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By AARON SKETCHLEY (aaronsketch@HOTdelete_thisMAIL.com) Ver 1.3 2015.11.23

Official Setting information is in darkgreen. Extended Universe information is in steelblue.

VA-3 Invader

BACKGROUND

The VA-3 is an all-regime attack craft, developed as a specialized craft for limited area [local] attacks with strategic reaction warhead attacks and conventional bombs. With abundant know-how in ship-board attack craft, the Grumman Aircraft Department of the Northrum Company, took charge of development (of the VA-3).

It is designed for the Lo-Lo-Lo attack* ideology, that keeps (the craft) flying at low altitude from takeoff, to the attack and return; without consideration of the velocity, performance and so on, but valuing a durable, high-survivability airframe design. From the beginning, it's mobility at low and high altitude in the atmosphere, due to it's slightly rearward angled main wings and rounded nose-line, is valued. A large nacelle exists in the middle of the main wing, which becomes the arm in battroid form. Though the VA-3 is not equipped with an afterburner, as it is thought that it will mainly be used for low-level flight in an atmosphere, supersonic flight is possible because there is surplus engine thrust.

The battroid mode has the peculiar shape of craft in the Zentraadi line. The Zentraadi lineage can especially be seen in the arm manipulator. Moreover, because it's defensive ability for ground combat is stressed more than it's ability as an aircraft, the VA-3's airframe can be said to be characteristic of a Destroid.

There are four accessory cameras surrounding the main camera in the center, and (with them) the ground monitoring and surveillance capability has been improved. This aircraft has the cockpit in the head, which is unusual in a variable aircraft.

The VA-3 automatically navigates, as well as has an FCS that automatically takes aim after target acquisition with the radar. This is with an inertial navigator as the system center of the computer, where data from the Doppler device is processed, and attacks (are formulated) because of radar searches against the target; and it is said that the VA-3 is equipped with electronic equipment that can do all of this completely automatically until (the VA-3) withdrawals.

To improve the attack accuracy on the target, a TRAM** standard device, that combines infrared rays and laser detection data with the radar system, is developed at the same time. The VA-3 doesn't have any fixed armaments (note: this may have been changed at a later date), however it has 6 hard points on the main wings, and 5 hard points on the body, and boasts a total payload amount of up to 19,820 Kg. A large gattling gun pod for ground suppression is often carried.

The VA-3B is equipped with a forward-looking infared sensor and a low-altitude flight camera in the lower side of the nose. It is a model that has changed the electronic equipment system and has improved all-weather performance.

The VA-3 Invader is a fairly popular VF design, and can still be found used by most forces. In the 2050's, it is said that the Macross Galaxy Fleet is using the VA-3M variant.

* Lo-Lo-Lo Attack: "Ingress, Attack, and Degress at low Altitude"
** TRAM: Target Recognition and Attack-Multisensor


RPG STATS

Vehicle Type: All-Regime Variable Attack Craft
Class: Variable Vehicles
Crew: One pilot wearing Tactical Life Support System.
Manufacturer: Northrom Grumman
Government: Unified Government
Customer: Various

Design Features: slightly rearward angled main wing; vertical T-O and landing (VTOL); supersonic cruise and maneuvering below the stratosphere; anti-projectile (bulletproof) shield for GERWALK and Battroid mode use; option of Super Part booster and propellant tank units; option of fold booster.

Variants:


MDC BY LOCATION:

Location MDC Location MDC
Main Camera (1)
Accessory Camera (4)
Head 1
Hands (2)
Upper Arms/Inner Wings (2)
Lower Arms (2)
Legs & Feet (2)
Main Body 2
25
15 each
150
40 each
115 each
125 each
225 each
365
Engine Nacelles 3 (2)
Outer Wings/Arm Shields (2)
Tails (2)
GA-22 Gatling Gun Pod
Reinforced Pilot Compartment 4
Dorsal Booster Rockets 5 (2)
Ventral Fuel Tanks 5 (2)
Intake Fuel Tanks 5 (2)
200 each
115 each
55 each
125
225
100 each
65 each
45 each

SPEEDS:

RUNNING: BATTROID MODE: 87 kmph
LEAPING: BATTROID MODE: 6 m high or 10 m long without thrusters.

FLYING: Mach 2.53 at 10,000 m and higher, Mach 4.72+; Cruising speed Mach 21+ (space); 1070 kmph (GERWALK & Battroid modes).
VTOL: capable in all modes. The VA-3 is the only true VTOL Variable Vehicle in Attacker (Fighter) Mode. However, when fully loaded, the VA-3 can only do an STOL or regular launch.

Maximum airframe design load: under investigation
Ceiling: unlimited (The VA-3 is able to reach the edge of space over an Earth-sized planet. However, it burns through almost all of its fuel load in the process. Thereafter, the VA-3 is ineffective for combat maneuvers and it should proceed to a refueling station as soon as possible.

Optional External Tanks or Super Parts Booster system with enough fuel for one trip to orbit.

Maximum rate of ascent: under investigation

Operational Underwater Depth: under investigation (Battroid & GERWALK modes).


STATISTICAL DATA:

HEIGHT: under investigation

WIDTH: under investigation

LENGTH: 18.73 m (Fighter mode).

MASS: 12,810 kg.

PHYSICAL STRENGTH: equal to a PS of 50

CARGO: small compartment behind pilot's seat for personal belongings.

POWER PLANT: Two Shinnakasu Heavy Industry/P&W/Roice FF-2020A Thermonuclear Turbine Engines with VTOL nozzles, each rated at 22,000 kg class. P&W HMM-3A High-maneuverability Vernier Thrusters.


DEFENSIVE SYSTEMS

Note: refer to the VF-1 Valkyrie for stats unless otherwise noted herein:

1. ACTIVE STEALTH

2. ENERGY CONVERSION ARMOUR

3. IDECM (Integrated Defensive Electronic CounterMeasures)

3A. COUNTERMEASURE DISPENSERS

4. HEAT AND RADIATION SHIELDS

5. SELF-DESTRUCT


OFFENSIVE SYSTEMS

1. Fixed Pulse Laser Gun (2):

Each arm nacelle of the VA-3 has a fixed pulse laser gun mounted internally in the palm. The pulse laser gun fires in whatever direction the arm is pointed in (directly ahead in attacker (fighter) mode).


2. Fixed Micro-missile Launcher (2):

Each outboard nacelle in Attacker mode, lower arm sections in GERWALK and Battroid mode, contains a fixed micro-missile launcher. Any type of micro missile may be use, but Bifors HMM-01 All Purpose Micro Missiles are standard. The missiles may be fired in any mode.


3. GA-22 60 mm Multi-purpose Gatling Gun Pod:

A large gattling gun pod, for ground suppression, is often carried by the VA-3. The four-barrel gun pod, somewhat similar to the classic GU-11 used by the VF-1 Valkyrie. The gun pod is hand-held when the VA-3 is in battroid and gerwalk modes, and is mounted on a special hardpoint along the centerline in fighter mode. The gun pod can fire in any mode, but is limited to the forward arc of the Attacker in fighter mode.


4. WING and FUSELAGE HARD POINTS (11)

The VA-3 has 6 wing hardpoints, and 5 fuselage hardpoints, for loads totalling up to 19,820 Kg. Each hardpoint is capable of carrying AMM-1 Missiles, MK-82 LDGB, RMS-1 Large Anti-Ship Reaction Missiles, or UUM-7 Micro-Missile Pods. It is possible to have a combination of munitions or all of the same type on all the hardpoints. Due to the location of the hardpoints, all ordinance must be used or ejected prior to transformation. When the GA-22 Gattling Gun Pod is carried, it uses 1 of the 5 fuselage hardpoints. For alternatives, refer to the Hardpoint and Missile Details. It is possible to have the same type of munition on all hardpoints.

Note: the standard UNG tactic is for wing mounted ordinance to be fired within the first few passes of an attack.


5. HAND TO HAND COMBAT

If necessary, the pilot of the VA-3 can engage in melee combat rather than use a weapon. The VA-3 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:


OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT (FAST PACKS & SUPER PARTS)

The VA-3 Invader has one (1) dorsal special equipment hard point station available for mounting:
The VA-3 Invader can mount the following Aerospace Booster Parts.

1. DORSAL ROCKET BOOSTER PODS:

Contain rocket engines powerful enough to launch the VA-3 Invader to satellite orbit over an Earth-like planet and then be used to increase maximum speed in space. The dorsal rocket boosters have a reverse nozzle at the front.

2. VENTRAL PROPELLANT TANKS:

Provide the extra fuel and coolant needed by the Dorsal Booster Pods to operate for extended periods of time. They are semi-conformally mounted below the air intakes.

3. INTAKE PROPELLANT TANKS:

Provide extra fuel needed by the Dorsal Booster Pods to operate for extended periods of time. They are mounted in the air intakes. Because of that, they are usually only used in space, as they interfere with the cooling of the engine in an atmosphere.


SENSOR SYSTEMS

Note: Refer to the VF-1 Valkyrie for stats unless otherwise noted herein:


OTHER STANDARD EQUIPMENT

Note: Refer to the VF-1 Valkyrie for stats unless otherwise noted herein:


COMBAT BONUSES FOR VA-3 INVADER TRAINING

If the VA-3 Invader has Super Parts, they provide the following bonuses and penalties:

BASIC VARIABLE FIGHTER COMBAT TRAINING

Basic training for non-pilot military personnel.

ADVANCED VA-3 INVADER COMBAT TRAINING

Advanced training for pilots specializing in the VA-3.


REFERENCES
  • Palladium Books Game Engine and MDC Rules
  • Based off of the Steel Falcon VA-3 Invader stats
  • The Macross Compendium VA-3 article
  • This Is Animation the Select: Macross Plus
  • VF-X2
  • Shoji Kawamori Macross Design Works
  • Macross Chronicle VA-3C Kai article

  • © Aaron Sketchley
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