VF-X3 STAR CRUSADER

UN Variable Fighter VF-X3 by: P. David Baughman III

Based on material translated by: Masumi

Background material from: MACROSS ONLINE COMPENDIUM

 

BACKGROUND

Despite its tremendous power, however, the Star Crusader was troubled by serious safety faults. Most severe amongst these was the fighter’s heat dissipation problem; when all of the main energy weapons were fired at once, the cockpit heat would spike severely, and in some cases repeated heat spikes caused test pilots to require hospitalization. Additionally, the inertial compensators had a great deal of difficulty adjusting to the sudden added force when the rear-mounted defensive launchers fired; the compensator would ‘snap’ back immediately after firing, sometimes causing the pilot to be struck by serious and intense g-forces.

Ultimately, it was decided that the safety flaws of the Star Crusader, as well as its tremendous cost, simply made the mecha too problematic. It was not long before the UN turned its gaze to the VF-4 Lightning III variable fighter and forgot entirely about the VF-X3. The VF-X3 never entered mass production; only a handful of prototypes were constructed. One example of this design
survived the war, and is on display in a private collection on the Banipol colony.
 
 

RPG STATS

Vehicle Type: VF-X3

Class: Outer Space Variable Fighter

Manufacturer: Shinnakasu Heavy Industries/Rockwell International/Textron Corporation
Crew: One pilot wearing Tactical Life Support System.

    Head Laser Cannon                            30
(1) Head                                         90
    Hands (2)                                    20 each
    Arms (2)                                    180 each
    Legs (2)                                    200 each
(2) Main Body                                   300
    Wings (2)                                   150 each
    Reinforced Pilot Compartment/Escape Pod      50
    Thrusters (2)                                50 each

1. Destroying the head of the VF-X3 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.

SPEEDS:

RUNNING, SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:

 While not designed to operate within an atmosphere or under conditions where gravity exists, the Star Crusader could

theoretically run at speeds approaching 64 km per hour.

LEAPING, SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:

The VF-X3 was not designed for atmospheric operations, and cannot fly in these conditions. Short rocket-assisted

jumps in battloid mode are theoretically possible; such a jump would cover about 100 meters.

OUTER SPACE PERFORMANCE:

The VF-X3 was specifically designed for outer space combat, and has a respectable fuel reserve for space maneuver;

an unprecedented seventy-five liters of deuterium oxide reaction mass provides just over 4.0 kps of delta-v to this

massive aircraft. The reaction mass tankage is stored mainly in the two “backpack” thrusters (30 L each), with 15 L

being stored in a pair of smaller tanks mounted in the torso. Since the VF-X3 was designed to directly engage enemy

forces, rather than to conduct long patrol missions, the capacity for outboard ‘drop tanks’ was not incorporated; the

extra piping required for this capability would have required a reduction in the armor plating.

STATISTICAL DATA:

HEIGHT:

6.2 meters in Fighter mode, 16.7 meters in Battloid mode

WIDTH:

9.5 meters in Fighter mode, 9.3 meters in Battloid mode

LENGTH:

16 meters in Fighter mode, 5.4 meters in Battloid mode

WEIGHT:

32.6 metric tons

PHYSICAL STRENGTH:

Equal to a P.S. of 60

CARGO:

Small compartment behind pilot's seat for personal belongings.

POWER PLANT:

The power system of the VF-X3 consists of two Nakajima/P&W/Rolls Royce FF-2001 fusion turbines, augmented by two P&W +EF-2001 rocket thrusters. Ten overtechnology battery units energize the entire power system, and this hybrid power system has a life of 120 hours of continuous use before an overhaul is required. Due to the large number of energy weapons operated, heavy combat will reduce the operational life to about 40 hours..

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

1. Mauser PBG-11M Particle Cannons (2): Each arm/nacelle of the Star Crusader ends with a long-barreled particle beam cannon; the PBG-11M is a modified version of the particle cannon used on the Tomahawk destroid. An improved focusing chamber, along with a more efficient power transfer system, partially make up for the weapon’s lest robust housing and energizing feed.
• PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault
• SECONDARY PURPOSE:  Anti-Mecha
• RANGE: 1,800 meters in outer space (900 meters in the atmosphere)
• DAMAGE: Each 30 MJ blast inflicts 1d4x100 mega-damage to its target.
• RATE OF FIRE: Equal to the pilot's combined number of hand-to-hand attacks.
• PAYLOAD: Unlimited as long as the power supply is functioning.
2. Astra GM-12 Grenade Launchers (2): Each side of the Star Crusader’s hip assembly contains a launch rack that holds three rocket-propelled Remington H-22T grenades. This weapon system was designed for close combat, to make up for the Star Crusader’s diminished hand to hand combat capabilities.
• PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault
• SECONDARY PURPOSE:  Anti-Missile
• RANGE (Space): 0.5 kps of delta-v
• DAMAGE: The H-22T contains a 20kg plasma warhead. The damage from the plasma burn is as follows;
• Turn of impact: 1d4x100+100 mega-damage
• 1st Turn after impact: 5d4x10 mega-damage
• 2nd Turn after impact: 2d6x10 mega-damage
• RATE OF FIRE: Equal to the pilot's combined number of hand-to-hand attacks.
• PAYLOAD: Each launcher contains three grenades.
• Note that the H-22T is an unguided missile, and flies in a straight line from the launcher.For a more forgiving simulation, replace the H-22T simulator data with that of a generic short-range plasma missile as described in the PMDS manual or online at (http://www.steelfalcon.com/Macross/missiles.shtml). Note that using these specifications fails to properly simulate the effectiveness of the missile.
3. Mauser ROV-20 Laser Cannons (7): Building on the proposed “Infrared Laser Array” upgrade that was already being applied to the Macross’ VF-1 fighters, engineers designing the Star Crusader incorporated first two, then four, then six additional lasers. Three lasers are located in each arm/nacelle, replacing planned infrared sensor arrays that were considered superfluous for outer space operations. A seventh laser is mounted in the head.
• PRIMARY PURPOSE: Defense
• SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Missile
• RANGE: 600 meters
• DAMAGE: Each laser fires rapid bursts of about 6000 rounds per minute, delivering about 6 MJ of energy per second. Each rapid pulse inflicts 1d8x10 mega damage, and the weapons can be fire-linked for additional affect.
• ALTERNATE DAMAGE: For a more forgiving simulation, a damage level of 1d10 mega damage or even 1d4 mega damage can be used; however, these levels are highly unrealistic and should be avoided when attempting to construct an accurate simulation.
• RATE OF FIRE: Equal to the pilot's combined number of hand-to-hand attacks.
• PAYLOAD: Unlimited as long as the power supply is functioning.
4. Armscor M-X-1 Missile Phalanx (2): The defensive missile cluster is built into the rear of each arm/nacelle and is slaved to independent fire control radar. The missiles themselves are actually a self-propelled version of the submunitions fired by Armscor’s Brimstone anti-tank missile: 6kg kinetic energy penetrators. These small missiles are automatically fired against missiles that are tracking the Star Crusader. Optionally, the KEPs could also be set to engage enemy craft that were tailing the Star Crusader. While this system showed a great deal of promise in early simulations, its combat performance was less than was hoped for, and the system never made it onto mainstream vehicles.
• PRIMARY PURPOSE: Defense
• SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Missile
• RANGE: Theoretically unlimited in outer space, however the KEPs only proved effective at ranges closer than 25 meters.
• DAMAGE: Each KEP inflicts 5d4x10 mega damage on a successful hit.
• RATE OF FIRE: The computer tracking system on the M-X-1 requires three seconds to reacquire a firing solution and to arm a new KEP. For this reason, simulations should allow no more than five firings of this weapon per turn, even if it is firing automatically under computer control.
• PAYLOAD: Each ‘phalanx’ contains twenty KEPs on a rotating carousel mount.
• COMPUTER CONTROL: The Star Crusader’s targeting computer can coordinate firing of this weapon automatically, requiring no pilot input. The weapon will fire whenever possible at targets within its 25m optimum firing envelope, selecting targets in order of priority as defined below;
1. Missiles tracking the firing unit (largest missiles are targeted first)
2. Enemy Vehicles following the firing unit (closest vehicles are targeted first)
3. Missiles not tracking the firing unit (closest missiles are targeted first)
4. Enemy Vehicles not following the firing unit (closest vehicles are targeted first)
5. If not valid targets are available, the computer will hold fire.
• For a more forgiving simulation, replace the simulator data for these weapons with that of a generic armor-piercing mini-missile as described in the PMDS manual or online at (http://www.steelfalcon.com/Macross/missiles.shtml). Note that using these specifications fails to properly simulate the effectiveness of the missile.
5. Missile Clusters (6): The side of each arm/nacelle contains three flip-up lids that conceal dogfighting missiles; each cluster contains three HMM-02 micro-missiles.
• Primary Purpose: Assault
• Secondary Purpose: Defense
• Range: 2.5 kps of delta-v
• Damage:
• To 10 meters: 1d4x10-5 mega damage
• To 100 meters: 1d6 mega damage
• Rate of Fire: One to six missiles.
• Payload: 3 per cluster for a total of 18.
6. HAND TO HAND COMBAT: The VF-X3 was not designed for hand-to-hand combat, and its arm-mounted weapons are too fragile to allow for the manipulators to be used for offense. While kicking is still possible, even this activity is not recommended; when weapon systems are depleted, standard procedure was for the fighter to withdraw to base for reloading and repairs.

 

STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE VF-X3:

• AUTO-PILOT: An autopilot system can be activated to reduce pilot fatigue during long patrol missions.
• COMBAT COMPUTER W/HUD DISPLAYS: Built into the fighter is an advanced combat computer that can track and analyze sensor contacts in real time. The system can maintain detailed scans on up to 250 distinct targets, and has a built-in threat database with capacity for up to 10,000 entries.
• ESCAPE POD: The VF-X3 is equipped with an ejection system that can jettison the cockpit in the event of catastrophic damage. The cockpit is armored and designed to survive rough landings or prolonged exposure to outer space.
• EXTERNAL AUDIO PICKUP: This system has a 90-meter range and is located in main body of the fighter.
• HEAT AND RADIATION SHIELDS:  The pod is fully equipped with protective layers that prevent radiation and heat from injuring the pilot.
• LASER RANGE FINDER: The nose area of the VF-X3 contains a laser rangefinder with a range of 160 kilometers. It is limited to line of sight range when operating on a planet or other surface area.
• LOUDSPEAKER: A loudspeaker system is built into the craft, which can be used to amplify the pilot's voice up to 90 decibels.
• OPTICS PACKAGE: A basic version of the standard UN military optics package is installed within the head, containing light amplification lenses; up to a range of 600 meters computer enhancement eliminates all image distortion.
• RADAR: The main body of the VF-X3 contains a radar unit, which detects and tracks targets within 320 kilometers (or line of sight if applicable). Radar telemetry is fed directly into the combat computer, which analyses data for potential threats.
• RADIO/VIDEO COMMUNICATION: The VF-X3 has a long-range directional radio system with a range of up to 960 kilometers in outer space, and line-of-sight within a planetary atmosphere. In addition to audio communication, a high-resolution video feed allows face-to-face communication between UN transmitters.

COMBAT BONUSES FOR VF-X3 STAR CRUSADER VARIABLE FIGHTER TRAINING:

BASIC VARIABLE FIGHTER COMBAT TRAINING

• Basic training for non-pilot military personnel.
• 1 action per turn
• 1 additional action at levels 6 and 11
• +1 to strike
• +1 to parry
• +1 to dodge in battloid mode
• +3 to dodge in fighter mode
• +3 to roll with impact

• Advanced training for pilots specializing in the VF-X3.
• 2 actions per turn
• 1 additional action at levels 6 and 11
• +1 to strike
• +2 to parry
• +3 to dodge in battloid mode
• +6 to dodge in fighter mode
• +6 to roll with impact

UN Variable Fighter VF-X3 by: P. David Baughman III
Based on material translated by: Masumi
Background material from: The Macross Compendium
Additional background material from: The Robotech Reference Guide: 2060 (used with permission)
Combat system rules published by: Palladium Books