VAF-X-10 MARK II HEAVY ASSAULT ALPHA FIGHTER

(Version 1.00 - Last updated: 06/28/99)
Concept and RPG translation by Victor Cross (Alphaassualt@hotmail.com) and Kenneth Olson
Background Information derived from Robotech Technical Files

BACKGROUND

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After Project Shadowchaser was complete Project DarkShadow an experiment to test the edge of of the Variable Fighter design was started. Scientists assigned to the Project wanted to Prove that ground based mecha were no longer need as in the past. The Idea was to have a Fighter capable of punching through any mecha defenses in orbit and then continue down to the planet and strike key enemy positions like Invid hives and supply bases.

The VAF-X-10 Heavy Assault Alpha Fighter was an experimental air/space superiority fighter designed during the late days of the Third Invid War. Intended to be the spearhead of an assault to retake the Earth from the second invasion force of Invid, the VAF-X-10 was definitely the most advanced mecha of the war and probably one of the most advanced Veritechs of the 21st century. The VAF-X-10 incorporated all of the cutting-edge technology available to the REF R&D scientists assigned to Project DarkShadow. The mecha was designed around the new FF-X5000 Experimental Fusion/Protoculture Variable Turbines, which could supply tremendous thrust and maneuvering power both inside and outside of an atmosphere. The mecha was as large as a VF-1 to incorporate several new weapon systems, including the new MM-188 SRM missile system and the three TWR-30 head-mounted Pulse Lasers. Another revolutionary system used with the VAF-X-10 was the Falcon MRM Missile System; the Falcon system stored missiles inside the wings instead of on hardpoints, allowing the mecha to convert into battloid mode and, if necessary, use the missiles while in that mode. To top off the new mecha's armaments. For a hand weapon, the VAF-X-10 was equipped with the EU-16 Heavy Energy Cannon, the latest version of the famous EU-12 and EU-13 Destabilizers used during the Second Invid War.

In terms of development, the VAF-X-10 Alpha was very much like the VAF-7A Alpha. Both were revolutionary technical experiments that were pressed into service by the REF to help reclaim the Earth. The disadvantage of the design was its immense cost, however. The cost of a single VAF-X-10 was equal to five entire SQUADRON of VAF-8 Alphas. In addition, the mecha was a nightmare for support crews to maintain due to an immense number of special parts that were always in short supply. But despite the costs, a squadron of 12 VAF-X-10 Alphas and 12 VBF-X-4 Betas (the counterpart to the VAF-X-10), were built for a preproduction trial.

The VAF-X-10 was never mass-produced. After the end of the Third Invid War, there was no need to built the expensive Fighter. In 2058, Vanguard Aerospace and Tirolian Weapons Research jointly produced the VAF-9 Mark II, a cheaper version of the VAF-9 incorporating updated technology. The VAF-X-10 Mk. II replaced the VAF-8 as the standard Robotech Guardian Forces (RGF) fighter for a few years, but was itself replaced during the RGF reorganization of 2065.

The VAF-X-10 Heavy Assault Alpha Fighter vaguely resembles its distant cousin, the VAF-7 Alpha Fighter, but is somewhat larger and much more streamlined and as a more pronounced delta-wing design. Scientist designed the VAF-X-10 using the basic airframe from the canceled VAF-5 project, which was later transformed into the venerable (at the time of the Third Invid War) VAF-6 series Alpha fighter.  Like the VAF-8, the color scheme for the VAF-X-10 is based on where the unit is stationed, i.e. space Veritechs are usually painted flat black, desert Veritechs are painted with a light tan camouflage.

RPG STATS

Vehicle Type: YVAF-X-10 Advanced Alpha Fighter
Class: Advanced Variable Fighter (Prototype)
Manufacturer: Robotech Research
Crew: One pilot wearing Tactical Life Support System.

MDC BY LOCATION:

Location MDC
* Sensor Head 85
Head Lasers (3) 35
Hands (2) 35
Forearm Shields (2) 250
Forearm Missile Pods (2) 200
Shoulder/Missile Pods (2) 175
Upper Legs (2) 150
Lower Legs (2) 250
Wings / Missile Sheaths (2) 180
Tail (2) 75
**Main Body 450
Reinforced Pilot's Compartment 220
EU-16 Gun Pods (2) 120
Pinpoint Barrier Shield (3) 150
NOTES: 
  1. * Destroying the head of the YVAF-6X  will knock out the mecha's major sensor systems, including all of the optics systems (infrared, nightvision, thermal). Radar and communications will be unaffected.
  2. ** Depleting the MDC of the main body will destroy the mecha.

SPEEDS:

RUNNING, SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:
200 kph
LEAPING, SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:
100 ft (30.5 m) high or 350 ft (106.8 m) long without thrusters.
FLYING, SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:
482 kph
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:
Max level speed : 3100 kph at 18000m (Mach 2.9)
1100 kph at sea level (Mach 1.0)
Stall speed : 190 kph
Initial climb rate : over 20000m per minute
Service ceiling : 26 km (unboosted).
MAX ENGINE THRUST:
2 x Pratt & Whitney FF-X5000 [Main] Fusion plasma-air/reaction mass intermix turbines. Max thrust, 200 kN each .
2 x Pratt & Whitney FF-97B first-stage intake fans, providing pressurized airflow to main, reserve, and VTOL engines
4 x Turbo-Union ATF 402 miniaturized fusion plasma-air/reaction mass intermix ramjets. Two are mounted on the upper rear (jet mode), and two as VTOL thrusters on the lower fuselage in place of the traditional head-turret
[Auxiliary]. Each engine is rated to 56.9 kN standard thrust, max overboost to 101.1 kN each.

STATISTICAL DATA:

HEIGHT:
14.0m  in soldier configuration.
7.0m in gerwalk configuration.
5.0m in fighter configuration.
WIDTH:
5.6m at shoulders in soldier and gerwalk configuration.
11.4m  with wings at maximum extension.
LENGTH:
6.25m in soldier configuration.
10.00m in gerwalk configuration.
14.25m in fighter configuration.
WEIGHT:
28,000 kg empty 35,000 kg fully loaded.
PHYSICAL STRENGTH:
Equal to a P.S. of 60
CARGO:
Small compartment behind pilot's seat for personal belongings in addition to the cyclone storage compartment
POWER PLANT:
3 x RRL-2P Miniaturized Protoculture-cell energizer
24 standard canisters of Protoculture
1 dedicated canister for main weapon (if applicable)
200.8 lit. D2O reactant for fusion engines.
Delta V:
30  kps, however two 20 kps tanks may be mounted on each hardpoint
 
COMPATIBLE FAST PACKS:
None

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

  1. HEAD MOUNTED TWR-30 PULSE LASERS (3): Three Tirolian-designed pulse lasers are mounted in the head of the Veritech. Each laser is capible of firing 7MJ pulses up to 60 times a minute.  They can fire individually or in tandem, and are aimed by moving the mecha's head.

     

  2. MM-164 MULTI-MISSILE SYSTEM: Like their predecessors, the VAF-X-10 Assault Alphas are bristling with short range missiles, 164 in all. 38 are located in each Shoulder (19 on each side), and 44 are located in each lower leg.
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  4. GR-12 SHOULDER LAUNCH SYSTEM: The GR-12 shoulder launch system from the shadow drone was added to provide additional punch

     

  5. FALCON WING-SHEATH MISSILE SYSTEM: Four heavily-shielded medium-range missile launchers are built into each wing. The launchers are flush with each wing, which reduces drag and protects the missile from attack until launched. Each missile launcher can hold one Diamond back missile, but the missile is fully shielded and does not need to be launched before the Veritech can convert to battloid mode.

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  6. EU-18 ENERGY GUN POD: This enormous and very powerful energy weapon is standard issue for VAF-6X Mark II fighters. The weapon can fire 30 MJ bursts of particle energy that are designed to bring down Invid and Robotech Master shielding.  Designed for extra-heavy combat, this gun pod is so big that only the VAF-6X Mark II and VBF-3C can effectively hold and use it. Two EU-18 gun pods can be carried and used by the Alpha.The EU-18 is mounted on the undercarriage of the Alpha in Jet and Guardian modes. It can be fired in any mode, either from it's mounted position or hand-held by the mecha. When not in use in Battloid mode it locks onto the hip of the fighter to let it use its hands but keep the gun pod(s) with it.

     

  7. BODY/WING HARD POINTS: Two fixed hard points are mounted on each wing.   These hardpoints can be used to carry 25 short range missiles, 5 medium range missles or 2 long range missiles.
  8.  

  9. HOWARD PBS-03F PIN-POINT BARRIER SYSTEM:The VAF-X-10  is equipped with a new mecha-scale pinpoint barrier system for defense. This is based inpart off the system created on the SDF-1 and the Barrier found on the Officers sled and the Zentradi fighter pod. The system can generate a single pinpoint barrier that can be moved anywhere on the mecha and used as a shield against incoming attacks. The barrier provides 150 MDC of protection, and regenerates at a rate of 75 MDC per round when damaged. Even if destroyed by combined attacks, the shield will regenerate itself within 2 rounds. In order to use the shield, the pilot must make a successful parry roll to intercept an incoming attack.
  10.  

  11. HAND TO HAND COMBAT: If necessary, the VAF-X-10 can engage in melee combat rather than use a weapon. The AVF is extremely agile and can execute most typical hand to hand combat moves, such as punches, jump kicks, leap attacks, rolling with impacts, etc.

    DAMAGE:  

STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE VAF-X-10:


COMBAT BONUSES FOR VAF-X-10 FIGHTER TRAINING:


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REFERENCES USED IN THIS DESIGN

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