VBT-1 (-1A1,-1A2) Centaur Veritech Battle Tank

(Version 1.10 - Last updated: 12/15/02)  

Background and RPG Statistics by Kenneth Olson

Based on an original mecha design by Bill Spangler and Michael Ling
Published in Eternity Comics "The Malcontent Uprisings 1-12"

BACKGROUND

The crash of the SDF-1 and subsequent formation of the United Earth Defense Forces, left each of the armed forces with a plethora of new technologies but an uncertainty on the composition of their newly created units.  The UN-SPACY focused on rebuilding the SDF-1 and ARMD space platforms, the UN-Navy on building the new Prometheus and Daedalus class submersible carries, and the UN-Air Force on the Veritech fighter; however, groups within the UN-Army disagreed on composition of their battle formations.  One fraction argued for the creation of a new generation of advanced tanks while the other proposed a 2^nd generation of walking Destroid units based off the unsuccessful Earth Trekker designs from the Global Civil War.

While the Destroids were still in the experimental stage, the first of several advanced battle tanks were entering into production with the Centaur Veritech Battle Tank as the most promising.  Proponents of the advanced tank wanted to field a new design as soon as possible and towards this end, the Centaur is almost entirely conventional in nature.  As mecha sized protoculture engines were still in the early developmental stages and several years away from mass production, the Centaur was given a conventional gas turbine to power the unit.

The armor and weapons on the Centaur are purely conventional in nature.  Protection is afforded by an advanced laminate "Chobham" armor similar in composition to that on the earlier M1A2 "Abrams".  The armor provides near immunity from signal shots fired by contemporary tanks and excellent protection from anti-mecha weapons up to 60mm in caliber.  Passive protection includes stowage of the main gun's ammunition in a bustle separated from the rest of the turret by fast-closing doors.  The bustle design is intended to reduce the secondary effects of a hit in the turret by blocking the explosion with the door and venting it through roof blow-out panels.  A fire detection and suppression system covers both the crew and the engine compartments.  The pilot's compartment is fully pressurized to provide full nuclear, biological, and chemical protection to the crew at all times.

The Centaur's main weapon is a 120mm smooth bore cannon, similar to those produced for the previous generation of battle tanks during the Global Civil War.  However, the units primary advantage over previous designs is that the Centaur can hide behind natural terrain and use its battloid mode to elevate itself and fire from cover.  Two weapons arms are mounted underneath the main turret in battloid mode.  The right weapons arm mounts a 40mm grenade launcher, a single 12.7 mm machine gun, and two 7.62mm anti-personal machine guns.  While the left weapons arm mounts a single 25 mm cannon, flamethrower and two 7.62mm machine guns. 

A total of 535 VBT-1A Centaurs were produced from 2005 until 2009 with the introduction of the -1A1 version of the Centaur.  This upgraded version was given a first generation protoculture engine which provided the -1A1 model with effectively unlimited range.  The basic weaponry was retained; however, new armor was provided giving the -1A1 nearly 25% additional protection over the previous -1A version.  Seven hundred and thirty four -1A1 units were produced from 2009 until production ended with the Zentraedi "Rain of Death" in 2011 with another 274 older -1A models upgraded to the -1A1 standard.  The VBT-1A and -1A1 were relegated to secondary and reserve status during the next decade.  However, nearly 157 units were given to the newly formed Armies of the Southern Cross (ASC) Tactical Corps which would use the -1A1 model up until the Invid invasion

The final version of the Centaur was introduced as a competitor to the second generation of "Spartas "Veritech Hover Tank.  The VBT-1A2 replaced all of its earlier weaponry with new energy based ones.  The main cannon was replaced with a 120mm Pulse laser cannon and the two conventional weapons arms with an E-20 laser in the right and Oerlikon triple barreled 36mm plasma pulse cannon in the left.  Armor protection was increased over earlier models and as the pilot is fully protected while in tank mode the Centaur appeared to have an advantage over the VHT-1A2.  However, during the competition the designers for the Spartas introduced the VHT-1A3 variant which provided the pilot with an armored enclosed cockpit.  With the major flaw of the Spartas apparently rectified, the ACS picked the Spartas over the Centaur because of its true battloid capability.  However, the ASC Tactical Corps did order 158 units to replace older -1A1 models.  All models of the Centaur survived through the Invid bombardment and entered into many resistance groups during the subsequent occupation; although, ironically the non-protoculture based VBT-1 was highly prized because of it non-protoculture based main engine.

RPG STATS

Vehicle Type: VBT-1,-A1,-A2

Class:  Veritech Battletank
Manufacturer:  Vickers
Crew: Two (Driver and Commander/Gunner)

Service History:

VBT-1:  Served with the Robotech Defense Forces from 2005 until 2020 and with the Armies of the Southern Cross Tactical Corp from 2012 until 2022

VBT-1A1:  Served with the Robotech Defense Forces from 2009 until 2032 and with the Armies of the Southern Cross Tactical Corp from 2012 until 2032

VBT-1A2:  Served with the Armies of the Southern Cross Tactical Corp from 2027 until 2032

 

MDC BY LOCATION:

NOTES:

1. Depleting the MDC of the main body will destroy the mecha. If the Centaur is below 1.5 km in depth the mecha will be destroyed from hydrostatic pressure.
2. Destroying the sensor array  of the tank will knock out the mecha's major sensor systems, including all of the optics systems (infrared, radar, thermal).  
3. Items are extremely small and require a called shot at an addition -3 to strike
4. Armor for the VBT-1A2 "Super Centaur" is laser resistant (all lasers do half damage)

SPEEDS:

MAX SPEED, SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:

STATISTICAL DATA:

HEIGHT:

2.3 m - Tank

4.5 m - Centaur

WIDTH:

4.0 m - Tank

5.0 m - Centaur

LENGTH:

6.7 m - Tank

6.2 m - Centaur

WEIGHT:

VBT-1:  38,000 kg fully loaded

VBT-1A1:  42,000 kg fully loaded

VBT-1A2:  35,000 kg fully loaded

PHYSICAL STRENGTH:

Equal to a P.S. of 60

CARGO:

Small compartment behind pilot's seat for personal belongings.

POWER PLANT:

• VBT-1:  Internal Combustion
  • [Main] 1 x ALLISON/ROLLS ROYCE 1750 HP GAS TURBINE:  Placed in the main hull with exhaust ports directly feeding the propulsion and hover engines.
  • [Auxiliary] 1 x TURBOMECHA AUXILIARY POWER UNIT:  Auxiliary diesel unit supporting the alternator when the main engine is turned off.
• VBT-1A1:  Protoculture Energizer
  • [Main]  RRL-2 PROTOCULTURE-CELL ENERGIZER:  Maximum output of 25 MW powered by 12 standard canisters of protoculture
• VBT-1A1:  Protoculture Energizer
  • [Main]  RRL-3 PROTOCULTURE-CELL ENERGIZER:  Maximum output of 35 MW powered by 12 standard canisters of protoculture

MAX ENGINE THRUST

• VBT-1
  • [LIFT ENGINES] 4 x ROLLS ROYCE/TURBOMECHA ADOUR 950:  Providing a maximum of 95 kN of ground-effect thrust.
  • [PROPULSION ENGINES] 4 x ROLLS ROYCE/TURBOMECHA ADOUR 950 :  Four exhaust ports on the rear of the unit are fed directly by the gas-turbine providing lateral  95 kN of thrust. 
• VBT-1A1
  • [LIFT ENGINES] 4 x ROLLS ROYCE/TURBOMECHA ADOUR 950:  Providing a maximum of 95 kN of ground-effect thrust.
  • [PROPULSION ENGINES] 4 x ROLLS ROYCE FF-3001:  Fusion plasma-air/reaction turbines fed from the main protoculture energizers. Max thrust, 131 kN of static thrust
• VBT-1A2
  • [LIFT ENGINES] 4 x ROLLS ROYCE/TURBOMECHA ADOUR 950:  Providing a maximum of 95 kN of ground-effect thrust.
  • [PROPULSION ENGINES]  4 x ROLLS ROYCE FF-3002:  Fusion plasma-air/reaction turbines fed from the main protoculture energizers. Max thrust, 151 kN of static thrust

FUEL CAPACITY:

VBT-1:  900 liters of diesel or petrol

VBT-1A1,-1A2:  12 standard canisters of protoculture

COMPATIBLE FAST PACKS:

None

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

1. (VBT-1 and VBT-1A1) RHEINMETAL M2005 120MM SMOOTHBORE CANNON:  A single 120 mm cannon is mounted in the turret of the of the Centaur.  The cannon can hold a maximum of 50 rounds and is auto-loaded at a maximum rate of 20 rounds per minute.  The mix of shells is dependent on the mission; however, the typical anti-mecha load is: 50% High Explosive Anti Tank Multi Purpose Tracer (HEAT-MP-T), 20% Armor Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot Tracer (APFSDS-T),  30% Seek Mecha Destroy Mecha Cluster (SMDM-C)  (see table below for full description).
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault/Defense
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Mecha
   • RANGE: Varies on warhead (see table below)
   • DAMAGE: Varies on warhead (see table below)
   • RATE OF FIRE:  5 shots per melee
   • PAYLOAD:  50 rounds
   • NOTES:  This weapon is incredibly unwieldy and can not shoot at incoming missiles.

   Ammunition	Damage	Radius [m]	Range (direct/indirect)	Other
   High Explosive Armor Piercing - Multi Purpose- Tracer (HEAT-MT-T)	3D6*10	3 m	5.0 km / 15 km	crits on 19,20
   Self Propelled Intelligently Guided Ordnance Thermite (SPIGOT)	3D4*10	2 m	5.6 km / 18 km	-
   Armor Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot - Tracer (APFSDS-T)	2D4*10	5m	5.6 km / 18 km	+1 to strike, crits on 17-20
   Seek Mecha Destroy Mecha - Cluster (SMDM-C)	2D4 for each bomblet  (10 total)	10 m	3.5 km / 10 km	+1 to strike, Divide the total number of mecha by 10 - attack each in a random spread.
   Hypervelocity Airburst Flechette Explosive (HAFE)	3D6 MDC	30 m	4.0 km / 12 km	+1 to strike, crits on 19,20
   Fuel Air Explosive (FAE)	2D6 MDC	100 m	4.0 km / 12 km	-
   Seek Mecha Destroy Mecha --  Minefield (SMDM-M)	1D4 MDC for each bomblet (30 total)	30 m	3.5 km / 10 km	Divide the total number of mecha by 30 - attack each in a random spread.
   Tactical Nuclear Shell	1 kilotonne	See Nuclear Weapon Data	5.8 km / 19 km	See Nuclear Weapon Data
   Sensor Artillery Delivered (SAD)	-	1000 m	6.0 km / 20 km	Seismic and Passive EM sensor and Radio link to an area

    

2. (VBT-1A2) RRG MK13 120MM PULSE LASER CANNON:  On the VBT-1A2 model, the old 120mm smoothbore M2005 cannon is replaced with an energy based RRG Mk13 pulsed particle beam cannon.  Although the upgraded cannon is incapable of indirect fire, the newer design is capable of dealing out comparable damage without need of ammunition.  The cannon can fire 30 MJ pulses at a sustained rate of 4 shots per melee.   without the cannon can fire 30 MJ pulses at a rate of 6 shots per melee.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault/Defense
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Aircraft
   • RANGE: 4200m
   • DAMAGE: 3D4*10 per each individual blast
   • RATE OF FIRE:  Equal to the pilot's hand to hand attacks, up to four times per melee
   • PAYLOAD: Conditionally Unlimited.  The main gun can shoot up to 60 times within one hour or less.   The particle beam cannon recharges at a rate of 60 shots per hour.
   • NOTES:  This weapon is incredibly unwieldy and can not shoot at incoming missiles.

    

3. (VBT-1,-1A1) 1 x MK-1A WEAPONS ARM:   The MK-1A weapons cluster was used in both of the early production models of the Centaur and is mounted on the left arm instead of a hand.  Although not standard, the unit could mount MK-1A weapons arms in both arms (ie a MK-1A in both the right and left arms).  The weapons cluster is armed with only SDC weaponry which includes the following:
   • 1 x M19 40mm Grenade Launcher:
     • PRIMARY PURPOSE:  Anti-aircraft
     • RANGE:  1000 m
     • DAMAGE: 1D6*10 SDC
     • BLAST RADIUS: 10 feet
     • RATE OF FIRE:  One at a time
     • PAYLOAD:  40 Grenades
   • 1 x COLT M-89 12.7mm MACHINEGUN:  A single 12.7mm machine gun is mounted in the MK-1A weapons arm.  The weapon can fire 600 rounds/minute out to an effective combat range of 2000 meters. 
     • PRIMARY PURPOSE:  Anti-personnel
     • RANGE:  1000 m
     • DAMAGE:  1D6*10 SDC per single shot, 1D4 MDC short burst, 2D4 long bursts, or 4D4 for a full melee burst
     • RATE OF FIRE:  Single shots or bursts equal to the pilot's hand to hand attacks
     • PAYLOAD:  400 rounds (40 short bursts, 20 long, or 10 full melee bursts)
   • 2 x M60 7.62mm MACHINEGUN:  Two 12.7mm machine guns are mounted in over-under mounts.  Each machine gun can fire 500 rounds per minute out to an effective combat range of 1500 meters. 
     • PRIMARY PURPOSE:  Anti-personnel
     • RANGE:  750 km
     • DAMAGE:  6D6 SDC per single shot, 2D4*10 SDC short burst, 4D4*10 SDC long bursts, or 6D6*10 SDC for a full melee burst
     • RATE OF FIRE:  Single shots or bursts equal to the pilot's hand to hand attacks
     • PAYLOAD:  400 rounds (40 short bursts, 20 long, or 10 full melee bursts)

    

4. (VBT-1,-1A1) 1 x MK-1B WEAPONS ARM: The MK-1B weapons cluster is the standard armament for the right arm of early model Centaur tanks.  Although not standard, the unit could mount MK-1B weapon clusters in both arms (ie a MK-1B in both the right and left arms).  The MK-1B includes the following :
   • 1 x  25mm SINGLE BARRELED CANNON:  A 25 mm single barrel cannon are mounted in a MK-1B weapons arm.  The cannon has adequate penetrating power damage inflect heavy damage on most lightly armored vehicles; however, it lacks the power to penetrate most mecha armor.  The is capable of firing 400 rounds per minute out to an effective combat range of 1000
     • PRIMARY PURPOSE:  Anti-personnel
     • RANGE:  1000 m
     • DAMAGE:  3D6*10 SDC per single shot, 1D6 MDC short burst, 3D4 long bursts, or 3D6 for a full melee burst
     • RATE OF FIRE:  Single shots or bursts equal to the pilot's hand to hand attacks
     • PAYLOAD:  400 rounds (40 short bursts, 20 long, or 10 full melee bursts)
   • 1 x FLAMETHROWER:  Although not capable of damaging any mecha, a conventional flamethrower is mounted in the left weapons arm.  The flamethrower has its own dedicated fuel supply with enough fuel for 100 shots.
     • PRIMARY PURPOSE:  Anti-personnel
     • RANGE:  100 m
     • DAMAGE:  5D10 SDC
     • RATE OF FIRE:  Up to four shots per melee
     • PAYLOAD:  Enough fuel for 100 shots
     • NOTES:  Flames will ignite all combustible material, with a 40% chance of igniting gasoline tanks.
   • 2 x M60 7.62mm MACHINEGUN:  Two 12.7mm machine guns are mounted in over-under mounts.  Each machine gun can fire 500 rounds per minute out to an effective combat range of 1500 meters. 
     • PRIMARY PURPOSE:  Anti-personnel
     • RANGE:  1500 km
     • DAMAGE:  6D6 SDC per single shot, 2D4*10 SDC short burst, 4D4*10 SDC long bursts, or 6D6*10 SDC for a full melee burst
     • BLAST RADIUS: 40 feet
     • RATE OF FIRE:  Single shots or bursts equal to the pilot's hand to hand attacks
     • PAYLOAD:  400 rounds (40 short bursts, 20 long, or 10 full melee bursts)

    

5. (VBT-1A2) 1 x E-20 WEAPONS ARM:  A single General Electric EU-20 Pulse Lasers is mounted in the right arm replacing the MK-1A weapons cluster.  The E-20 is powered  directly from the main protoculture energizers and are capable of firing a 10 MJ shot up to 60 times a minute.  
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-mecha
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Assault/Defense
   • RANGE: 1200 m
   • DAMAGE: 1D4*10 per single shot, or 2D4*10 per short burst
   • RATE OF FIRE: Single shots or bursts equal to the number of hand to hand attacks of the pilot.
   • PAYLOAD: Effectively Unlimited.

    

6. (VBT-1A2) 1 x OERLIKON TRIPLE BARREL 36MM  PLASMA PULSE CANNON:   An Oerlikon 36mm pulse cannon is mounted in the left arm replacing the MK-1B weapons cluster.  The cannon fires bursts of plasma annihilation discs with enough plasma stored for twenty 6 MJ bursts.  The main protoculture energizers can produce every melee (15 seconds) enough plasma for four additional bursts.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-missile
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Assault/Defense
   • RANGE: 1200 m
   • DAMAGE: 6D6 per short burst
   • RATE OF FIRE: Short bursts equal to the number of hand to hand attacks of the pilot.
   • PAYLOAD: Effectively Unlimited.

    

7. (VBT--1,1A1) 1 x RGL-12 TWELVE TUBE 40mm ROCKET PROPELLED GRENADE LAUNCHER:   A single launcher is located on the front turret.   Although, the weapons are not capable of damaging MDC structures, the weapons are extremely valuable for crowd control.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-personnel
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Assault/Defense
   • RANGE: 1200 m
   • DAMAGE: 6D6 SDC per RPG / none for Smoke
   • RATE OF FIRE: 1, 2, 4, 6 or all 12
   • PAYLOAD: 12 rocket propelled grenades

    

8. (VBT-1A2) 1 x MM-12 SHORT RANGE MISSILE LAUNCHER:  The VBT-1A2 replaced the largely ineffective RGL-12 with a standard 12 tube short range hammerhead missile system.   Twelve missiles are ready to fire with twelve additional reloads. 
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-mecha
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Assault/Defense
   • RANGE: Varies typically 8 kilometers
   • DAMAGE: Varies typically 1D4*10 (armor piercing) or 1D6*10 MDC (plasma)
   • RATE OF FIRE: 1, 2, 4, 6 or all 12
   • PAYLOAD:  24 hammerhead short range missiles

    

9. HAND TO HAND COMBAT: Although not designed for melee combat, the Centaur can engage in hand-to-hand combat it necessary.
   • Restrained punch:  2D4
   • Full Punch:  2D6
   • Kick:  2D6
   • Body Block/Tackle: 4D6.
     

STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE CENTAUR BATTLETANK:

• ACTIVE SENSOR JAMMER WESTINGHOUSE ALQ-150(V): internal ECM providing broadband protection.  Estimated system effective radiative power 40 dBW.
• COMBAT COMPUTER: The Centaur  is equipped with a combat computer which calculates, stores, and transmits data onto the cockpit computer screen or head-up display (HUD) of the pilot's helmet. Patches in with the targeting computer
• EXTERNAL AUDIO PICKUP: Range: 300 ft (91.5 m). A sound amplification system that can pick up normal conversation up to 300 feet away.
• GRAPPLING HOOKS AND LINES:  Capable of launching from the four corners of the tank to provide stability when firing the primary weapon and for emergency breaking action.
• HEAT AND RADIATION SHIELDS: Special shielding prevents the penetration of life threatening head 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 range of the signal is 200 miles (320 km). Most RDF, Southern Cross, and REF ships and veritechs can locate and track a homing signal. The onboard computers will automatically notify their pilots if such a signal is detected.
• INFRA-RED WARNING RECEIVER OLDELFT (IRWR):    Providing rear aspect protection from IR guided missiles
• LASER COMMUNICATIONS: Long range, directional communication system. Effective range: 100,000 miles
• LASER TARGETING SYSTEM: Range: 50 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: Westinghouse TPG-144X band pulse Doppler phased array medium range radar with battlefield surveillance mode. range 80 mile (128 km)
• RADAR WARNING RECEIVER AN/ALR-80 (RWR):  Providing all aspect broadband protection from RF guided missiles. 
• 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 advance variable fighter by the enemy, the pilot can activate the Hovertank 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 escape pod will be automatically ejected prior to the explosion unless the pilot overrides the ejection sequence.
• STANDARD SURVIVAL KIT: All Southern Cross Hovertanks 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 Centaur's cockpit is pressurized, and also provides additional air feeds to the pilot's flight suit that provides him with pressurized breathing.

COMBAT BONUSES FOR VBT- 1A:

ADVANCED COMBAT TRAINING

• 1 attacks per melee (plus those of the pilot and gunner).
• One additional attack at levels 7 and 12
• +0 to roll with the punch
• +1 to strike
• +0 to parry
• +1 to dodge in Hovertank, +1 in Battloid
• Critical strike same as pilot's hand-to-hand.

COMBAT BONUSES FOR VBT- 1A1,-1A2:

ADVANCED COMBAT TRAINING

• 2 attacks per melee (plus those of the pilot and gunner).
• One additional attack at levels 6 and 11
• +1 to roll with the punch
• +2 to strike
• +1 to parry
• +3 to dodge in Hovertank, +2 in Battloid
• Critical strike same as pilot's hand-to-hand.

BASIC COMBAT TRAINING

• Zero attacks per melee (plus those of the pilot and gunner)
• One addition attack at level 10
• +0 to roll with the punch
• +0 to strike
• +1 to dodge in Hovertank, otherwise +0