MDR-17 Unicorn Civil Defense Battloid

(Version 1.0 - Last updated: 11/05/01)  

Concept and Background by Kenneth Olson

Background Information derived from Robotech Technical Files

BACKGROUND 

While designing their own force of non-transformable mecha, the Armies of the Southern Cross examined closely the effectiveness of the RDF destroid forces during the First Robotech War and subsequent engagements with rogue Zentraedi.  The ACS came to the conclusion that future conflicts would be fought by highly mobile units and that the large heavily armed and armored but slow destroids were not effective in meeting these roles.  The Armies of the Southern Cross would, as a result, design smaller, highly mobile and maneuverable battloids.  The ASC battloids would not only be capable of defense, but possess the capability to assist with other civil duties such as construction, rescue, and crowd control.  Because of this dual function roll, the military planners of the ASC decided that their battloids would supplement the Southern Cross's veritech forces and not be equal partners as the destroids were in the RDF. 

The MDR-17 "Unicorn" was the Civil Defense's non-transformable mecha.  Designed in 2020 and first introduced in 2022, the Unicorn was produced for urban duties and base self defense.  Like all ASC battloids the Unicorn mounts few internal weapons but instead relies on the external gun pods to increase its combat performance when warranted.  The two internal weapons that the Unicorn does mount are the EU-18 pulse laser and two 40mm grenade launchers.  The General Electric EU-18 pulse laser was designed primarily for an anti-missile defense.  In addition, two Vicker 40mm Grenade launchers are mounted in each arm underneath the armshield.  These launchers can either fire tear gas and smoke grenades when operating in civil duties or high explosive, HEAT, or Anti-personnel rounds when in combat.  

The armor on the Unicorn is a low-mass composite Chobham plating which provides excellent protection from all light anti-mecha weaponry.  However, the armor is easily pierced by medium or higher class weapons and often a single shot from such a weapon will disable the unit.  The Unicorn does posses two armshields which are capable of parrying direct blasts from medium or higher class weapons.  The Unicorn is protected from all biological and radiological hazards using a fully enclosed environmental system.  The system can protect the pilot indefinitely; however, the internal oxygen supply will only last up to one week.

Over 25,000 MDR-17 "Unicorns" were produced before 2030; however, production stopped at the beginning of the Second Robotech War as factories switch to units with more focused combat roles.  Military planners discovered that the Unicorn was completely outclassed by the Robotech Masters bioroids and most were held in secondary roles while a majority of civil defense was taken by VH-1 Spartas Hovertank and MBR-13 Salamander of the Tactical Corp.  As a result, some 15,000 units survived the war and took up their original duties protecting the urban areas which most were assigned before.  Unfortunately, most of these units were destroyed while protecting their towns from the Invid invasion only a couple of years later.

RPG STATS

Vehicle Type: Civil Defense Combat mecha

Class: Non-transformable Destroid
Manufacturer: Vickers, Cadillac Gage, Chrysler
Crew: One

Service History:  ASC Civil Defense Unit from 2022-2033

 

MDC BY LOCATION:

		 
NOTES: 

1. *Destruction of the head will destroy all of the external sensors for the unit, except for seismic and acoustic.
2. ** Depleting the MDC of the main body will destroy the mecha. 

SPEEDS:

RUNNING:

130 kph

UNDERWATER PERFORMANCE:

20 kph

LEAPING:                              

30 m w/o boosters

Typically 80 m long and 26 m high with boosters

FLYING:

The Unicorn can fly at low altitudes (less than 500 meters) for up to 2.5 hours at a maximum speed of 200 kph

STATISTICAL DATA:

HEIGHT:

6.2 m

DEPTH:

2.6 m

BREADTH:

3.0 m

WEIGHT:

13.2 metric tonnes

PHYSICAL STRENGTH:

Equal to a P.S. of 60

CARGO:

None

POWER PLANT:

SCE-29 Micronized protoculture generator with a fuel capacity of 6 canisters

PROPULSION IN SPACEBORNE OPERATIONS: 

3 x BRT-3  Two thrusters mounted on the rear and one on the right front torso of the unit producing a maximum thrust of 60 kN each

4 x BRT-10 Two thrusters are mounted on each leg.  Each unit is capable of producing a maximum thrust of 15 kN each

DELTA V:

30 kps

GENERATOR ENDURANCE:

 250 hours of operational use

BOOSTER UNITS:

None

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

1. EU-18 GENERAL ELECTRIC PULSE LASER:  The only internally mounted weapon system is a single EU-18 pulse laser is located in the head of the unicorn. The EU-18 is capable of firing 3 MJ bursts of energy up to 60 times per minute. 
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-missile
   • RANGE: 1200 m
   • DAMAGE:  3D6 per short burst
   • RATE OF FIRE: Short bursts equal to the combined attacks of the pilot
   • PAYLOAD: Conditionally unlimited

    

2. 2 x VICKERS 140mm DIRECT-FIRE MORTAR:  Two Vickers 140 mm mortars are mounted in either arm.  The launchers can fire up to 50 mortar before needing reloading.  The mortars fire laser guided shells of 34kg out to a maximum range of 1590 meters.  Payload for riot control will include smoke, tear gas, and fire suppressant rounds while combat load outs will include High Explosive, HEAT, and Fragmentation rounds.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault/Defense
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-personnel
   • RANGE: 1590 m
   • DAMAGE: Varies with mortar type; however, typically (2D4 for HEAT, 3D6 MDC for high explosive, and 3D4 for fragmentation)
   • RATE OF FIRE: Single shots equal to the combined attacks of the pilot
   • PAYLOAD:  50 rounds

    

3. (Optional) GU-13 THREE-BARRELED 35MM GUN POD: Although rarely used, the Unicorn can mount a GU-133.  Each GU-13 is capable of firing 2000 rounds per minute, 600 round capacity stored in the pod itself and in a non-detachable 'clip'. 
   • 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.

    

4. (Optional) 1 x MAUSER EU-10:   The EU-10 is the primary weapon of the Unicorn.  The weapon can fire energy pulses of 10 MJ blasts up to 150 times per minute.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-mecha
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Assault/Defense
   • RANGE: 3000 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.

    

5. (Optional) 1 x MAUSER EU-11:   The EU-11 was designed primarily as an upgrade to the VHT-2 hovertank.; however, the Unicorn is capable of using the weapon.  The EU-11 is capable of accurate fire out to 3.5 kilometers.   The EU-11 can fire 12.5 MJ blasts up to 110 times per minute.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-mecha
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Assault/Defense
   • RANGE: 3500 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. (Optional) E-20 GENERAL ELECTRIC  PULSE LASER: Designed primarily for the VF-9 Logan, the E-20 is capable of firing a 10 MJ blast up to 60 times a minute.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Mecha
   • RANGE: 1200 m
   • DAMAGE: 1D4*10 for each single shot or 2D4*10 for each short burst bursts
   • RATE OF FIRE: Single shots or bursts equal to the combined attacks of the pilot. (up to 15 single shots or 5 short bursts per melee)
   • PAYLOAD: Conditionally unlimited. 

    

7. (Optional) E-22 GENERAL ELECTRIC  PULSE LASER:  The E-22 was specifically designed for use with the Armies of the Southern Cross non-transformable battloids.  The cannon is capable of firing 12 MJ pulses up to 130 times per minute.  The cannon uses adaptive pulse technology to decrease atmospheric attenuation effects and thus increasing the effective range of the unit over the similarly sized E-20.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Mecha
   • RANGE: 2000 m
   • DAMAGE: 1D4*10 for each single shot or 2D4*10 for each short burst bursts
   • RATE OF FIRE: Single shots or bursts equal to the combined attacks of the pilot.
   • PAYLOAD: Conditionally unlimited. 

    

8. HAND TO HAND COMBAT:.  The Unicorn is capable of powerful hand to hand attacks. 
   • Punch:  6D6 MDC
   • Crush with Hand: 3D6 MDC
   • Tear or Pry:  4D6 MDC
   • Kick:  5D6 MDC
   • Body Block/Tackle: 3D6 MDC
   • Stomp: 5D6 MDC (only effective against small objects)
     

STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR UNICORN

• COMBAT COMPUTER: The MDR-17 Unicorn 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.
• ELECTRONIC JAMMERS:   Selenia Ground Warrior Active IR and Radar jammer capable of interfering with both infra-red and radar electronic systems.
• 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: Range of the signal is 200 miles (320 km). Most RDF, Southern Cross, and REF ships and veritecs can locate and track a homing signal. The onboard computers will automatically notify their pilots if such a signal is detected.
• 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: 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)
• 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 by the enemy, the pilot can activate the self-destruct system, which will cause the  mecha 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.
• STANDARD SURVIVAL KIT: All Southern Cross Mecha 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.)

COMBAT BONUSES FOR UNICORN: 

• Two melee attacks
• +2 to roll with punch
• +1 to strike
• +1 to parry with arm shields
• +2 to dodge
• One additional attack at levels five and ten

RANDOM HIT LOCATIONS

When there is an equal chance of hitting both sides from 1d6

• 1-3 hits the right side
• 4-6 hits the left

When there is a preferred side, roll 1d10

• 1-8 hits the preferred side
• 9-10 hits the opposite side