Designation: RRG YMH-10 Self-Propelled 'Synchro' Cannon

I. Dimensions.

Length:	11.2 meters
Width:	7.7 meters
Height:	3.8 meters (without cannon)
	7.2 meters (with cannon)
Weight:	8.4 metric tons.

II. Type.

• One-man self-propelled high yield energy cannon

III. Service Life

• YM-4: First prototype cannon developed in 2039. No series production.
• YMH-6: First mobile prototype cannon, developed in 2040. No series production.
• YMH-10: Limited production version, in service with the Expeditionary Forces from 2041.

IV. Propulsion.

• Hover engine: 4 x Allison HJ-5 directional hover jets providing 21 kN of thrust each.
• Propulsion engine: 2 x Rolls Royce HP-4 electrical turbofans, providing 3 kN of thrust each.
• Powerplant: 1 x RRL-2R Miniaturized Protoculture-cell energizer.
• Fuel Capacity:
  • 8 standard cannisters of protoculture
  • 4.5 liter D₂O.

V. Performance.

• Maximum speed: 40 kph.
• Maximum hover height: 1.2 meters.
• Maximum cell endurance: 120 hours typical operational use (propulsion systems and energy generation to empty one magazine).

VI. Electronics Suite.

Radar tracking:

• Westinghouse APG-307 medium range (up to 50 km) UWB phased array spherical pulse-Doppler radar, for 'stealthy' detection and tracking of targets, with battlefield surveillance modes.

Optical tracking:

• Philips AllView II multi-band motion-stabilized digital spherical camera system, for medium range 360 degree infra-red imaging, optical and ultra-violet band detection and tracking
• Thomson LT-8 multi-frequency laser ranger and designator.

Tactical Electronic Warfare System (TEWS):

• Elettronica Radar Warning Receiver (RWR)
• OlDelft Infra-red Warning Receiver (IRWR)

VII. Armament.

• 1 x RRG FC-4 plasma cannon capable of firing up to six blasts per minute. Each blast has a maximum yield equivalent to 0.06 kT. The cannon is a line-of-sight weapon that can fire out to a maximum range of 15 km, in clear weather on Earth and Earth-like planets, depending on the surrounding terrain. The cannon can carry 400 rounds of ammunition.

VIII. Armor.

The skin of the Synchro Cannon is composed of an advanced titanium-steel alloy. The skin stops all small arms fire, provides fair protection against heavier infantry weapons, such as a 12.7mm machinegun round, and poor resistance to light mecha-mounted weaponry, such as the Zentraedi 22.3mm HE autocannon round.

The Synchro Cannon provides full protection from nuclear, biological, and chemical hazards, using a sealed cockpit environment activated by radiation and hazardous chemical sensors, or manually when biological warfare conditions are anticipated. The internal consumables supplies can provide atmosphere for one day maximum, although filters can purify outside air for release into the cockpit.

IX. Development.

The Synchro Cannon is a very high yield direct-fire weapon system designed to attack enemy emplacements and thick mecha concentrations such as those used by the Invid. As such, it is a complement to the Destabilizer weapon systems, which break down Invid force fields, and thus give the Synchro Cannons a clear line of fire. Originally, the specifications asked for a pure particle beam weapon. However, the required firepower/size combination could not be achieved with the then-present technological levels and the cannon was reworked into a fusion-powered plasma cannon, which used twin synchrotrons, and resulted in the nickname of 'Synchro Cannon'.

The Synchro Cannon operates by running a fusion reactor (not unlike those found in fusion turbines) off the protoculture cells. When a shot is fired, a relative large amount of the fusion plasma is drawn from the reactor and injected into a plasma expansion chamber, pre-loaded with a small slug of matter, which is quickly super-heated; this process produces a larger amount of cooler plasma, which can be more easilly handled by the cannon stage. That stage consists out of an ion extractor and divider, which separates the plasma in positive and negative ions. Both stream are then lead to dedicated synchrotrons, which accelerate the matter streams. Both beams are then rejoined in the barrel, and the result is a plasma stream of very high speed and tremendous destructive power.

To the left side of the cannon barrel is the fusion reactor and the matter supply for the plasma cannon; to the right is the cockpit. In the rear of both the cockpit and the powerplant body is one of the propulsion turbofans. The cannon uses a hovercraft undercarriage, on which it can rotate through 360 degrees. This gives the cannon some mobility, but speed is low, terrain clearance is difficult due to the high center of gravity, and the cannon cannot be fired on the move. Consequently, the Synchro Cannon is mostly a heavy support or even a siege weapon rather than an assault cannon. However, the self-propelled cannon lacks any defensive capabilities and relies on other mecha to defend it.

Several of these cannons made it to the Earth's surface during the attack on Reflex Point. However, they were to few in number, and to cumbersome, to have an appreciable impact on the fighting.

See additional design notes.

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