YVF-1R Raven

(Version 1.01 - Last updated: 3/10/98)  
Concept and RPG design by Jon Watson
Background by Kenneth Olson

BACKGROUND

The design and construction of the YVF-1 Raven has its origins in early 2025 when the remnants of the RDF forces on Earth awarded two contracts to Shinsei Industries of New Tokyo and Watson Industries Inc. of New Minneapolis. These two companies were to compete in project Nova to design and build the next generation variable fighter for the remaining RDF forces on Earth. Sheini Industries, the ultimate winner of the contract, engineered the VF-11 Thunderbolt. Jon Watson, chief engineer and CEO of Watson Ind., produced the YVF-1 Raven.

The two fighters were of completely differing designs. While the Thunderbolt was designed as a close in mecha superiorityf fighter, the Raven was designed to engage and destroy targets outside of visual range. The Raven is equipped with a particle beam cannon and a series of medium and long-range missiles to accomplish these ends. Two E-20’s mounted in the nose are the Raven’s only short-range weaponry. The designers did not include any arms in the Raven’s design. They felt that the Raven was designed as a stand off fighter and would rarely need the use of articulated hands and arms. In addition, the monetary and weight savings from an armless veritec would be used in designing the complex machinery to mount the particle beam cannon.

An initial run of three Ravens was ordered in 2028. The initial competition between the Thunderbolt and the Raven took place at New Albuquerque base on March 13, 2028. The RDF high command was impressed with both designs and awarded both Shinsei Industries and Watson Industries orders to expand their initial runs to 36. Further testing would take place the following year.

Unfortunately for the design team at Watson Industries, the Robotech Masters attacked in January 2029. Although the Raven was perfectly designed as a stand off unit, this type of fighting was found to be completely unsuited for battling the Robotech Masters. If the Raven chose to engage the Masters at long range, they would be quickly destroyed by the much more powerful Assault shuttles. If on the other hand they engaged at short range, the lack of dedicated hands and short-range weaponry would spell certain doom.

Even with these disadvantages, the Raven almost survived as a front line fighter. However, two incidents conspired against the Raven. The first was the death of the Chief Experimental Pilot, Steve "The Blade" Steel, in South America while fighter renegade Zentraedi. Staff Sergeant Steel was known to RDF high command as a brilliant but reckless pilot. At the New Albuquerque trails he single handily keep the Raven in the running by performing acts of incredible aerobatics. The second was the Robotech Masters attack on the headquarters of Waton Industries in July of 2029. This attack destroyed nearly 50% of the manufacturing capacity of the plant and set the YVF-1 project back 6 months.

The RDF, under pressure from the Southern Cross Defense forces, canceled the YVF-1 project and awarded the contract to Shinsei industries in August of 2029. The surviving 14 Ravens were placed in reserve.

raven1.jpg (38899 bytes)

 

RPG STATS

Vehicle Type:
YVF-1 (Initial Prototype for Project Nova, callsign "Happy Carbonarian")
Class: Advanced Variable Fighter (Prototype)
Manufacturer: Watson  Industries
Crew: One pilot wearing Tactical Life Support System.
           A second person can either sit on the pilots lap or in the storage compartment behind the pilot
 

MDC BY LOCATION:

(1) Main Body                                            270
    Reinforced Pilots Compartment                        130
    Wings (2)                                            125 each
    Upper Legs (2)                                       110 each
    Lower Legs (2)                                	 130 each
    Medium Range Missile Housing                         50
    E-20 Housings (2)                             	 20  each
    E-20 (2)                                      	 80  each
    Tails (2)                                            25  each
(2) Particle Cannon Bracket (fwd)                        80
(2) Particle Cannon Bracket (aft)                        65
    Particle Cannon                                      100
(3) Proto-Head / optics suite			         125
    Chaff-Flare Dispenser 				 35    
NOTES: 
  1. Depleting the MDC of the main body will destroy the mecha
  2. Destroying both P-Beam brackets ejects the particle beam from its housing
  3. Destroying the proto-head optics suite will render transformations difficult (see chart below)
  4. Armor is laser resistant (all lasers do half damage)

Transformation Modifiers:  Weapons which are unable to fire

Fighter None
Guardian LRM's
Battloid LRM's and E-20's

 

Transformation Modifiers:  Protohead destruction chart

Fighter Guardian / Fighter
Guardian Guardian / Fighter
Battloid Battloid

 

SPEEDS:

RUNNING, SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:
120 mph (192 kmph)
LEAPING, SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:
50 ft (15 m) high or 70 ft (21 m) long without thrusters.
FLYING, GERWALK/SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:
Mach One (670 mph/1072 kmph) maximum speed limit in an Earth-like atmosphere. Can also hover in place indefinitely.
FLYING, FIGHTER CONFIGURATION:
Mach 1.5 (1005 mph/1600 kmph) max speed at 10,000 meters or less above sea level.   Max speed Mach 3.1  with particle beam and 3.5 (2345 mph/3572 kmph) w/o particle beam from 10,000-30,000 meters.  Cruising speed is usually Mach 1.8 (1206 mph/1837 kmph). The YF-19 is capable of achieving orbital velocity over an Earth-class planet without additional rocket assistance. Maximum rate of ascent is 16,000 meters/minute. Structural G limits are +15.0 to -5.5 Earth gravities.
MAX ENGINE THRUST:
25,700 kg x2 in an atmosphere, 30,500 kg x2 in space. The maximum thrust is automatically limited in an atmosphere due to coolant problems with the optional air intake systems for the engines.

 

STATISTICAL DATA:

HEIGHT:
32.0 ft (9.75 m) in soldier configuration.
20.0 ft (6.10 m) in gerwalk configuration.
9.00 ft (2.74 m) in fighter configuration.
WIDTH:
13.5 ft (4.11 m) at shoulders in soldier configuration.
25.0 ft (7.62 m) in gerwalk or fighter configuration with wings at maximum extension.
LENGTH:
24.0 ft (7.32 m) in gerwalk configuration.
36.0 ft (10.97 m) in fighter configuration.
WEIGHT:
5000 kg empty. Maximum takeoff weight in an atmosphere is 25,980 kg.
PHYSICAL STRENGTH:
Equal to a P.S. of 60
CARGO:
Small compartment behind pilot's seat for personal belongings.
POWER PLANT:
Two 30,500 kg Westinghouse EX-9000 thermonuclear turbine engines, designed for dual atmosphere/space use with optional concealed air intakes for use in an Earth-type atmosphere. Two 2-dimensional independentent convergent/divergent exhaust are equipped on theEX-9000 for greater maneuverability and V/STOL performance. In addition, several Pratt & Whitney HMM-6J high-maneuverability vernier thrusters are mounted on the wingtips, vertical stabilizers, nose, and other key locations for added performance.
Delta V:
75 kilometers/second with internal stores.
COMPATIBLE FAST PACKS:
None.

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

  1. Particle Beam Cannon: Test

     

  2. Internal E-20's: Test.

     

  3. Medium Range Missiles: Test

     

  4. BODY/WING HARD POINTS: Four fixed hard points are mounted on the Raven.   These hardpoints can be used to hold a variety of different ordinance types.   This can include long, medium, short or even unguided mini-missiles. 
  5. NOTE: Because of the special nature of the Raven, none of the missiles need be fired before transforming.

  6. HAND TO HAND COMBAT: If necessary, the Raven can engage in melee combat rather than use a weapon. However, melee attacks with the raven is only used in the most desprect situations. For without arms, the raven does not excel in the area.

STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE YVR-1 Raven:


Random Hit Locations (Front):

Location Battloid Guardian Fighter
Main Body 01-30 01-25 01-25
Reinforced Pilot Comp 31-35 26-35 26-35
Wings 36-37 36-43 36-45
Upper Legs (2) 38-52 44-58 46-56
Lower Legs (2) 53-68 59-76 57-67
MRM-Housing 69-73 77-79 68-70
E-20 (2) - 80-81 71-72
Tail (2) 74-77 82-85 73-80
P-Cannon Bracket (fwd) 78-82 86-90 81-85
P-Cannon Bracket (Aft) 83-84 91-92 86-87
P-Cannon 85-89 93-87 88-93
Proto-Head 90-00 98-00 94-96
Chaff-Flare Dispensors - - 97-00

COMBAT BONUSES FOR YVF-1 Raven Combat TRAINING:

ADVANCED YVF-1 COMBAT TRAINING

Basic YVF-1 Combat Training


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