Veritech Beta Fighter VBF-9 (A,B,S,T)

Veritech Beta Stalker Elint Veritech VBE-9 (A,S)

(Version 1.19 - Last updated: 04/29/03)

Concept and Background by Kenneth Olson

Background Information derived from Robotech Technical Files

HTML form provided by Dave Deitrich

BACKGROUND

See Robotech Technical Files  - VBF-9 Veritech Beta Fighter and VBE-9 Stalker Elint Veritech

Service History:

• VBF-9A:  Served with the REF Navy in limited numbers from 2022 until 2034, and in large numbers with the REF Air Force, Marines, and Navy from 2034 until replaced by the -9B.
• VBF-9B:  Served with the REF Air Force, Marines, and Navy from 2039.
• VBF-9S:  Served with the REF Air Force, Marines, and Navy from 2043.
• VBF-9T:  Served with the REF Air Force, Marines, and Navy from 2034.
• VBE-9A:  Served with the REF Air Force and Navy from 2035.
• VBE-9S:  Served with the REF Air Force and Navy from 2049.

RPG STATS

Vehicle Type: VBF-9:   Single seat (9-T is a two-seat trainer), all-weather aerospace combat mecha.  VBE-9:  Two seat, all-weather, electronic intelligence/Wild Weasel reconnaissance mecha.

Class: Variable Fighter
Manufacturer: Robotech Expeditionary Forces
Crew: One or Two pilot(s) wearing Tactical Life Support System.

 

MDC BY LOCATION:

NOTES:

1. 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)
2. Depleting 100 MDC of the shoulder missile launchers will destroy the short range missile launchers 2xMM-20 located in the front of the Beta fighter.
3. 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

MAX ENGINE THRUST:

• 3 x Pratt & Whitney JG102a [Main] Fusion plasma-air/reaction mass intermix turbines. Max output, 356 kN each.
• 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 [Auxiliary].  Each engine is rated to 46.9 kN standard thrust, max overboost to 91.1 kN each.

STATISTICAL DATA:

HEIGHT (VBF / VBE):

13.7m / 13.9m in soldier configuration.

8.5m / 9.6m in gerwalk configuration.

6.1m / 7.2m.in fighter configuration.

WIDTH:

19.5m at shoulders in gerwalk and fighter configuration.

8.5 m in soldier configuration.

LENGTH:

8.00m in gerwalk configuration.

9.7m in fighter configuration.

WEIGHT:

29,500 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.  However the bomb bay if empty can be used to transport additional cargo.

POWER PLANT:

4 x RRL-2P Miniaturized Protoculture-cell energizer

32 standard canisters of Protoculture
950 lit. D2O reactant for fusion engines.

Delta V:

300  kps internally

Two extra tanks with 70 kps may be mounted externally.

 

COMPATIBLE FAST PACKS:

None

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

1. 3 x GU-13S THREE-BARRELED 35MM GUN POD (VBF-9A, 9T and VBE-9A): firing 1400 rounds per minute, 1600 round capacity.  Ammunition is a mix of Tungsten-coated depleted Uranium Armor Piercing Spin-Stabilized 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.  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: Armor Piercing Spin Stabilized Discarding Sabot Rounds (APSSDS) 3500 feet (1100 m), High Explosive Armor Piercing, Standard, and Tracer 3000 ft (900m)
   • DAMAGE: APSSDS 3d6 short burst, 5d6 medium burst, 1d6*10 full melee burst.   HEAP 4d6 short burst, 1d4*10 medium burst, 2d4*10 full melee burst.  Tracer rounds reduce damage by 25%.  Standard 4d6 short burst, 1d4*10 medium burst, or 2d4*10 full melee burst
   • RATE OF FIRE: Single shots or bursts equal to the combined attacks of the pilot.
   • PAYLOAD: 200 short bursts, 100 medium, or 50 full melee
   • NOTES:  APSSDS crits on 18,19,20.  HEAP crits on 19,20.   Tracers add +2 to strike.

 

2. 3 x EU-14 THREE-BARRELED 80MM PARTICLE GUN POD (VBF-9B, 9S and VBE-9S): 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.  This weapon was developed around 2035 and started being widely deployed in 2039.  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. 

    



3. 2 x EU-35 TRIPLE-BARRELED ION PULSE CANNONS: These weapons are mounted on each forearm and can only fire in battloid mode.  Energy output is 12.5 MJ per cannon, firing 45 times per minute.  The EU-35 incorporates accumulators for 50 MJ of energy to be used in rapid-fire situations, albeit at a 25% lower power-output.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault/Defense
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-mecha
   • RANGE: 1200 m
   • DAMAGE: 1D4*10+10 short burst , 2D4*10+20 medium burst, or 5D4*10 full melee burst.   Roll random hit locations for every 1D4*10 of MDC damage
   • RATE OF FIRE: Up to 10 short bursts, or 5 medium bursts per melee without using the accumulators
   • PAYLOAD: The protoculture generators provides 125 MJ of energy to each gun per melee.  Each gun can fire up to 10 short bursts or 5 medium bursts per melee without the use of the accumulators. The accumulators when in use provide an additional 50 MJ of energy, but reduce the damage and range by 25%.  If the Beta fighter is at rest the accumulators energize at 10 MJ per melee.  During flight they energize at 5 MJ per melee and during combat (military thrust, dodging, and firings) they are disconnected so that all the power is used by the pilot.

    

4. 2xMM-10 MULTI-MISSILE SYSTEM (VBF models): The Beta fighter has 40 short range Hammerhead missiles.  The launching ports are two 10-tube launchers in the front chest/fuselage and can fire in all modes.  However, once the Beta and Alpha combine the missiles are no longer available
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault/Defense
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-mecha
   • RANGE: Varies
   • DAMAGE: Varies
   • RATE OF FIRE: One at a time or in volleys of two, four, eight, ten, or all twenty.
   • PAYLOAD:  20 in each shoulder for a total of 40.

    

5. 2xDD-32 MULTIMISSILE SYSTEM (VBF-models): Each launcher has eight medium range Coralsnake missiles.  Eight are ready to fire with one reload per tube.   Launchers are of a pop-up design and are located behind the MM-10 launchers.   These missiles are available in all flight modes and configurations, including when the Alpha and Beta combine.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault/Defense
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-mecha
   • RANGE: Varies with warhead
   • DAMAGE: Varies with warhead
   • RATE OF FIRE: One at a time or in volleys of two, four, eight, or sixteen.
   • PAYLOAD: 16 Coralsnake missiles per launcher for a total of thirty two

    

6. 2xDD-16B MULTIMISSILE SYSTEM (VBE-models): Each launcher has eight medium range Coralsnake missiles.  Eight are ready to fire.  However, the reloads are sacrificed to electronics in the ELINT. Launchers are of a pop-up design and are located behind the MM-10 launchers.   These missiles are available in all flight modes and configurations, including when the Alpha and Beta combine.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault/Defense
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-mecha
   • RANGE: Varies
   • DAMAGE: Varies
   • RATE OF FIRE: One at a time or in volleys of two, four, eight, or sixteen.
   • PAYLOAD: eight Coralsnake missiles per launcher for a total of sixteen.

    

7. UNDERWING ORDNANCE: Three hardpoints per wing with multiple ordnance options.   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.

    

8. WEAPONS BAY (VBF only): The Beta can carry a nominal load of 4,000 kg of ordnance; however up to 8,000 kg may be loaded double the existing loading.
   • FOUR LONG RANGE MISSILES: Rate of fire:  In volleys of 1 or 2
   • EIGHT MEDIUM RANGE MISSILES: Rate of fire:  In volleys of 1 or 2
   • 16 x 250 KG LASER GUIDED HE BOMBS:
   • 8 x 500 KG CLUSTER BOMBS:
   • 4 x 1000 KG ARMOR PIERCING SELF-GUIDED GLIDE BOMBS:

    

9. HAND TO HAND COMBAT: If necessary, the Beta can engage in melee combat rather than use a weapon. The VBF-9 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 VBF-9:

• 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.
• 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. 
• 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.
• LOUDSPEAKER: A loudspeaker system is built into the craft, which can be used to amplify the pilot's voice up to 90 decibels.
• 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  VBF-9 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 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 VBF-9 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.
  

STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR VBF MODELS:

• Hughes APG-113 X-band pulse-Doppler, providing spherical long-range detection and tracking of targets at all altitudes. (Range 250 miles)
• Two Zeiss/Thomson multi-spectrum high-sensitivity scanner booms. Each boom features a 30cm CCD-equipped Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, a 27cm IR telescopic imager, and a 24cm ultra-violet telescope. These two booms are mounted on swiveling arms, and are, when not in use in jet or VTOL mode, folded between the upper main engine sections to avoid damage to the somewhat delicate optics. When used in the above modes, and under normal circumstances in Battloid mode, the optics arms are folded out into a 'T' shape for stereoscopic operation.
• Phillips All-View multi-band digital camera system, for medium range spherical infra-red imaging, optical and ultra-violet band detection and tracking Thomson LT-5 multi-frequency laser ranger and designator. (Range 30 kilometers)
• Thomson LT-5 multi-frequency laser ranger and designator. (Range 30 kilometers)
• Marconi Radar Warning Receiver (RWR)
• OlDelft Infra-red Warning Receiver (IRWR)
• Westinghouse ALQ-248 (V) active radar jammer
• Smoke and chaff dispensers - 20 chaff and 10 smoke
• Flares - 20 flares

STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR VBF MODELS:

• Westinghouse APY-7 multi-band interleaved-multi-mode radar system, providing spherical very-long-range detection and tracking of targets at all altitudes in addition to medium range imaging and target identification. This system includes passive modes for "stealthy" detection of targets. (Range 500 kilometers)
• Two Zeiss/Thomson multi-spectrum high-sensitivity scanner booms. Each boom features a 30cm CCD-equipped Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, a 27cm IR telescopic imager, and a 24cm ultra-violet telescope. These two booms are mounted on swiveling arms, and are, when not in use in jet or VTOL mode, folded between the upper main engine sections to avoid damage to the somewhat delicate optics. When used in the above modes, and under normal circumstances in Battloid mode, the optics arms are folded out into a 'T' shape for stereoscopic operation.
• Phillips All-View multi-band digital camera system, for medium range spherical infra-red imaging, optical and ultra-violet band detection and tracking Thomson LT-5 multi-frequency laser ranger and designator. (Range 30 kilometers)
• Thomson LT-5 multi-frequency laser ranger and designator. (Range 30 kilometers)
• Westinghouse ALQ-258 (V) multi-channel wide-band radar detector/jammer
• OlDelft Infra-red Warning Receiver (IRWR)
• Westinghouse QRC-100 Infra-red Counter Measures (IRCM)
• Thomson ASD-52 signal detector/receiver
• Smoke and chaff dispensers - 10 smoke and 20 chaff
• Active jammer dispensers
• Flares. - 20 flares

STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE VBF-9S and VBE-9S:

• RRG MK2B SHADOW: 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 RDF base.
• RRG MK3 EM-ABSORBING SKIN COVER: strongly absorbing EM radiation from radio through ultra-violet wavelengths, and emitting only weakly in these bandwidths

COMBAT BONUSES FOR VBF-9 and VBE-9 FIGHTER TRAINING:

• 2 attacks per melee (plus those of the pilot).
• Add one additional action/attack at levels six and twelve.
• +1 to strike
• +3 to parry
• +2 to dodge in solder and guardian, +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.

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