Foxhound
Type: Mass Production Assault Mobile Armor
Designer: Armatech Aerospace
Manufacturer: Armatech Industries
Length: 10.4 meters
Weight: 44.5 tons
Armor Type: Titanium
Propulsion: MAXL-V Thruster Pods
Power Plant: Mu-Class Electrical Battery
Cockpit: Linear
Close Fighting Ability: 30
Weaponry Power: 120 (140)
Strength/Stamina: 80
Defense/Armor: 90
Speed/Maneuvering: 130 (110)
Total Stats: 450
Core Stats (Equipped with Torpedo)
Primary Equipment:
Beam Cannon x 1: Mounted along the mobile armor's underside is a useful beam cannon that plugs directly into its electrical battery. This gives the weapon a large supply of energy, though it can drain quickly if it is used too often. Each shot fires a large, powerful beam that can melt through many forms of metal alloy, even at long range. The cannon has proven itself an apt anti-mobile suit weapon.
Vulcan Cannon x 2: Mounted on either side of the fin-like cockpit of the mobile armor, these weapons fire light armor piercing bullets in high-velocity bursts. While not always effective against heavier targets, they are ideal for light craft, and even shooting down incoming missiles.
Optional Equipment:
Heavy Torpedo x 4: A set of weapons usually reserved for anti-warship
attacks, these torpedoes have been modified with more advanced tracking systems. Their new targeting computers allow them to follow highly maneuverable targets, like mobile suits, though they are still not altogether reliable. Most pilots use them in either the beginning of an assault, or as a last-ditch weapon.
Story:
For over thirty years, the Foxhound has been the backbone of the United Alliance Armed Forces' space squadrons, combining the best features of a battle tank and combat fighter into a single package. Its versatility made it one of the premier weapons within the Earth Sphere. That is, until the invention of the mobile suit. Now, the Foxhound has effectively become obsolete, better suited as a support unit than a line troop. Well, among the Grand Cross, anyway. Unfortunately for the UAAF, they are still dependent upon this mobile armor, which is often considered to be poorly suited to confront its new humanoid cousins.
As mentioned, the Foxhound was built to combine the best of two separate vehicles. Its design was also an apt compromise between cost and effectiveness, presenting the UAAF with a far more practical space combat vehicle than its early jet-inspired assault fighters. The latter proved far too frail for the rigors of space, coming apart at the slightest amount of damage. The Foxhound's solid titanium hull, on the other hand, can take much more abuse before showing signs of wear. Still, when matched against the newer weapons used by mobile suits, these machines are still a little outclassed.
Like the Grand Cross mobile suits, and every other mobile weapon in the Earth Sphere, the Foxhound uses a rechargeable electrical engine rather than a nuclear fusion core. With the dangers of a nuclear explosion outweighing the benefits of continuous power, scientists and military commanders alike have elected to go with this more consciencious system. However, this means that the average Foxhound can only last for about three hours of continuous use in the field before it has to return to its carrier or base for a recharge.
Editor's Note - Though it seems unusual for a mobile armor to have any
Close Fighting Ability attribute, this statistic reflects the ability of the machine to execute and cope with ramming attacks. The low number signifies that, not only is colliding with a foe largely ineffective, but also crippling to the machine.