YAV-8 "HARRIER HURRICANE"

(Version 1.00 - Last updated: 07/17/00)
Background and RPG Statistics by Kenneth Olson
Based on an original mecha design in Artmic Design Works:  B-Club Special

BACKGROUND

In February 2003 British Aerospace entered into the advanced variable fighter contract with what they felt the evolutionary design from conventional fighters to the newly introduced variable fighter concept.  The YAV-8 "Harrier Hurricane" would use the basic structure of the Harrier, which was arguable the first transformable fighter.  Production rolled along smoothly, with the YAV-8's first test flight in December of 2004, several months in front of their three main competitors: YVM-29, YVF-4, and the YVF-14

The YAV-8 unlink the other three designs had a revolutionary new gun pod.  The GA-4 20mm gauss rifle.  British Aerospace engineers felt that the benefits of  extended range and higher damage potential over tradition cannon technology would be more successful in the long run.

Unfortunately, the project suffered two major setbacks only 3 months after the first test flight.  On March 15th 1st Lt Daniel Jacobsen was killed when the Hurricane went into a uncontrolled dive during a transformation into guardian mode.  Two weeks later Captain John Douglass was severely injured with
the GA-4's capacitors discharged while in flight destroying the right side of the mecha and forcing the pilot to eject.

With two catastrophic accidents in such short order.  The remaining 5 units were ordered to stand down.  This proved to be the death nail of the project, as the YVF-14  was then just entering its testing phase, showing its superior maneuverability and reliability to the other three designs.  The Hurricane was officially canceled on January 17th 2006.  The remaining 5 units were placed into mothballs. 

Rumors persist that one unit survived through the the First and Second Robotech War and continues the fight against the Invid.  However, these are unsubstantiated and highly unlikely as the mecha design would be 40 years old and almost impossible to maintain.  Nevertheless, the sightings persist of a heavily armored and armed with internal missiles mecha that resembles the Harrier.

RPG STATS

Vehicle Type: YAV-8 "Harrier Hurricane"
Class: Variable Fighter
Manufacturer: British Aerospace
Crew: One pilot wearing Tactical Life Support System.

MDC BY LOCATION:

Location Hurricane
GA-4 20mm Cannon 25
Legs/Engine Thrusters 75
* Main Body 100
Reinforced Pilots Compartment 75
Wings (2) 50
Fins (2) 25
Tails (1) 25

 

NOTES:

  1. * Depleting the MDC of the main body will destroy the mecha.

 

SPEEDS:

FLYING, GERWALK CONFIGURATION:
Mach 0.9 (900 kmph) maximum speed limit in an Earth-like atmosphere. Can also hover in place indefinitely.
FLYING, FIGHTER CONFIGURATION:
Max level speed at sea level : Mach 1.0
Max level speed at 10km:  Mach 1.5
Max level speed at 30+ km:  Mach 3
Stall speed : 182 kph (VTOL rectification possible)
Range:  1500 km
Initial climb rate : over 20000m per minute
Service ceiling : 25 km (unboosted).

MAX ENGINE THRUST:

STATISTICAL DATA:

HEIGHT:
6.1m in gerwalk configuration.
3.6m in fighter configuration.
WIDTH:
9.4m
LENGTH:
.15.5 m
WEIGHT:
10000 kg empty.
PHYSICAL STRENGTH:
Equal to a P.S. of 30
CARGO:
Small compartment behind pilot's seat for personal belongings.
 
COMPATIBLE FAST PACKS:
None

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

 

  1. GA-4 20MM GAUSS RIFLE : British Aerospace designers built the first mecha deployable gauss rifle.  The weapon outperformed all the conventional weapons that were mounted on the early variable fighters; however, it unfortunately had a very high percentage change of accidental discharge by the internal capacitors which would destroy the mecha and severally damage the mecha.  The problem was never solved, as the YAV-8 program was canceled.
  2.  

  3. 5 x WING HARD POINTS: Two hard points are mounted on each wing and one under the main body.   Each hard point can mount 15 short range, 5 medium, 2 long range missiles or 500 kg of bombs
  4.  

  5. HAND TO HAND COMBAT: If necessary, the Hurricane can engage in melee combat rather than use a weapon. Without a dedicated battleloid mode the Hurricane only possesses limited hand to hand abilities.

    DAMAGE:  

STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE HURRICANE:


COMBAT BONUSES FOR HURRICANE TRAINING:


 

REFERENCES USED IN THIS DESIGN

 

Back to Mecha Home