GU-11 SMG idea

[Rimmerdal]

VE-1 "Stormcloud" AEW Veritech

The “Stormcloud” provides electronic support and ELINT in the field. The VE-1 is equipped with a radar dish identical to the cat-eye recon. Also a set MVA drones and MVA system are standard.
Crew: typically 2 (1 VF pilot & 1 Communications Engineer or Military Specialist)
Each standard unit employs:
6 Chaff Dispensers (3 in each leg)

6 Flare Dispensers (3 in each leg)

1 Radar/Radio Scanner (Left arm, 50)

1 Surveillance camera system (Right arm, 50MD)

2 MVA Assault Drones (standard armament)
MVA drones are stored on top/back and work as a booster pack when there. think of laserbeakexcept he doesn't turn it to cassette..he turns into a Jet pack/booster for the VF.

2 Mission hard points (Data/Equipment storage stored on leg)

1 Cats-Eye Recon Radar dish (50 MDC)

Head mounted lasers fire where the head is pointed. (100 MDC)
Head Lasers are ROV-10’s.
As standard veritech with Trainer Pilot compartment (modified)
Speed: 670 miles (max)

Alternate systems may include:
Deep Sea (enhanced sonar)
Deep Space (enhanced energy sensitivity)

I know I found the original on the net forget exactly where but made few changes..as it didn't suit exactly to my needs.

but wonder would a smaller GU-11 similar to SMG fit or would I be better making the drones double as gunpods?

[Jefffar]

That's a pretty cluttered design.

Then again, so are all the othere Cat's Eye / Valkyrie hybrids out there.

A few points:

1 An AEW craft is a specialist machine and a high value asset that is not expected to engage in the fight directly. Instead they are escorted by a number of combat types or work well back from the combat area supervising things from afar. Either way, there is no point in a self defence capacity. Why? Simple, if your AEW platform is allready under direct attack, you're in a world of trouble .

2 MVA Drones - neat idea, but I wouldn't mount them on this craft. Instead I'd set up a dedicated drone tender aircraft that carries 4 to 6 of them to the battle zone and then recovers them when the fighting is over.

3 Head Laser - Why the ROV-10? Also, the typical AEW VF's I've seen mount the extended radar on the head unit, precluding the use of the head lasers. Where do you think of the radar unit being located in Battloid?

4 I've seen compacted gunpods on some internet sites, but I think that it wouldn't be necissary in this case. You don't need it on this craft anyway since this craft won't be getting close enough to the fight to use it - unless the pilot is very foolish.

[Lt. Holmes]

That's a pretty cluttered design.

1 An AEW craft is a specialist machine and a high value asset that is not expected to engage in the fight directly. Instead they are escorted by a number of combat types or work well back from the combat area supervising things from afar. Either way, there is no point in a self defence capacity. Why? Simple, if your AEW platform is allready under direct attack, you're in a world of trouble .

That's my main support for some of the VF/AWACs hybrids out there. It doesn't make much sense to take three or four combat mecha off of front lines just to defend an AWACs craft. But I dislike uber, munchy AWACs VFs that excel at both fighting and information-gathering.

2 MVA Drones - neat idea, but I wouldn't mount them on this craft. Instead I'd set up a dedicated drone tender aircraft that carries 4 to 6 of them to the battle zone and then recovers them when the fighting is over.

Thing is, this sort of technology is out of place in the early first generation of Robotechnology. The sort of advanced AI required to give a decent fighting drone isn't available until the REF time of the mid-2040s.

3 Head Laser - Why the ROV-10? Also, the typical AEW VF's I've seen mount the extended radar on the head unit, precluding the use of the head lasers. Where do you think of the radar unit being located in Battloid?

I like this because it gives the AWACs craft some extra defensive/anti-missle weapons, which is doubly important once you realise that the Cat's Eye radar dish totally precludes any dorsal-mounted missle units.



But I utterly despise the Elintseeker from Macross. What's the point in giving it a three-form transformation when it has absolutly no combat value to take advantage of the sort of fexibility. Besides, why waste a combat-capable airframe and then nueter it?

But you can't go too far into the combat skills. All that AWACs stuff takes up room, so the combat capabilities of any Elint unit can't be nearly as good as a pure fighter. It's a delicate balance to strike.

[Lt. Holmes]

some defense is good, its better than none at all.
but giving the VF elint too many weapons makes the crews think they can

Well, remember about the stats Rimmerdal posted. The only armaments this beast could mount are the head lasers and a GU-11, in addition to any wing-mounted weapons. There's no room for any extra missle pods like the Super system.

That alone limits its actions to almost exclusivly defensive in nature, with the occasional forays into offensive combat. In short, it's got enough to defend itself, but little more.

[Novastar]

And he truly killed the VF's speed, IMO the greatest asset a VF has...

[Rimmerdal]

Okay then..

from what Iam reading...
no paticular order here..
1) Lose the drones on the AWAC. Also make the drones remot controlled
so a second pilot would be needed to guide them. what range would they have.

2) Triple up the laser..since all the cameras are locked up and armour in the head.the lasers are out side the 'skull' of the VF.

3) make an Escort/Drone Carrier VF. also usable for basic combat when things go south.

As for largely defensive weaponry it is meant to deter them entering combat. my initail thought was recon and radar/radio tracking.

the dish is part the 'backpack' mount and the drones would be the thrusers (as I want avoid fast packs or imitating the supre vf..if I can.)

the reson for lack of missiles is weight factor.

[Rimmerdal]

VE-1 "Stormcloud" AEW Veritech


The “Stormcloud” provides electronic support and ELINT in the field. The VE-1 is equipped with a radar dish identical to the cat-eye recon.

Crew: 2 (1 pilot & 1 Comm-Engineer or Mil Specialist)
Each standard unit employs:
6 Chaff Dispensers (3 in each leg)
6 Flare Dispensers (3 in each leg)
1 Radar/Radio Scanner (mounted Left arm, 50MD)
1 Surveillance camera system (mounted Right arm, 50MD)
1 Cats-Eye Recon Radar dish pack (50 MDC)
Head mounted lasers fire where the head is pointed. (100 MDC)
Head Lasers are ROV-10’s Fixed forward on side of head and one on top.
As standard veritech trainer with Trainer Pilot compartment (modified)
Speed: 600 miles (max)

GU-14 SMG (smaller version of GU-12)
Range: 2000ft
Damage: 1d4x5 MD (fires only short burst of 5 rounds)
Payload: 100

How's this look?

You know now I'll have to make a Drone Carrier...easy a pair each holding a pair of drones on the back. they also act as escort to the AEW...nice neat and effective...

[Rimmerdal]

VF-1HN "Hornet's Nest" Veritech


The “Hornet's Nest” provides tactical support in the field. The VF-1HN is equipped with mounting system for 2 drones. It is the companion unit to the "Stormcloud'

Crew: 2 (1 pilot and room for one passanger)
Each standard unit employs:
6 Chaff Dispensers (3 in each leg)
6 Flare Dispensers (3 in each leg)
1 Drone mounting pack-holds 2 drones (50 MDC)
Speed: 600 miles (max)

[Rimmerdal]

Likely and I hope it's not a problem I modify the design. but seems to fit what I'm looking for.

[Jefffar]

My thought on an ELINT / AEW Valkyrie: Why not use the sensor pods from the Strike Force book? You have a fully capable VF, you just loose some underwing missiles. You also dont'have to worry abotu where the radar dome goes when you transform.

As for your drone carrier, these drones are probably not any heavier than the ship killing missiles carried by the Strike Valkyries. So why not house 4 to 6 of them on underwing pylons?

[Rimmerdal]

Why not use the sensor pods from the Strike Force book?

These aren't made yet..(were still at Saturn)

You have a fully capable VF, you just loose some underwing missiles. You also dont'have to worry abotu where the radar dome goes when you transform.

The domes pack system is on the back and has booster to compensate for the weight. Also it an elbow to move back and forth so it goes over the head or on the back.

As for your drone carrier, these drones are probably not any heavier than the ship killing missiles carried by the Strike Valkyries. So why not house 4 to 6 of them on underwing pylons?

The drones serve several roles including Scout, Combat support and as a booster to the tactical veritech. but it's first job is an escort for the "stormcloud"..so I thought the drones would give the Co-pilot of the SC a chance to help in combat. They look like laserbeak (and turn into boosters instead of cassettes.

The Pylons have the recording gear. the two left over pylons are empty so the craft can fly (1 per wing) but may get a Medium range Missile launcher (a modified LR Mutli-warhead missile).

[Jefffar]

So this is still on the SDF-1's cruise?

Well then, I don't know why they would waste the resources on building the ELINT valkyrie. They need all the combat craft they can get.

Also, you don't have your super valkyries yet, so the booster pack idea is a little too far ahead. You also don't have the GU-12 yet either.

If the radar dome has it's own retractable system, then leave the standard head and head lasers. Might as well keep the GU-11

A shortened GU-11/12 would have reduced range more so than reduced rate of fire / damage.

But I really don't think what you're trying to do has any advantage for the RF over escorting a Cat's Eye.

[Rimmerdal]

It's a long term thing to build the proto type.

Also the drones are also already made and they will be the booster (also handy for many other jobs.

[Lt. Holmes]

Well then, I don't know why they would waste the resources on building the ELINT valkyrie. They need all the combat craft they can get.

Also, you don't have your super valkyries yet, so the booster pack idea is a little too far ahead. You also don't have the GU-12 yet either.

The lack of Super packs wouldn't be a problem if all they did was rip off the sensor dome from a Cat's Eye and plant it on the back of a VF-1. Think of it as a possible precursor to the Super system.

But I really don't think what you're trying to do has any advantage for the RF over escorting a Cat's Eye.

The thing is, this beast would be able to defend itself instead of having to rely on 3 or more combat aircraft. This would be of paramount importance during the SDF-1s long trek home because they had a very limited number of aircraft and destroids to use to defend themselves, and often times it was a situation where one plane would make or break a battle.

Under these circumstances, a combat-capable ELINT unit (especially after the radar dish debacle caused by The Backstabber) would be something to seriously look at. Sure, they might sacrafice one full airframe, but that keeps them from having to send three mecha to defend one.

[Rimmerdal]

Holmes your a genius And I can pack a pair drones with...I'd lose a pair of missile hard points on the wings (for sensor gear..) but it is a combat capable ELINT that isn't a munchkin...

Thanks guys...apreciate the help.....