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Original RPG stats by Daniel Henwood.
By AARON SKETCHLEY (aaronsketch@HOTdelete_thisMAIL.com) 		Ver 1.2 2016.02.09
Official Setting information is in darkgreen. Extended Universe information is in steelblue.

VAB-2 Wraith Variable Attacker/Bomber

vab2bomber1 (166K)

BACKGROUND

The Macross 5 fleet's VAB-2D Variable Fighter-Bomber was developed by Northrom & Grumman/Mikoyan, beginning in the 2035 period and deployed beginning in 2042. The D-type was presumed to have been modified for Zentraadi pilots.

The latest VF design to incorporate passive-stealth technology in its construction. The VAB-2 began development in 2035, a year after development began on the YF-19 and YF-21, thus allowing it to make use of techniques found in their design and construction. Taking the flying wing idea used by the SB-10 Starwing, a non-transformable Space bomber used by the Unified Forces, they began to develop the VAB-2. Incorporating passive stealth technology was essential for it to be able to compete with the YF-19 and YF-21. Also maintaining a streamlined body meant that certain things such as external hardpoints would need to be dealt with so as not to affect the stealth ability of the crafts design.

The Wraith was designed largely as a missile boat, not meant to close with the enemy, able to make saturation bombing runs and precision strikes. As such, it was developed with the high-maneuverability missile in mind for surgical strikes. One problem that cropped up early on in the designing of the VAB-2 was the inability of the craft to be able to carry a gun pod for close in combat. Designers incorporated internally mounted laser pulse guns for use in close combat, with the Wraith utilising its missiles to hold off any attackers further away.

Like all advanced VF models entering Unified Forces service from 2040 onwards, the VAB-2 is equipped with a holopgraphic cockpit system allowing the pilot and bomber almost unparalled views around their mecha, and especially of unsuspecting targets below them. Also included in the design was a Pin Point Barrier Defence System as a precautionary measure as the VAB-2 does not sport the Armoured Shield that the VF-11, VF-19 & VF-22 fighters do. The VAB-2 was deployed to the Unified Forces officially in 2042, and took over from the VA-14 as the Bomber of choice from 2046.

RPG STATS

Vehicle Type: Variable Vehicle
Class: Tactical Variable Attack Fighter/Bomber
Manufacturer: Northrom & Grumman/Mikoyan
Crew: One pilot wearing Tactical Life Support System.

Variants VAB-2: Initial Production Model
VAB-2D: model modified for Zentraadi pilots

MDC BY LOCATION:

    Head Laser                                       25
(1) Head                                            100
    Hands (2)                                        50 each
    Arms (2)                                        120 each
    Shoulders/Missile Launchers Engine Nacelles (2) 120 each
    Legs & Thrusters (2)                            225 each
(2) Main Body                                       375
    Wings (2)                                       125 each
    Main Body Missile Launchers (4)                  75 each
    Reinforced Pilot Compartment/Escape Pod         150
(3) Pin Point Barrier Shield                        100
NOTES:
1. Destroying the head of the VAB-2 will knock out the mecha's major sensor systems, including all optical systems (infrared, nightvision, and thermal). Radar and communications will be unaffected.
2. Depleting the MDC of the main body will destroy the mecha. The pilot and cockpit section/escape pod will be automatically ejected from the doomed mecha before it explodes by the mecha's main computer.
3. The pinpoint barrier shield regenerates at a rate of 50 MDC per round. Even if completely destroyed the shield will regenerate within 2 melee rounds.

vab2battroid (37K)

SPEEDS:

RUNNING, BATTROID CONFIGURATION: 112 kmph
LEAPING, BATTROID CONFIGURATION: 6 m high or 9 m long without thrusters.
FLYING, BATTROID CONFIGURATION: 320 kmph maximum speed limit in an Earth-like atmosphere. Can also hover in place indefinitely.
FLYING, GERWALK CONFIGURATION: Mach One (1,072 kmph) maximum speed limit in an Earth-like atmosphere. Can also hover in place indefinitely.
FLYING, FIGHTER CONFIGURATION: Mach 0.97 (1,040 kmph) at 8,000 m. Mach 2.2+ (2,355 kmph) to 38,000 m. Mach 3.0+ (3,210 kmph) at 38,000+ m.
The VAB-2 is fully transatmospheric and can attain orbit above an Earth-type planet without extra booster assistance. Maximum rate of ascent is 14,000 meters/minute.
G limits are +13.8 to -9.3 standard Earth gravities.

STATISTICAL DATA:

HEIGHT:
73.44 ft (22.95 m) in Battroid configuration.
40.39 ft (12.62 m) in GERWALK configuration.
11.02 ft (3.44 m) in Fighter configuration.
WIDTH:
50.82 ft (15.88 m) at shoulders in Battroid configuration.
121.00 ft (37.81 m) in GERWALK or Fighter configuration with wings at maximum extension.
LENGTH:
32.00 ft (10.00 m) in Battroid configuration.
46.54 ft (14.54 m) in GERWALK configuration.
58.18 ft (18.18 m) in Fighter configuration.
WEIGHT:
22,600 kg (empty)

PHYSICAL STRENGTH:
Equal to a P.S. of 70
CARGO:
Small compartment behind pilot's seat for personal belongings.
POWER PLANT:
Four 52,500 kg class (maximum instantaneous thrust in space) Shinnakasu/Daimler FF-2200G engines. Two 24,600 kg class (maximum instantaneous thrust in space) Roice/Daimler FR-60C thermonuclear rocket engines to assist mobility in Heavy Battroid mode. Two overfuselage air intakes. Two vectored exhaust nozzles, for VTOL performance and manoeuvrability. Two sub-nozzles for Heavy Battroid use. P&W/Daimler HMM-5C high-manoeuvrability vernier thrusters.

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

1. ANTI-AIRCRAFT PULSE LASER:

The VAB-2 mounts a single pulse laser for use in air combat skirmishes and for defensive purposes. The laser is mounted on the head of the mecha in soldier mode, and is located in the central dorsal section of the main body pointed rearward in fighter and gerwalk modes. The laser can only fire to the REAR of the fighter in these modes; it cannot be turned to fire along another arc.

2. FIXED SHOULDER-MOUNTED SHORT-RANGE MISSILE LAUNCHERS (2):

The VAB-2 Wraith's primary combat role is that of a fighter/bomber, and in order to fulfil that role is equipped with large of internal missile launchers scattered across its hull. The largest launchers are located in the shoulders of the mecha in soldier mode, and on the engine nacelles in Gerwalk and Fighter modes. Each shoulder launcher has 11 missile tubes and holds 33 missiles(3 per tube.) The launcher can fire one missile per tube per melee round. Any type of SRM may be loaded.

3. FIXED MAIN-BODY SHORT-RANGE MISSILE LAUNCHERS (2):

In addition to the shoulder missile launchers, the VAB-2 has two 5-barrel missile launchers on the top of the main body. Each launcher holds 15 missiles. In soldier mode the launchers are located on either side of the head of the mecha, but in gerwalk and fighter modes they are concealed within the main body. In these modes the launchers pop up out of the main body to fire when necessary.

4. ROTARY MICRO MISSILE LAUNCHERS (2):

The most devastating artillery weapon on the VAB-2 are two rotating missile launchers on the lower main body of the mecha. These launchers rotate while being fired so that some missile tubes are being reloaded while others are firing. This results in a devastating rate of fire for the launchers. In gerwalk and fighter modes these launchers are also concealed within the main body, and lower out of the mecha when firing in these modes. Armor-piercing or high- explosive MMs are standard issue.

5. ARM MOUNTED LASER PULSE CANNONS (2):

In place of gun pods, the Wraith is armed with two rapid-fire pulse lasers in the arms of the mecha. These cannons fire forward out of the lower main wing in fighter mode, or out of the palms of the mecha's hands in gerwalk/soldier mode.

6. BODY/WING HARD POINTS:

The VAB-2 is also equipped with ten fixed hard points for missiles, bombs, and other ordinance. One long range missile, 3 medium range missiles, or 6 bombs can be mounted per hardpoint. Usually long range missiles are used.

7. HAND TO HAND COMBAT:

If necessary, the pilot of the VAB-2 can engage in melee combat rather than use a weapon. The variable fighter 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:

STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE VAB-2:

COMBAT BONUSES FOR VAB-2 VARIABLE FIGHTER/BOMBER TRAINING:

BASIC VARIABLE FIGHTER COMBAT TRAINING ADVANCED VAB-2 FIGHTER COMBAT TRAINING

Greg Lane's Concept Designs

Linked are the concept designs for the VAB-2 which were done for us by Greg Lane: Fighter, Fighter-Front, Battroid, Head, GERWALK.

REFERENCES
  • Palladium Books Game Engine and MDC Rules
  • Macross 7
  • Macross Compendium

    • © Aaron Sketchley
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