YAV-8 "HARRIER HURRICANE"

(Version 1.00 - Last updated: 07/17/00)

Background and RPG Statistics by Kenneth Olson

Based on an original mecha design in Artmic Design Works:  B-Club Special

BACKGROUND

In February 2003 British Aerospace entered into the advanced variable fighter contract with what they felt the evolutionary design from conventional fighters to the newly introduced variable fighter concept.  The YAV-8 "Harrier Hurricane" would use the basic structure of the Harrier, which was arguable the first transformable fighter.  Production rolled along smoothly, with the YAV-8's first test flight in December of 2004, several months in front of their three main competitors: YVM-29, YVF-4, and the YVF-14. 

The YAV-8 unlink the other three designs had a revolutionary new gun pod.  The GA-4 20mm gauss rifle.  British Aerospace engineers felt that the benefits of  extended range and higher damage potential over tradition cannon technology would be more successful in the long run.

Unfortunately, the project suffered two major setbacks only 3 months after the first test flight.  On March 15th 1st Lt Daniel Jacobsen was killed when the Hurricane went into a uncontrolled dive during a transformation into guardian mode.  Two weeks later Captain John Douglass was severely injured with
the GA-4's capacitors discharged while in flight destroying the right side of the mecha and forcing the pilot to eject.

With two catastrophic accidents in such short order.  The remaining 5 units were ordered to stand down.  This proved to be the death nail of the project, as the YVF-14  was then just entering its testing phase, showing its superior maneuverability and reliability to the other three designs.  The Hurricane was officially canceled on January 17th 2006.  The remaining 5 units were placed into mothballs. 

Rumors persist that one unit survived through the the First and Second Robotech War and continues the fight against the Invid.  However, these are unsubstantiated and highly unlikely as the mecha design would be 40 years old and almost impossible to maintain.  Nevertheless, the sightings persist of a heavily armored and armed with internal missiles mecha that resembles the Harrier.

RPG STATS

Vehicle Type: YAV-8 "Harrier Hurricane"

Class: Variable Fighter
Manufacturer: British Aerospace
Crew: One pilot wearing Tactical Life Support System.

MDC BY LOCATION:

NOTES:

1. * Depleting the MDC of the main body will destroy the mecha.

SPEEDS:

FLYING, GERWALK CONFIGURATION:

Mach 0.9 (900 kmph) maximum speed limit in an Earth-like atmosphere. Can also hover in place indefinitely.

FLYING, FIGHTER CONFIGURATION:

Max level speed at sea level : Mach 1.0
Max level speed at 10km:  Mach 1.5
Max level speed at 30+ km:  Mach 3

Stall speed : 182 kph (VTOL rectification possible)

Range:  1500 km
Initial climb rate : over 20000m per minute
Service ceiling : 25 km (unboosted).

MAX ENGINE THRUST:

• ROLLS ROYCE FUSION PEGASUS F403-RF-503A:  engine is rated at 35,000 lbs of thrust with augmenters
  

STATISTICAL DATA:

HEIGHT:

6.1m in gerwalk configuration.

3.6m in fighter configuration.

WIDTH:

9.4m

LENGTH:

.15.5 m

WEIGHT:

10000 kg empty.

PHYSICAL STRENGTH:

Equal to a P.S. of 30

CARGO:

Small compartment behind pilot's seat for personal belongings.

 

COMPATIBLE FAST PACKS:

None

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

1. GA-4 20MM GAUSS RIFLE : British Aerospace designers built the first mecha deployable gauss rifle.  The weapon outperformed all the conventional weapons that were mounted on the early variable fighters; however, it unfortunately had a very high percentage change of accidental discharge by the internal capacitors which would destroy the mecha and severally damage the mecha.  The problem was never solved, as the YAV-8 program was canceled.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault/Defense
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-mecha
   • RANGE: 2500 m
   • DAMAGE: 6D6 per shot
   • RATE OF FIRE: Single shots equal to the combined attacks of the pilot.
   • PAYLOAD: 50 shots
   • NOTES:  On a strike roll of '1', capacitors will discharge destroying the weapon and causing 8D6 MDC to the side of the mecha were the weapon was mounted.

 

2. 5 x WING HARD POINTS: Two hard points are mounted on each wing and one under the main body.   Each hard point can mount 15 short range, 5 medium, 2 long range missiles or 500 kg of bombs

 

3. HAND TO HAND COMBAT: If necessary, the Hurricane can engage in melee combat rather than use a weapon. Without a dedicated battleloid mode the Hurricane only possesses limited hand to hand abilities.

   DAMAGE:  

   • Kick: 3D6*3
   • Leap Kick: 6D6*3
   • Body Block/Tackle: 3D6*3
   • Stomp: 6D6*3 . (only effective against small objects)
     

STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE HURRICANE:

• AUTO-PILOT: The Hurricane is equipped with a computerized auto-pilot, allowing the pilot to relax or even sleep during long voyages. The auto-pilot can be programmed with a single destination or a complex flight plan involving multiple speeds, directions, and destinations. The onboard computer will alert the pilot when the fighter is near its destination, and can also be set to automatically signal when sensors detect objects near the mecha.
• COMBAT COMPUTER: The combat computer tracks and identifies specific enemy targets, and has a database of over 100 images stored in memory. The computer can identify and track up to 5 targets simultaneously. 
• EXTERNAL AUDIO PICKUP: Range: 300 ft (91.5 m). A sound amplification system that can pick up normal conversation up to 300 feet away.
• HEAT AND RADIATION SHIELDS: Special shielding prevents the penetration of life threatening head and radiation. A radiation detection and alarm system are linked with the shields and will sound an alarm if there is a rupture in the shields and what the levels of radiation are.
• LASER TARGETING SYSTEM: Range: 100 miles (160 km). Used for increased accuracy in the striking of enemy targets and is partly responsible for the mecha's strike bonus.
• LOUDSPEAKER: A loudspeaker system is built into the craft, which can be used to amplify the pilot's voice up to 90 decibels.
• OPTICS: INFRARED: Range: 2000 feet (610 m). This optical system projects a beam of infrared light that is invisible to the normal eye, but detectable by the mecha's sensors. The system allows the pilot to detect hidden/concealed objects by their IR reflectiveness. The beam will be visible to anyone with IR sensitive optics, however.
• OPTICS: THERMAL IMAGER: Range: 2000 feet (610 m). A passive optical heat sensor that detects infrared radiation projected by warm objects and converts that data into a false-color visible image. The system enables the pilot to see in the dark, in shadows, and through smoke, and also adds a +10% bonus to pilots using a tracking skill.
• RAYTHEON PX-120 RADAR: 70 mile range
• RADIO/VIDEO COMMUNICATION: Long range, directional communications system with satellite relay capabilities. Range: 600 miles (960 km) or can be boosted indefinitely via satellite relay.
• SELF-DESTRUCT: To prevent capture of an advance variable fighter by the enemy, the pilot can activate the YAV-8 self-destruct system, which will cause the fighter to explode after a delay of up to 60 minutes (time is set by the pilot). The explosive damage is contained within a 20 foot (6 m) area and inflicts 1D6x10 M.D. to everything within the radius of the explosion. All internal systems are obliterated. The escape pod will be automatically ejected prior to the explosion unless the pilot overrides the ejection sequence.
• STANDARD SURVIVAL KIT:  Inside the small reinforced box is a medium-sized flashlight, two hand flares, one rocket flare, a compass, infrared distancing binoculars, a small mirror, a pocket knife, dehydrated and concentrated food (can be stretched into a five day supply for one person) and basic first aid items (aspirin, bandages, disinfectants, etc.)
• TACTICAL LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM: The Hurricane cockpit is pressurized, and also provides additional air feeds to the pilot's flight suit that provides him with pressurized breathing. The flight suit also contains an upper and lower g-suit that promotes blood circulation even during high-g turns, thus decreasing the possibility of pilot's blacking out in combat.
• WESTINGHOUSE ALQ-119 ECM SENSOR JAMMER
• CHAFF AND FLARE DISPENSER:12 chaff and 12 flares are stored in each lower leg
  

COMBAT BONUSES FOR HURRICANE TRAINING:

• 1 attack per melee (plus those of the pilot).
• Add one additional action/attack at levels six and eleven.
• +0 to strike
• +2 in guardian, and +4 in jet mode.
• +2 to roll with a punch or fall with an impact, reducing damage by half.
• Critical strike same as pilot's hand-to-hand.

REFERENCES USED IN THIS DESIGN

• Robotech Technical Files: Veritech Valkyrie
• Palladium Books:  "Robotech The Roll Playing Game"
• FAS entry, AV-8 "Harrier" 

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