Vehicle Standard Equipment
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When editing, please be careful not to modify the headers ( == == ) as other pages are linked to them.
Using this page:
- Equipment is listed alphabetically and provides a full description of the abilities it has/imparts on the user.
- At the link from the vehicle using this list should be an era indicator. The era indicator represents the level that the equipment was at when the vehicle first entered production.
- Links that don’t have an era indicator are assumed to be at the lowest era available.
- Your GM may wish to have an upgrade in which the technology era has been increased to a higher level.
- NOT EVERY VF HAS ALL OF THE FOLLOWING!
Era i = Space War 1.
Era ii = Early Colonization Phase
Era iii = Late Colonization Phase
Era iv = Advanced Variable Fighter Phase
Contents
- 1 ACTIVE STEALTH SYSTEM
- 2 AI PILOT
- 3 AUTOPILOT
- 4 COMBAT COMPUTER W/HUD DISPLAYS
- 5 COPILOT SEAT
- 6 DETATCHABLE LIMBS
- 7 EJECTOR SEAT(S) & HOMING SIGNAL
- 8 ESCAPE POD
- 9 EXTERNAL AUDIO PICKUP
- 10 GROUND SENSOR SYSTEM
- 11 HEAT AND RADIATION SHIELDS
- 12 LANDING GEAR/CATAPULT HOOK
- 13 LASER TARGETING SYSTEM
- 14 LOUDSPEAKER
- 15 OPTICS: INFRARED
- 16 OPTICS: NIGHTVISION
- 17 OPTICS: TELESCOPIC VISION
- 18 OPTICS: THERMAL IMAGER
- 19 OPTICS: WIDE-SPECTRUM SENSORS
- 20 RADAR
- 21 RADIO/VIDEO COMMUNICATION
- 22 REINFORCED AI COCKPIT
- 23 SELF-DESTRUCT
- 24 STANDARD SURVIVAL KIT
- 25 TACTICAL LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM
- 26 VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT COCKPIT
- 27 Fanfic creations
- 28 INTERNAL FOLD BOOSTER
ACTIVE STEALTH SYSTEM
The vehicle has been upgraded to include an active stealth system similar to the YF-21's during the Project Super Nova trials. Unlike passive stealth systems, like those used by the VF-17 Nightmare or the old USAF F-117, the active stealth system actually absorbs radar waves in an energy field projected around the mecha rather than reflecting them. The active stealth system is not quite as good as the YF-21's due to sacrifices that had to be made in order to fit the system into the vehicle’s fuselage. Active Stealth, like all stealth systems on aerospace craft, is only truly effective at a distance. At short range, 5 Km or less, the effect of the active stealth field is negated and the vehicle is detected almost like normal. At medium ranges, between 5 and 75 Km, the active stealth field is effective but easily overcome by skilled radio operators. The active stealth field is most effective at ranges over 75 Km, making the VF virtually invisible on radar screens. Note that there are other means of detecting a vehicle and active stealth only counters radar directed at the vehicle. When activated, this system gives the vehicle a +3 on initiative (but no bonus to strike) at all times.</br> NOTE: Since the vehicle's stealth capability is a system and not a feature of the design. Thus 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.
AI PILOT
The vehicle is piloted and controlled by an Artificial Intelligence, which controls all of the fighter’s functions. It can be updated by a controller within communications range either from the ground or a ship, updating it with new target data or mission parameters. If the vehicle is outside of communications range it will continue with its present mission. If that mission has been completed the Ghost fighter will return immediately within communications range for further orders.
AUTOPILOT
The vehicle is equipped with a computerized autopilot, allowing the pilot to relax or even sleep during long voyages. The autopilot 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 autopilot was designed with long intra-system space journeys in mind.
COMBAT COMPUTER W/HUD DISPLAYS
The vehicle is equipped with a combat computer that can store and analyze data during combat with hostile forces. Data readouts and stats can be displayed either on the cockpit's HUD display or on the dashboard monitors of the aircraft. The combat computer tracks and identifies specific enemy targets.
Era i: Has a database of over 1,000 images stored in memory; can identify and track up to 75 targets simultaneously. Data is displayed on the HUD and MFDs only. (Eg: VF-1, SWI era.)
Era ia: The entire cockpit canopy of the VF is a large HUD display, which allows the computer to display large amounts of data to the pilot and even highlight enemies and missile attacks with overlaid graphics. Has a database of over 1,000 images stored in memory; can identify and track up to 75 targets simultaneously. (Eg: VF-1, post SWI era.)
Era ii: The entire cockpit canopy of the VF is a large HUD display, which allows the computer to display large amounts of data to the pilot and even highlight enemies and missile attacks with overlaid graphics. Has a database of over 5,000 images stored in memory; can identify and track up to 125 targets simultaneously.
Era iii: The entire cockpit canopy of the VF is a large HUD display, which allows the computer to display large amounts of data to the pilot and even highlight enemies and missile attacks with overlaid graphics. Has a database of over 10,000 images stored in memory; can identify and track up to 250 targets simultaneously.
Era iv: Data collected by the combat computer can be displayed on the virtual environment cockpit of the vehicle, which allows the system to display large amounts of data to the pilot and even highlight enemies and missile attacks with overlaid graphics. Has a database of over 12,500 images stored in memory; can identify and track up to 350 targets simultaneously.
COPILOT SEAT
The vehicle can be equipped with a second pilot's seat behind the main pilot's seat for an optional copilot, if necessary. The copilot will usually act as the navigator for the vehicle and will be responsible for operating the mecha's fold booster (if equipped). The copilot can assume command of the vehicle if the pilot becomes incapacitated.
DETATCHABLE LIMBS
The arms and legs of the vehicle are detachable, so that in the event one or more of the limbs of the mecha are damaged they can be ejected from the main body so as to avoid creating atmospheric drag or preventing transformation. The vehicle's arms and legs (provably!) don't contain any critical systems so the AVF's performance will be unaffected if they are jettisoned. However, the vehicle will not be able to hold its hand held weapons in gerwalk or soldier mode if both arms are ejected.
EJECTOR SEAT(S) & HOMING SIGNAL
Era i: The vehicle features a Marty & Beck Mk-7 zero/zero ejection seat’s equipped with a homing device that enables rescue teams to locate a disabled craft or ejected life pod. The range of the signal is 300 miles (480 km). Most UN Spacy ships and variable fighters can locate and track homing signals and the onboard computers will automatically notify their pilots if such a signal is detected.
Era ii:
Era iii: The vehicle features a Marty & Beck Mk-11 g-endurance zero/zero ejection seat’s 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 UN Spacy ships and variable fighters can locate and track homing signals and the onboard computers will automatically notify their pilots if such a signal is detected.
ESCAPE POD
Era ii: (and onwards): The entire reinforced cockpit of the vehicle 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. The escape pod 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 UN Spacy ships and variable fighters can locate and track a homing signal, and the onboard computers will automatically notify their pilots if such a signal is detected.
EXTERNAL AUDIO PICKUP
Range: 300 ft (91.5 m). A sound amplification system that can pick up normal conversation up to 300 feet away.
GROUND SENSOR SYSTEM
Range: 1000 ft (300 m) Seismic sensors allows the detection of ground units and major troop movements, as well as natural geological phenomena.
HEAT AND RADIATION SHIELDS
Special shielding prevents the penetration of life threatening heat 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.
LANDING GEAR/CATAPULT HOOK
Included as part of the design specifications requested by the UN Navy the vehicle features a catapult hook on the front retractable tricycle undercarriage for Naval Carrier launches. For Naval Carrier landings the vehicle has twin arresting hooks mounted on the rear undercarriage.
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: INFRARED
Range: 2000 feet (610 m). This optical system projects a beam of infrared light that is invisible to the normal eye, but detectable by the mecha's sensors. The system allows the pilot to detect hidden/concealed objects by their IR reflectiveness. The beam will be visible to anyone with IR sensitive optics, however.
OPTICS: NIGHTVISION
Range: 2000 feet (610 m). A passive light image intensifier that emits no light of its own, but relies on ambient light which is electronically amplified to produce a visible picture.
OPTICS: TELESCOPIC VISION
Range: 4000 feet (1220 m). A visual magnification system that can focus and magnify images up to 4000 feet away.
OPTICS: THERMAL IMAGER
Range: 2000 feet (610 m). A passive optical heat sensor that detects infrared radiation projected by warm objects and converts that data into a false-color visible image. The system enables the pilot to see in the dark, in shadows, and through smoke, and also adds a +10% bonus to pilots using a tracking skill.
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 in active or passive scanning modes. In active mode, the vehicle will occasionally project a beam of light (visible or invisible) and views the reflection of the light off of objects (true for infrared, UV and a few other forms of vision.) In passive mode, the sensors simply receive data without emitting light. 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
Era i: AWG-20 radar FCS in nosecone with a 200 mile (321 km) range.
Era iv: 200 mile (321 km) range.
RADIO/VIDEO COMMUNICATION
The vehicle features an IFF antenna, UHF antenna; head-turret-mounted hybrid sensor/TV camera eye system and radar sensor dome with rear periscope; VHF antenna in vertical stabilizer, and EC and retractable VHF antenna in vernier tail pack (extended in GERWALK mode); IFF/UHF datalink antenna and TACAN/UHF antenna on dorsal section; ACS; two forward-looking infra-red (FLIR) sensors in recessed emplacements in leg-joint nacelles below and to the the fore of the canopy. Long range, directional communications system with satellite relay capabilities.
Era i: 600 miles (960 km) or can be boosted indefinitely via satellite relay.
Era iv: 600 miles (960 km) or can be boosted indefinitely via satellite relay.
REINFORCED AI COCKPIT
The vehicle’s AI cockpit bay is heavily reinforced to protect the AI from radiation and battle damage. It is also protected against the effects of an EMP pulse such as those produced by nuclear weapons.
SELF-DESTRUCT
To prevent capture of an advance variable fighter by the enemy, the pilot can activate the vehicle'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 UN Spacy VF's come equipped with a portable survival kit. Inside the small reinforced box is a medium-sized flashlight, two hand flares, one rocket flare, 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.)
Era i: a compass.
Era ii: a universal direction finder.
Era iii: a universal direction finder.
Era iv: a universal direction finder.
TACTICAL LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM
The vehicle’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 blacking out in combat.
VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT COCKPIT
The vehicle is equipped with an innovative new cockpit layout that provides monitors below and around the pilot in addition to the HUD cockpit dome. In flight, these monitors display what is below and behind the aircraft, giving the pilot a tremendous field of view that is unparalleled by any other aircraft (with the possible exception of the YF-21's brain-direct imaging system). This view, in addition to the combat computer's cockpit overlays, give the vehicle a +1 to dodge and initiative rolls in addition to any other bonuses.
Fanfic creations
The following are standard vehicle equipment that have appeared in the MRC though no where else. Always ask your GM first if the following are part of your game:
INTERNAL FOLD BOOSTER
The Shinnakasu Industry/OTEC FBF-10,000A internal fold booster is the latest in fold booster technology in the early 2050s. Only VFs with a PPB system can install the internal fold booster as the PPB generators double as capacitors when not in use. The same SW-XA power that supplies the PPB powers the internal fold booster. Just as the PPBs are unavailable in fighter mode, so too is the fold booster unavailable. The fold booster comes in two pieces and is often placed in an internal weapons bay on the VF. (The shoulder weapon bays on the VF-17, the leg weapon bays on the YF-19/21, VF-19/22 and VF/B-22a.) The internal fold booster should not be confused with the Not to be confused with the Shinnakasu Industry/OTEC FBF-1000A external fold booster.
Era i~iii: unavailable. Era iv: certified to 5.0 light-years.