The following material is an original mecha design for MACROSS XV, a fan-RPG sequel to the original Japanese MACROSS TV series (which became Robotech here in the U.S.). Please feel free to use, copy, and distribute it as you see fit. All I ask is that you give proper credit to me and do not claim that it is your own work. Comments and suggestions are welcome. 

BELL/SHINSEI INDUSTRIES YAG-37 RAFAGA PROTOTYPE

RPG Stats by Kamikazi ([email protected])
Background info provided by the MACROSS ONLINE COMPENDIUM

BACKGROUND

Developed in early 2046 as a replacement for the Bell AH-65 retaliator fast attack gunship, the YAG-37 design is illusive. Although it is a variable vehicle, it is not a fighter. It is in fact a tactical attack aircraft designed to operate in the armor hunter/killer role.

The basic airframe of the YAG-37 is derived from the AH-65 to the point of the new aircraft resembling its predecessor, with the only difference being the AH-65 is a rotary wing aircraft. The YAG-37 was the winner of the UN Army's next generation attack gunship competition held at the aviation school at Fort Rucker, in the North American continent in early 2044. The aircraft is a collaboration between a number of companies, with the basic airframe conversion and redesign being carried out by a joint team from Bell Aerospace and Shinsei Heavy Industries. Main armament was mostly a carryover from the AH-65, with an upgrade on the avionics and fire control system being carried out by General Dynamics.

Initial prototype testing was held by a detachment from B company 2nd Battalion, 105th Aviation Regiment, at Fort Ord, California, which serves as headquarters for the UN Army's Material Acquisition Command, which is in charge of the evaluation and further development of new equipment coming into the force. It is however, too early in the testing stages to see if the recommendation will be made for the prototype to be put into a limited production run, or even if funding can be appropriated from the United Nations Government, since at this time all services are vying for a massive upgrade to its existing combat systems.

 

RPG STATS

Vehicle Type:
YAG-X-37 (Original test bed prototype produced by Bell/Shinsei Heavy Industries for the UN Army's next generation attack gunship competition)
YAG-37-1/YAG-37-5 (Initial pre-production block utilized for initial assessment by the UN Army's Material Acquisition Command at Fort Ord, California)
Class: Advanced Variable Attack Gunship (Prototype)

Manufacturer: Bell/Shinsei Heavy Industries
Crew: One pilot wearing Tactical Life Support System.
MDC BY LOCATION: 
    Head Pulse Lasers (2)                                30
(1) Head                                                100
    Hands (2)                                            50 each
    Arms (2)                                            120 each
    Shoulders (2)                                       150 each
    Legs & Thrusters (2)                                220 each
(2) Main Body                                           300
    Main Wings (2)                                      150 each
    Tails (2)                                            75 each
    GU-22 Gun Pod                                       100
    Medium Range Missile Launchers (2)                  100 each
    Anti-Projectile Shield  (2)                         125
(3) Pinpoint Barrier Shield                             100
    Reinforced Pilot Compartment/Escape Pod             150
NOTES:
  1. Destroying the head of the YAG-37 will knock out the mecha's major sensor systems, including all of the optics systems (infrared, nightvision, 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. The shield is usually generated on the right arm of the YAG-37.

SPEEDS:

RUNNING, SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:
100 mph (160 kmph)
LEAPING, SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:
50 ft (15 m) high or 70 ft (21 m) long without thrusters.
FLYING, GERWALK/SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:
250 mph/ kmph maximum speed limit in an Earth-like atmosphere. Can also hover in place indefinitely.
FLYING, FIGHTER CONFIGURATION:
600 mph/ kmph max speed at 4000 meters or less above sea level.
750 mph/ kmph max speed above 4000 meters above sea level. Structural G limits are +25.0 to -14.5 Earth gravities.
MAX ENGINE THRUST:
56,200 kg of thrust. 62,000 kg in overboost

STATISTICAL DATA:

HEIGHT:
15.31 ft (16.25 m) in soldier configuration.
26.64 ft (8.12 m) in gerwalk configuration.
16.53 ft (5.04 m) in fighter configuration.
WIDTH:
22.67 ft (6.91 m) at shoulders in soldier configuration.
30.83 ft (9.4 m) in gerwalk or fighter configuration with wings at maximum extension.
LENGTH:
14.23 ft (4.34 m) in soldier configuration.
44.84 ft (13.67 m) in gerwalk configuration.
61.51 ft (18.75 m) in fighter configuration.
WEIGHT:
23,049 lb (10,455 kg) empty. Maximum takeoff weight in an atmosphere is 32099 lb (14,560 kg).
PHYSICAL STRENGTH:
Equal to a P.S. of 65
CARGO:
Small compartment behind pilot's seat for a first aid kit, survival kit, and a small handgun or SMG.
POWER PLANT:
Two 123,900 lb (56,200 kg) Shinnakasu Industry/Pratt & Whitney/Rolls Royce FF-2350B thermonuclear turbine engines, designed for atmosphere use. Two 2-dimensional independent convergent/divergent exhaust nozzles for improved V/STOL performance. In addition, several Pratt & Whitney HMM-6J high-maneuverability vernier thrusters are mounted on the wingtips, vertical stabilizers, nose, and other key locations for added performance.

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

  1. MAULER REB-30G ANTI-AIRCRAFT PULSE LASER: The YAG-37 mounts a pair of pulse lasers for use in air combat skirmishes and for defensive purposes. The lasers are mounted on the head of the mecha in soldier mode, and is located in the central dorsal section of the main body pointed forward in fighter and gerwalk modes. The laser can only fire to the FRONT of the fighter in these modes; it cannot be turned to fire along another arc.
  2. MAULER ROV-45 PULSE LASER TURRET: The YAG-37 mounts a single pulse laser for use against ground targets and for defensive purposes. The laser is mounted in the chest of the mecha in soldier mode, and is located below the nose of the main body pointed forward in fighter and gerwalk modes. The turret can rotate 180 degrees in all modes and fire to the sides of the YAG-37.
  3. HOWARD GU-15 EXTERNAL GUN POD: The main weapon of the YAG-37 is the new GU-22 Gun Pod produced by Howard/General Dynamic. The gun pod is mounted on a special hardpoint below the gunship in fighter mode, and is hand-held in gerwalk and soldier modes. Unlike the gun pods used by the original VF-1 Valkyrie, the GU-22 uses clips of ammo instead of a self-contained supply in the barrel of the gun. One spare clip for the GU-22 is mounted on the back of the VAG-37's bulletproof shields on each arm; replacing a clip takes two melee actions and can only be done in Gerwalk or Soldier mode.
  4. WING MOUNTED MEDIUM RANGE MISSILE LAUNCHERS: Each arm of the YAG-37 is equipped with a missile launcher that can hold up to 4 medium-range missiles. The missiles can be fired in any mode; fighter, gerwalk, or soldier. Any type of MRM can be used in the launchers (except the new medium range high maneuver missile) , armor piercing are standard issue.
  5. BIFORS ALL-ENVIRONMENT HIGH-MANEUVERABILITY MINI-MISSILE CLUSTERS:  The legs of the YAG-37 are equipped with two concealed missile bays, that each hold up to 24 new high-maneuverability mini-missiles. When armed, the launcher assemblies extend from the sides of the legs, allowing all 24 missiles to be fired at once if necessary. The missiles can be fired in any mode. Any type of mini-missile can be used in the launchers, but usually only the Bifors high-maneuverability mini-missiles are used. (NOTE: These are NOT the medium-range versions of the high-maneuverability missiles seen in Macross Plus #1).
  6. HOWARD PBS-03F PIN-POINT BARRIER SYSTEM: The YAG-37 is equipped with a new mecha-scale pinpoint barrier system for defense. The system can generate a single pinpoint barrier that can be moved anywhere on the mecha and used as a shield against incoming attacks. The barrier provides 100 MDC of protection, and regenerates at a rate of 50 MDC per round when damaged. Even if destroyed by combined attacks, the shield will regenerate itself within 2 rounds. In order to use the shield, the pilot must make a successful parry roll to intercept an incoming attack.
  7. HAND TO HAND COMBAT: If necessary, the pilot of the YAG-37 can engage in melee combat rather than use a weapon. The gunship 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 YAG-37:
  COMBAT BONUSES FOR YAG-37 COMBAT TRAINING:

BASIC VARIABLE FIGHTER COMBAT TRAINING

ADVANCED YAG-37 RAFAGA COMBAT TRAINING
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