PRELIMINARY DRAFT:  This work is based off preliminary material posted on Robotech.com and is subject to change

Veritech Artillery VA-12 "Synchro Beta"

(Version 0.1 - Last updated: 10/13/02)

Concept and Background by Kenneth Olson

Background Information derived from Robotech.com

BACKGROUND

Curiously enough, the VA-12 "Synchro Beta" owes its creation to both the success and failure of the Synchro Cannon. The primary weapon on the Synchro cannon was successful beyond its designers initial expectations, capable of destroying any mecha or punching a 100+ meter hole in any protoplex barrier out to a maximum effective range of 25 kilometers. However, the platform itself was extremely vulnerable because of its lack of mobility and armor and is a high priority target for Invid counter attacks.

The Synchro cannon proved difficult to mass produce, with a production rate of only eight per year from the Tirol production lines starting in late 2041 resulting in a total production of 32 prior to the final assault on Earth in 2044. In order to retain control over the cannon, the REF high command  maintained operational authority of the weapon deployed during planetary assaults and would only allow the deployment once air superiority and an adequate ground presence had landed. This tactic ensured that the risk of losing a Synchro cannon was minimized; however, at this stage in the assault against an Invid garrisoned world the campaign was nearly over and thus the cannon could add little.

The VA-12 was designed to have the mobility which the original Synchro cannon lacked, capable of attacking in the first wave and destroying high value targets. Although the use of the VF-6 "Alpha" and VF-2 "Vindicator" were  briefly considered, designers quickly came to the conclusion that only the VF-12  "Beta" would have sufficient internal space to mount the primary weapon and associated protoculture energizers.  Approximately 80% of the internal systems of the VF-12S were retained for the VA-12. This includes all of the basic internal structure, armor composition, primary sensors, protoculture cloaking device, engines, and flight controls.  As such any pilot who is qualified to fly VF-12 fighters will easily, with a couple of hours of instruction, be combat proficient with the VA-12.

The VF-12S and VA-12 differ only in the primary weapon systems with the triple barrel EP-14 80mm particle beam cannons mounted on the two legs and along the center fuselage in fighter mode the single weapon retained from the VF-12S.  These three cannons are the VA-12's only weapons in fighter and guardian mode.  The primary weapon system of the VA-12 is two arm mounted EU-45 micro-synchro cannons. These weapons are powered directly from two massive protoculture energizers located in either shoulder replacing the onboard missile launchers and the internal bomb bay.  Each energizer supplies 200 MW of power which can be used to fire up to sixteen 200 kJ short bursts every minute (or four times per melee).   The energizers are supplied by 24 dedicated protoculture canisters which can be reloaded in the field, although it takes a qualified bio-maintenance engineer approximately 20 minutes to do so.  The EU-45 incorporates accumulators which can store up to 100 MJ of energy to be used in rapid-fire situations firing 100 kJ bursts, albeit at a fraction of the nominal 200 kJ yield. 

After a number of production difficulties the first VA-12 was produced on January 2044 with the first squadron of 12 units forming just 1 month prior to the final reclamation of Earth in July 2044.  Although ten of the original twelve units were destroyed in the assault they were able to destroy six primary Invid communication towers thereby delaying the initial Invid response to the preliminary attacks.  Although each VA-12 costs approximately the same as two squadrons of VF-12, the combat value was proven during the final assault and the REF plans on continuing production albeit at greatly reduced numbers compared to standard VF-12 models. 

RPG STATS

Vehicle Type:

VA-12:   Single seat, all-weather heavy artillery combat mecha. 

Class: Variable Artillery Mecha
Manufacturer: Robotech Expeditionary Forces
Crew: One  pilot wearing Tactical Life Support System.

Service History:

VA-12A: Served with the REF in limited numbers from 2044

 

MDC BY LOCATION:

NOTES:

1. A portion of the EU-45 micro-synchro cannon energizers are located in the left and right shoulders.  Destruction of the shoulder will knock out power to the EU-45 on the same side
2. Destroying the sensor suite will knockout long range communications (reduced to 60 miles/96 km range) and long range radar (reduce to 20 miles) and laser targeting (-1 to strike)
3. Destruction of the main synchro cannon energizer will cut the power to both arms
4. Depleting the MDC of the main body will destroy the mecha.

SPEEDS:

RUNNING, SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:

128 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 kph) maximum speed limit in an Earth-like atmosphere. Can also hover in place indefinitely.

FLYING, FIGHTER CONFIGURATION:

Max level speed : 1930 kph at 18000m (Mach 1.8) /
700 kph at sea level (Mach 0.7)
Stall speed : 250 kph (VTOL rectification possible)
Initial climb rate : over 40000m per minute with boosters
Service ceiling : 35 km (unboosted). Beta can be boosted into orbit

DESIGNED G LIMITS:

+12.0/-6.5 (Computer overrides at 9.5g)

MAX ACCELERATION:  SPACE

3.64 g

DELTA V:

10.9 kps with 10000 kg of D₂0

Drop Tanks will provide an additional delta v of:

• 1300 liters - 1.3 kps
• 2310 liters - 2.2 kps
• 4000 liters - 3.8 kps

 

STATISTICAL DATA:

HEIGHT

13.7m / 13.9m in soldier configuration.

8.5m / 9.6m in guardian configuration.

6.1m / 7.2m.in fighter configuration.

WIDTH:

19.5m at shoulders in guardian and fighter configuration.

8.5 m in soldier configuration.

LENGTH:

8.00m in guardian configuration.

9.7m in fighter configuration.

WEIGHT:

40,150 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

2 x DPC-2A Miniaturized protoculture-cell energizers used to charge the EU-45 micro-synchro

MAX ENGINE THRUST

[Main] 3 x Pratt & Whitney JG102A Fusion plasma-air/reaction mass intermix turbines. Max thrust, 410 kN of static thrust (475 kN augmented) in the atmosphere or 356 kN using internal reaction mass in space (specific impulse of 5000 sec).

[Auxiliary] 4 x Turbo-Union ATF-401 miniaturized fusion plasma-air/reaction mass intermix ramjets. Engines are mounted in pairs near the elbow joint of the arm for VTOL operations in jet mode.  Each engine is rated to 46.9 kN standard thrust, max overboost to 91.1 kN each

FUEL CAPACITY:

24 standard canisters of protoculture
12 canisters devoted to the EU-45

6000 liters of D₂0 for reaction mass

COMPATIBLE FAST PACKS:

None

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

1. 3 x EP-14 THREE-BARRELED 80MM PARTICLE GUN POD: Can fire 170 rounds per minute in full automatic mode, also capable of firing all three barrels simultaneously in semiautomatic mode at approximately one shot per second.  This weapon fires 2.4 MJ pulses per barrel in each mode, drawing power from the aircraft's main energizer.  This gun is the carbine version of the EP-13 gun pod in the later model Alphas.  However due to its smaller size, its energy and range are appreciably reduced.  Three guns are mounted internally (one along the centerline underneath the cockpit and two on either side of the intakes of the leg-mounted main-engines). These guns are not available in battloid and the centerline gun is not available when the Beta is attached to the Alpha fighter.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Mecha
   • RANGE: 1000 m
   • DAMAGE: 2D4 for each Single blast, 1D4*10 for each triple blast, 1D6*10 for each medium burst (up to six times per melee), or 3D4*10 for each full melee burst.
   • RATE OF FIRE: Single shots or bursts equal to the combined attacks of the pilot.
   • PAYLOAD: Unlimited. 

    

2. 2 x EU-45 TRIPLE-BARRELED MICRO-SYNCHRO CANNONS: Two triple barreled micro-synchro are mounted in the arms replacing the EU-35 particle beam cannons mounted in the standard VF-12 "Beta".  These weapons are powered directly from the two massive protoculture energizers located in either shoulder, where the onboard missile launchers normally reside, and in the bomb bay.  Each energizer supplies 200 MW of power which can be used to fire up to sixteen 200 kJ short bursts every minute (or four times per melee).   The energizers are supplied by 24 protoculture canisters and can be reloaded in the field although it takes a qualified bio-maintenance engineer approximately 20 minutes to do so.  The EU-45 incorporates accumulators which can store up to 100 MJ of energy to be used in rapid-fire situations firing 100 kJ bursts, albeit at a fraction of the nominal 200 kJ yield. 
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault/Defense
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-force field
   • RANGE: 5000 m
   • DAMAGE:  2D4*100 per cannon for short burst, or 1D4*100 bursts using the accumulators. Once depleted it takes a full 120 seconds to recharge the accumulators
   • RATE OF FIRE: Up to four short bursts  per melee (2D4*100), or eight low powered bursts (1D4*100) using the accumulators
   • PAYLOAD: The protoculture generators provide enough energy for 500 bursts before they are depleted. 
   • NOTES:  Similar to traditional destablizers, the EU-45 has a disrupting effect on force fields, and will short out a low power field completely, while high power fields may temporarily and locally cease to function.  The EU-45 will punch a hole of 2D6*10 meters if the force field has sufficient power to absorb the initial shot

    

3. UNDERWING ORDNANCE: Like the standard VF-12, the VA-12 has three hardpoints per wing with multiple ordnance options.  As the EU-45 can not be used while in fighter or guardian modes any ordinance on the wings is normally fired in the opening stages of the attack to allow the VA-12 to transform.  Available payloads include, but are not limited to the following:
   • MEDIUM RANGE MISSILES: Eight missiles can be stored on an AMER (Articulating Multiple Ejection Rack) on each inner hardpoint, seven on each middle and six on each outer hardpoint, for a total of up to forty-two medium range missiles.
   • LONG RANGE MISSILES: Each hardpoint can carry one long range missile.
   • CBM-200 cluster missiles: Each hardpoint can carry one.  Two hundred guided cluster bombs with a range of 500 meters mounted on a long range missile.  Customized for anti-mecha operations both in space and on the ground.  Maximum delta-v in space is 3.5 kps.  (1D6*10 MDC to every mecha in 500 meter blast radius)
   • JAMMER PODS:  Each pod can subtracts -2 to strike from active and semi-active RF and IF missiles.
   • CHAFF AND FLARE DISPENSER PODS: Each pod can carry up to 20 chaff or 20 flares.

    

4. HAND TO HAND COMBAT: If necessary, the Beta can engage in melee combat rather than use a weapon. The VA-12 can execute most typical hand to hand combat moves, such as punches, jump kicks, leap attacks, rolling with impacts, etc.

   DAMAGE:  

   • Punch in Battloid:  3D6
   • Punch in Guardian:  3D4
   • Kick: 3D6
   • Leap Kick: 6D6
   • Body Flip/Throw: 3D6
   • Body Block/Tackle: 3D6
   • Stomp: 3D4 (only effective against small objects)
     

    

STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE VA-12:

• ACTIVE SENSOR JAMMER WESTINGHOUSE ALQ-250(V): internal ECM providing broadband protection.  Estimated system effective radiative power 50 dBW.
• AUTO-PILOT: The VBF-9 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.
• CHAFF AND FLARE DISPENSERS AN/ALE-55: 30 chaff and 30 flares are stored in each of the lower legs
• COMBAT COMPUTER: The combat computer tracks and identifies specific enemy targets, and has a database of over 10,000 images stored in memory. The computer can identify and track up to 250 targets simultaneously. 
• EM-ABSORBING SKIN COVER: RRG Mk 3 EM-Absorbing skin cover strongly absorbing EM radiation from radio through ultra-violet wavelengths, and emitting only weakly in these bandwidths
• 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  VBF-6  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 400 miles (640 km). Most REF ships and veritechs can locate and track a homing signal, and the onboard computers will automatically notify their pilots if such a signal is detected.
• INFRA-RED WARNING RECEIVER:  OlDelft Infra-red Warning Receiver (IRWR)
• LASER TARGETING SYSTEM: Thomson LT-5 multi-frequency laser ranger and designator. (Range 100 kilometers).  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.
• PROTOCULTURE SHADOW: RRG Mk2B four-dimensional distortion field generator (downshifts and dampens protoculture radiation) emitting only weakly in these wavebands.   NOTE: . Once the mecha has lost half of its main body MDC, there is a 50% chance that the stealth system will fail every time the main body of the craft is hit. Once the stealth system has failed, it will not work again until repaired at a REF base.
• RADAR:  Hughes APG-113 X-band pulse-Doppler, providing spherical long-range detection and tracking of targets at all altitudes. (Range 250 miles).
• RADAR WARNING RECEIVER:  Marconi Radar Warning Receiver (RWR)
• 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  VA-12 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 1D6*10 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 veritechs 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 VA-12 cockpit is pressurized, and also provides additional air feeds to the pilot's flight suit that provides him with pressurized breathing. The REF 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.
  

COMBAT BONUSES FOR VA-12 FIGHTER TRAINING:

• 1 attack per melee (plus those of the pilot).
• Add one additional action/attack at levels six and twelve.
• +1 to strike
• +3 to parry
• +1 to dodge in solder and guardian, +3 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.

Random Hit Locations

When there is an equal chance of hitting both sides from 1D6

• 1-3 hits the right side
• 4-6 hits the left

When there is a preferred side, roll 1D10

• 1-8 hits the preferred side
• 9-10 hits the opposite side