VARAUTA FLEET FLAGSHIP SPACE CARRIER

BACKGROUND

Even for a ship of its size the Varauta Flagship has enormous amounts of firepower, and is without a doubt one of the most powerful weapons in the galaxy. Within its hanger bays are between 400 and 500 Varuata Variable Fighters, reconnaisance craft, bombers, and other space craft. This further enhances the Flagships ability to act as a multi-role vessel. Sequestered within its booms and main hull are Variable Fighter and spacecraft manufacturing and repair bays, including hanger bays for Vanguard Frigates, and a handful of larger warships.

RPG STATS

MDC BY LOCATION:

(1) Center Hull                       350,000
(2) Main Engines (4)                  250,000 each
    Auxiliary Engines (5)              45,000 each
(3) Command Tower                      25,000 
    Hangar Booms (2)                  400,000 each
    Fins (6)                            2,500 each
    Airlock Hatches (120)                 200 each
    Heavy Particle Cannon              50,000
    Bombardment Particle Cannons (2): 
    Forward Particle Cannons (4)        2,000 each
    Medium Beam Cannons (150)             150 each
    Light Beam Cannons (110)              110 each
    Heavy Laser Turrets (2)             2,000 each
    Torpedo Tubes (8)                   1,500 each
(4) Force Field                       100,000

Notes:

1. Depleting the MDC of the Center hull will put the ship out of commission. All internal systems will shut down, including life support and internal gravity. The ship itself will be an unsalvageable floating wreck.
2. Depleting the MDC of the main engines will force the ship to rely on its secondary engines. Depleting the MDC of the main engines and secondary engines will leave the ship adrift in space. If in an atmosphere, the ship will crash ( destruction of the main engines will render the antigravity system useless due to loss of power)
3. Destroying the command tower will instead kill the command staff and deprive the ship of all forms of long range communications, radar and targeting. The range and targeting capabilities of the secondary systems are equal to that of a FZ-109. The ship can still operate , but is at - 3 initiative, -3 strike, and number of attack per Mlle. of the weapons systems are reduce by half. Destroying to main comm/sensor array on top of the command tower will have the same effect, but the command staff will not be killed instatntly.
4. The force field will regenerate at a rate of 2,500 MD per second (5,000 MD per melee round)

SPEEDS:

Speed(sublight): 0.20 speed of light (32,000 miles per second)
Speed(Auxiliary Drives): Mach 3
Space Fold: Range Unlimited (1 light year every 6 minutes)
Planet bound:

Can land if necessary but not designed to maneuver in an atmosphere. Can only land in a body of water (does not have landing gear).

Maximum Range: Unlimited (estimated 20 year life span, which can be extended with regular maintenance and overhauls)

STATISTICAL DATA:

LENGTH:

4,230 metres

WEIGHT:

Mass (Empty): 210,000,000 tons

Mass (Operational): 320,000,000 tons

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

1. HEAVY PARTICLE CANNON: (2) Dual charging arrays feed power to the flagshps's heavy particle cannon. This is the ship's most powerful weapon and can totally disintegrate targets which are unfortunate enough to be within its wide arc of fire. The only drawback is the time required to charge the cannon. The cannon may fire once every 4 minutes. If one cannon array is destroyed, the remaining array may fire a beam equal to 2D6x1000 M.D.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Heavy Assault
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-warship
   • RANGE: 200,000 miles
   • DAMAGE: Destroys everything inn its path, regardless of MDC and movement. The only way to avoid obliteration is to avoid being in the path of the beam! If used against a planet, the beam causes 3D6x1,000,000 M.D, leaving only a radioactive crater 2D6x10 miles long and 3D6x100 feet deep. The resulting shockwave will also cause substantial damage to surrounding terrain for an additional 1D6x10 miles from the edge of the crater. (Note: A sufficiently strong force field can deflect/absorb the beam if necessary, Examples of such fields include multiple pinpoint barrier shields layered on top of each other and barriers generated by stronger Protodeviln beings. A force field must have at least 20,000 M.D before it can resist a heavy particle beam of the magnitude.)
   • RATE OF FIRE: Once per 5 minutes (20 melees)
   • PAYLOAD: Unlimited

2. BOMBARDMENT PARTICLE CANNONS (2): Two horn-like projections are located on the flagship's underside beneath the center hull. These are the secondary particle cannons used for orbital bombardment are attacking targets that are in front of or underneath the flagship. The Cannons have a shorter range but are no less destructive. Likewise, a long time is necessary to fully charge the weapon. If one cannon is destroyed, the remaining gun may fire a beam equal to 1D4x1000 M.D.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Orbital Bombardment
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Warship
   • RANGE: 25,000 miles in a atmosphere, (double in space)
   • DAMAGE: Destroys everything in its path, regardless of MDC and movement. The only way to avoid obliteration is to avoid being in the path of the beam! If used againest a planet, the beam causes 3D6x1,000,000 M.D, leaving only a radioactive crater 2D6x10 miles long and 3D6x100 feet deep. The resulting shockwave will also cause substantial damage to surrounding terrain for an additional 1D6x10 miles from the edge of the crater. (Note: A sufficiently strong force field can deflect/absorb the beam if necessary, Examples of such fields include multiple pinpoint barrier shields layered on top of each other and barriers generated by stronger Protodeviln beings. A force field must have at least 20,000 M.D before it can resist a heavy particle beam of the magnitude.)
   • RATE OF FIRE: Once per 5 minutes (20 melees)
   • PAYLOAD: Unlimited

3. FORWARD PARTICLE CANNONS (4): On each of the two arm-like booms are two heavy duty particle cannons. These weapoons can only fire directly foorward at targets in front of the flagshig. The four cannons are the flagships primary antiship weapons, as the main and bombardment cannons cannot fire fast enough to to be suitable for fleet actions.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-warship
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Heavy Assault
   • RANGE: 75,000 miles in an atmosphere (Double in space)
   • DAMAGE: 4D6x1000
   • RATE OF FIRE: Each particle cannon can fire up to once per melee.
   • PAYLOAD: Unlimited

4. MEDIUM BEAM CANNONS (150): Numerous medium bore anti ship beam cannons are placed at strategic locations on the upper and lower hull. Some are retractable, other are not. All are capable of 180 degree fire in their respective directions, and are usually reserved for defending against medium to large sized targets.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-Ship
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Heavy Assault
   • RANGE: 5,000 miles in an atmosphere (Double in space)
   • DAMAGE: 1D4x1000 MD
   • RATE OF FIRE: Each beam cannon can fire up to three times per melee.
   • PAYLOAD: Unlimited

5. LIGHT BEAM CANNONS (110): Numerous small bore anti-ship and anti-fighter beam cannons are placed at strategic locations on the upper and lower hull. Some are retractable, other are not. All are capable of 180 degree fire in their respective directions, and are usually reserved for defending against small to medium size targets.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-Warship
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Heavy Assault
   • RANGE: 250 miles in an atmosphere (Double in space)
   • DAMAGE: 2D6x10 MD
   • RATE OF FIRE: Each beam cannon can fire up to five times per melee.
   • PAYLOAD: Unlimited

6. HEAVY LASER TURRETS (2): Two heavy laser turrets are located on the lower hull, where the booms connect to the center portion of the flagship. Each of them are capable of rotating 180 degrees to fire.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-warship
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Orbital Bombardment
   • RANGE: 7,500 miles in an atmosphere. Double in space.
   • DAMAGE: 1D8x1000 MD per single blast, 2D8x1000 per dual blast.
   • RATE OF FIRE: Each laser cannon can fire once per melee
   • PAYLOAD: Unlimited

7. TORPEDO TUBES (8): The forward face of the center portion of the flagship contains enormous anti-ship torpedo tubes. All of the tubes are protected by armored hatches when not in use. When fired they do so in rapid succession. Torpedoes may only fire at targets in the forward arc of fire.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE:Anti-warship
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Heavy Assault
   • RANGE: 2,500 miles in atmosphere double in space
   • DAMAGE: 2D6x1000 per torpedo
   • RATE OF FIRE: Each launcher may fire once per every four melees.
   • PAYLOAD: 2 Torpedos per launcher.

8. FORCE FIELD BARRIER SYSTEM: The varauta force field system is a derivative of the omni-directional barriers that were used by Supervision Army vessels during the Schism War. Its function is relatively the same as the UN Spacy's pin point barrier system, However, the force field completly enclosed the ship in a powerful energy sheld, protecting it from attacks from any direction. The only drawback to this is that no weapons systems may fire and no fighters may be launched while the system is active.
9. PINPOINT BARRIER DEFENSE SYSTEM: Originally developed by researchers onboard the SDF-01 Macross during Space War One, the Pinpoint Barrier System is a standard defense system on board all UN Spacy starships. It is for this reason that the Varauta have Pin Point Barrier technology as they took it from the Megaroad-13 Fleets ships. The system generates four small disc-shaped force fields that can be positioned anywhere along the ship to deflect missiles, energy beams or projectiles. Each pinpoint barrier is about 200 ft (61 m) in length and can absorb up to 2,500 MD in damage, which then regenerates within four seconds (1 melee round). The barriers can also be layered on top of each other to generate a field which provides 10,000 MDC and can even deflect heavy particle beams (sometimes).

   The four barriers are controlled by operators in the command tower of the carrier. These operators are instructed to defend (1) the command tower, bridge, and sensor array, (2) main engines, (3) hangar bays, and (4) weapon systems, in that order. The operators primarily concentrate on defending the ship against larger spacecraft and leave defense against mecha attacking the carrier to the Mecha pilots.

   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Defense (the pinpoint barrier system cannot be used as a weapon)
   • RANGE: Up to 300 feet (91.5 m) from the surface of the vessel.
   • DAMAGE CAPACITY: Can sustain up to 2,500 MD per round. Regenerates at a rate of 2,500 MD per melee round.
   • RADIUS: 200 ft (61 m)
   • DEFENSIVE MOVEMENT: Can move from one end of the carrier to the other in less than a single round. Trained operators can attempt to block attacks up to 8 times per melee (counts as a parry) and are at +7 to block. Untrained characters can parry up to their number of hand-to-hand attacks with their normal parry bonuses only.
   • PAYLOAD: Nearly inexhaustible. Will work as long as system is functional (see below) and engines are intact. If main engines are destroyed, the barrier will loose power and not function.
   • NOTE: If all four barriers are grouped in a single spot they can deflect a heavy particle beam attack, such as the one generated by the Macross Cannon, Zentraedi/Varuta command warships, and some Protodeviln. However, the beam will completely destroy all four barriers and put incredible strain on the pinpoint barrier system, to the point where it may short out. After deflecting an energy beam, roll percentile dice on the table below to determine additional effects/damage.
     • 01-05: Lucked out, system will be operational in 1D6 hours.
     • 06-20: Minor damage, system will require 4D6 hours to repair.
     • 21-35: Major damage, system will require 2D6x10 hours to repair (yes, DAYS of work).
     • 36-64: Completely destroyed! System can be rebuilt, but will require new parts and 2D6 DAYS of work to replace.
     • 65-79: Major damage, system will require 2D6x10 hours to repair.
     • 80-94: Minor damage, system will require 4D6 hours to repair.
     • 95-99: Lucked out, system will be operational in 1D6 hours.
     • 00: It's a miracle! Trivial damage only, system will be operational again in only 4D6 melee rounds!

SYSTEMS OF NOTE:

• ANTIGRAVITY PROPULSION SYSTEM: The Varauta flagships are equipped with an anti-gravity propulsion system used for planetary landings and liftoffs. The system is good for vertical ascent/descent only and can lift the ship at speeds of up to 1,320 ft per min. The system will function so long as the main energy system can supply energy to it.
• HYPERSPACE COMMUNICATIONS: Based on the same technology as the space fold sytem, the hyperspace communications relay allows faster-than-light communication between the flagship and other vessels or planetary bases. hyperspace communication are still not instantaneous, however. Audi/video communication travels through hyperspace at a rate of about 1 second per 4000 light years, so messages communicatied over vast distances can still take seconds or minutes to arrive.
• LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS: The Varauta flagships have a fully functioning life support system which can alone provide fresh (and recycled) atmosphere throughout the ship for the crew. The system has an approximately 30 year life span, after which its filters must be replaced.
• LONG RANGE LASER/SATELLITE RELAY COMMUNICATIONS: The communications array of the dual command towers can communicate with up to 200 craft simultaneously at ranges of up to 800 milles . This range can be boosted indefienitely by using satellites or other spacecraft as to relay communications.
• LONG RANGE RADAR: The radar array of the command tower is equally as impressive as the communication system, and can track and identify up to 1,500 craft simultaneously. The radar sysztem has a 1,200 mile/range.
• SPACE FOLD SYSTEM: For FTL propulsion, the flagship is equipped with a fold sytem, capable of propelling the flagship through hyperspace at speeds up to 9,83x10^9 mps , or 1 llight year per 10 minutes. The range of the fold drive is theoretically unlimited except by the lilfe expectancy of the spacecraft. The fold sytem aboad Varauta ships are extremely advanced, allowing de-fold in very close proximity to realspace masses (i.e. a starship). This ability was used to maximum advantage by Varauta forces during the Varauta/Macross 7 War.
• LONG RANGED SPIRITIA IMAGER: A standard feature aboard most Varauta fighters and warships, this imaging device is projected on the bridge main heads up display HUD. The imager allows the ship commander to analyze spiritia levels of distant targets without actually approaching combat range. The spiritia imager can track, 1,500 spiritia generating targets simultaneously and has a 1 AU (93 million mile) range.
• SUBLIGHT ENGINES: As a backup to the fold sytem, the flagship is equipped with sublight engines that can propel the craft at speeds up to 40,100 miles per second in space. Note that these engines are mainly intended for rapid movement inside a planetary sytem and are not suited for long voyages between star system. In a planetary atmosphere the flagsip is limited to speeds of Mach 2 maximum due to hull stress.
• SUPSPACE MASS SENSORS: As part of the flagship's sensor sytems, the battleship was equipped with subspace sensor that could essentially instantly detect mass reading and movement of objects up to 1AU (93 million miles) distant from the flagship. Readings taken with the subspace sensor are not very detailed (-25% penalty when trying to identify a detecte object) and cannot detect objects of less than 60,000 kg (this includes most Zentraedi and UN Spacy mecha)

MECHA COMPLEMENT (STANDARD):

• FZ109 Elgerzorenes: 420 (35 Squadrons) on active status.
• AZ- 130 Panterserzorenes: 36 (3 Squadrons) on active status.
• FBZ-99 Zaubergerans: 60 (5 Squadrons) on active status.
• Vanguard Frigates: 20-30

NOTE: The Varauta Flagship is capable of storing 6-8 warships inside its spacious internal docks

REFERENCES USED IN THIS DESIGN

• "Doe's All The Worlds' Starship Guide: Varauta Fleet Flagship Space Carrier Entry"
• Macross 7 This Is Animation: Animation Materials