ARMSCOR A-16 EXECUTIONER ATTACK FIGHTER

(Version 1.0)

RPG Stats by Harvey Neil Johnston ([email protected])

BACKGROUND

During the United Nations War, the CIS had Mikoyan Gurevich develop the MiG 34 Karyobin, an aircraft that surpassed the A-10 Thunderbolt as a ground attack plane and the F/A-18 Hornet as a dual role plane. The aircraft incorporated new aerodynamic designs, including delta wings tipped with vertical stabilizers and small canard wings. Advanced aerodynamics and thrust reversers gave the plane the STOL capability of the older SAAB Draken and Viggen fighters. It possessed infrared suppressers to counter infrared detection and missiles. The 30mm four barrel gatling cannon mounted under the hull was a knock-off of the GAU-8/A used by the A-10 and fired powerful ammunition. Four external hardpoints could carry various ordnance packages. The MiG 34 was not as good a dog-fighter as the F-24 Dragon II, but as a dual role attack and fighter aircraft the plane was unmatched. The CIS Air Force was greatly impressed with the design, and exported a large number of MiG 34s to the Eastern Bloc and Chinese forces.

Following the United Nations War and Earth's unification, the UN Forces adopted a variant design of the MiG 34 as its main ground-attack fighter. Redesignated the A-16 Executioner, the craft had its armor, engines and electronics upgraded. Four additional hardpoints were mounted under the wings and the cannon was upgraded to a 35mm Armscor weapon. This version served with both the UN Air Force and Navy. As a UN Forces attack fighter, the Executioner fought its Russian predecessor on a number of occasions, as the Karyobin continued to serve with the AUL. The Executioner was again refit in 2010 to the A-16B, with its electronics upgraded to the standard UN Forces suite and had its cannon replaced with the GU-9 (the same cannon used by the QF-3000 Ghost). It was also given the ability to be used on aircraft carriers. This version saw common use against Malcontent Zentraedi following Space War I.

When the UN Forces began replacing their combat aircraft in 2020 with new designs, the Navy and Air Force chose to acquire the Executioner as their primary attack aircraft. The A-16C (UN Navy) and the A-16D (UN Air Force) were equipped with fusion engines, giving the aircraft unlimited range and supersonic cruise abilities. The use of fusion engines both eliminated the need for fossil fuel, and allowed the addition of a fusion generator. The generator allowed the GU-9 cannon to be replaced with the EP-4 beam cannon, identical to the weapon used by the VF-4 Lightning III. The naval A-16C incorporated secondary exhaust vents, allowing it VTOL capability, a requirement for launch from a Daedalus class carrier. As the A-16D used by the Air Force used runways, it did not require VTOL capabilities.

RPG STATS

Vehicle Types:
      MiG 34 (one seat fighter, served with CIS Air Force and Anti-Unification League (AUL) during United Nations Wars, and with the AUL following the United Nations Wars).
      A-16A (one seat attack fighter, served with UN Air Force from 2004 until replaced by the -B).
      A-16B (one seat attack fighter, served with UN Air Force from 2010 until replaced by the -D, and with the Navy from 2010 until replaced by the -C).
      A-16C (two seat attack fighter, served with UN Navy from 2020).
      A-16D (two seat attack fighter, served with UN Air Force from 2024).
Class: Attack fighter
Manufacturer: Armscor
Crew: One pilot (two for A-16C/D) wearing Tactical Life Support System

MDC BY LOCATION:

 

* Main body	250
Reinforced pilot's compartment	125
** Engine thrusters (2)	125 each
Wings (2)	125 each
Cannon	100

* Depleting the MDC of the main body will result in the destruction of the aircraft.
** Depleting the MDC of one engine will reduce maximum speed by half, and give the pilot -2 to dodge and -10% to piloting rolls. Destruction of both engines causes the aircraft to crash.

      (A-16A/B models) Fly at Mach 1.1 (847.0 mph/1363.1 kph) at sea level, Mach 2.2 (1694.0 mph/2726.2 kph) at 9.3 miles (15.0 km) with a ceiling of 11.8 miles (19.0 km). Maximum rate of ascent is above 15.5 miles (25.0 km) per minute. Design G limit is +9.5 Earth gravities. Has a range of 932.1 miles (1500.0 km), or 1032.1 miles (1660.9 km) with external fuel tanks. Maximum load runway length is 1679.8 ft (512.0 m). Stall speed is 108.7 mph (175.0 kph).
      (A-16C model) Fly at Mach 1.1 (847.0 mph/1363.1 kph) at sea level, Mach 2.25 (1732.5 mph/2788.1 kph) at 9.3 miles (15.0 km) with a ceiling of 11.8 miles (19.0 km). Maximum rate of ascent is above 15.5 miles (25.0 km) per minute. Design G limit is +9.5 Earth gravities. Has an unlimited range. Maximum load runway length is 656.2 ft (200.0 m). The A-16C possesses full VTOL capabilities, allowing it to hover.
      (A-16D model) Fly at Mach 1.1 (847.0 mph/1363.1 kph) at sea level, Mach 2.25 (1732.5 mph/2788.1 kph) at 9.3 miles (15.0 km) with a ceiling of 11.8 miles (19.0 km). Maximum rate of ascent is above 15.5 miles (25.0 km) per minute. Design G limit is +9.5 Earth gravities. Has an unlimited range. Maximum load runway length is 1679.8 ft (512.0 m). Stall speed is 77.7 mph (125.0 kph).

STATISTICAL DATA:

HEIGHT:
      21.0 ft (6.4 m).
WIDTH:
      31.8 ft (9.7 m) wingspan.
LENGTH:
      (A-16A/B) 54.1 ft (16.5 m), (A-16C/D) 58.7 ft (17.9 m).
WEIGHT:
      (A-16A/B) 13.6 metric tons, (A-16C/D) 14.1 metric tons.

CARGO:
      Small compartment behind pilot's seat for personal belongings.
POWER PLANT:
      (A-16A/B models) (2x) Eurojet EJ-210 mod 8 chemical turbofans with infra-red suppression, 166 kN of afterburning thrust total.
      (A-16C/D models) (2x) Nakajima/P&W/Rolls Royce FF-2011-9 fusion turbines, max. unboosted output 170 kN each (no overboost possible). (1x) RT/PS-4d overtechnology mecha fusion generator, providing electrical power to the mecha; output 325 MW.

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

1/ (1x) ARMSCOR 35mm GATLING CANNON: Four barrel cannon that fires API (Armor Piercing Incendiary) ammunition. This cannon was built into the A-16A variant.

• Primary purpose: Assault / defense.
• Range: 4000 ft (1200).
• Damage: 1D6 MD per round, 1D4x10 MD for a burst of 25 rounds.
• Rate of fire: Equal to pilot's number of attacks.
• Payload: 250 rounds (10 bursts).

or (1x) HUGHES GU-9 55mm CANNON: Single barrel cannon that fires APFSDS (Armor Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot) and HESH-I (High Explosive Squash Head-Incendiary) rounds. This cannon was built into the A-16B variant and used the same ammunition as the VF-1 Valkyrie's GU-11 gun pod. The same cannon was also mounted upon the QF-3000 Ghost.

• Primary purpose: Assault / defense.
• Range: 4000 ft (1200).
• Damage: 3D6 (short burst), 6D6 (long burst), or 1D6x10 (full burst).
• Rate of fire: Equal to pilot's number of attacks.
• Payload: 200 rounds allowing for short bursts (10 rounds), long bursts (20 rounds), or full bursts (40 rounds).

or (1x) EP-4 BEAM CANNON: Single barrel particle cannon that is fed directly by the RT/PS-4d fusion generator. Identical to the cannon built into the VF-4 Lightning III, this weapon was built into the A-16C/D variants.

• Primary purpose: Assault / defense.
• Range: 4000 ft (1200).
• Damage: 1D6x10 MD per blast.
• Rate of fire: Equal to pilot's number of attacks.
• Payload: Effectively unlimited.

2/ (6x) WING-MOUNTED HARDPOINTS: The A-16 Executioner possesses six hardpoints under each wing. One Firebird high explosive long range missile (LRM), a Multiple Ejection Rack (MER) carrying three medium range missiles (MRMs), a UMM missile pod carrying fifteen short range missiles (SRMs), or one bomb is commonly mounted on each hardpoint. These missiles may be fired in conjunction with any identical missiles mounted on the inlet hardpoints. Various payloads are possible.

    I/ LONG RANGE MISSILES

• Primary purpose: Heavy assault / anti-warship.
• Missile types: Any type of LRM may be used, although high explosive LRMs are typical.
• Range: Varies with missile type, typically 500 miles (804 km).
• Damage: Varies with missile type, typically 3D6x10 MD.
• Rate of fire: Volleys of 1-6.
• Payload: One missile per hardpoint, 6 missiles total.

    or II/ MEDIUM RANGE MISSILES

Primary purpose: Assault / anti-mecha.

Missile types: Any type of MRM.

Range: Varies with missile type.

Damage: Varies with missile type.

Rate of fire: Volleys of 1-3 missiles per hardpoint.

Payload: 3 missiles per hardpoint, 18 missiles total.

    or III/ SHORT RANGE MISSILES

Primary purpose: Assault / anti-mecha.

Missile types: Any type of SRM.

Range: Varies with missile type.

Damage: Varies with missile type.

Rate of fire: Volleys of 1-5 missiles per launcher.

Payload: 15 missiles per launcher, 90 missiles total.

    or IV/ BOMBS

Primary purpose: Ground assault.

Missile types: Any type of bomb may be used..

Range: Immediately below.

Damage: Varies with bomb type.

Rate of fire: Volleys of 1-6.

Payload: One bomb per hardpoint, 6 bombs total.

3/ (2 or 3x) ORDNANCE HARDPOINTS: The A-16 Executioner possesses hardpoints mounted under the inlet, with two mounted on the A-16A/B, and three on the A-16C/D. The A-16A/B often carried two fuel tanks underneath the inlet, although ordnance payloads were possible. As the A-16C/D was fusion powered, it did not require extra fuel tanks. It often carried UMM missile pods that carried fifteen short range missiles (SRMs) each on its three hardpoints. These missiles may be fired in conjunction with any identical missiles mounted on the wing hardpoints. Various payloads are possible. The typical UMM missile pod payload for the A-16C/D is shown below.

Primary purpose: Assault / anti-mecha.

Missile types: Any type of SRM.

Range: Varies with missile type.

Damage: Varies with missile type.

Rate of fire: Volleys of 1-5 missiles per launcher, 15 total.

Payload: 15 missiles per launcher, 45 missiles total.

• AUTO-PILOT: The A-16 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 aircraft.
• COMBAT COMPUTER W/HUD DISPLAYS: The A-16 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.
• EJECTOR SEAT: The pilot seat may be ejected in case of emergency. The seat is equipped with parachutes to allow a safe descent. The combat computer is programmed to automatically eject the pilot seat if the aircraft is destroyed (main body MDC reduced to 0), but this can be overridden. The pilot may also eject the seat manually.
• EXTERNAL FUEL TANKS: The A-16A/B may carry two fuel tanks on the two hardpoints underneath the inlet. They can extend the fighter's range by 100 miles (160.9 km). The A16-C/D does not require the fuel tanks as it is fusion powered.
• 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 A-16 is equipped with a homing device that enables rescue teams to locate a disabled craft. The range of the signal is 300 miles (480 km). Most UN ships and mecha can locate and track homing signals, and the onboard computers will automatically notify their pilots if such a signal is detected.
• INFRARED SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS: The A-16 is equipped with systems that suppress infrared signatures, rendering the aircraft invisible to infrared optics of all sorts. Guided missiles receive only half the bonus to strike to aircraft as well, as infrared tracking is often part of their guidance systems. This affects guided missiles (+3 to strike reduced to +2) and smart missiles (+5 to strike reduced to +3), but unguided missiles are unaffected.
• 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.
• 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: Can detect up to a range of 200 miles (321 km).
• 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 an aircraft by the enemy, the pilot can activate the A-16'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. The ejection seat will be automatically ejected prior to the explosion unless the pilot overrides the ejection sequence.
• STANDARD SURVIVAL KIT: All UN Forces fighters 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, disinfectant, etc.).
• TACTICAL LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM: The A-16's cockpit is pressurized, and also provides additional air feeds to the pilot's flight suit that provides him with pressurized breathing. The UN Air Force 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.

NOTE: The MiG 34 Karyobin and the A-16 Executioner are variants of the same design. Because of this, any pilot trained in the use of the A-16 receives full bonuses when piloting the MiG 34.

• 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.
• +5 to dodge.
• +1 to roll with a punch or fall with an impact, reducing damage by half.
• Critical strike same as pilot's hand-to-hand.

• Advanced training for pilots specializing in the A-16 Executioner.
• 3 attacks per melee (plus those of the pilot).
• Add one additional action/attack at levels three, six, eleven, and fifteen.
• +1 on initiative.
• +2 to strike.
• +6 to dodge.
• +3 to roll with a punch or fall with an impact, reducing damage by half.
• Critical strike same as pilot's hand-to-hand.

REFERENCES USED IN THIS DESIGN

Original name: Mikolev MiM-31 Karyobin
AppearanceS: Rainy Night (The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Episode 33)
References used:
      Macross Compendium by Egan Loo.
      Robotech Reference Guide by Peter Walker and Pieter Thomassen.
      Macross: Perfect Memory by Minori Library, Big West and MBS.

The MiG 34 Karyobin / A-16 Executioner was referred to as the UF-14 Supersonic Interceptor in the Robotech RPG.