The following material is an adaptation of mecha from MACROSS FLASHBACK 2012, an OAV sequel to the original Japanese MACROSS TV series (which became Robotech here in the U.S.) and the Macross Movie (1984). 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.
VF-9F NOVA
ATMOSPHERIC VARIABLE FIGHTER
- RPG Stats by
Vincent Fusca , Modified by Eric Freburg
Layout style and info adapted from DAVE DEITRICH ([email protected])
Background info provided by the MACROSS ONLINE COMPENDIUM
BACKGROUND
The VF-9 was a fighter to be built on the VF-4 Airframe in 2028 as a replacement to an aging VF-4 fleet. Project Nova was funded by the UN Spacy in a search for a high performance carrier based variable fighter. The VF-X-10 incorporated some of the latest technology for it's day. The project was a complete success and 1,200 were ordered by the Spacy after being redesignated VF-9. By 2030 only 675 VF-9s had been delivered to 5 Spacy squadrons, and more were planned to come until all armed services agreed to buy the VF-11 Thunderbolt. The 4 service investment in Thunderbolts had dropped their price to half that of the VF-9s. The Spacy cancelled plans to buy 525 more fighters, and instead ordered the VF-11 Thunderbolt.
Lockheed/Martin and Rockwell/Bell (Boeing?), trying to recoup their loss decided to release a Civilian Variant of the VF-9. The factories were quickly changed over from VF-9s to VC-9s and 325 limited edition fighters were produced. These VFs found homes among Airshow Flyers, News Agencies, VF Enthusiasts, Civil Air Patrol, and Spiritia Warfare Units. The civilian models are unarmed. Addition of weapons to the VC-9 can result in major fines and imprisonment (Not to mention the wrath of the UN Spacy). Camera's and research equipment can be fitted in the forearms and fuselage if needed.
A few VC-9s, estimated at 12, found their way into rebel hands during the Vox System Conflict in 2039. Jacqueline Luget of Raider Squadron was made famous when she destroyed the UN carrier Invincible. Flying a VC-9 armed only with a Serpent missile, she and a wingman fought through the UN defenses and were able to fire it, destroying the ship. 768 sailors went down with the Invincible, Jacqueline survived the attack, and is now a Major in the UNS Marines, her wingman was killed. The Spacy was regretful of their decision to give up the VF-9s least to say.
Throughout the fighter’s short life there were 1000 production VF/VC-9 airframes produced. The two prototypes are still operating as research airframes with NASA. Of the 675 military units, all surviving units are still being operated, even though the airframe is now over 15 years old. Almost all the VC units are still flying, with only a few relegated to the museum floor.
RPG STATS
Vehicle Types:
VF-9F: Atmospheric version w/ additional canards and 3D vectored thrust built in 2028. (150 produced)
Class: Tactical Variable Fighter
Manufacturer: Rockwell/Bell and Lockheed Martin
Crew: One pilot wearing Tactical Life Support System
MDC BY LOCATION:
(1) Head 75
Hands (2) 50 each
Arms (2) 100 each
(2) Back Thrusters (2) 100 each
(2) Legs/Main Thrusters (2) 250 each
(3) Main Body 300
Canard Forward Wings (2) 30 each
Main Wings (2) 100 each
Tails (4) 50 each
Reinforced Pilot's Cockpit 150
GU-16 Gun Pod 100 each
NOTES:
- Destroying the head of the VF will knock out the mecha's major sensor systems, including all of the optics systems (infrared, nightvision, thermal). Radar and communications will be unaffected.
- Destroying the back thrusters or the legs/thrusters will severely damage the VF-9's engines. Destruction of either shoulder will reduce maximum speeds by 20%, and destruction of either leg will reduce speeds by 30%. If three of the four engines are destroyed the Nova will have insufficient thrust to remain airborne and must land. If all four engines are destroyed the variable fighter will lose power and crash.
- Destruction of the main body will completely destroy the mecha.
SPEEDS:
- RUNNING, SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:
90 mph (144 kmph)
LEAPING, SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:
30 ft (9 m) high or 50 ft (15.2 m) long without thrusters.
FLYING, SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:
300 mph (480 kmph) maximum speed limit in an Earth-like atmosphere. Can also hover in place indefinitely.
FLYING, GERWALK CONFIGURATION:
Mach One (670 mph/1072 kmph) maximum speed limit in an Earth-like atmosphere. Can also hover in place indefinitely.
FLYING IN AN ATMOSPHERE:
Mach 4.75+ (2023 mph/3237 kmph) max speed at 10,000 meters or less above sea level. Mach 12.34+ (3451 mph/5221 kmph) max speed at 10,000-30,000 meters above sea level. The VF-9 is fully transatmospheric and can attain orbital velocity above an Earth-type planet under its own power.
MAX ENGINE THRUST:
12,800 kg x2 from main engines. 6,200 kg x2 from secondary thrusters.
STATISTICAL DATA:
- HEIGHT:
45.5 ft (13.76 m) in soldier mode.
24.3 ft (7.34 m) in gerwalk mode.
12.3 ft (3.72 m) in fighter mode.
WIDTH:
19.7 ft (6.00 m) in soldier mode.
51.2 ft (15.28 m) in gerwalk or fighter configuration (max wingspan).
LENGTH:
14.8 ft (4.48 m) in soldier mode.
28.3 ft (8.58 m) in gerwalk mode.
49.2 ft (14.92 m) in fighter mode.
WEIGHT:
10,450 kg
PHYSICAL STRENGTH:
Equal to a P.S. of 50
CARGO:
Small compartment behind pilot's seat for personal belongings.
POWER PLANT:
Two Shinnakasu/Pratt & Whitney/Rolls Royce FF-2020 thermonuclear turbine engines. Several Pratt & Whitney HMM-12B high-maneuverability secondary thrusters in the VF-9's back packs make for added mobility, speed, and acceleration.
COMPATIBLE FAST PACKS:
Dorsal: NP-BP-01, NP-BP-02, NR-BP-T1, NR-BP-E2, NP-BP-10
WEAPON SYSTEMS:
- BODY/WING HARD POINTS:
The VF-9 is equipped with eight fixed hard points for missile loads and other ordinance. Two hard points are mounted on each wing of the aircraft and four are mounted under the main body. These hard points can be used to hold a variety of different ordinance types, including long or medium range missiles. One long range or 3 medium range missiles can be mounted per hard point. Usually long range missiles are used.
- LONG RANGE MISSILES
- Primary Purpose:
Heavy Assault
- Secondary Purpose:
Anti-Spacecraft
- Missile Types:
Any type of UN Spacy Long Range Missile can be used.
- Range:
Varies with missile type.
- Damage:
Varies with missile type.
- Rate of Fire:
One to eight (all) missiles.
- Payload:
One per hard point; 8 maximum.
- MEDIUM RANGE MISSILES
- Primary Purpose:
Assault
- Secondary Purpose:
Anti-Mecha
- Missile Types:
Any type of UN Spacy Medium Range Missile can be used.
- Range:
Varies with missile type.
- Damage:
Varies with missile type.
- Rate of Fire:
1-3 missiles per hard point.
- Payload:
Three per hard point; up to 24 maximum.
- SHORT RANGE MISSILES
- Primary Purpose:
Assault
- Secondary Purpose:
Anti-Mecha
- Missile Types:
Any type of UN Spacy Short Range Missile can be used.
- Range:
Varies with missile type.
- Damage:
Varies with missile type.
- Rate of Fire:
1-5 missiles per hard point.
- Payload:
Five per hard point; up to 40 maximum.
- MINI MISSILES
- Primary Purpose:
Anti-Missile
- Secondary Purpose:
Anti-Mecha
- Missile Types:
Any type of UN Spacy Mini Missile can be used.
- Range:
Varies with missile type.
- Damage:
Varies with missile type.
- Rate of Fire:
1-5 missiles per hard point.
- Payload:
15 per hard point; up to 120 maximum.
- GU-16 GUN PODS:
Gun pods similar to the old GU-11 used by the VF-1 Valkyries, these are the primary weapon of the VF-9. The new gun pods use magazines, unlike the old GU-11.
- PRIMARY PURPOSE:
Assault
- SECONDARY PURPOSE:
Anti-mecha
- RANGE:
4000 feet (1200 m)
- DAMAGE:
Does 4D6 M.D. for a short burst, 1D6x10 M.D. for a long burst, or 2D6x10 M.D. for a full melee burst.
- RATE OF FIRE:
Equal to the number of combined attacks of the pilot.
- PAYLOAD:
400 rounds per clip equals 40 short bursts, 20 long bursts, or 10 full melee bursts. Additional ammo clips can be inserted, but exchanging clips requires 2 melee actions. One spare clip is stored in each leg of the VF-9.
- HAND TO HAND COMBAT:
If necessary, the pilot of the VF-9 can engage in melee combat rather than use a weapon. The Viper 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:
- Restrained Punch: 1D4 M.D.
- Full Strength Punch: 2D4 M.D.
- "Booster" Punch: 3D4 M.D. (counts as two attacks)
- Tear or Pry with Hands: 1D4 M.D.
- Kick: 1D6 M.D.
- Leap Kick: 2D6 M.D.
- Body Flip/Throw: 1D4 M.D.
- Body Block/Tackle: 1D6 M.D.
- Stomp: 1D6 M.D. (only effective against small objects)
STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE VF-9:
- AUTO-PILOT:
The VF-9 is equipped with a computerized auto-pilot, allowing the pilot to relax or even sleep during long voyages. The auto- pilot can be programmed with a single destination or a complex flight plan involving multiple speeds, directions, and destinations. The onboard computer will alert the pilot when the fighter is near its destination, and can also be set to automatically signal when sensors detect objects near the mecha. The auto-pilot was designed with long intra-system space journeys in mind.
- COMBAT COMPUTER W/HUD DISPLAYS:
The VF-9 is equipped with a combat computer that can store and analyze data during combat with hostile forces. Data readouts and stats can be displayed either on the cockpit's HUD display or on the dashboard monitors of the aircraft. The combat computer tracks and identifies specific enemy targets, and has a database of over 1,000 images stored in memory. The computer can identify and track up to 75 targets simultaneously.
- EXTERNAL AUDIO PICKUP:
Range: 300 ft (91.5 m). A sound amplification system that can pick up normal conversation up to 300 feet away.
- HEAT AND RADIATION SHIELDS:
Special shielding prevents the penetration of life threatening heat and radiation. A radiation detection and alarm system are linked with the shields and will sound an alarm if there is a rupture in the shields and what the levels of radiation are.
- HOMING SIGNAL:
The VF-9 is equipped with a homing device that enables rescue teams to locate a disabled craft or ejected life pod. The range of the signal is 300 miles (480 km). Most UN Spacy ships and variable fighters can locate and track homing signals, and the onboard computers will automatically notify their pilots if such a signal is detected.
- LASER TARGETING SYSTEM:
Range: 100 miles (160 km). Used for increased accuracy in the striking of enemy targets and is partly responsible for the mecha's strike bonus.
- LOUDSPEAKER:
A loudspeaker system is built into the craft, which can be used to amplify the pilot's voice up to 90 decibels.
- OPTICS: INFRARED:
Range: 2000 feet (610 m). This optical system projects a beam of infrared light that is invisible to the normal eye, but detectable by the mecha's sensors. The system allows the pilot to detect hidden/concealed objects by their IR reflectiveness. The beam will be visible to anyone with IR sensitive optics, however.
- OPTICS: NIGHTVISION:
Range: 2000 feet (610 m). A passive light image intensifier that emits no light of its own, but relies on ambient light which is electronically amplified to produce a visible picture.
- OPTICS: THERMAL IMAGER:
Range: 2000 feet (610 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, and also adds a +10% bonus to pilots using a tracking skill.
- RADAR:
200 mile (321 km) range.
- RADIO/VIDEO COMMUNICATION:
Long range, directional communications system with satellite relay capabilities. Range: 600 miles (960 km) or can be boosted indefinitely via satellite relay.
- SELF-DESTRUCT:
To prevent capture of a variable fighter by the enemy, the pilot can activate the VF-9's self-destruct system, which will cause the fighter to explode after a delay of up to 60 minutes (time is set by the pilot). The explosive damage is contained within a 20 foot (6 m) area and inflicts 1D6x10 M.D. to everything within the radius of the explosion. All internal systems are obliterated.
- STANDARD SURVIVAL KIT:
All UN Spacy VFs come equipped with a portable survival kit. Inside the small reinforced box is a medium-sized flashlight, two hand flares, one rocket flare, a compass, infrared distancing binoculars, a small mirror, a pocket knife, dehydrated and concentrated food (can be stretched into a five day supply for one person) and basic first aid items (aspirin, bandages, disinfectants, etc.)
- TACTICAL LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM:
The VF-9's cockpit is pressurized, and also provides additional air feeds to the pilot's flight suit that provides him with pressurized breathing. The UN Spacy flight suit also contains an upper and lower g-suit that promotes blood circulation even during high-g turns, thus decreasing the possibility of pilot blacking out in combat.
COMBAT BONUSES FOR NOVA VARIABLE FIGHTER TRAINING:
BASIC VARIABLE FIGHTER COMBAT TRAINING
- Basic training for non-pilot military personnel.
- 1 attack per melee (plus those of the pilot).
- Add one additional action/attack at levels three, nine, and fifteen.
- +1 to strike.
- +1 to parry
- +1 to dodge in soldier mode, +2 in gerwalk, +4 in jet mode.
- +1 to roll with a punch or move with an impact, reducing damage by half.
- No leap dodge.
- 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 NOVA COMBAT TRAINING
- Advanced training for military pilots and mecha specialists.
- 4 attacks per melee (plus those of the pilot).
- Add one additional action/attack at levels three, six, eleven, and fifteen.
- +1 on initiative.
- +3 to strike.
- +4 to parry
- +4 to dodge in solder mode, +6 in gerwalk, +8 in jet mode in an atmosphere. (+1, +3, +5 in space)
- +3 to roll with a punch or move with an impact, reducing damage by half.
- 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 USED IN THIS DESIGN