KDF-3 K'turk "E-Wing" Karbarran Defense Fighter

(Version 1.0 - Last updated: 04/20/03)
Background and RPG Statistics by Kenneth Olson
Based on an original mecha design by John Waltrip and Jason Waltrip
Published in Academy Comics' "Robotech:  The Sentinels Book IV Number 10"

BACKGROUND

The K'turk, known as the "E-Wing" to the Robotech Expeditionary Forces, was the primary space superiority fighter for the Karbarran Defense Forces (KDF) prior to the Invid Assault on their planet in 2028.  Initial production began in secret underground facilities unknown to the Robotech Masters and the Zentraedi in 1994 where a total of 1,127 fighters were produced over the next 30 years until the removal of the Zentraedi garrison in 2024.  The E-Wing was designed purely for space combat and lacks the aerodynamic styling of dual use spacecraft.  The simple design resulted in a fighter which was cheaply built and easy to mass produce. The inadequate atmospheric performance was not viewed as a liability as the KDF viewed the Zentraedi fleet in low orbit as their primary concern in any rebellion attempt.  When the rebellion was to begin, thousands of K'turk fighters would launch to engage the orbiting Zentraedi fleet before they could bombard the planet or send reinforcements.

The E-Wing was designed around six Y'rea-4 plasma shock engines.  The engines are mounted in pairs in the rear of each of the main supports of the K'turk.  Each engine has a maximum thrust of 60 kN of static thrust in the atmosphere or 45 kN  (90 kN in overboost) using internal reaction mass for spaceborne operations (specific impulse of 3000 sec).  The engines are fueled from three large internal fuel tanks providing a total of 5,000 liters of D20.  This gives the K'turk nearly 50 kps of delta-v and allows the fighter to break free from any planetary atmosphere.

The primary weapon on the -A model are six  40mm single barrel autocannons mounted in pairs on each of the three main supports.  Each cannon can fire rounds out to a maximum combat range of 2,000 meters at 250 rounds per minute.   Each pair of of cannons are fed from an internal 300 round drum.  The K'turk does possess two hard points mounted underneath the vehicle on either side of the central structure.  The vehicle was designed to carry four long range reaction weapons; however, up to 25 short range hammerhead missiles can be mounted in box launchers on either hardpoint.  Later variants replace the six 40mm cannons with an equivalent number of 7 MJ particle cannons.  However, the -B variant was not introduced until after the liberation of the planet by Sentinel forces in 2032.

Designed to be as maneuverable as possible, the K'turk is lighly armored with an advanced titanium composite.  The vehicle is immune from all light caliber anti-personal weaponry.  However, the fighter is easily destroyed from several hits from medium caliber (55mm or greater) or single shots from high caliber weaponry.  The more advanced -B variant is armored with a third generation Chobham plate with provides nearly double the protection of the earlier armor.

The removal of the Zentraedi legions in 2024 allowed the Karbarrans complete independence from the Robotech Masters; however, it also removed the final barrier to an Invid invasion.  The KDF was well aware of the planets precarious position and immediately mobilized the entire planet to full production.  Over the next four years, Karbarran industry which had produced weapons during the past two centuries solely for the Zentraedi and the Robotech Masters switched production to native designs and nearly 50,000 E-Wing fighters were produced in those four years. Unfortunately for the KDF, the Invid forces which invaded the planet in 2020 outnumbered the defenders by nearly 50 to 1. Several starships were able to escape once it became evident that the battle was hopeless and several hundred fighters returned to hidden underground hangers on the planet in an effort to continue to resist the Invid at a later date. By the time the REF, was able to liberate the planet only 125 E-Wing fighters were operational by resistance forces. Production was resumed the following year with the introduction of the -B model which replaced the six 40mm autocannons with six 7 MJ particle beam cannons. A total of 7,450 -B variants were manufactured from 2032 until all production ended in 2037 with the introduction of the VF-6G.  The KDF-3 was retired to the  planetary guard units in 2041 and eventually all the units were retired by 2050.  However, because of the simple and easy to modify design various pirate groups continued to use the K'turk until well beyond 2050.

RPG STATS

Vehicle Type: KDF-3 K'turk "E-Wing" Karbarran Defense Fighter
Class: Space Superiority Fighter
Manufacturer: Karbarran Defense Forces
Crew: One pilot
Service History:
KDF-3A: Served with the Karbarran Defense Forces from 2002 until 2035
KDF-3B: Served with the Karbarran Defense Forces from 2032 until 2041

MDC BY LOCATION:

Location KDF-3A
 KDF-3B
Cannons (3)
 25 each
 50 each
Wings (2)
 50 each
 100 each
Engines (3) 25 each 50 each
* Main Body
 50
 100
* Pilot's Compartment
 50 60

NOTES:

  1. * Destroying MDC of the main body or the pilot's compartment will destroy the unit.

 

SPEEDS:

FLYING:
Max level speed:  500 kph at sea level (in Earth-like atmosphere)
Max level speed:  750 kph at 30,000 m (in Earth-like atmosphere)
Stall speed:  300 kph
Initial climb rate: over 20,000 m per minute
Service ceiling:  Effectively unlimited, can enter into low orbit
DESIGNED G LIMITS:
+12.0/-6.5 (Computer overrides at 9.5g)
MAX ACCELERATION:  SPACE
5.65 g
DELTA V:
12.2 kps with 5,000 kg of D20
Drop Tanks (although not normally used as they preclude the use of the missile hardpoints) will provide an additional delta v of:

 

STATISTICAL DATA:

HEIGHT
4.1 m
WIDTH:
10.2 m
LENGTH:
13.8 m
WEIGHT:
9,750 kg (empty)
17,000 kg (full load)
CARGO:
None
POWER PLANT:
Tz'hyer 0.9 GGV Peat-Protoculture Furnace
MAX ENGINE THRUST:
[Main] 6 x Y'REA-4 PLASMA-SHOCK EXPANSION ENGINES Y'rea-4 Plasma-Shock Expansion Engines :   Six Y'rea-4 plasma shock engines are mounted in pairs in the rear of each of the main supports of the K'turk.  Each engine has a maximum thrust of 60 kN of static thrust in the atmosphere or 45 kN  (90 kN in overboost) using internal reaction mass for spaceborne operations (specific impulse of 3000 sec).
FUEL CAPACITY:
100 kg of Peat-Protoculture (equivalent to 20 standard canisters of protoculture)
GENERATOR ENDURANCE:
30 days of continuous use
COMPATIBLE FAST PACKS:
None
 

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

  1. (KDF-3A) 6 x SINGLE-BARREL 40MM CANNON: The only internal weaponry for the -A model of the K'turk are six single barrel 40mm autocannons mounted in pairs in each of the three central structures.  The GU-19 can fire up to 250 rounds per minute out to an effective combat range of 2.0 kilometers.  The weapon is gimbled such that it has a field of fire of approximately ±20 degrees in both azimuth an elevation.  Ammunition for each of the dual pairs is provided from and internal supply of 300 rounds. 
  2. (KDF-3B) 6 x SINGLE-BARREL PARTICLE BEAM CANNON: The -B variant of the K'turk replaced the venerable autocannon system with a more modern particle beam cannons.  Each cannon and associated power conditioning units are mounted in the same volume of space where the older autocannon system resided in the -A variant and as a result, many -A models were upgraded with the newer weapons.  Each particle beam cannon is fed directly from the main protoculture energizer and can fire 5 MJ bursts out to 2.5 kilometers up to 10 times per minute.  Like the older model, the particle cannons are gimbaled such that it has a field of fire of approximately ±20 degrees in both azimuth an elevation.
  3. 2 x MISSILE HARDPOITS: The K'turk possesses two hard points mounted underneath the vehicle on either side of the central structure.  Each hardpoint can hold up to four long-range reactive missiles or up to twenty-five short range missiles. 
  4. HAND TO HAND COMBAT: Although the K'turk does not possess any real hand to hand combat ability, the unit can ram or land on targets if necessary.

    DAMAGE:

STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE K'TURK:

  COMBAT BONUSES FOR K'TURK COMBAT TRAINING:

COMBAT BONUSES FOR K'TURK BASIC TRAINING:

Random Hit Locations

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

When there is a preferred side, roll 1D10

K'turk Ewing

FRONT

BACK

SIDES

TOP

BOTTOM
Cannons  (Main Body/Wings) 01-20 - 01-10 01-10 01-10
Wings (Main Body) 21-60 01-40 11-60 11-55 11-60
Engines (Main Body/Wings) - 41-60 61-70 56-65 61-70
Main Body (Driver) 61-90 61-90 71-90 66-80 71-00
Pilot's Compartment 91-00 91-00 91-00 81-00 -

REFERENCES USED IN THIS DESIGN

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