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By AARON SKETCHLEY (aaronsketch@HOTdelete_thisMAIL.com)

Ver 1.5 2015.11.24

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

VA-3M Invader

• 1.0 BACKGROUND
• 1.1 MDC BY LOCATION
• 1.2 SPEEDS
• 2.0 STATISTICAL DATA
• 3.1 DEFENSIVE SYSTEMS
• 3.2 OFFENSIVE SYSTEMS
• 3.3 OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT (FAST PACKS & SUPER PARTS)
• 3.4 SENSOR SYSTEMS
• 3.5 OTHER STANDARD EQUIPMENT
• 4.0 COMBAT BONUSES

BACKGROUND

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.

RPG STATS

Design Features: slightly rearward angled main wing; two engines with vertical T-O and landing (VTOL) nozzles; 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:

• VA-3A: initial version.
• VA-3B: version with changed electronic equipment system and improved all-weather performance, equipped with forward-looking infared sensor and a low-altitude flight camera in the lower side of the nose.
• VA-3C: Civilian version
• VA-3C Kai: Custom version of the VA-3C.
• VA-3M: Amphibious version produced for surface and underwater warfare.
• EVA-3A: Two-seater electronic warfare version.

MDC BY LOCATION:

NOTES:
• ¹ Destroying the head of the vehicle will knock out the vehicle's major sensor systems, including all of the advanced optic systems (infrared, nightvision, thermal) and radar. Communications and basic visuals will be unaffected.
• ² Depleting the MDC of the main body will destroy the vehicle. The pilot will be automatically ejected from the doomed vehicle before it explodes by the vehicle's main computer.
• ³ Destruction of one engine nacelle will reduce air speeds by 50% and make it impossible for the VA-3M to achieve orbit on its own. Destruction of both engine nacelles will completely disable the VA-3M, sending it into an unpowered dive and eventually crashing.
• ⁴ 75 MDC for the canopy and 150 MDC for the remainder of the cockpit; requires a called shot to hit the canopy in Fighter and GERWALK modes, and only from the upper front; as the head section protects the lower front and sides. The pilot's compartment is inside of the Main Body and Head in Battroid mode, and either or both must be destroyed to hit it in that mode.
• ⁵ Optional attachments that offer limited extra protection. Whenever the vehicle takes damage, roll 1D6: 1-2 (1-4 if firing at the rear of the VA-3M): the Super Parts take damage before the VA's main body does. Alternatively, if the pilot makes a successful parry roll, the Super Parts automatically take damage first.
  Explosive: unless otherwise noted, a Super Part will explode violently when its MDC reaches 0. If the computer is functioning, it will automatically eject the damaged part. If it is not, the pilot has one melee action to eject the Super Part before it explodes. Parts that explode do 1D6x100 MD. Deduct damage first from the part covered by the Super Part, and then any remaining damage from the main body of the vehicle.

SPEEDS:

FLYING: Mach 2.2+ at 10,000 m and higher, Mach 4.2+; Cruising speed Mach 21+ (space); 1070 kmph (GERWALK & Battroid modes).
VTOL: all modes capable. The VA-3 is the only true VTOL VF in Attacker (Fighter) Mode. However, when fully loaded, it must do an STOL to launch.

Maximum airframe design load: under investigation
Ceiling: Unlimited (The VA-3M 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-3M is ineffective for combat maneuvers and it should proceed to a refueling station as soon as possible.
Optional 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:

MASS: 13,300 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

1. ACTIVE STEALTH

2. ENERGY CONVERSION ARMOUR

3. IDECM (Integrated Defensive Electronic CounterMeasures)

4. HEAT AND RADIATION SHIELDS

5. SELF-DESTRUCT

OFFENSIVE SYSTEMS

1. Fixed Beam Gun (2):

• RANGE: 3,100 m
• DAMAGE: 1D8 MD per round. 10 round burst, single target - 1D8X10 MD. 20 round burst, single target - 2D8X10 MD. The cannons can be fire-linked so that firing both cannons at the same time counts as one attack (does double damage). The machine gun can be used for sprays: 10 round spray - 1D8 MD per target, effects 1D4 targets. 20 round burst spray - 1D8 MD per target, effects 2D4 targets with a 50% chance of hitting bystanders. Fire-linked 20 round spray: 2D8 MD per target, effects 4D4 targets. Chance of hitting bystanders is 70%.
• RATE OF FIRE: Equal to the pilot's combined number of attacks. The beam gun is limited to bursts of 10 or 20 rounds per attack.
• PAYLOAD: Effectively Unlimited.

2. Fixed Micro-missile Launcher (2):

• MISSILE TYPES: Bifors HMM-01 all-purpose micro-missiles, though any type of Micro Missile can be used.
• RATE OF FIRE: Volleys of 1 to 2 per launcher.
• PAYLOAD: 6 missiles per launcher; 12 total.

3. WING and FUSELAGE HARD POINTS (11)

The VA-3M has 6 wing hardpoints, and 5 fuselage hardpoints, for loads totalling up to 19,820 Kg.

Note: the VA-3M can also mount torpedoes on the hardpoints. Use the following stats, but reduced the range and combat bonuses by half, but double the blast radius.

• AMM-1 HYBRID GUIDED MULTIPURPOSE MISSILES:
  The AMM-1 or other anti-aircraft missile is usually mounted on the two inner-wing hardpoints.
  • LOCATION: all Hardpoints, or inner hardpoints (C, D) in conjunction with bombs.
  • RATE OF FIRE: 1 to 3 per hardpoint.
  • PAYLOAD: 3 per hardpoint. Potential total of 30.
  
• UUM-7 MICRO-MISSILE PODS:
  The UUM-7 pods must always be mounted in opposing pairs. They are usually mounted on all 4 outerwing hardpoints when heavy short-range fighting is expected or massed rocket attacks on a target are needed. The VA-3M Invader rarely carriers the UUM-7.
  • LOCATION: all Hardpoints.
  • RATE OF FIRE: 1 to 5 per pod/hardpoint.
  • PAYLOAD: 15 per pod, for a potential total of 150 micro-missiles.
• RMS-1 REACTION CRUISE MISSILES:
  Six RMS-1 reaction missiles (up to three on each wing hardpoint, none on the fuselage hard points) can be mounted on the VA-3M. In all but the heaviest fleet engagements, four RMS-1 are mounted on the outermost hard points with 2 UUM-7 pods on the innermost wing hardpoints.
  • LOCATION: outer wing hardpoints (A, B, E, F) in conjunction with UUM-7 Micro-Missile Pods.
  • RATE OF FIRE: 1 per hardpoint.
  • PAYLOAD: 1 per hardpoint, for a potential total of 6.
• MK-82 SNAKEEYE LDGB BOMBS:
  The VA-3M Invader has been specifically designed to deliver bombs, and excels at ground attacks. With a laser indicator, from the VF, another vehicle loitering overhead or from personnel on the ground, the bombs are virtually guaranteed to hit a stationary target (+25% read sensory instruments check.) Without a laser indicator, the VA-3M still has a high strike rate (read sensory instruments check). Against moving targets on the ground, the VA-3M is +2 to strike (+6 to strike indirectly with the blast radius). The VA-3M can carry 6 Mk-82 on the wing hardpoints, and 3 Mk-82 on the fuselage hard points.
  • LOCATION: all Hardpoints, or outer hardpoints (A, B, E, F) in conjunction with the GBU-10C bombs.
  • RATE OF FIRE: 1 to 3 (or 1 to 6) per hardpoint.
  • PAYLOAD: 3 per fuselage hard point, 6 per wing hard point, for a potential total of 48.
• GBU-10C PAVEWAY II BOMBS:
  The VA-3 Invader has been specifically designed to deliver bombs, and excels at ground attacks. With a laser indicator, from the VF, another vehicle loitering overhead or from personnel on the ground, the bombs are virtually guaranteed to hit a stationary target (+25% read sensory instruments check.) Without a laser indicator, the VA-3M still has a high strike rate (read sensory instruments check). Against moving targets on the ground, the VA-3M is +2 to strike (+6 to strike indirectly with the blast radius). The VA-3M can carry 3 GBU-10C on the wing hardpoints, and 1 GBU-10C on the fuselage hard points. The bombs can be outfitted with laser-guiding (GBU-10C Paveway II) or all weather "smart" (GBU-38 JDAM) equipment.
  • LOCATION: all Hardpoints, or inner hardpoints (B, C) in conjunction with the MK-82 bombs.
  • RATE OF FIRE: 1 per hardpoint.
  • PAYLOAD: 1 per fuselage hard point, 3 per wing hard point, for a potential total of 23.
• REACTION WEAPON BOMBS:
  These are about half the size of an RMS-1 Anti-Ship Reaction Missile. They are also variable yield and can be remotely detonated or set with a time delay (maximum 60 minutes) to detonate after the VA-3M has retreated from the area. The VA-3M Invader has been specifically designed to deliver bombs, and excels at ground attacks. With a laser indicator, from the VF, another vehicle loitering overhead or from personnel on the ground, the bombs are virtually guaranteed to hit a stationary target (+25% read sensory instruments check.) Without a laser indicator, the VA-3M still has a high strike rate (read sensory instruments check). Against moving targets on the ground, the VA-3M is +2 to strike (+6 to strike indirectly with the blast radius). The VA-3 can carry 1 Reaction Bomb per wing hard point.
  • RANGE: Freefall bomb
  • DAMAGE: 20
  • DAMAGE: variable yield; maximum: 4D8x1,000 M.D. at ground zero to 750 m , 4D8x100 M.D. to 1,500 m, 4D8x10 M.D. to 2,150 m, 4D8 M.D. to 2,900 m, 4D8x100 S.D. (able to do M.D.) to 3,650 m, 4D8x10 S.D. to 4,400 m, 4D8 S.D. to 5,150 m, 4D8x-10 S.D. to 5,900 m). Lower yeilds are possible down to 10% of maximum by reducing the multiplier correspondingly; blast radius is also reduced by the same factor.
  • RATE OF FIRE: 1 per hardpoint.
  • PAYLOAD: 1 per hardpoint, for a potential total of 11.
  • COMBAT: see description.
• EXTERNAL FUEL TANKS:
  Each external tank carries half the reactant fuel needed to reach orbit. The VA-3M generally runs off of their fuel reserves until entering combat, thereby enabling the craft to retreat to orbit after combat has concluded.
  • PURPOSE: additional fuel.

4. HAND TO HAND COMBAT

DAMAGE:

• Restrained Punch: 1D4 M.D.
• Full Strength Punch: 4D6 M.D.
• "Booster" Punch: 6D6 M.D. (counts as two attacks)
• Tear or Pry with Hands: 1D6 M.D. + additional ripping and frame damages.
• Kick: 4D6 M.D.
• Leap Kick: 2D6x10 M.D.
• Body Flip/Throw: 2D6 M.D.
• Body Block/Tackle: 1D6 M.D.
• Stomp: 1D6x10 M.D. (only effective against small objects) Note that for some objects, they will be instantly destroyed.

OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT (FAST PACKS & SUPER PARTS)

• a single OTEC FBF-1000A External Fold Booster (Must be ejected prior to transformation.)

1. DORSAL ROCKET BOOSTER PODS:

2. VENTRAL PROPELLANT TANKS:

3. INTAKE PROPELLANT TANKS:

SENSOR SYSTEMS

• ALQ-192 COMMUNICATION JAMMING DEVICE: creates a transmission of radio signals that disrupt radio communications by decreasing the signal to noise ratio. The radio transmitter is tuned to the same frequency as the opponents' receiving equipment and with the same type of modulation, can override any signal at the receiver. The most common types of this form of signal jamming are random noise, random pulse, stepped tones, warbler, random keyed modulated CW, tone, rotary, pulse, spark, recorded sounds, gulls, and sweep-through. These can be divided into two groups -- obvious and subtle. Range: 430 km.
  Obvious jamming is easy to detect because it can be heard on the receiving equipment. It usually is some type of noise such as stepped tones, random-keyed code, pulses, music (often distorted), erratically warbling tones, highly distorted speech, random noise (hiss) and recorded sounds. Various combinations of these methods may be used often accompanied by regular morse identification signal to enable individual transmitters to be identified in order to assess their effectiveness. The purpose of this type of jamming is to block out reception of transmitted signals and to cause a nuisance to the receiving operator.
  Subtle jamming is jamming during which no sound is heard on the receiving equipment. The radio does not receive incoming signals yet everything seems superficially normal to the operator. These are often technical attacks on modern equipment, such as "squelch capture".
  The number of frequencies jammed can be increased by mounting additional Frequency Band Pods on hardpoints.
• ALQ-199 TACTICAL NOISE JAMMING DEVICE: radiates electronic jamming that interferes with enemy radar, blocking the receiver with highly concentrated energy signals. The two main technique styles are noise techniques and repeater techniques. The three types of noise jamming are spot, sweep, and barrage. Range: 430 km (or less, pending which type of jamming is used).
  Spot jamming occurs when a jammer focuses all of its power on a single frequency. While this would severely degrade the ability to track on the jammed frequency, a frequency agile radar would hardly be affected because the jammer can only jam one frequency. While multiple jammers could possibly jam a range of frequencies, this would consume a great deal of resources to have any effect on a frequency-agile radar, and would probably still be ineffective.
  Sweep jamming is when a jammer's full power is shifted from one frequency to another. While this has the advantage of being able to jam multiple frequencies in quick succession, it does not affect them all at the same time, and thus limits the effectiveness of this type of jamming. Although, depending on the error checking in the device(s) this can render a wide range of devices effectively useless.
  Barrage jamming is the jamming of multiple frequencies at once by a single jammer. The advantage is that multiple frequencies can be jammed simultaneously; however, the jamming effect can be limited because this requires the jammer to spread its full power between these frequencies. So the more frequencies being jammed, the less effectively each is jammed.
  Base jamming is a new type of Barrage Jamming where one radar is jammed effectively at its source at all frequencies. However, all other radars continue working normally.
  Digital radio frequency memory, or DRFM jamming, or Repeater jamming is a repeater technique that manipulates received radar energy and retransmits it to change the return the radar sees. This technique can change the range the radar detects by changing the delay in transmission of pulses, the velocity the radar detects by changing the doppler shift of the transmitted signal, or the angle to the plane by using AM techniques to transmit into the sidelobes of the radar.
• ALQ-200 MULTI-BAND TRACK BREAKER: is used to deceive enemy tracking radar in single target track mode. These are typically fire control radars associated with SAMs, AAMs and AAA. Track breaking techniques are therefore of major importance in tactical and strategic aircraft. Range: 430 km.
  Track breakers attack the automatic tracking mechanism of the victim radar. If the threat is a pulsed radar a track breaker will usually transmit a 'cover pulse' at the same time as the return pulse. This masks the return and the victim tracking mechanism is then allowed to lock on to the cover pulse rather than the weaker real return. The jammer has then seduced the tracking mechanism and can, within limits, move the target about its real position and typically turn it off to break lock.
  The target will often be made to erratically jitter which makes it impossible to accurately guide a missile or fire a gun at the target.
• AN/ALQ220 A OASIS (Organic Airborne and Surface Influence Sweep)
• AOA DETECTOR
• EXTERNAL AUDIO PICKUP
• HYBRID SENSORS
• IFF ANTENNA
• INERTIAL NAVIGATION SYSTEM (AUTOPILOT)
• OPTICS: INTEGRATED SENSOR/TV CAMERA SYSTEM: mounted on the nose/front of the head turret. It provides standard visuals with x100 zoom functions (can zoom in to see 1 m square at 1,000 m) along with nightvision, FLIR (Forward Looking InfaRed), and so on - range 1,250 m.
• LOW ALTITUDE FLIGHT CAMERA: located in the lower side of the nose.
• OPTICS - FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared): located in the lower side of the nose. Range: 1,250 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, fog, haze, and other atmospheric obscurants. FLIR adds a +10% bonus to pilots using a tracking skill.
• OPTICS: HYBRID SENSOR/TV CAMERA SYSTEM AND REAR PERISCOPE
• RADAR (all modes): can detect targets as low as 15 m and as high as 24,384 m, at ranges over 450 km.
• TRAM (Target Recognition and Attack-Multisensor) STANDARD DEVICE: used to improve the attack accuracy on the target. It combines infrared rays and laser detection data with the radar system.

OTHER STANDARD EQUIPMENT

• BALANCE CONTROLLER
• EJECTOR SEAT/S w/ ANTI-G MECHANISM & HOMING SIGNAL: signal range is 480 km.
• FCS (Fire Control System): is the weapon control system has been specially developed to be able to use for ground attack weapons. The VA-3's FCS automatically takes aim after target acquisition with the radar and calculates the optimal firing solution. The VA-3's FCS is not an all regimes type, like those in the VF series, and it has only limited air-to-air capabilities. The VA-3's FCS can store and analyze data during combat with hostile forces. Data readouts and stats can be displayed either on the cockpit's HUD display (transparent panels above the main display) and/or a hexagonal three-panel screen, which can also be used to display video images. In air-to-air combat, the FCS is capable of tracking and identifying specific enemy targets, up to 100 targets on the ground and 33 targets in the air, while simultaneously devising and executing fire control solutions on up to 14 ground targets, or 5 aerial targets. The FCS has a database of over 2,000 images stored in memory. It is located in the chest section in Battroid mode. The FCS also utilizes a helmet pointing system built into the helmet, that takes aim by following the pilot's eyes, and is adopted for shooting the gun pod and laser machinegun.
• IFF/UHF DATALINK ANTENNA AND TACAN/UHF ANTENNA
• LANDING GEAR/CATAPULT HOOK: the VA-3 Invader features a catapult hook, on the front, retractable tricycle undercarriage, for carrier launches. For carrier landings, the VA-3 has twin arresting hooks mounted on the rear undercarriage.
• LASER TARGETING SYSTEM: Range 30 km.
• LOUDSPEAKER
• "MAGIC HAND" MANIPULATORS (3)
• RADIO/VIDEO COMMUNICATION: Long range, directional, line-of-sight communications system with satellite relay capabilities. Range: 1,150 km or can be boosted indefinitely via satellite relay. Uses both the UHF and VHF antennas.
• RETRACTABLE EC (Electronic Countermeasures) and VHF ANTENNA
• SEARCHLIGHTS: two searchlights are located on the shoulders in Battroid mode. Range: 92.5 m.
• STANDARD SURVIVAL KIT
• TACTICAL LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM
• UHF ANTENNA
• VHF ANTENNA

COMBAT BONUSES FOR VA-3M INVADER TRAINING

• In atmosphere: -1 penalty to dodge in all modes.
• In space: +1 bonus to dodge in all modes.

BASIC VARIABLE FIGHTER COMBAT TRAINING

• 1 attacks per melee (plus those of the pilot). Add one additional action/attack at levels three, nine, and fifteen.
• -1 on initiative
• -1 to strike
• +0 to parry
• +0 to dodge in battroid mode, +2 in GERWALK, +4 in jet mode.
• +1 to roll with a punch or fall with an impact, reducing damage by half.
• Tilt Dodge Modifier (applied to the regular dodge bonus for the mode the VF is in): -5.
• No leap kick.
• Critical strike same as pilot's hand-to-hand.
• Body block/tackle/ram - 1D6 M.D. plus a 50% chance of knocking an opponent down, causing him to loose initiative and one attack that melee round.

ADVANCED VA-3M INVADER COMBAT TRAINING

• 3 attacks per melee (plus those of the pilot). Add one additional action/attack at levels three, six, eleven, and fifteen.
• +0 on initiative
• +0 to strike (not applicable in air-to-air combat)
• +1 to parry
• +1 to dodge in battroid mode, +3 in GERWALK, +5 in jet mode.
• +2 to roll with a punch or fall with an impact, reducing damage by half.
• Tilt Dodge Modifier (applied to the regular dodge bonus for the mode the VF is in): -5.
• Critical strike same as pilot's hand-to-hand.
• Body block/tackle/ram - 1D6 M.D. plus a 50% chance of knocking an opponent down, causing him to loose initiative and one attack that melee round.

REFERENCES

Palladium Books Game Engine and MDC Rules 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