Designation: Trooper (Gurab) Shock Trooper (Gurab - improved)

I. Dimensions:

	Trooper	Shock Trooper
Height:	4.4	4.8 m
Depth:	3.6	3.6 m
Breadth :	3.2	3.6 m
Weight:	10.0	11.5 metric tons

II. Type:

• Single seat all-weather ground and low-altitude combat mecha.

III. Service History:

• The service entry date is unknown. The earliest confirmed recording of a Gurab mecha was taken in 2023. At that juncture the Gurab was already in service in large numbers.
• Presumably, the Gurab remains in service with the Regess' faction of the Invid.

IV. Propulsion:

• 1 x IME-1 vectorable thruster port, max. output power 125 kN.
• Powerplant: 1 protoculture cell energizer.
• Fuel Capacity: 6 Standard canisters of Protoculture.

Gurab Shock Trooper

• Additional Fuel Capacity: 1 standard canister of Protoculture, in each cannon pod for a total of 2 extra.

V. Performance:

• Maximum level speed
  
  (Terra-type atmosphere) : 482 kph
• Minimum speed : 0 kph (hover)
• Maximum running speed : 96 kph
• Delta-v capacity : ~1 kps
• Protoculture cell endurance : approximately 110 hours operational use.

VI. Electronics:

• 1 x IMTR-1VS visual sensor cluster ( with low spectral resolution) capable of up to 4x magnification. Night vision optics are also provided, but suffer even more from the poor spectral resolution.
• 1 x IMTR-1RS variable frequency multi-mode phased array spherical radar system with main antennas in the arms and forward edges of the main body, and secondary antennas in the legs and rear. The radar system is advanced even by contemporary Terran standards and offers a full set of ranging, search, track, mapping and observation modes, including a high-resolution ISAR option. The installation can also function in a passive ESM mode.
• 1 x IMTR-1PS Protoculture sensors, providing detection and tracking of active Protoculture-powered turbines. For detection of a high-power Veritech Fighter (such as an Alpha), good resolution extends out to 1km, fair resolution out to 2km, and poor resolution out to 5.6km. A typical Destroid is detectable at slightly more than half these distances, a Cyclone at four percent of these distances, and a Gallant rifle at about one percent of these distances. Similar mecha in service with the Regess from around 2035 to around 2040 operated equivalently at about twenty-five percent of the above ranges. Prior to around 2035, no Invid mecha were mounted with protoculture sensors.
• Audio receiver/speaker system with built-in translator.

VII. Armament:

• Two forearm three-taloned anti-mecha claws.
• Two talons on each foot.
• Two hardpoints for gunpods are mounted on top of the mecha. Both hardpoints always mount identical gunpods and fire in parallel. The following gunpods have been observed:
  • IHG-1 plasma pulse cannon (first observed 2023). This pod stores plasma and discharges it in discrete packages ('annihilation discs'). Typically, a one-second burst contains 5 MJ of thermal and kinetic energy. The IHG-1 can store sufficient plasma for 20 seconds of continuous fire, and replenish this at 10 seconds per minute.
  • IHG-2 plasma beam cannon (first observed 2023). This pod stores plasma and discharges it in a continuous beam. Typically, a one-second burst contains 5 MJ of thermal and kinetic energy. The IHG-2 can store sufficient plasma for 20 seconds of continuous fire, and replenish this at 10 seconds per minute.
  • IHG-3 plasma pulse cannon (first observed 2035). This pod stores plasma and discharges it in discrete packages ('annihilation discs'). Typically, a one-second burst from a single cannon contains 6,5 MJ of thermal and kinetic energy. The IHG-3 can store sufficient plasma for 25 seconds of continuous fire, and replenish this at 10 seconds per minute.

  When the gun pods are mounted, the Gurab is also referred to as the 'Shock Trooper'; without the pods, it is referred to as the 'Trooper'.

VIII. Armor:

The armor of the Trooper is composed of a composite of metals, ceramics, and organics unique to Invid manufacture. Research continues into the composition of this material, though results from X-ray crystallography, NMR, and mass spectroscopy studies remain classified. The armor stops all small arms and heavy infantry weapons fire, provides good resistance to light mecha-mounted weaponry, such as the Zentraedi 22.3mm HE autocannon round, and poor resistance to medium mecha-mounted weaponry, such as the Valkyrie's 55mm APFSDS round. The armor on the forearms is substantially superior, and stops all small arms and heavy infantry weapons fire, provides good resistance to light mecha-mounted weaponry, and fair resistance to medium mecha-mounted weaponry.

Note: The IMTR-1VS sensor eye is highly susceptible to damage, as any hit there will disable the mecha by killing the pilot.

All Invid mecha provide full protection from nuclear, biological, and chemical hazards, using a sealed overpressure cockpit environment.

IX. Development:

The Gurab is the heavier companion to the small and fast Iigaa. As can be expected from a heavier design, the Gurab trades speed and mobility for firepower and armor protection. A very odd feature of the Gurab are the pincers and claws on its hands and feet. An anachronism in the age of ranged combat, these make the Gurab lethal within grappling range. Of course, many Gurab never got to within grappling range of their human opponents.

Compared to their probably designed opponents, the Regult battlepods, the Gurab advantages lie in mobility and armor protection. The Regult could give off heavier barrages, but the armament of the Gurab was more than sufficient to deal with the Zentraedi mecha. However, other Zentraedi mecha, such as the cavalry and commando power armors (Nousjedeul-Ger and the Queadluun-Rau, outclassed the Gurab. In any event, the Gurab came into service when the Zentraedi were dying, and rarely faced its designated opponents.

Against human mecha, the Gurab clearly has a large advantage over infantry battle armor such as the Cyclone. The Gurab is faster, better armed, and better armored. In addition, its' sensor system is far superior, and while Gurab can ambush Cyclone infanterists, the reverse is extremely unlikely. Against the larger human mecha, such as the extraordinary Alpha fighter, the Gurab is however at a disadvantage, lacking both the armor and armaments of the human designs, as well as being less mobile.

The Gurab will probably remain an important part of the modern Invid arsenal, both on Earth and with the forces of the Regess. Capable of being piloted by a humanoid Invid, this mecha will likely remain the standard second-line mecha for years to come, especially considering the enormous expense of the current front-line mecha, the improved Gosu-B.

Gurab Cockpit View:

See additional design notes.

Return to Invid Mecha index.

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