---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The following material is an adaptation of mecha from MACROSS PLUS and MACROSS 7, both sequels to the original Japanese MACROSS TV series (which became Robotech here in the U.S.). Please feel free to use, copy, and distribute it as you see fit. All I ask is that you give proper credit to me and do not claim that it is your own work. Comments and suggestions are welcome. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
YF-21 PROTOTYPE VALKYRIE
(Version 1.5 - Last Updated: 10/13/96)
RPG Stats by DAVE DEITRICH (deitrich@mcs.com) Background info provided by the MACROSS ONLINE COMPENDIUM
BACKGROUND
The YF-21 Prototype Valkyrie was designed and built in 2039 by [Image] General Galaxy for the Project Super Nova design contest, sponsored by the UN Spacy to develop the next generation advanced variable fighter (AVF) that would replace the aging VF-11 Thunderbolt Valkyrie as the main variable fighter for UN Spacy military forces. The YF-21 was one of two designs selected for the final competition at the New Edwards Flight Center on planet Eden; the other design being the YF-19 AVF designed by Yan Newmann of Shinsei Industries.
Unlike the more traditionally designed YF-19, the YF-21 is literally a showcase of leading-edge combat technology. Many of the new systems included in the fighter are advanced prototypes, giving the YF-21 a definite edge in terms of technology. The valkyrie also includes a large percentage of Zentraedi overtechnology, including a revised version of the inertia vector control system used in the Quimeliquola Quaedlunn-Rau (Female Combat Armor) battlesuit. The alien technology gives the YF-21 a strong resemblance Zentraedi battlesuits in soldier mode. The new valkyrie also includes many cutting-edge human technology systems, including a revolutionary new active stealth system that can absorb radar and other sensor waves, rendering the fighter invisible to most common sensor systems.
However, the most advanced systems in the YF-21 AVF are the Brainwave Control System (BCS) and Brain Direct Imaging (BDI) system. The BCS allows the pilot to control all functions of the aircraft literally with his thoughts, while the BDI feeds sensor data directly into the pilot's mind, providing far quicker and more vivid detail than traditional HMD (head-mounted display) or HUD (heads-up display) systems are capable of. When used together, these two systems allow the pilot to sense and react to situations with the speed of thought while flying the YF-21. The new systems require some time to get accustomed to, however, and only certain disciplined pilots are able to use them to their full potential. In addition, these systems have occasionally exhibited feedback and control problems with some pilots, including chief test pilot Guld Boa Bowman (apparently due to his Zentraedi/Human lineage).
Two prototypes of the YF-21 were constructed, with the first one having a conventional flight control system and the second one equipped with the BCS and BDI systems. YF-21 Prototype No. 2 and its pilot, Chief Bowman, were invited to the New Edwards Flight Center on planet Eden for final testing. At first, the YF-21 (codenamed "Omega One") performed flawlessly, but then began to develop problems due to incompatibilities between Chief Bowmann and the BCS/BDI systems. Later, during a mock duel between the YF-19 and YF-21, the YF-21's right arm was torn off and the YF-19 was severely damaged by a discharge from its own GU-15 gun pod. This disaster discouraged the UN Spacy high command, which then decided to halt Project Super Nova and use the newly-developed Ghost X-9 Unmanned Fighter as its replacement for the VF-11.
Unsatisfied by the program's cancellation, Lt. Isamu Dyson and Yan Newmann stole the YF-19 and its fold booster and made an unauthorized fold from Eden to Earth. Chief Bowmann was ordered to pursue in the YF-21, which at the time was the only aircraft capable of keeping up with the hijacked YF-19. The two prototypes engaged in a final combat during the Macross 30th Anniversary Celebration on Earth, but their grudge match was interrupted when the newly-awakened AI system for popular rock star Sharon Apple took control of Earth's computer systems and enslaved the entire populace via holographic hypnosis. Lt. Dyson and Chief Bowman put aside their differences and banded together to stop Sharon, and the YF-21 engaged the prototype Ghost X-9 in combat while the YF-19 confronted the AI at the SDF Macross. In order to stop the Ghost and give Dyson more time, Bowman rammed the X-9 with the YF-21, which stopped the renegade prototype at the cost of his own life. Because of this sacrifice Lt. Dyson in the YF-19 was able to succeed in destroying the Sharon Apple AI at the SDF Macross.
After the smoke from the Sharon Apple incident cleared the YF-19 was declared the winner of Project Super Nova, and was put into production with the intention of replacing the VF-11 Thunderbolt. The loss of the YF-21 did not discourage General Galaxy, however, and two years later the company released the VF-22 Sturmvogel, a combat aircraft based on the YF-21 prototype. Although the VF-22 did not include the controversial BDI and BCS control systems of the second YF-21 prototype, it proved to be an extremely able aircraft and was purchased by the UN Spacy on a limited basis as a special attack aircraft.
RPG STATS
Vehicle Type: YF-21 No. 1 (Initial Prototype; used conventional Valkyrie flight control systems) YF-21 No. 2 (Second Prototype; included BCS and BDI control systems. Was accepted for Project Super Nova contest, callsign "Omega One") Class: Advanced Variable Fighter (Prototype) Manufacturer: General Galaxy Crew: One pilot wearing Tactical Life Support System.
MDC BY LOCATION:
Head Pulse Laser 30 (1) Head 120 Hands (2) 50 each Arms (2) 125 each Shoulders (2) 100 each Legs & Thrusters (2) 175 each (2) Main Body 375 Main Wings (2) 175 each Tails/Arm Shields (2) 75 each Stealth Gun Pods (2) 120 each (3) Pinpoint Barrier Shield 100 Reinforced Pilot Compartment/Escape Pod 150
(4) External Fold Generator (1, optional) 100 each (5) FAST Arm-mounted Augmentation Packs (2, optional) 60 each FAST Hull-mounted Augmentation Packs (2, optional) 100 each
NOTES:
1. Destroying the head of the YF-21 will knock out the mecha's main sensor systems, including all of the optics systems (infrared, nightvision, thermal). Backup sensor systems will provide standard vision for the pilot using the BDI system. Radar and communications will be unaffected. 2. Depleting the MDC of the main body will destroy the mecha. The pilot and cockpit section/escape pod will be automatically ejected from the doomed mecha before it explodes by the YF-21's main computer. 3. The pinpoint barrier shield regenerates at a rate of 50 MDC per round. Even if completely destroyed the shield will regenerate to full strength within 2 melee rounds. The shield is usually generated on the right or left arm of the YF-21. 4. The External Fold Generator will become non-functional after taking only 25 points of damage. However, the unit can still be repaired. If the generator takes a full 100 points of damage, it is destroyed beyond any hope of repair. 5. When mounted, the FAST Augmentation Packs cover most of the arms of the YF-21. Any damage to the arms of the mecha are applied to the augmentation packs FIRST, and then to the arms once the packs are destroyed.
SPEEDS:
RUNNING, SOLDIER CONFIGURATION: 120 mph (192 kmph) LEAPING, SOLDIER CONFIGURATION: 50 ft (15 m) high or 70 ft (21 m) long without thrusters. 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: Mach 3.5+ (2345 mph/3572 kmph) max speed at 10,000 meters or less above sea level. Mach 5.06+ (3390 mph/5085 kmph) max speed at 10,000-30,000 meters above sea level. Mach 25+ (16,750 mph/25,515 kmph) max speed at 30,000+ meters above sea level, for a maximum of 5 seconds. Cruising speed is usually Mach 5-6. The YF-21 can vary the configuration of its wings and control surfaces to provide greater speed or control as the situation requires. The YF-21 is capable of achieving orbit over an Earth-class planet without additional rocket assistance. Maximum rate of ascent is 61,500 meters/minute. G limits are +32.5 to -17.2 Earth gravities. MAX ENGINE THRUST: 41,200 kg x2 in an atmosphere, 65,200 kg x2 in space. The maximum thrust is automatically limited in an atmosphere due to coolant problems with the optional air intake systems for the engines.
STATISTICAL DATA:
HEIGHT: 48.70 ft (15.22 m) in soldier configuration. 25.98 ft (8.12 m) in gerwalk configuration. 12.93 ft (4.04 m) in fighter configuration. WIDTH: 22.12 ft (6.91 m) at shoulders in soldier configuration. 49.15 ft (15.36 m) in gerwalk or fighter configuration with wings at maximum extension. LENGTH: 13.54 ft (4.23 m) in soldier configuration. 45.15 ft (14.11 m) in gerwalk configuration. 62.78 ft (19.62 m) in fighter configuration. WEIGHT: 9550 kg empty. Maximum takeoff weight in an atmosphere is 39,207 kg, and maximum weight in space with optional fold booster is 48,305 kg (weights beyond that exceed theoretical safe limit for fold booster).
PHYSICAL STRENGTH: Equal to a P.S. of 60 CARGO: Small compartment behind pilot's seat for personal belongings. POWER PLANT: Two 65,200 kg Shinnakasu Industry/Pratt & Whitney/Rolls Royce FF-2450B thermonuclear turbine engines, designed for dual atmosphere/space use with optional concealed trapezoidal air intakes for use in an Earth-type atmosphere. Two 3-dimensional independentent convergent/divergent exhaust are equipped on the FF-2450B for greater maneuverability and V/STOL performance. In addition, several Pratt & Whitney HMM-6J high-maneuverability vernier thrusters are mounted on the wingtips, vertical stabilizers, nose, and other key locations for added performance. Additional thruster options include an external fold generator developed for use with Project Super Nova.
WEAPON SYSTEMS:
1. ERLIKON AAB-7.5 AIR-TO-AIR LASER GUN: The YF-21 mounts a single laser for use in air combat skirmishes and for defensive purposes. The laser is mounted on the head of the mecha in soldier mode, and is located in the forward dorsal section of the main body pointed rearward in fighter and gerwalk modes. The laser can only fire to the REAR of the fighter in these modes; it cannot be turned to fire along another arc.
o PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-aircraft o SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-missile/defensive o RANGE: 4000 feet (1200 m) o DAMAGE: 1D6 M.D. o RATE OF FIRE: The laser can be fired up to 4 times per round. In addition, the laser can be fired in a continuous beam for cutting purposes. When used this way, the weapon does 1D6x10 M.D. per round, but cannot be used against moving targets. o PAYLOAD: Effectively Unlimited.
2. MAULER REB-22 LASER GUNS: Two semi-fixed laser gun clusters are mounted on the YF-21. In fighter mode, these laser clusters are mounted rearward underneath the tail stabilizers, and in gerwalk/soldier mode they are located in the lower arms of the mecha. In fighter mode the lasers can only be aimed along the rear arc of the aircraft (max angle is about 30 degrees in any direction from behind the mecha) but in gerwalk/soldier they can be aimed in any direction by moving the mecha's arms.
o PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-mecha o SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-aircraft o RANGE: 4000 feet (1200 m) o DAMAGE: 1D4x10 M.D. o RATE OF FIRE: The laser can be fired in rapid pulses up to 4 blasts per round. A rapid fire blast counts as a burst of up to 4 shots. o PAYLOAD: Effectively Unlimited.
3. BIFORS BML-02S ALL-ENVIRONMENT RAPID-FIRE MICRO-MISSILE CLUSTERS: The YF-21 is armed with four internal BML-02S missile launchers that were built exclusively for the mecha design. The launchers are mounted in the forward dorsal section of the craft and have exit ports on the wings to either side of the engine nacelles. Any type of SRM missile can be used by the launchers, including the high-maneuverability missiles recently developed by the UN Spacy (see YF-19 stats for details). Armor-piercing SRMs are standard issue, however.
o PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault o MISSILE TYPES: Any type of UN Spacy Short Range Missile, including the new Short Range High Maneuverability (SRHM) missiles. o RANGE: Varies with missile type, typically 5 miles (8 km). o DAMAGE: Varies with missile type, typically 1D6x10 M.D. o RATE OF FIRE: Volleys of 1-4 missiles up to four times per round. If necessary, the YF-21 can expend its entire complement of missiles in a single round. o PAYLOAD: 4 missiles per launcher; 16 total.
4. HOWARD/GENERAL DYNAMICS GV-17L GUN PODS: For a main externalweapon, the YF-21 contains TWO new stealth gatling gun pods produced by Howard Industries and General Dynamics. These gun pods are exclusively designed for the YF-21 and are mounted in specially designed storage bays located on the underside of the craft in fighter mode, similar to the gatling gun used by the VF-17 Nightmare. In Gerwalk or Soldier modes the gun pods can be ejected from their bays and used by one or both of the YF-21's hands. The gun pods can fire in any mode; they fire out of a special concealed port when stored away in Fighter mode.
Like the original GU-11 gun pod used by the VF-1 Valkyries, the GV-17L gun pods do NOT use clips of ammo, but instead have a large internal supply of ammo stored in the barrel of the pod. This allows the GV-17L to contain a larger supply of ammo and bypasses the need to reload while in the field. Once exhausted, the gun pods can only be reloaded by trained technicians at a supply base.
o PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault o SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-mecha o RANGE: 4000 feet (1200 m) o DAMAGE: Does 4D6 M.D. for a short burst, 1D6x10 M.D. for a long burst, or 2D6x10 M.D. for a full melee burst. o RATE OF FIRE: Equal to the number of combined attacks of the pilot. o PAYLOAD: 800 rounds, equal to 80 short bursts, 40 long bursts, or 20 full melee bursts. Once depleted, the gun must be reloaded by a service technician at a UN Spacy base or starship.
5. WING HARD POINTS: The YF-21 has four fixed hard points (two per wing) which can be used to hold a variety of different ordinance payloads, including long, medium, or short range missiles, or even the new medium-range high-maneuverability (MRHM) missiles. One long range, one MRHM, 3 medium range, or 5 short range missiles can be mounted per hardpoint. Usually long range or MRHM missiles are used.
NOTE: Due to the location of the hard points, ALL missiles must be fired or ejected before the YF-21 can convert into soldier mode. For this reason the missiles mounted on the hard points are usually fired within the first few passes of an attack.
o MEDIUM RANGE HIGH MANEUVERABILITY MISSILES + Primary Purpose: Anti-Mecha + Secondary Purpose: Surgical Strikes + Mega-Damage: 2D6x10 M.D. + Rate of Fire: One per hardpoint. + Range: 80 miles. + Payload: One per hardpoint; 4 maximum. o LONG RANGE MISSILES + Primary Purpose: Heavy Assault + Secondary Purpose: Anti-Spacecraft + Missile Types: Any type of standard UN Spacy Long Range Missile can be used. + Range: Varies with missile type. + Damage: Varies with missile type. + Rate of Fire: One or two. + Payload: One per hardpoint; 4 maximum. o MEDIUM RANGE MISSILES + Primary Purpose: Assault + Secondary Purpose: Anti-Mecha + Missile Types: Any type of standard UN Spacy Medium Range Missile can be used. + Range: Varies with missile type. + Damage: Varies with missile type. + Rate of Fire: 1-3 missiles per hardpoint. + Payload: Three per hardpoint; up to 12 maximum. o SHORT RANGE MISSILES + Primary Purpose: Assault + Secondary Purpose: Anti-Mecha + Missile Types: Any type of standard UN Spacy Short Range Missile can be used. + Range: Varies with missile type. + Damage: Varies with missile type. + Rate of Fire: 1-5 missiles per hardpoint. + Payload: Five per hardpoint; up to 20 maximum.
6. HOWARD PBS-03F PIN-POINT BARRIER SYSTEM: The YF-21 is equipped with a new mecha-scale pinpoint barrier system for defense. 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 100 MDC of protection, and regenerates at a rate of 50 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. Due to the tremendous power requirements of the system, the head and wing lasers on the YF-19 cannot be used while the barrier is in operation.
o Primary Purpose: Defense o Protection: 100 MDC total o Regeneration Rate: 50 MDC per round. o Size: The barrier can be up to 10 ft (3 m) in diameter. o Duration: Unlimited.
7. FAST PACK MICRO-MISSILES: As an optional weapon system, theYF-21 can be equipped with two external missile launcher packs, which are located on the lower hull of the mecha in fighter and gerwalk modes, and on the fins behind the legs in soldier mode. Each pack contains an additional 12 SRM missiles which can be fired in volleys of 3 missiles each. The fast packs do NOT contain any thrusters, and mounting them on the YF-21 reduces the overall speed of the craft by 10%. The FAST pack launchers can be ejected from the fighter when depleted. Any type of SRM except the BMM-24 micro-missiles can be used.
o Primary Purpose: Anti-Mecha o Secondary Purpose: Assault o Missile Types: Any type of standard UN Spacy Short Range Missile can be used. o Range: Varies with missile type. o Damage: Varies with missile type. o Rate of Fire: Individually or volleys of up to 6 missiles (three per launcher). o Payload: 12 missiles per launcher; 24 max.
8. HAND TO HAND COMBAT: If necessary, the YF-21 can engage in [Image] melee combat rather than use a weapon. The valkyrie 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:o Restrained Punch: 1D6 M.D. o Full Strength Punch: 3D6 M.D. o "Booster" Punch: 4D6 M.D. (counts as two attacks) o Tear or Pry with Hands: 2D4 M.D. o Kick: 2D4 M.D. o Leap Kick: 3D6 M.D. o Body Flip/Throw: 1D6 M.D. o Body Block/Tackle: 2D6 M.D. o Stomp: 2D6 M.D. (only effective against small objects)
STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE YF-21:
* ACTIVE STEALTH SYSTEM: The YF-21 is equipped with a revolutionary stealth system that when activated renders the craft almost invisible to standard sensors such as radar. Unlike passive stealth systems like those used by the VF-17 Nightmare or the old USAF F-117, the YF-21's stealth system is an ACTIVE stealth system that actually bends radar waves around the mecha rather than reflecting them. When activated, this system gives the YF-21 a +3 on initiative and a +1 to strike at all times.
NOTE: Since the YF-21's stealth capability is a system and not a feature of the design, it can be damaged or destroyed. Once the mecha has lost half of its main body MDC, there is a 50% 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 UN Spacy base. * AUTO-PILOT: The YF-21 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. * BRAIN CONTROL SYSTEM (BCS): This revolutionary and experimental system is one of the most unique abilities of the YF-21. The BCS system allows a disciplined pilot to link his mind with the onboard computer of the mecha, and issue control commands to it at the speed of thought. This allows the YF-21 to move with human-like reflexes and respond with human- like speed. Feedback for the system is transmitted back to the pilot using the brain-direct imaging (BDI) system (see below), providing an interactive control loop that literally makes the mecha a part of the pilot.
The disadvantage of the system is that it requires a fair amount of concentration to use. If the pilot of the YF-21 is suddenly startled or disturbed, he may lose control of the mecha and be unable to regain it until he calms himself down. It requires a fairly dramatic event to startle the pilot sufficiently, such as being physically wounded, seeing a comrade killed in front of him, or (in Chief Bowman's case) being suddenly confronted with a despised enemy and suffering a flashback. If startled, the pilot must roll under his M.E. attribute on a 1D20 to keep control of the plane. If he fails, the BCS fails and the YF-21 will freeze. In order to regain control of the BCS, the pilot must calm himself sufficiently, which requires another successful roll under his M.E. attribute. NOTE: the GM may impose penalties to the above rolls if the pilot is going through a VERY traumatic experience while flying the YF-21.
Another disadvantage of the BCS is that when uncalibrated to a specific user, the system has a tendency to pick up stray thoughts from the pilot and act upon them without his permission. A particularly nasty example of this happened during the Project Super Nova tests when Chief Bowman imagined slamming Pilot Isamu Dyson's VF-11 into the ground, and the BCS picked up and acted on that idle thought. When properly calibrated there is no danger of this occuring, but when an uncalibrated system is being used by a pilot during game play, the GM should roll against the player's M.E. whenever the player makes an idle remark about what he would like to do with the YF-21 (even if he was just mentioning it in jest). If the GM rolls above the player's M.E., the YF-21 will do EXACTLY what the player mentioned, regardless of the consequences.
The cockpit of the YF-21 is equipped with a backup set of standard aircraft controls in case the pilot looses control of the BCS and cannot re-establish contact. Initial versions of the BCS were calibrated specifically for human brain waves, which led to problems when the system was used by non-human pilots such as Chief Bowmann. Zentraedi or other alien pilots using a non- calibrated BCS system receive a +5 penalty to their rolls to keep control of the system. * BRAIN DIRECT IMAGING (BDI) SYSTEM: This prototype system, along with the BCS, allows the pilot of the YF-21 to essentially control the mecha with his thoughts. The BDI system is extremely important to thought control, as it provides the pilot with visual and tactile feedback from the mecha, including things such as balance and force feedback. The BDI essentially makes HUD (heads-up display) and HMD (head mounted display) technology obsolete since instead of overlaying a display with computer- generated graphics the pilot can recieve direct sensory input with computer analysis and highlights directly into his brain. In game terms, this provides the pilot of the YF-21 with a +20% bonus to any skill rolls made to control the mecha, a +2 bonus to dodge and a +1 bonus to strike.
The BDI system does have a drawback, however. Human (and Zentraedi) brains were not designed to accept this type of intense input, and use of the BDI system can lead to stress, fatigue, and headaches. Frequent use of the BDI can even lead to stress-induced tramua-like symptoms manestifying themselves such as sleeplessness, frequent migraines, shaky hands, cold sweats, and short tempers/emotional problems. After each week of frequent use of the BDI system, the pilot must roll under his P.E. stat or the character will begin to exhibit one of the above symptoms (GMs choice). The base medical officer can prescribe drugs to surpress the symptoms, but the only way for the pilot to be cured is to stop using the BDI system. It is not known what long-term use of the BDI system without breaks will do to a pilot.
NOTE: Although the cockpit of the YF-21 does NOT contain any windows except a top-mounted radome (the BDI makes windows unnecessary, theoretically), a backup display monitor is included for the pilot in the event of BDI system failure. This monitor, while acceptable as an emergency backup, is not well designed for a combat fighter, and being forced to rely solely on it imposes a -3 penalty to hit and dodge rolls by the pilot. * COMBAT COMPUTER: The YF-21 is equipped with a combat computer that can store and analyze data during combat with hostile forces. Data collected by the combat computer can be viewed by the pilot either on standard HUD displays mounted on the cockpit viewports, or using the new BDI system (see above). This allows the computer to display large amounts of data to the pilot and even highlight enemies and missile attacks with overlaid graphics. 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. * ESCAPE POD: The entire reinforced cockpit of the YF-21 is a detachable escape pod that can be jettisoned when the mecha is destroyed. The ejected cockpit does not contain thrusters, but does contain a powerful locator beacon and an integrated life support system that can support the pilot for up to 24 hours after ejection. The pod is also equipped with parachutes in case of ejection in an atmosphere. The combat computer is programmed to automatically eject the escape pod if the mecha is destroyed (main body MDC reduced to 0), but this can be overridden if the pilot is feeling suicidal for some reason. * 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 YF-21 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 valkyries and UN Spacy ships can key on and track/locate specific signals, 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: WIDE-SPECTRUM SENSORS: Range: 2000 feet (610 m). This new active/passive optical system is able to view and project light from any portion of the visible and invisible spectrum, from infrared to ultraviolet and everything in between. Among other things, this system allows the pilot to see in the dark or through smoke using infrared, through water or fog using ultraviolet, and even detect heat emissions from concealed targets. The sensors can use either an active or passive scanning mode. In active mode, the YF-21 actually projects a beam of light (visible or invisible) and views the reflection off objects. In passive mode, the sensors simply receive data without emitting light. Active mode provides more detailed pictures, but passive mode reduces the risk of detection by IR or UV sensors. The system provides the pilot with a bonus of +10% when tracking or trying to detect an ambush. Results of the scans can be viewed either on HUD displays or using the BDI system. * RADAR: 200 mile (321 km) 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 a Valkyrie fighter by the enemy, the pilot can activate the YF-21's 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 1D6x10 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 valkyries 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 YF-21's cockpit is pressurized, and also provides additional air feeds to the pilot's flight suit that provides him with pressurized breathing. The UN Spacy 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.
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COMBAT BONUSES FOR YF-21 FIGHTER TRAINING:
NOTE: Due to the prototype nature of the YF-21, it is highly recommended that no player be allowed to start the game with YF-21 BDI/BCS combat training (unless the GM is running a very unusual campaign). Untrained pilots should get bonuses equal to Basic Valkyrie Combat Training when piloting the YF-21, and military pilots with no prior YF-21 experience should get full bonuses from Advanced VF-11 Valkyrie Combat Training. However, this only applies to players trying to fly the YF-21 with conventional controls; characters trying to fly a YF-21 using the BDI/BCS systems for the first time only get Basic Valkyrie Combat Training bonuses regardless of their experience! The BDI/BCS systems take immense amounts of training and discipline to be used at maximum efficiency.
The below bonuses only apply to trained characters piloting a YF-21 using the BDI/BCS systems. Players should only be allowed to get this training when their characters have accumulated enough experience to acquire new skills. Pilots trained on non-BDI/BCS versions of the YF-21 should use the bonuses for VF-22 Sturmvogel combat training.
ADVANCED YF-21 BDI/BCS VALKYRIE COMBAT TRAINING
* Advanced training for pilots specializing in the YF-21 and trained to take full advantage of the Brain Control System and Brain Direct Imaging systems of the prototype. * 4 attacks per melee (plus those of the pilot). * Add one additional action/attack at levels two, five, seven, and ten. * +3 on initiative. (+5 when using Active Stealth System) * +4 to strike * +4 to parry * +4 to dodge in solder mode, +6 in gerwalk, +8 in jet mode. * +3 to roll with a punch or fall with an impact, reducing damage by half. * +4 to leap dodge. A leap dodge is an automatic dodge which causes no loss of attacks per melee. The new generation valkyries are so maneuverable that the pilot can dodge an attack while moving to counterattack an enemy. * Critical strike same as pilot's hand-to-hand. * Body block/tackle/ram - 2D4 M.D. plus a 50% chance of knocking an opponent down, causing him to loose initiative and one attack that melee round.
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REFERENCES USED IN THIS DESIGN
* "Doe's All The Worlds' Mecha Guide: General Galaxy YF-21 Reference Entry" * Macross Plus episodes 1-4 * This is Animation Special: Macross Plus * This is Animation The Select: Macross Plus Movie Edition
