9K115-2 Metis-M (Mongrel; UEDF reporting name: AT-13 Saxhorn-2) Anti-tank Guided Missile

by Tim Wing

The 9K115 Metis (“Mongrel”) (UEDF reporting name AT-7 Saxhorn) was a man-portable semi-automatic command to line of sight (SACLOS) wire-guided anti-tank missile system of the Eastern Block of Soviet Independent States (EBSIS). This weapon, generally considered to be in the same category as the UEDF’s RL-1 Guided Rocket Launcher, entered service with the Soviet Army and other members of the Warsaw Pact in the early eighties.

The missile was developed by the Tula KBP. It is very similar to the 9K111 Fagot in external appearance (having three main fins); however, the missile is much lighter – primarily because of the reduced fuel load, which reduces the maximum range to 1,000 meters.

During the 1980s, an upgraded version of the missile was developed – the Metis-M 9M115-2 (sometimes labelled Metis-2). Fired from the same launcher, the new missile was much larger and heavier, with an increased range and a larger warhead. The UEDF designation for this missile was AT-13 Saxhorn-2.

DATA

• Manufacturer: KBP Instrument Design Bureau
• Caliber: 130 mm
• System weight: 16.5 kg
• Missile weight: 5.5 kg at launch
• Missile length: 980 mm
• Wingspan: 300 mm
• Warhead: HEAT shaped charge
• Warhead weight: 2.5 kg
• Operational range: 40–1500 meters
• Speed: 200 m/s
• Guidance system: Wire-guided SACLOS

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

Original artwork by: Unknown

Content by Tim Wing

Copyright © 2018 Tim Wing

Monument Arms LPP-2 Hydra Electrolaser-Plasma Pistol

by Tim Wing

The LPP-2 series of light plasma weapons were designed by Monument Arms, in association with the Monument Robotech Research Group (RRG).  A plasma weapon, also known as an electrolaser, is a type of directed-energy weapon that uses a laser to form an electrically conductive laser-induced plasma channel (LIPC). A fraction of a second later, a powerful electric current is sent down this plasma channel and delivered to the target. Physical damage is primarily caused by the laser beam, with the follow-on electric causing secondary damage to electronic systems. The secondary electrical disruption has the potential to completely ruin the avionics on even large armored vehicles and mecha. This, of course, depends greatly on a variety of factors including how hardened the targets electronics are against electromagnetic pulse (EMP), where the beam strikes the mecha, conductivity of the mecha’s armor and chance. An interesting side effect is that when the electromagnetic field rips electrons from air molecules to create plasma, similar to lightning, the rapid heating also creates a sonic boom.

All three versions were used primarily by the Marsh Division of the Tactical Corps Special Purpose Troops. All versions were specially adapted for use in wet environments and sealed against water and humidity. Like many weapons systems used by the United Earth Defense Force (UEDF), three variants of the LPP-2 were made utilizing different firing apertures. The standard aperture was a single 10mm barrel. The LPP-2A used twin 10mm apertures, and the LPP-2H had a bizarre flat plane variable aperture. The H model fired in an adjustable horizontal arc. This was primarily used as a suppressive fire weapon. At low power settings, all LPP-2 could serve as a less-than-lethal option in crowd control situations as the electrical transfer of energy to the target allowed the weapons to act as a very powerful taser. A quirk of the LPP-2 was that it used dual energy magazines. These magazines were shared with several different energy weapons. Mounted on the back of the weapon, they resemble a pair of stubby pistol grips.

• Year Introduced: 2023
• Designer: Monument Arms, Monument RRG
• Acquiring Military: UEDF, TC Marsh Division
• Capacity: dual energy magazines; 16 full energy discharges (LPP-2), 8 full energy discharges (LPP-2A), 10 full energy discharges (LPP-2H)
• Rate of Fire: semi-automatic
• Weight: 1.89 kg (LPP-2), 2 kg (LPP-2A), 2.25 kg (LPP-2H)
• Maximum effective range: 240 meters (LPP-2), 150 meters (LPP-2A), 120 meters (LPP-2H)

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; Kevin Siembieda, Kevin Long, Daniel Dussault, Allen Manning, Brian Manning, Apollo Okamura, Benjamin Rodriguez, Charles Walton II and Michael Wilson

Content by Tim Wing

Copyright © 2018 Tim Wing

Izhmash AK-74 5.45×39mm Assault Rifle

By Tim Wing

The AK-74 needs no introduction. Produced by the Soviet Union and used by almost all members of the Warsaw Pact and later by the Eastern Block of Soviet Independent States (EBSIS), the AK-74 was the second most prolific weapon ever produced, eclipsed only by its father the AK-47 (AKM). The Kalashnikov designed assault rifle was a 5.45x39mm automatic gas operated, rotating bolt, select fire assault rifle. It was developed in 1970 by the Soviet designer Mikhail Kalashnikov and adopted by the Armed Forces of the USSR in the 1974. It was the further development of the AKM. The development of AK-74 is associated with the transition to a new low-pulse cartridge 5.45 × 39mm, itself similar in concept to the NATO 5.56x41mm round.

• Type: Assault rifle and Carbine (AKS-74U)
• Place of origin: Soviet Union

Service history

• In service: 1974–2033

Production history

• Designer: Mikhail Kalashnikov
• Designed: AK-74 1974, AK-74M 1991
• Manufacturer: Izhmash
• Produced: AK-74 1974–1991, AK-74M 1991–2033
• No. built: 6,000,000 +

Specifications

• Weight: AK-74 3.07 kg, AKS-74 2.97 kg, AKS-74U: 2.7 kg, AK-74M 3.4 kg (without magazine)
• 30-round magazine: 0.23 kg
• 6H5 bayonet: 0.32 kg
• Length: AK-74 943 mm, AKS-74 (stock extended) 943 mm, AKS-74U (stock extended): 735 mm, AK-74M (stock extended): 943 mm
• Barrel length: AK-74, AKS-74, AK-74M: 415 mm, AKS-74U: 206.5 mm
• Cartridge: 5.45×39mm
• Action: Gas-operated, rotating bolt

Rate of fire

• Cyclic: 600-650 rounds/min
• Practical: Automatic 100 rounds/min
• Muzzle velocity: 880–900 m/s (AK-74, AKS-74, AK-74M), 735 m/s (AKS-74U)

Effective range

• Point: 300–400 m (AK-74, AKS-74, AK-74M)
• Area: 500 m (AK-74, AKS-74, AK-74M), 400 m (AKS-74U)
• Maximum: 3,150 m
• Feed system: 30-round or 45-round RPK-74 detachable box magazine or 60-round casket magazine
• Sights: Adjustable iron sights, front post and rear notch on a scaled tangent

After the positive experience of the United States Army with its new small-caliber 5.56mm cartridge,  the USSR began work to developed a similar automatic cartridge. In 1966, the main rocket and artillery department was issued the task to develop a the new 4.45mm automatic cartridge. This cartridge was developed at TsNIItomash.

Several designers and design teams from the Izhevsk Machine-Building Plant, the Central Research Institute of Mechanical Engineering and the Kovrov Mechanical Plant took part in the contest for the new automatic weapon. Mikael Kalashnikov and AD Kryakushin created their entry based on the AKM (AK-47) assault rifle already in production. Of the ten examples submitted for the competition, the two finalists were the SA-006 AS Konstantinova and the Izhevsk A-3. Tests revealed that the AS Konstantinov built rifle had advantages in terms of accuracy and rate of fire, but Kalashnikov’s A-3 held the advantage due to its rugged, proven design and low cost to manufacture. The design of the AK-74 was very similar to the AKM. The primary innovation was a two-chamber muzzle device that performed the tasks of a muzzle brake, compensator and flash arrestor. The massive muzzle brake allowed a reduction in felt recoil which allowed to improved accuracy of fire, especially in fast single shots and bursts.

In 1974 it was adopted by the Armed Forces of the USSR. It was first used in the Afghan war, then in all Soviet conflicts up to the Invid Invasion. Though it was officially replaced in 2015 by the AK-15, it continued in to be issued in large numbers all the way to the end. Throughout the Invid Occupation, the AK-74 was perhaps the most common weapon found amongst freedom fighters Eastern Europe and Asia. After the Invid left the Earth, the AK-74 remained a common sight amongst the successor states in the same area.

Variants

• AK-74: Primary version.
• AKS-74: Variant AK-74 with a left folding stock. Created for use by Airborne Forces.
• AK-74N: “Night” version of AK-74 with side bar for mounting night sights such as the 1P78.
• AKS-74N: “Night” version of the folding AKS-74.
• AK-74M: Modernized AK-74. Equipped with a folding left-handed polymer stock and a universal mount for attaching sights, both optical and night, to the left side of the receiver. Thus, the AK-74M replaced four models at once: AK-74, AKS-74, AK-74N and AKS-74N.

Note: All of these AK-74 variants could mount a GP-25 grenade launcher.

• AKS-74U: Carbine variant of the AK-74. The U stood for Ukorochenniy or shortened. This weapon was based on the side folder AKS-74, with a barrel approximately half the length. The type was fitted with a distinctive muzzle booster, which features an internal expansion chamber inside the cylindrical section of the booster while the conical end acts as a nozzle to increase net pressure inside the gas chamber by supplying an increased amount of propellant gasses from the barrel. The AKS-74U was primarily issued to tank and Battloid crewmen.

Bibliography:

• Wikipedia (Russian): AK-74

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

Content by Tim Wing

Copyright © 2018 Tim Wing

Forjas Taurus M-33 Tayra 4.5mm Caseless Automatic Pistol

by Tim Wing

General Characteristics

• Designation: M-33 “Tayra” 4.5mm Caseless Automatic Pistol
• Year Introduced: 2018
• Designer: Forjas Taurus
• Acquiring Military: UEDF Civil Defense Unit (CDU) and Civil Defense Flying Corps (CDFC)
• Capacity: 15 round magazine (typical)
• Rate of Fire: semi-automatic
• Weight: 1.17 kg (loaded)
• Effective range: 80 meters

The M-33 was a light weight pistol constructed primarily of composites, designed and manufactured by Forgas Taurus of Brazil. Originally produced with the domestic police market in mind, the M-33 was soon adopted by the United Earth Defense Forces (UEDF) Civil Defense Unit (CDU) and Civil Defense Flying Corps (CDFC). The 4.5mm caseless ammo was unique to this weapon and continued with the UEDF’s proliferation of ammunition types. It is a shame that the 4.5mm round was never adopted as a sub-machine gun round, as its high velocity light weight bullet had excellent armor piercing capabilities.

Early in its career, the M-33 was plagued with reliability problems. Many suffered failure to feed issues after prolonged firing. This was caused by heat buildup which caused the caseless ammunition to expand, and thus not chamber properly. This was no fault of the pistol, but rather poor quality control at Companhia Brasileira de Cartuchos, the primary ammunition manufacturer in Brazil. The contract was later taken over by Monument Arms in North America, whose ammunition never suffered from such issues. Still, like the M-16 before, the reputation stuck and the Tayra never saw widespread adoption by other branches of the UEDF. This is a shame, as the M-33 itself was a tidy package which lent itself well to use by pilots as a survival pistol. It was also very accurate for such a small pistol. Though only adopted officially by the CDU and CDFC, the pistol was also found in use by pilots in their survival kit throughout the UEDF.

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

Images from – Robotech the Masters Saga Sourcebook

Content by Tim Wing

Copyright © 2018 Tim Wing

105mm Low-Recoil Rheinmetall Liquid-Propelled Ammunition

by Pieter Thomassen and Peter Walker, with Tim Wing and Rob Morgenstern

FSDS-TU Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot – Tungsten

A thin but long, high density (Tungsten) dart with a high muzzle velocity and little speed loss, giving a near instantaneous time-on-target. Due to the high flight speed, the round does not carry any guidance.

MAPHE-SG Multiple Kinetic Energy Penetrator — Self Guided

The MAPHE-SG is an anti-air artillery shell, with a warhead based on designs from the late 20th century. The shell incorporates a Lidar sensor and guides itself to the vicinity of the target, then fires four darts in an optimized firing pattern that virtually insures at least a 75% hit rate. These darts explode after penetrating the armor, destroying large parts of the internal structure of lightly armored targets, and large chunks of armor from heavier armored targets.

MPAF Multi-Purpose Airburst Flechette

This shell has a proximity fuse to explode above troop concentrations and releases hundreds of hypervelocity darts. Especially effective against body armor and light APCs, the effectiveness of this round is diminished by cover such as buildings. The round has some secondary capability against helicopters and other low and slow flying targets.

HESH High Explosive Squash Head

This round will impact on a target, crush the thin plating of the round and smear the plastic explosive inside over the armor of the target. A base fuse will detonate the plastic, causing a scab of armor to shatter. The shell is variable fused, and can be used as a general-purpose High Explosive shell. With impact fuse this shell is especially effective against Zentraedi battlepods.

SAD Sensor Artillery Delivered

Delivers a seismic/passive EM sensor and radio link to an area. Can stay active for two months.

Smoke & Incendiaries

Smoke and illumination/white phosphorus rounds are also available.

Plasma

Late in the Second Robotech War a plasma shell was developed as replacement for the HESH and MPAF shells, but only a few thousand of this version were produced before the SC fell to the Invid. It was a most impressive round, releasing 30 MJ of thermal energy on impact.

TacNuke Tactical Nuclear Shell

A boosted tactical nuclear device, available only through direct order of the SC High Command, with a yield of 1 kiloton. This shell is a special weapons round, available only through direct orders of the Southern Cross Division General or his superiors.

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

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 Tim Wing and Rob Morgenstern

Copyright © 2004, 2000, 1999, 1997, 1995 Robert Morgenstern, Pieter Thomassen, Peter Walker; 2017 Tim Wing

ROBOTECH Technical Files

by Pieter Thomassen, with Peter Walker and Robert Morgenstern

edited by Tim Wing

Designation: Marconi Stingray Mk.10 air launched lightweight anti-submarine torpedo

• Type: Air launched lightweight anti-submarine torpedo.
• Service history: 2006-2017, UN Spacy; 2018-2031, UEDF.
• Length: 250.2 cm.
• Diameter: 32.4 cm.
• Wingspan: none.
• Weight: 270 kg.
• Warhead: Directed energy high explosive.
• Weight/yield: 50 kg.
• Propulsion: Otto fuel.
• Guidance: Active/passive sonar.
• Max speed: 55 knots.
• Range: 9 nm @ 40 knots.

Platforms: Sea Sergeant, Sea Tunny, Space Kitchen.

• SH-62 Sea Sergeant ASW Helicopter
• SH/R-15 Phantom Attack Reconnaissance VTOL Aircraft

History:

The Stingray Mk.10 torpedo is the result of over 30 years of continuous development. It was the standard air launched torpedo of the US Navy and the rest of the Naval air wings of the Unified Forces, and was used later by the UEDF on its anti-submarine VTOL aircraft.

The Stingray could take out any Terran submarine save for the Prometheus and Daedalus carriers. During the Macross Island assault and later in the Malcontent Uprisings several pods were destroyed in this manner. The Stingray is still in service, but anti-submarine warfare is rapidly becoming an extinct art, as no known possible enemy deploys submarines.

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 Peter Walker and Pieter Thomassen, with Rob Morgenstern, edited by Tim Wing

Copyright © 1997 Robert Morgenstern, Peter Walker, Pieter Thomassen; 2016 Tim Wing

ROBOTECH Technical Files

by Pieter Thomassen, with Peter Walker and Robert Morgenstern

edited by Tim Wing

Designation: Honeywell Mk.48 MADCAP (mod 8) submarine launched heavyweight multi-purpose torpedo, (mod 9) air launched heavyweight multi-purpose torpedo.

• Type: (mod 8) Submarine launched heavyweight multi-purpose torpedo, (mod 9) Air launched heavyweight multi-purpose torpedo.
• Service history: 2006-2017, UN Spacy; 2018-2031, UEDF Navy.
• Length: (mod 8) 548.2 cm, (mod 9) 578.6 cm (pre-drop), 548.2 cm (post-drop).
• Diameter: 53.3 cm.
• Wingspan: none.
• Weight: (mod 8) 1756 kg, (mod 9) 1825 kg (including parachute).
• Warhead: High explosive with contact and influence fuse.
• Weight/yield: 800 kg.
• Propulsion: Electrical with protoculture energizer, one protoculture cell for electrical power.
• Guidance: Active/passive sonar, wakehoming and wire guidance.
• Max speed: 70 knots.
• Range: 70 nm @ 70 knots.

Platforms:

• Prometheus-class Submersible Aircraft Carrier (CVS)
• Daedalus-class Submersible Landing Ship (SLV)/Submersible Command Ship (SCC)
• Texas-class nuclear-powered fast attack submarine (SSN)
• Ambush-class nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN)
• Type 209+ diesel-electric attack submarine (SS)
• Type 210 diesel-electric attack submarine (SS)
• Warspite-class Protoculture-powered fast attack submarine (SSP)
• New Detroit-class Protoculture-powered fast attack submarine (SSP)
• Legacy Attack Submarines

History:

The MADCAP torpedo served as the main submarine armament in both the early UN Spacy and Southern Cross Naval Forces. The MADCAP (Most ADvanced CAPability) was a development of the US Mk.48 mod 6 VADCAP torpedo. The propulsion system was replaced by an electric motor and protoculture cells scavenged from the crashed SDF-1. This both increased maximum speed and range and diminished the noise level emitted by the torpedo. In fact, the range (especially at lower speeds) was so enlarged that the torpedo could reach any target detectable by the launch platforms’ sonar systems at maximum speed, and the full range was never used in combat. All other VADCAP systems were kept, save for the computer section, which incorporated some of the advanced technology gleaned from the SDF-1.

The MADCAP was as potent a ship killer as the large USSR designed Type 65 torpedo because of the warhead, which was more than doubled after the MADCAPs fuel section had been deleted. Even so, the MADCAP was still 1 meter shorter than the VADCAP.

The MADCAP was used by the submarine forces of the Unified Forces and later by the United Earth Defense Forces. However, it was never used in the Robotech Wars because of the dearth of submerged targets.

The UEDF Tactical Air Force procured an air launched version of the MADCAP torpedo for use by its Space Kitchen anti-submarine planes, as the standard Terran air dropped ASW torpedo, the Stingray, could not be expected to be effective against such craft as the Prometheus. However, the Space Kitchen was never used in its anti-submarine role due to a lack of targets, and thus the mod 9 MADCAP, which was a standard mod 8 equipped with a parachute and hardpoint connections, was never fired in anger.

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

Original artwork by: N/A

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 – Wikipedia Commons

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

Copyright © 1999 Robert Morgenstern, Pieter Thomassen, Peter Walker; 2016 Tim Wing

ROBOTECH Technical Files

by Pieter Thomassen, with Peter Walker and Robert Morgenstern

edited by Tim Wing

Designation: Letkes Deuawhaug (UEDF designation SSA-2 Scrapper) ship launched anti-ship/ground conventional missile

• Type: Ship launched anti-ship/ground conventional torpedo.
• Service history: Entered service around 1860.
• Length: 1467 cm.
• Diameter: 375 cm.
• Wingspan: none.
• Weight: 65800 kg.
• Warhead: HE blast/fragmentation with smart fuse.
• Weight/yield: 2389 kg.
• Propulsion: Six fusion/plasma reaction engines with one common protoculture energizer, one protoculture cell for electrical power.
• Guidance: Combined inertial/IIR/active radar with Reflex AI guidance.
• Max speed: Mach 25.
• Range: 11.45 kps delta-v.
• Platforms: Most Zentraedi Capital Ships.

History:

The Scrapper is a conventional torpedo, mounted on all Zentraedi fleet units. Although it cannot destroy another starship with one hit, as its Sniper sibling can, it is fast, difficult to intercept, and carries a large conventional warhead. The advanced fuse further gives it the possibility of contact detonation or delayed action, in addition to targeting specific parts of a target. The main disadvantage of this system is that it is unreliable on occasion, and Scrappers have a higher ‘dud’ rate than other Zentraedi missiles.

The Scrapper has a large seeker head up front, followed by the warhead section. Behind this is the engine section, slowly increasing in diameter until the exhausts pipes. There is a Vernier-thruster section between the warhead and propulsion sections. Four radar aerials are mounted on the warhead section.

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

ROBOTECH Technical Files

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