YVF-1R Raven

(Version 1.01 - Last updated: 3/10/98)  

Concept and RPG design by Jon Watson

Background by Kenneth Olson

BACKGROUND

The design and construction of the YVF-1 Raven has its origins in early 2025 when the remnants of the RDF forces on Earth awarded two contracts to Shinsei Industries of New Tokyo and Watson Industries Inc. of New Minneapolis. These two companies were to compete in project Nova to design and build the next generation variable fighter for the remaining RDF forces on Earth. Sheini Industries, the ultimate winner of the contract, engineered the VF-11 Thunderbolt. Jon Watson, chief engineer and CEO of Watson Ind., produced the YVF-1 Raven.

The RDF, under pressure from the Southern Cross Defense forces, canceled the YVF-1 project and awarded the contract to Shinsei industries in August of 2029. The surviving 14 Ravens were placed in reserve.

RPG STATS

Vehicle Type:

YVF-1 (Initial Prototype for Project Nova, callsign "Happy Carbonarian")

Class: Advanced Variable Fighter (Prototype)
Manufacturer: Watson  Industries
Crew: One pilot wearing Tactical Life Support System.

           A second person can either sit on the pilots lap or in the storage compartment behind the pilot

 

MDC BY LOCATION:

(1) Main Body                                            270
    Reinforced Pilots Compartment                        130
    Wings (2)                                            125 each
    Upper Legs (2)                                       110 each
    Lower Legs (2)                                	 130 each
    Medium Range Missile Housing                         50
    E-20 Housings (2)                             	 20  each
    E-20 (2)                                      	 80  each
    Tails (2)                                            25  each
(2) Particle Cannon Bracket (fwd)                        80
(2) Particle Cannon Bracket (aft)                        65
    Particle Cannon                                      100
(3) Proto-Head / optics suite			         125
    Chaff-Flare Dispenser 				 35    

NOTES: 

1. Depleting the MDC of the main body will destroy the mecha
2. Destroying both P-Beam brackets ejects the particle beam from its housing
3. Destroying the proto-head optics suite will render transformations difficult (see chart below)
4. Armor is laser resistant (all lasers do half damage)

Transformation Modifiers:  Weapons which are unable to fire

Transformation Modifiers:  Protohead destruction chart

SPEEDS:

RUNNING, SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:

120 mph (192 kmph)

LEAPING, SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:

50 ft (15 m) high or 70 ft (21 m) long without thrusters.

FLYING, GERWALK/SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:

Mach One (670 mph/1072 kmph) maximum speed limit in an Earth-like atmosphere. Can also hover in place indefinitely.

FLYING, FIGHTER CONFIGURATION:

Mach 1.5 (1005 mph/1600 kmph) max speed at 10,000 meters or less above sea level.   Max speed Mach 3.1  with particle beam and 3.5 (2345 mph/3572 kmph) w/o particle beam from 10,000-30,000 meters.  Cruising speed is usually Mach 1.8 (1206 mph/1837 kmph). The YF-19 is capable of achieving orbital velocity over an Earth-class planet without additional rocket assistance. Maximum rate of ascent is 16,000 meters/minute. Structural G limits are +15.0 to -5.5 Earth gravities.

MAX ENGINE THRUST:

25,700 kg x2 in an atmosphere, 30,500 kg x2 in space. The maximum thrust is automatically limited in an atmosphere due to coolant problems with the optional air intake systems for the engines.

STATISTICAL DATA:

HEIGHT:

32.0 ft (9.75 m) in soldier configuration.

20.0 ft (6.10 m) in gerwalk configuration.

9.00 ft (2.74 m) in fighter configuration.

WIDTH:

13.5 ft (4.11 m) at shoulders in soldier configuration.

25.0 ft (7.62 m) in gerwalk or fighter configuration with wings at maximum extension.

LENGTH:

24.0 ft (7.32 m) in gerwalk configuration.

36.0 ft (10.97 m) in fighter configuration.

WEIGHT:

5000 kg empty. Maximum takeoff weight in an atmosphere is 25,980 kg.

PHYSICAL STRENGTH:

Equal to a P.S. of 60

CARGO:

Small compartment behind pilot's seat for personal belongings.

POWER PLANT:

Two 30,500 kg Westinghouse EX-9000 thermonuclear turbine engines, designed for dual atmosphere/space use with optional concealed air intakes for use in an Earth-type atmosphere. Two 2-dimensional independentent convergent/divergent exhaust are equipped on theEX-9000 for greater maneuverability and V/STOL performance. In addition, several Pratt & Whitney HMM-6J high-maneuverability vernier thrusters are mounted on the wingtips, vertical stabilizers, nose, and other key locations for added performance.

Delta V:

75 kilometers/second with internal stores.

COMPATIBLE FAST PACKS:

None.

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

1. Particle Beam Cannon: Test
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Long Range Assault
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-mecah
   • RANGE: 10,000 feet (3050 m)
   • DAMAGE: 5d10+25 M.DC.
   • RATE OF FIRE: The particle beam cannon can fire four times per melee
   • PAYLOAD: Effectively Unlimited.

    

2. Internal E-20's: Test.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-mecha
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Air-to-ground strafing runs
   • RANGE: 4000 feet (1200 m)
   • DAMAGE: 1d4*10 for each E-20.
   • RATE OF FIRE: Bursts only. The cannons can be fire-linked so that firing both cannons at the same time counts as one attack (does double damage).
   • PAYLOAD: Effectively Unlimited.

    

3. Medium Range Missiles: Test
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-mecha
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Air-to-ground strafing runs
   • RANGE:Payload dependant
   • DAMAGE: Payload dependent
   • RATE OF FIRE:  1, 2, 4, or all 8
   • PAYLOAD:8 medium range missiles

    

4. BODY/WING HARD POINTS: Four fixed hard points are mounted on the Raven.   These hardpoints can be used to hold a variety of different ordinance types.   This can include long, medium, short or even unguided mini-missiles. 

NOTE: Because of the special nature of the Raven, none of the missiles need be fired before transforming.

• Short Range Missiles:
  • Primary Purpose: Anti-Mecha
  • Secondary Purpose: Surgical Strikes
  • Mega-Damage: 1d6*10 M.D.
  • Rate of Fire: In volleys of 1, 2, 3 or 5 per attack.
  • Range: varies, typically 10 miles
  • Payload: 25 per hard point
• Medium Range Missiles: - 5 per hard point
  • Primary Purpose: Anti-Mecha
  • Secondary Purpose: Surgical Strikes
  • Mega-Damage: 2d6*10 M.D.
  • Rate of Fire: In volleys of 1, 2, 3 or 5 per attack.
  • Range: Varies
  • Payload: 5 per hard point
• Long Range Missiles: - 1 per hard point
  • Primary Purpose: Assault
  • Secondary Purpose: Anti-Mecha
  • Mega-Damage: 4d6*10 MDC
  • Rate of Fire: One at a time
  • Range: Varies
  • Payload: 1 per hard point

5. HAND TO HAND COMBAT: If necessary, the Raven can engage in melee combat rather than use a weapon. However, melee attacks with the raven is only used in the most desprect situations. For without arms, the raven does not excel in the area.
   • Punch/Stab: 1d4*3 MDC
   • Kick: 1d6*3 M.D.
   • Karate kick: 1d8*3 MDC
   • Leap Kick: 2d8*3 MDC
   • Body Block/Tackle: 2D6 M.D.
   • Stomp: 2D6 MDC (only effective against small objects)
     

STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE YVR-1 Raven:

• AUTO-PILOT: The YVR-1 Raven 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. The auto-pilot was designed with long intra-system space journeys in mind.
• COMBAT COMPUTER: The Raven is equipped with a combat computer which calculates, stores, and transmits data onto the cockpit computer screen or head-up display (HUD) of the pilot's helmet. Patches in with the targeting computer
• Chaff Flare auto ejector (30 chaff / 30 flares):  If the combat computer detects incoming missiles, it will automatically eject a predetermined number of chaff and flare packages.
• 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.
• HOMING SIGNAL: The escape pod of the Raven is equipped with a homing device that enables rescue teams to locate a disabled craft or ejected life pod. The range of the signal is 200 miles (320 km). Most RDF, Southern Cross, and REF ships and veritecs can locate and track a homing signal. The onboard computers will automatically notify their pilots if such a signal is detected.
• LASER COMMUNICATIONS: Long range, directional communication system. Effective range: 100,000 miles
• LASER TARGETING SYSTEM: Range: 50 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: NIGHTVISION: Range: 2000 feet (610 m). A passive light image intensifier that emits no light of its own, but relies on ambient light which is electronically amplified to produce a visible picture.
• 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.
• RADAR: Westinghouse APG-287. Can track 120 individual targets. 80 mile (128 km) range in standard atmosphers.
• 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 Raven's 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: All REF's veritecs come equipped with a portable 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 Raven's cockpit is pressurized, and also provides additional air feeds to the pilot's flight suit that provides him with pressurized breathing. The REF's 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.

Random Hit Locations (Front):

COMBAT BONUSES FOR YVF-1 Raven Combat TRAINING:

ADVANCED YVF-1 COMBAT TRAINING

• 3 attacks per melee (plus those of the pilot).
• One additional attack at levels 6, 9, and 13.
• +2 to strike
• -3 to parry
• +5 to dodge in solder mode, +6 in gerwalk, +7 in jet mode.
• Critical strike same as pilot's hand-to-hand.
• Body block/tackle/ram - 2D4 M.D. plus a 50% chance of knocking an opponent down, causing him to loose initiative and one attack that melee round.

Basic YVF-1 Combat Training

• 2 attacks per melee (plus those of the pilot)
• One additional attack at level at levels 5 and 11
• +2 to strike
• -3 to parry
• +3 to dodge in solder mode, +4 in gerwalk, +6 in jet mode.
• +3 to roll with a punch or fall with an impact, reducing damage by half.
• Body block/tackle/ram - 2D4 M.D. plus a 50% chance of knocking an opponent down, causing him to loose initiative and one attack that melee round.

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