The following material is an adaptation of an Official Mecha from the MACROSS timeline, based on the original Japanese MACROSS TV series, for which no official pictures exist. The below stats are based on knowledge taken from the FBz-99 Zaubergaran. Please feel free to use, copy, and distribute it as you see fit. All I ask is that you give proper credit to the Author and do not claim that it is your own work. Comments and suggestions are welcome. (Name is proposed as no official name has yet been released)

VAB-2 WRAITH VARIABLE FIGHTER/BOMBER

VAB-2 RPG Stats by Daniel Henwood (dhenwood@hotmail.com
Based on FBZ-99 RPG Stats & Layout design by DAVE DEITRICH (deitrich@mcs.net)
Images provided by Greg Lane
Background info provided by the MACROSS ONLINE COMPENDIUM

BACKGROUND

The latest mecha design to incorporate passive-stealth technology in its construction. The VAB-2 began development in 2035, a year after development began on the YF-19 and YF-21, thus allowing it to make use of techniques found in their design and construction. Taking the flying wing idea used by the SB-10 StarWing, a non-transformable Space bomber used by the UN Armed Forces, they began to develop the VAB-2. Incorporating passive stealth technology was essential for it to be able to compete with the YF-19 and YF-21. Also maintaining a streamlined body meant that certain things such as external hardpoints would need to be dealt with so as not to affect the stealth ability of the crafts design.

The Wraith was designed largely as a missile boat, not meant to close with the enemy, able to make saturation bombing runs and precision strikes. As such, it was developed with the high-maneuverability missile in mind for surgical strikes. One problem that cropped up early on in the designing of the VAB-2 was the inability of the craft to be able to carry a gun pod for close in combat. Designers incorporated internally mounted Laser Pulse guns for use in close combat, with the Wraith utilising its missiles to hold off any attackers further away.

Like all advanced models entering UN Service from 2040 onwards, the VAB-2 was equipped with a holopgraphic cockpit system allowing the pilot and bomber almost unparalled views around their mecha, and especially of unsuspecting targets below them. Also included in the design was a Pin Point Barrier Defence System as a precautionary measure as the VAB-2 does not sport the Armoured Shield that the VF-11, VF-19 & VF-22 fighters do. The VAB-2 was deployed to the UN Armed Forces officially in 2042, and took over from the VA-14 as the Bomber of choice from 2046.

RPG STATS

Vehicle Type:
XAB-2 Stealth Testbed Craft
VAB-2A Initial Production Model
VAB-2B Second Production Run
VAB-2C Fleet Upgrade. First to feature rotary missile launcher
VAB-2D Upgrade to include PBDS
Class: Tactical Variable Attack Fighter/Bomber
Manufacturer: Northrom & Grumman/Mikoyan
Crew: One pilot wearing Tactical Life Support System.

MDC BY LOCATION: 

    Head Laser                                       25
(1) Head                                            100
    Hands (2)                                        50 each
    Arms (2)                                        120 each
    Shoulders/Missile Launchers Engine Nacelles (2) 120 each
    Legs & Thrusters (2)                            225 each
(2) Main Body                                       375
    Wings (2)                                       125 each
    Main Body Missile Launchers (4)                  75 each
    Reinforced Pilot Compartment/Escape Pod         150
(3) Pin Point Barrier Shield                        100

NOTES:

(1)
Destroying the head of the VAB-2 will knock out the mecha's major sensor systems, including all optical systems (infrared, nightvision, and thermal). 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 mecha's main computer.
(2)
The pinpoint barrier shield regenerates at a rate of 50 MDC per round. Even if completely destroyed the shield will regenerate within 2 melee rounds.

SPEEDS:

RUNNING, SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:
70 mph (112 kmph)
LEAPING, SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:
20 ft (6 m) high or 30 ft (9 m) long without thrusters.
FLYING, SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:
200 mph (320 kmph) maximum speed limit in an Earth-like atmosphere. Can also hover in place indefinitely.
FLYING, GERWALK CONFIGURATION:
Mach One (670 mph/1072 kmph) maximum speed limit in an Earth-like atmosphere. Can also hover in place indefinitely.
FLYING, FIGHTER CONFIGURATION:
650 mph (1040 kmph/Mach 0.97) max speed at 8,000 meters or less above sea level. Mach 2.2+ (1475 mph/2355 kmph) max speed at 8,000-38,000 meters above sea level. Mach 3.0+ (2010 mph/3210 kmph) max speed at 38,000+ meters above sea level. The VAB-2 is fully transatmospheric and can attain orbit above an Earth-type planet without extra booster assistance. Maximum rate of ascent is 14,000 meters/minute. G limits are +13.8 to -9.3 standard Earth gravities.

STATISTICAL DATA:

HEIGHT:
73.44 ft (22.95 m) in soldier configuration.
40.39 ft (12.62 m) in gerwalk configuration.
11.02 ft (3.44 m) in fighter configuration.
WIDTH:
50.82 ft (15.88 m) at shoulders in soldier configuration.
121.00 ft (37.81 m) in gerwalk or fighter configuration with wings at maximum extension.
LENGTH:
32.00 ft (10.00 m) in soldier configuration.
46.54 ft (14.54 m) in gerwalk configuration.
58.18 ft (18.18 m) in fighter configuration.
WEIGHT:
22,600 kg (empty)

PHYSICAL STRENGTH:
Equal to a P.S. of 70
CARGO:
Small compartment behind pilot's seat for personal belongings.
POWER PLANT:
Four 52500 kg class (maximum instantaneous thrust in space) Shinnakasu/Daimler FF-2200G engines. Two 24600 kg class (maximum instantaneous thrust in space) Roice/Daimler FR-60C thermonuclear rocket engines to assist mobility in Heavy Battroid mode. Two overfuselage air intakes. Two vectored exhaust nozzles, for VTOL performance and manoeuvrability. Two sub-nozzles for Heavy Battroid use. P&W/Daimler HMM-5C high-manoeuvrability vernier thrusters.

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

  1. ANTI-AIRCRAFT PULSE LASER: The VAB-2 mounts a single pulse 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 central 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.

    • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-aircraft
    • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-missile/defensive
    • RANGE: 4000 feet (1200 m)
    • DAMAGE: 2D4 M.D.
    • 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.
    • PAYLOAD: Effectively Unlimited.

  2. FIXED SHOULDER-MOUNTED SHORT-RANGE MISSILE LAUNCHERS (2): The VAB-2 Wraith's primary combat role is that of a fighter/bomber, and in order to fulfil that role is equipped with large of internal missile launchers scattered across its hull. The largest launchers are located in the shoulders of the mecha in soldier mode, and on the engine nacelles in Gerwalk and Fighter modes. Each shoulder launcher has 11 missile tubes and holds 33 missiles(3 per tube.) The launcher can fire one missile per tube per melee round. Any type of SRM may be loaded.

    • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault
    • MISSILE TYPE: Short Range Missile (Any type)
    • RANGE: Varies per missile but typically 2.5 miles
    • DAMAGE: Varies per missile but typically 1D6x10 M.D. per missile
    • RATE OF FIRE: Volleys of 1 to 11 missiles. One volley counts as one attack
    • PAYLOAD: 3 missiles per tube, 33 per launcher. 66 in total

  3. FIXED MAIN-BODY SHORT-RANGE MISSILE LAUNCHERS (2): In addition to the shoulder missile launchers, the VAB-2 has two 5-barrel missile launchers on the top of the main body. Each launcher holds 15 missiles. In soldier mode the launchers are located on either side of the head of the mecha, but in gerwalk and fighter modes they are concealed within the main body. In these modes the launchers pop up out of the main body to fire when necessary.

    • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault
    • MISSILE TYPE: Short Range Missile (Any type)
    • RANGE: Varies per missile but typically 2.5 miles
    • DAMAGE: Varies per missile but typically 1D6x10 M.D. per missile
    • RATE OF FIRE: Volleys of 1 to 5 missiles. One volley counts as one attack
    • PAYLOAD: 15 per launcher. 30 in total

  4. ROTARY MICRO MISSILE LAUNCHERS (2): The most devastating artillery weapon on the VAB-2 are two rotating missile launchers on the lower main body of the mecha. These launchers rotate while being fired so that some missile tubes are being reloaded while others are firing. This results in a devastating rate of fire for the launchers. In gerwalk and fighter modes these launchers are also concealed within the main body, and lower out of the mecha when firing in these modes. Armor-piercing or high- explosive MMs are standard issue.

    • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault
    • MISSILE TYPES: Any type of Micro Missile can be used
    • RANGE: Varies with missile type, typically 1 mile (1.6 km)
    • DAMAGE: Varies with missile type, typically 1D4x10 M.D.
    • RATE OF FIRE: Volleys of up to 20 (!) missiles. One volley counts as one attack.
    • PAYLOAD: 100 missiles in a magazine shared by both launchers. Note that this means that all 100 missiles can be launched in a single combat round using five melee attacks.

  5. ARM MOUNTED LASER PULSE CANNONS (2): In place of gun pods, the Wraith is armed with two rapid-fire pulse lasers in the arms of the mecha. These cannons fire forward out of the lower main wing in fighter mode, or out of the palms of the mecha's hands in gerwalk/soldier mode.

    • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault
    • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-mecha
    • RANGE: 4000 feet (1220 m)
    • DAMAGE: A single blast does 2D6 M.D., or a burst of 4 shots does 1D6x10 M.D.
    • RATE OF FIRE: The lasers can be fired in blasts or bursts, and each blast or burst counts as one melee attack. The total rate of fire for the lasers is equal to the pilot's number of attacks.
    • PAYLOAD: Effectively Unlimited.

  6. BODY/WING HARD POINTS: The VAB-2 is also equipped with ten fixed hard points for missiles, bombs, and other ordinance. One long range missile, 3 medium range missiles, or 6 bombs can be mounted per hardpoint. Usually long range missiles are used.

    • LONG RANGE MISSILES
      • Primary Purpose: Heavy Assault
      • Secondary Purpose: Anti-Spacecraft
      • Missile Types: Any type of UN Spacy Long Range Missile can be used.
      • Range: Varies with missile type.
      • Damage: Varies with missile type.
      • Rate of Fire: One to six (all) missiles.
      • Payload: One per hardpoint; 10 maximum.
    • MEDIUM RANGE MISSILES
      • Primary Purpose: Assault
      • Secondary Purpose: Anti-Mecha
      • Missile Types: Any type of 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 30 maximum.
    • STANDARD BOMBS (UNGUIDED MISSILES)
      • Primary Purpose: Ground Assault
      • Secondary Purpose: Anti-Fortification
      • Missile Type: Standard UN Spacy bombs, usually high explosive or fragmentation.
      • Mega-Damage: 1D6x10 M.D.
      • Rate of Fire: Volleys of 1 to 10 missiles per attack.
      • Payload: 6 per hardpoint; up to 60 maximum.
      • Note: Bombs can be laser-guided or unguided. Unguided bombs are -4 to strike a stationary ground target, -6 to strike a moving target(s), and -10 to hit a small moving target like a mecha or vehicle. Guided bombs do not have these penalties, but require a spotter to illuminate the target with a laser designator. If the designator loses sight of the target the previous penalties immediately apply.

    • HAND TO HAND COMBAT: If necessary, the pilot of the VAB-2 can engage in melee combat rather than use a weapon. The variable fighter 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:

      • Restrained Punch: 1D6 M.D.
      • Full Strength Punch: 3D6 M.D.
      • "Booster" Punch: 4D6 M.D. (counts as two attacks)
      • Tear or Pry with Hands: 2D4 M.D.
      • Kick: 2D4 M.D.
      • Leap Kick: 3D6 M.D.
      • Body Flip/Throw: 1D6 M.D.
      • Body Block/Tackle: 2D6 M.D.
      • Stomp: 2D4 M.D. (only effective against small objects)
      • Restrained Punch: 1D6 M.D.

STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE VAB-2:

COMBAT BONUSES FOR VAB-2 VARIABLE FIGHTER/BOMBER TRAINING:

BASIC VARIABLE FIGHTER COMBAT TRAINING

ADVANCED VAB-2 FIGHTER COMBAT TRAINING

REFERENCES USED IN THIS DESIGN

Greg Lane's Concept Designs

Linked below are the concept designs for the VAB-2 which were done for us by Greg Lane.

Fighter Front View
Front View
Head Shot
Fighter Mode
Gerwalk Mode