-038, the VR-041 and the VR-052. These were commonly called Mk. III Cyclones, though this was never an official designation. The earliest production model the Mk. IIIs was the VR-038. Though it began its life as a scout Cyclone, it remained on as a light combat unit, mainly used by the smaller female soldiers (for whom the weight and heavier armor of the later models was unmanageable), as well as by battlefield observers and medics.
With twelve rocket-propelled grenades standard, and an ever-widening array of weapons systems mountable to the forearms, the VR-041 Blowsperior, was a capable and deadly machine. Unfortunately, the production of this type of Cyclone was extremely costly, and it suffered from a sensor package that left much to be desired. Furthermore, extensive training was required to safely operate this mecha’s internal rocket-propelled grenade launcher.
The most prolific Cyclone was the VR-052, which would sacrifice all internal weapons in favor of a dramatically improved internal sensor suite. Because of the increased ease of construction, the VR-052 became the standard infantryman’s mecha of the later UEEF ground forces and the standard emergency vehicle for Air Force and Naval pilots, replacing most of the earlier Mk. I and Mk. II series Cyclones (see list above).
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; Brian Manning and Charles Walton II.
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, with Rob Morgenstern; edited by Tim Wing
Copyright © 1999, 1998, 1997, 1995 Robert Morgenstern, Pieter Thomassen, Peter Walker; 2017 Tim Wing