MBR-13 Salamander Main Battle Battloid

(Version 1.0 - Last updated: 11/09/01)  

Concept and Background by Kenneth Olson

Background Information derived from Robotech Technical Files

BACKGROUND 

In the late 2016, the Armies of the Southern Cross consisted of older RDF model destroids and many conventional vehicles and aircraft that dated as far back as the Global Civil War of the 1990's.  Unable to marshal the resources necessary to field armies of large RDF style destroids, Southern Cross battloids would be smaller, inexpensive to produce, and lack many of the internal weapon systems that their larger brethren posses.  Towards this goal, the ASC designed most of their battloids to use a common internal structure.

The MBR-13 Salamander was the ASC first attempt to produce a combat only battloid.  As a result, the Salamander possesses nearly 50% more armor than earlier combination than the dual use civil/military units produced early. All MBR-13 units possess limited flight/spaceborne capabilities mounting a single Nakajimi-13 thruster on the rear of the mecha. However, the system is somewhat underpowered, providing a top speed of 200 kph for up to 15 minutes before overheating.  

The Salamander was produced with three variants.  The MBR-A was assigned to all enlisted personnel and was equipped with the standard sensor package, descried later in this file.  The MBR-B was issued to all Non-commissioned officers and possessed an upgraded E-5 pulse laser system in addition to the upgraded Westinghouse TPG-145-X upgraded X-band pulse Doppler system.  Officers were issued the MBR-C model, with an upgraded C3I system, Westinghouse TPG-154 battlefield surveillance system.

Like earlier models, the Salamander mounts few internal weaponry.  Instead firepower is increased through the use of hand-held gun pods.  Initially all of the MBR-13 Salamanders were equipped with GU-13 gun pods; however, the standard equipment to the MBR-13 was changed to the EU-20 and later the EU-22 in late 2025.  By the time of the Second Robotech War, all Salamanders had been upgraded to accept any of the energy based 'EU' systems of the Southern Cross.  

The armor on the Salamander is a low-mass composite Chobham plating which provides excellent protection from all light anti-mecha weaponry.  However, the armor is easily pierced by medium or higher class weapons and often a single shot from such a weapon will disable the unit.  The Salamander does posses two arm shields which are capable of parrying direct blasts from medium or higher class weapons.  The Salamander is protected from all biological and radiological hazards using a fully enclosed environmental system.  The system can protect the pilot indefinitely; however, the internal oxygen supply will only last up to one week.

Over 40,000 units were produced between 2019 and 2033.  The Salamanders proved to be and extremely easy unit to operate and maintain.  In addition, the combat capabilities of the Salamander proved itself to be an extremely durable unit and could with stand a fight with Robotech Masters Bioroids if the pilot possessed sufficient skill.  At the end of the Second Robotech War, the ASC lacked the resources to rebuild their veritech squadrons and decided to replenish their depleted ranks with relatively inexpensive battloids.  Although the remaining ACS troops fought valiantly defending Earth, the shear number of Invid overwhelmed most ASC strongholds.
 

RPG STATS

Vehicle Type: Main Battle Battloid

Class: Non-transformable Destroid
Manufacturer: Bofors
Crew: One

Service History: 

MBR-13A ASC Tactical Corps from 2019-2033 for enlisted personnel

MBR-13B ASC Tactical Corps from 2019-2033 for non-commissioned officers

MBR-13C ASC Tactical Corps from 2019-2033 for officers

 

MDC BY LOCATION:

	 
NOTES: 

1. *Destruction of the head will destroy all of the external sensors for the unit, except for seismic and acoustic.
2. ** Depleting the MDC of the main body will destroy the mecha. 

SPEEDS:

RUNNING:

120 kph

UNDERWATER PERFORMANCE:

20 kph

LEAPING:                              

30 m w/o boosters

Typically 90 m long and 26 m high with boosters

FLYING:

The Salamander can fly at low altitudes (less than 500 meters) for up to 2.5 hours at a maximum speed of 120 kph

STATISTICAL DATA:

HEIGHT:

6.1 m

DEPTH:

2.4 m

BREADTH:

2.8  m

WEIGHT:

15.0 metric tonnes

PHYSICAL STRENGTH:

Equal to a P.S. of 60

CARGO:

None

POWER PLANT:

SCE-2P Micronized protoculture generator with a fuel capacity of 6 canisters

PROPULSION IN SPACEBORNE OPERATIONS: 

3 x BRT-3  Two thrusters mounted on the back on one on the rear waist  producing a maximum thrust of 60 kN each

DELTA V:

10 kps

GENERATOR ENDURANCE:

 250 hours of operational use

BOOSTER UNITS:

None

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

1. 2 x EU-4 (-A Models) MAUSER PULSE LASER:  The only internally mounted weapon system on the MBR-13A are two EU-4 pulse lasers mounted on either side of the head.  Each EU-4 is capable of firing 500 kJ pulses up to 120 times per minute.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-missile
   • RANGE: 1200 m
   • DAMAGE:  1D4 per dual shot or 3D4 per dual short burst
   • RATE OF FIRE: Single shots or short bursts equal to the combined attacks of the pilot
   • PAYLOAD: Conditionally unlimited

    

2. 2 x EU-5 (-B,C Models) MAUSER PULSE LASER:  The only internally mounted weapon system on the MBR-13B or C are two EU-5 pulse lasers mounted on either side of the head.  Each EU-5 an upgraded version of the EU-4 and  is capable of firing 750 kJ pulses up to 100 times per minute
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault/Defense
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-personnel
   • RANGE: 1500 m
   • DAMAGE: 1D6 per dual shot or 3D6 per dual short burst
   • RATE OF FIRE: Single shots or short bursts equal to the combined attacks of the pilot
   • PAYLOAD:  Conditionally unlimited

    

3. (Optional) GU-13 THREE-BARRELED 35MM GUN POD: Although rarely used, the Salamander can mount a GU-133.  Each GU-13 is capable of firing 2000 rounds per minute, 600 round capacity stored in the pod itself and in a non-detachable 'clip'. 
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Mecha
   • RANGE: Armor Piercing Spin Stabilized Discarding Sabot Rounds (APSSDS) 5000 feet (1500 m), High Explosive Armor Piercing, Standard, and Tracer 4000 ft (1200m)
   • DAMAGE: APSSDS 3d6 short burst, 5d6 medium burst, 1d6*10 full melee burst.   HEAP 4d6 short burst, 1d6*10 medium burst, 2d6*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: 40 short bursts, 20 medium, or 10 full melee.  Two additional clips are stored in the legs
   • NOTES:  APSSDS crits on 17,18,19,20.  HEAP crits on 19,20.   Tracers add +2 to strike.

    

4. (Optional) 1 x MAUSER EU-10:   The EU-10 is the primary weapon of the Salamander.  The weapon can fire energy pulses of 10 MJ blasts up to 150 times per minute.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-mecha
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Assault/Defense
   • RANGE: 3000 m
   • DAMAGE: 1D4*10 per single shot, or 2D4*10 per short burst
   • RATE OF FIRE: Single shots or bursts equal to the number of hand to hand attacks of the pilot.
   • PAYLOAD: Effectively Unlimited.

    

5. (Optional) 1 x MAUSER EU-11:   The EU-11 was designed primarily as an upgrade to the VHT-2 hovertank.; however, the Salamander is capable of using the weapon.  The EU-11 is capable of accurate fire out to 3.5 kilometers.   The EU-11 can fire 12.5 MJ blasts up to 110 times per minute.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-mecha
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Assault/Defense
   • RANGE: 3500 m
   • DAMAGE: 1D4*10 per single shot, or 2D4*10 per short burst
   • RATE OF FIRE: Single shots or bursts equal to the number of hand to hand attacks of the pilot.
   • PAYLOAD: Effectively Unlimited.

    

6. (Optional) E-20 GENERAL ELECTRIC  PULSE LASER: Designed primarily for the VF-9 Logan, the E-20 is capable of firing a 10 MJ blast up to 60 times a minute.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Mecha
   • RANGE: 1200 m
   • DAMAGE: 1D4*10 for each single shot or 2D4*10 for each short burst bursts
   • RATE OF FIRE: Single shots or bursts equal to the combined attacks of the pilot. (up to 15 single shots or 5 short bursts per melee)
   • PAYLOAD: Conditionally unlimited. 

    

7. (Optional) E-22 GENERAL ELECTRIC  PULSE LASER:  The E-22 was specifically designed for use with the Armies of the Southern Cross non-transformable battloids.  The cannon is capable of firing 12 MJ pulses up to 130 times per minute.  The cannon uses adaptive pulse technology to decrease atmospheric attenuation effects and thus increasing the effective range of the unit over the similarly sized E-20.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Mecha
   • RANGE: 2000 m
   • DAMAGE: 1D4*10 for each single shot or 2D4*10 for each short burst bursts
   • RATE OF FIRE: Single shots or bursts equal to the combined attacks of the pilot.
   • PAYLOAD: Conditionally unlimited. 

    

8. HAND TO HAND COMBAT:.  The Salamander is capable of powerful hand to hand attacks. 
   • Punch:  6D6 MDC
   • Crush with Hand: 3D6 MDC
   • Tear or Pry:  4D6 MDC
   • Kick:  5D6 MDC
   • Body Block/Tackle: 3D6 MDC
   • Stomp: 5D6 MDC (only effective against small objects)
     

STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR SALAMANDER

• COMBAT COMPUTER (-A Model): The MBR-13 Salamander 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
• COMBAT COMPUTER (-B Model): All of the capabilities found in the -A model; however, the combat computer has the capability of motoring five other battloids.
• COMBAT COMPUTER (-C Model): All of the capabilities found in the -A model; however, the combat computer has the capability of motoring twenty-five other battloids.
• EXTERNAL AUDIO PICKUP: Range: 300 ft (91.5 m). A sound amplification system that can pick up normal conversation up to 300 feet away.
• ELECTRONIC JAMMERS:   Selenia Ground Warrior Active IR and Radar jammer capable of interfering with both infra-red and radar electronic systems.
• 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: 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 (-A Model): Westinghouse TPG-144 X band pulse Doppler phased array medium range radar with battlefield surveillance mode. range 50 km.
• RADAR (-B Model): Westinghouse TPG-145 X band pulse Doppler phased array medium range radar with battlefield surveillance mode. range 100 km
• RADAR (-C Model): Westinghouse TPG-154 X band pulse Doppler phased array medium range radar with battlefield surveillance mode. range 120 km
• 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 by the enemy, the pilot can activate the self-destruct system, which will cause the  mecha 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.
• STANDARD SURVIVAL KIT: All Southern Cross Mecha 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.)

COMBAT BONUSES FOR SALAMANDER: 

• Two melee attacks (plus those of the pilot)
• +3 to roll with punch
• +1 to strike
• +3 to parry with arm shields
• +2 to dodge
• One additional attack at levels five and ten

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