Raidar X MK I


Tactical Air Defence Mech

When it became clear that the Zentraedi were most definately going to be hostile in their quest to regain the ASS/SDF-1, planning began immediately for the arming of the RDF. The firt design approved for procurement was the Excaliber, as this was to be the backbone of the the armored corps. Next was the Gladiator and Spartan which were to be the primary support mecha for the Excaliber.

The need for dedicated air defense was the next priority. With all indications that the Zentraedi war machine was fully capable of airborne and spaceborne air assaults, this was not to be taken lightly. At first this requirement was attempted to be added to the already fearsome Excaliber, but with only space for a 6 tube missile launcher, it would not be able to add air defense to it's mission profile.

Others tried to say that any mecha could fulfill the requirement of ADA (Air Defense Artillery). However, the Zentraedi EW (Electronic Warfare) capability was such that is remained to seen what effect missiles would have on them. Thus, was the requirement for the Raidar X born. It was to be an extremely long ranged, accurate and gun based mecha. This design requirement, although seemingly hard, was actually one of the easiest to deign.

By pairing well known and proven systems on a lightly armored and easily maintained frame, the Raider X was soon ready for performance trials. Not surprisingly, the Raidar X performed wonderfully in these trials, however, it soon was shown that the Raidar X was a seriously specialized design, and once placed outside of that specific mission, it would quickly fall victim to ground combat. The only other mission that the Raidar X performed well in was vehicluar sniping. With it's extreme level of accuracy at long range, this mission was added to the Raidar X's mission profile quickly.

Vehicle Designation: Raidar X MK I

Variants of Note: Raidar X MK 0 (with 35mm auto cannons instead of laser cannons), Defender ADR-04-MKX was the designation given for foreign sales.

Crew: 1 Pilot, 1 Radio Intercept Operator

SP and MD by Location:

Speed: 80 mph (128 kph) under optimal conditions

Vaccum speed: delta-v of 0.2 kps

Height: 35.3 ft (10.75m)

Width: 24.6 ft (7.5m) at shoulders

Length: 16.7 ft (5.1m)

Weight: 21.7 tons for the MK I, 27.1 tons for the MK 0

Main Engine: 1 x MT 828 Fusion Reactor, Output=2800

Thrusters for space maneuvering: (main) 2 x AST-04 dual thruster banks on the back, total thrust 14 kN

Thrusters for space maneuvering: (vernier) 14 x Nakajima NBS-1 high-thrust vernier thrusters, located on the heels (4), calves (2), forward waist (2), chest (2). The remainder are on the shoulders (4).

Weapons Systems