VF-Z1 VARIABLE BATTLEPOD 

(Version 1.01 - Last updated: 11/12/00)
Concept Design from Macross Digital Valkyrie
History and RPG Stats by Todd Derleth tderleth@cfl.rr.com
Additional help from Kenneth Olson
 

BACKGROUND

Before the SDF-3 left Earth provisions were set up regarding the creation of mecha for Zentraedi troops. The rules provided for advanced, yet inherently inferior mecha which could easily be overpowered by other mecha should the Zentraedi rebel against the REF. 

Once the Invid returned to earth, REF high command issued new orders that upgraded Zentraedi weaponry and mecha be designed for the soldiers in the fleet,  maintaining that they had more than proven their loyalty in the conflict with the Invid during the Sentinels campaign.  To continue to provide the Zentraedi with inferior mecha would be an insult.  The blanket ban on Zentraedi choosing OCC's such as Veritech Pilot and standard Destroid Pilot were lifted, but many Zentraedi still found the more complex REF mecha difficult to master. The standard REF Zentraedi Battlepods were redesigned, including stronger armor, mini-missile launchers, and more powerful energy weapons. Additionally the plans for the Zentraedi Striker Battloid (see The Return of the Masters 2nd Edition) were dusted off, and the unit put into production. Toward the end of the 

Third Invid War, REF scientists began developing new mecha designs, one of which was a Zentraedi style design geared more toward Zentraedi troops whom have been acclimated to the more advanced technology of the REF. The VF-1Z is a two mode Advanced Variable Fighter based on the capable Zentraedi Officers Battle Pod of Robotech Masters origin. The mecha proved to be more agile than it's predecessors in Battle Pod configuration, mounting more powerful weapon systems and heavier armor. In fighter configuration the craft if the equal to any Veritech in fighter mode. the VF-1Z saw action at the end of the Third Invid War, and in the years that followed, and gained popularity with both Zentraedi and Human pilots, leading to the commonality of integrated fighter squadrons as the years passed.  Five hundred units were produced during the third Invid war.  Many of the units survived their initial encounters with the newly reconstituted Invid forces and helped the resistance groups on Earth continue the fight.

RPG STATS

Vehicle Type: VF-Z1 Variable Battle Pod
Class: Variable Fighter
Manufacturer: REF / Robotech Factory Satellite
Crew: One human sized pilot wearing Tactical Life Support System.
 

MDC BY LOCATION:

Location

MDC

* Nose Sensor Cluster 75
Upper Arms (2) 75 each
Weapon Arms(2) 120 each
Impact Cannons(2) 60 each
Legs (2) 300 each
Main Engine Thrusters (2) 200 each
Wings (4) 175 each
Particle Beam Cannon 75
Pilots Compartment 250
** Main Body 350
Rapid Fire Lasers (2) 50 each

 

NOTES:

  1. * Destroying the nose sensor cluster of the VF-Z1  will knock out the mecha's major sensor systems, including all of the optics systems (infrared, night vision, thermal). Radar and communications will be unaffected.
  2. ** Depleting the MDC of the main body will destroy the mecha.
 

SPEEDS:

RUNNING, SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:
120 kph
LEAPING, SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:
50 ft (15 m) high or 70 ft (21 m) long without thrusters.
FLYING, SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:
482 kph
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:
Max level speed at sea level : 2465 kph  (Mach 2.3)
Max level speed at 10,000 meters:  Mach 6.0
Max level speed above 10,000 meters:  Mach 25+
Stall speed : 125 kph
Initial climb rate : over 40000m per minute
Service ceiling : Can reach orbit
MAX ENGINE THRUST:
2 x Pratt & Whitney ZX929M [Main] Fusion plasma-air/reaction mass intermix turbines: Max thrust, 75,200 kg of thrust each.
ASSORTED AUXILIARY MANEUVERING THRUSTERS

STATISTICAL DATA:

HEIGHT:
15.22m  in soldier configuration.
8.12m in gerwalk configuration.
4.04m in fighter configuration.
WIDTH:
6.91m at shoulders in soldier and gerwalk configuration.
15.36m  with wings at maximum extension.
LENGTH:
4.27m in soldier configuration.
15.23m in gerwalk configuration.
21.08m in fighter configuration.
WEIGHT:
25,000 kg empty.
PHYSICAL STRENGTH:
Equal to a P.S. of 60
CARGO:
Small compartment behind pilot's seat for personal belongings in addition to the cyclone storage compartment
POWER PLANT:
4 x RRL-2P Miniaturized Protoculture-cell energizer
16 standard canisters of Protoculture
1 dedicated canister for main weapon (if applicable)
150 lit. D2O reactant for fusion engines.
Delta V:
90  kps, however two 50 kps tanks may be mounted on each hardpoint

 

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

  1. RRG PB-19 PARTICLE BEAM CANNON: Designers felt that the main weapon should be based off a standard Zentraedi design.  To this end they upgraded the PB-19 found on the Glaug Zentraedi Officer Pod.  The PB-19, unlike its predecessor, is able to fire 60 MJ bursts up to fifty times per minute to a range of 7 kilometers.  The Zentreaedi members of the REF took an instant liking to this weapon as it was able to destroy large numbers of Invid at extreme ranges without the necessity of ammunition.

     

  2. 2 x RRG PBC-12b PARTICLE BEAM CANNONS: Each weapons arm mounts two PBC-12B cannons.  Each cannon fires 25 MJ bursts of energy out to 2.4 kilometers.  These cannons can fire at twice the rate but only at 75% of the range and 50% of the damage potential.  Each cannon can rotate 30 degrees to each side in tandem, rotate up to 10 degrees to each side, and -10 to +30 degrees independently.

     

  3. 2 x COLT E-19B LASER CANNONS: are located behind and on either side of the canopy.  The E-19B is an upgraded version of the E-19 found on the Z-1 battlepod; however, the design and purpose proved so successful that they were added to the VF-1 design.  Each laser cannon can fire 6 MJ pulses every 1.5 seconds, 10 times per melee.  These weapons are designed to protect the mecha from attacks from the rear.
  1. 2 x GU-13S THREE-BARRELED 35MM GUN POD: firing 1400 rounds per minute, 1600 round capacity.  Ammunition is a mix of Tungsten-coated depleted Uranium Armor Piercing Spin-Stablized Discarding Sabot (APSSDS), High Explosive Armor Piercing (HEAP) and tracer rounds.  This gun is the carbine version of the GU-13 gun pod found in the Alpha fighter.  However, due to its shorter barrel, accuracy, penetration, and range are appreciably reduced.  Both guns are mounted in the weapon arms underneath the PB-12c. 
  1. HAND TO HAND COMBAT: If necessary, the VF-Z1 can engage in melee combat rather than use a weapon. The VF-Z1  is extremely agile and can execute most typical hand to hand combat moves, such as punches, jump kicks, leap attacks, rolling with impacts, etc. 

    DAMAGE:  


STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE VF-Z1:

COMBAT BONUSES FOR VF-Z1 FIGHTER TRAINING:

REFERENCES USED IN THIS DESIGN

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