Super Alpha Fighter VDF-6 (A,B,C) 

(Version 1.0 - Last updated: 12/27/00)

Concept presented in The Robotech RPG Book Six:  The Return of the Masters 

© 1989 1998 Kevin Siembeda, published by Palladium Books. 

Artwork by Wayne Breaux Jr.

Additional Background by Kenneth Olson

BACKGROUND (VDF-6 A)

The VDF-6A history and RPG stats are found in "Return of the Masters" Second Printing pp 106-109.

BACKGROUND (VDF-6 B,C)

With the relative success of the early versions of the Super Alpha, the REF high command decided to enter the super alpha into full production.  The first production model, or the VDF-B, kept the basic airframe and most of the weaponry of the initial pre-production design.  However, the traditional hand held GU-13 and the arm mounted GU-XX2 were replaced with the more modern and ammunition less EU-13 weaponry.  In addition, the  multimissile system was upgraded such that each of the leg box launchers were modified to hold an additional 2 hammerhead missiles.  The largely ineffective smoke launchers, placed on either sides in the inner leg, were replaced with four additional hammerhead missiles per leg.  As a result the 'B' model of the VDF-6 has an incredible 76 on board hammerhead missiles.  In addition the standard DD-6 medium range missile system is mounted under each intake.  The older MM-5 FAST pack system was replaced with two NP-BP-10 FAST packs mounting another 27 hammerhead missiles each.  Combined with the MM-76 multi-missile system the VDF-6B mounts 130 hammer head missiles with 6 diamond back missiles. 

The success of the VDF-6B only caused REF engineers to endeavored to improve on the versatility of the design by adding modularity to the arm mounted weapons.  Unlike the VDF-6B, the C model gave the mission planner the option to place differing weapon, engine, defensive armor, or fuel pods into the four modular pods in the lower arms, where in the 6B model the ATF-401 secondary engine and the EU-13 is mounted. 

The VDF-6 series proved to be the most powerful and versatile variant of the standard VAF-6.  Although, only 100 VDF-6B and 10 VDF-6C were produced in time for the final assault on Earth in July of 2045 they proved to be critical.  All ten of the VDF-6C defolded into earth system 10 days before the main fleet was to defold behind the moon.  The group was assigned to disable the hyperspace sensor unit for the southern hemisphere.  The Invid unaware of shadow cloaking devices  

Two squadrons of VDF-6Ds were assigned to attack the main hive in the former Z-zone.  Although, they were outnumbered by nearly 100 to one the two squadrons successfully disabled the hyperspace detector for the southern hemisphere.  This allowed REF special forces to deploy several hyperspace dampers in geosynchronous orbit around earth to partially mask the incoming invasion force.  

Service History:

• VDF-6A:  Limited service with the REF Air force from 2042 until 2044

• VDF-6B:  Served with the REF Spacy, Marines, and Navy from 2043

• VDF-6C:  Served with the REF Spacy from 2045.

RPG STATS

Vehicle Type: VDF-6 Armored Alpha Fighter

Class: Variable Fighter
Manufacturer: Robotech Expeditionary Forces 
Crew: One pilot wearing Tactical Life Support System.

MDC BY LOCATION:

NOTES:

1. * Indicates a small target that is difficult to strike.  Attackers must make a called shot to hit them at -4 to strike.  Destroying the sensor head of the VDF-6  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:

100 kph

LEAPING, SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:

50 ft (15 m) high or 70 ft (21 m) long without thrusters.

FLYING, SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:

250 kph, with a maximum altitude of 2500m

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 : 2036 kph at 18000m (Mach 1.9) 
1000 kph at sea level (Mach 0.9)
Stall speed : 182 kph (VTOL rectification possible)
Initial climb rate : over 20000 m per minute with boosters engaged
Service ceiling : 26 km (unboosted).

MAX ENGINE THRUST:

• 2 x Pratt & Whitney JG99 [Main] Fusion plasma-air/reaction mass intermix turbines. Max thrust, 160 kN each.
• 2 x Pratt & Whitney FE-97B first-stage intake fans, providing pressurized airflow to main, reserve, and VTOL engines..
• (4xVDF-6B, 2x VDF-6C and 2 optional) Turbo-Union ATF 401 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 46.9 kN standard thrust, max overboost to 91.1 kN each.

STATISTICAL DATA:

HEIGHT:

9.15m  in soldier configuration.

5.80m in gerwalk configuration.

5.00m in fighter configuration.

WIDTH:

4.40m at shoulders in soldier and gerwalk configuration.

6.70m  with wings at maximum extension.

LENGTH:

11.00m in jet and gerwalk mode 

WEIGHT:

16,000 kg empty and 27,000 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:

2 x RRL-2P Miniaturized Protoculture-cell energizer

16 standard canisters of Protoculture
1 dedicated canister for each EP-13/EU-13 gun pod
200 lit. D2O reactant for fusion engines.

Delta V:

75 kps however two 25 kps tanks may be mounted on each hardpoint

 

COMPATIBLE FAST PACKS:

None

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

Handheld Weapon Systems

1. HANDHELD GU-13 THREE-BARRELED 35MM GUN POD: firing 2000 rounds per minute, 600 round capacity stored in the pod itself and in anon-detachable 'clip'.  This weapon was most common on the earlier models of the Alpha fighter from 2017 until 2035
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Mecha
   • RANGE: Armor Piercing Spin Stabilized Discarding Sabot Rounds (APSSDS) 5000 feet (1500 m), High Explosive Armor Piercing, Standard, and Tracer 4000 ft (1200m)
   • DAMAGE: APSSDS 3d6 short burst, 5d6 medium burst, 1d6*10 full melee burst.   HEAP 4d6 short burst, 1d6*10 medium burst, 2d6*10 full melee burst.  Tracer rounds reduce damage by 25%.  Standard 4d6 short burst, 1d4*10 medium burst, or 2d4*10 full melee burst
   • RATE OF FIRE: Single shots or bursts equal to the combined attacks of the pilot.
   • PAYLOAD: 40 short bursts, 20 medium, or 10 full melee.  Two additional clips are stored in the legs
   • NOTES:  APSSDS crits on 17,18,19,20.  HEAP crits on 19,20.   Tracers add +2 to strike.

    

2. HANDHELD EP-13 THREE-BARRELED 80MM PARTICLE GUN POD: Can fire 170 rounds per minute in full automatic mode, also capable of firing all three barrels simultaneously in semiautomatic mode at approximately one shot per second.  This weapon fires 3.2 MJ pulses per barrel with its own dedicated protoculture cell and capacitor banks in the 'clip'.  This weapon, built into an external shell identical to that of the GU-13, was   developed in 2032 by the REF, but did not see wide use until 2037.  By 2041, the EP-13 had almost completely replaced the GU-13 as the main cannon of the Alphas in the REF's inventory.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Mecha
   • RANGE: 1200 m
   • DAMAGE: 2d4 for each Single blast, 1d6*10 for each triple blast, 2d4*10 for each medium burst (up to six times per melee), or 4d4*10 for each full melee burst.
   • RATE OF FIRE: Single shots or bursts equal to the combined attacks of the pilot.
   • PAYLOAD: Conditionally unlimited.  The protoculture cell is estimated to have enough power for 3000 single shots, 1000 triple shots, 300 long bursts, or 100 full melee bursts.

    

3. HANDHELD EU-13 DESTABLIZER: sub-nuclear particle beam gun with output of 10 MJ, can fire up to 30 times/minute.  Draws power from its own dedicated protoculture canister, but can be fired using the veritech's own power.  Particles have specific, disrupting effect on force fields, and will short out a low power field completely, while high power fields may temporarily and locally cease to function.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-force Field
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Mecha
   • RANGE: 4000 feet (1200 m)
   • DAMAGE: 1d4x10 for each single shot
   • RATE OF FIRE: Single shots equal to the combined attacks of the pilot up to eight times per melee.
   • PAYLOAD: Conditionally unlimited.  Each protoculture cell can power up to 100 shots.

   

4. HANDHELD GA-15 40MM REF GAUSS RIFLE:  See entry for GA-15
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Mecha
   • RANGE: 5.0 km
   • DAMAGE: 2D6*10 for single shot
   • RATE OF FIRE: The GA-15 fires up to 60 rounds per minute. The pilot can fire as many single shots as his combined hand to hand attacks per melee
   • PAYLOAD: 50 rounds stored internally.
   • NOTES:  -2 to strike within 500m

Internal Weapon Systems

1. MM-76 MULTI-MISSILE SYSTEM:  The VDF-6 has 76 onboard variable warhead missiles.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault/Defense
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-mecha
   • RANGE: Varies
   • DAMAGE: Varies
   • RATE OF FIRE: One at a time or in volleys of two, four, eight, sixteen, thirty, or all seventy-six
   • PAYLOAD:  8 in each shoulder (16 total), 10 in each forearms (20 total), 16 in each lower leg (32 total), 4 in each leg box launchers (8 total)

   

2. NP-BP-10 FAST PACK:  The two fast packs on either side of the rear are the standard NP-BP-10.  Each pod contains 9 hammerhead missiles with 2 reloads.  These FAST packs along with the MM-76 gives the VDF-6 and incredible standard load of 27 short range hammerhead missiles
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault/Defense
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-mecha
   • RANGE: Varies
   • DAMAGE: Varies, typically 1D6x10 MDC
   • RATE OF FIRE: Volleys of 1 to 9 missiles
   • PAYLOAD:  27 Hammerhead short range missiles
   • NOTE:  GM's may allow players to use any standard Palladium medium range missile instead of the Hammerhead REF short range missile

    

3. DDI-6 MEDIUM RANGE MISSILE SYSTEM: The standard DDI-6 missile launcher was retained from the VAF-6.  Six 260mm x 1.2m Diamondback medium range missiles can be stored under the intakes
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault/Defense
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-mecha
   • RANGE: Varies
   • DAMAGE: Varies
   • RATE OF FIRE: One at a time or in volleys of two, three, four or all six
   • PAYLOAD:  3 in each intake for a total of 6
   • NOTE:  GM's may allow players to use any standard Palladium medium range missile instead of Diamondback missiles.

Modular Weapon Systems

Note the VDF-6B does not posses the modular weapon systems.  As a result a single EU-13 and a single Turbo-Union ATF 401 miniaturized fusion plasma-air/reaction mass intermix ramjets are mounted in either arm 

1. GU-13C THREE-BARRELED 35MM GUN POD firing 1400 rounds per minute, 1600 round capacity.  Ammunition is a mix of Tungsten-coated depleted Uranium Armor Piercing Spin-Stablized Discarding Sabot (APSSDS), High Explosive Armor Piercing (HEAP) and tracer rounds.  This gun is the carbine version of the GU-13 gun pod found in the Alpha fighter.  However, due to its shorter barrel, accuracy, penetration, and range are appreciably reduced.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Mecha
   • RANGE: Armor Piercing Spin Stablized Discarding Sabot Rounds (APSSDS) 3500 feet (1100 m), High Explosive Armor Piercing, Standard, and Tracer 3000 ft (900m)
   • DAMAGE: APSSDS 3d6 short burst, 5d6 medium burst, 1d6*10 full melee burst.   HEAP 4d6 short burst, 1d4*10 medium burst, 2d4*10 full melee burst.  Tracer rounds reduce damage by 25%.  Standard 4d6 short burst, 1d4*10 medium burst, or 2d4*10 full melee burst
   • RATE OF FIRE: Single shots or bursts equal to the combined attacks of the pilot.
   • PAYLOAD: 200 short bursts, 100 medium, or 50 full melee
   • NOTES:  APSSDS crits on 18,19,20.  HEAP crits on 19,20.   Tracers add +2 to strike.

    

2. EU-13C THREE-BARRELED 80MM PARTICLE GUN POD: Can fire 170 rounds per minute in full automatic mode, also capable of firing all three barrels simultaneously in semiautomatic mode at approximately one shot per second.  This weapon fires 2.4 MJ pulses per barrel in each mode, drawing power from the aircraft's main energizer.  This gun is the carbine version of the EP-13 gun pod in the later model Alphas.  However due to its smaller size, its energy and range are appreciably reduced.  This weapon was developed around 2035 and started being widely deployed in 2039.  The VDF-6B does not posses the modularity weapon systems that the VDF-6C does and therefore mounts two EU-13c in both arms.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Mecha
   • RANGE: 1000 m
   • DAMAGE: 2d4 for each Single blast, 1d4*10 for each triple blast, 1d6*10 for each medium burst (up to six times per melee), or 3d4*10 for each full melee burst.
   • RATE OF FIRE: Single shots or bursts equal to the combined attacks of the pilot.
   • PAYLOAD: Unlimited 

    

3. EP-13C DESTABLIZER: Carbine version of the standard EP-13 found on the VAF-6S Shadow Fighter.  Sub-nuclear particle beam gun with output of 8 MJ, can fire up to 30 times/minute.  Draws power from its own dedicated protoculture canister, but can be fired using the veritech's own power.  Particles have specific, disrupting effect on force fields, and will short out a low power field completely, while high power fields may temporarily and locally cease to function.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-force Field
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Mecha
   • RANGE: 1200 )
   • DAMAGE: 6D6 for each single shot
   • RATE OF FIRE: Single shots equal to the combined attacks of the pilot up to eight times per melee.
   • PAYLOAD: Conditionally unlimited.  Each protoculture cell can power up to 100 shots.

    

4. MM MULTI-MISSILE SYSTEM:  Each modular hard point can be configured with a modular missile system.  Each hardpoint can carry a single long range missile, five Diamondback medium range missiles, or 5 hammerhead missiles with 15 additional reloads.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault/Defense
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Mecha
   • RANGE: Varies with missile type
   • DAMAGE: Varies with Missile Type
   • RATE OF FIRE: Long Range - One at a time, Medium/Short Range - One at a time or in volleys of 2, 3 or 4. 
   • PAYLOAD: One Long range missile or 5 medium range diamondback missiles, or 5 hammerhead missiles with 15 reloads.

    

5. TURBO-UNION ATF-401 MINIATURIZED FUSION PLASMA-AIR/REACTION MASS INTERMIX RAMJETS: The mission planner must install the ATF-401s in pairs.  When installed the top speed in fighter mode will be increased by 500 kph and the fighter will gain a bonus of +2 to dodge in all modes.  The VDF-6B does not posses the modularity weapon systems that the VDF-6C does and therefore mounts two ATF-401s in both arms.

    

6. PP-2 MECHA PINPOINT-BARRIER SYSTEM:  A mecha size pinpoint barrier system can be mounted in each arm.  The PP-2 is capable of projecting a single barrier that is capable of absorbing 20 MJ of kinetic or particle energy before depleted.  The pilot is capable of moving the barrier, costing a single attack, to project any area on the mecha.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Defense
   • DAMAGE: 50 MDC
   • PAYLOAD: Recharges at 15 MDC per melee

    

7. ADDITIONAL ARMOR:  An additional 150 MDC of armor can be added to the arm shield in each of the modular weapon systems.  

    

8. HF-2 MECHA HYPERSPACE FOLD SYSTEM:  The HF-2 system was designed to transport a single mecha up to 25 light years.  The HF-2 requires four canisters of protoculture for each fold of 25 light years.  The system can hold at maximum eight canisters; however, any qualified bio-maintenance engineer can recharge the system given 1d4 hours. Normally, the pilot does not plot the mecha through hyperspace but has a qualified hyperspace navigator plot the course before the mission.  However, if the pilot possess navigation hyperspace, the pilot can pilot his own course.  The HF-2 hyperspace fold system requires the use of both of the modular spaces in the lower arms. 

    

Other Weapon Systems

1. BODY/WING HARD POINTS: A single fixed hard points are mounted on each wing.   These hardpoints can be used to carry 15 short range missiles, 5 medium range missiles or 2 long range missiles.



2. HAND TO HAND COMBAT: If necessary, the VDF-6 can engage in melee combat rather than use a weapon. The VDF-6  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:  

   • Punch in Battloid:  1D6*3
   • Punch in Guardian:  1D4*3
   • Kick: 1D6*3
   • Leap Kick: 2D6*3
   • Body Flip/Throw: 1D6*3
   • Body Block/Tackle: 1D6*3
   • Stomp: 1D4*3 . (only effective against small objects)
     

   

STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE VDF-6:

• RRG MK3 SHADOW: four-dimensional distortion field generator (downshifts and dampens protoculture radiation) emitting only weakly in these wavebands.   NOTE: . Once the mecha has lost half of its main body MDC, there is a 40% chance that the stealth system will fail every time the main body of the craft is hit. Once the stealth system has failed, it will not work again until repaired at a RDF base.
• RRG MK4 EM-ABSORBING SKIN COVER: strongly absorbing EM radiation from radio through ultra-violet wavelengths, and emitting only weakly in these bandwidths.  Conventional Radar effectiveness is reduced by 95%.
• AUTO-PILOT: The VDF-6 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 mecha. The auto-pilot was designed with long intra-system space journeys in mind.
• COMBAT COMPUTER: The combat computer tracks and identifies specific enemy targets, and has a database of over 10,000 images stored in memory. The computer can identify and track up to 250 targets simultaneously. 
• ELETTRONICA RADAR WARNING RECEIVER (RWR) 
• OLDELFT INFRA-RED WARNING RECEIVER (IRWR) 
• WESTINGHOUSE ALQ-250(V) ACTIVE SENSOR JAMMER: internal ECM 
• EXTERNAL AUDIO PICKUP: Range: 300 ft (91.5 m). A sound amplification system that can pick up normal conversation up to 300 feet away.
• 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 escape pod of the  VDF-6  is equipped with a homing device that enables rescue teams to locate a disabled craft or ejected life pod. The range of the signal is 400 miles (640 km). Most REF ships and veritecs can locate and track a homing signal, and the onboard computers will automatically notify their pilots if such a signal is detected.
• 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.
• 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.
• TEXAS INSTRUMENTS APG-137 X-BAND PULSED DOPPLER RADAR:  150 mile range.
• 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  VDF-6 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 3D6x10 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 REF veritech 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, disinfectants, etc.)
• TACTICAL LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM: The VDF-6 cockpit is pressurized, and also provides additional air feeds to the pilot's flight suit that provides him with pressurized breathing. The REF 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's blacking out in combat.
• CHAFF AND FLARE DISPENSERS: 24 chaff and 24 flares are stored in the lower legs

COMBAT BONUSES FOR VDF-6:

• 3 attacks per melee (plus those of the pilot).
• Add one additional action/attack at levels six and eleven.
• +4 on initiative (when shadow cloaking is activated)
• +3 to strike
• +2 to parry
• +3 to dodge in solder and guardian, +5 in jet mode. (-1 to dodge while in atmosphere)
• +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

• Robotech Technical Files: Veritech Alpha Fighter VAF-6
• Palladium Books:  "The Sentinels"
• Palladium Books:  "Return of the Masters"

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