ROBOTECH Technical Files
by Robert Morgenstern

Ground Vehicle File Notes

Mecha Separator
HomeAircraftArmor/WeaponMechaNavalVeritech


LIGHT ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIERS:




M-116 Amphibious Armored Car

JAPANESE NAME:

Unknown (The Super Dimensional Fortress Macross)

MAIN EPISODES SEEN IN:

#2, 36

MAIN WRITTEN SOURCE MATERIAL:

None.

REFERENCE FOR ANIMATION SHEETS:

Macross: Perfect Memory.

COMMENTS:

Details on this vehicle are very sparse, forcing us to base almost all of our entry on speculation.

WHY WE DID WHAT WE DID:

Considering that the armored car was seen at the launch of the SDF-1, it was decided to base it on current technology armored cars. From scale, the exterior-mounted gun is guessed to be a 12.7mm machinegun.

Go to AAC technical file.


FIAT 6836 M-120 Heavy Armored Vehicle

FIAT 6846 MT-1 Hell Peacock Heavy Armored Multiple Launcher Rocket System

JAPANESE NAMES:

Unknown, MT-1 Hell Peacock (Megazone 23 Part 1)

MAIN EPISODES SEEN IN:

Robotech - the Movie: The Untold Story

MAIN WRITTEN SOURCE MATERIAL:

Official Art of Megazone 23 Part 1.

REFERENCE FOR ANIMATION SHEETS:

Official Art of Megazone 23 Part 1.

COMMENTS:

This vehicle is seen, however briefly, in the Robotech Movie. However, since the Japanese source material is so sparse, our entry is little more than speculation. The MT-1 Hell Peacock name comes from the subtitles of a version of the Megazone 23 Part 1 videotape, that a fan pointed out. We have not been able to verify this name, but adopted it nevertheless.

WHY WE DID WHAT WE DID:

This vehicle resembles a current FIAT armored car design, so it was decided that this should be a future version of the FIAT vehicle. Since there already existed an armored vehicle from Macross, this was assumed to be a Southern Cross replacement for it. Since the REF would need some form of armored vehicle for its infantry, we hypothesized that this vehicle would be used for economies of scale in keeping the procurement price down.

Due to the size of the vehicle, the externally mounted gun was assumed to be a 25mm cannon. Due to the 25mm cannon of the Flagga Hoverplatform, we assumed they used similar ammunition to make logistics more efficient.

Go to FIAT 6836 M-120 Heavy Armored Vehicle technical file.

Go to FIAT 6846 MT-1 Hell Peacock Heavy Armored Mobile Launcher System technical file.




ARMORED INFANTRY FIGHTING VEHICLES:




M-9 Inca Armored Infantry Fighting Vehicle

M-9 Inca Armored Command Carrier

JAPANESE NAME:

Unknown (The Super Dimensional Cavalry Southern Cross)

MAIN EPISODES SEEN IN:

#38, 39

MAIN WRITTEN SOURCE MATERIAL:

None.

REFERENCE FOR ANIMATION SHEETS:

Robotech: Southern Cross RPG.

COMMENTS:

Details on this vehicle are very sparse, forcing us to base almost all of our entry on speculation.

WHY WE DID WHAT WE DID:

The animation footage shows the cannon on the AIFV firing at a rate of about 3 per second. Considering the size of the barrel and the number of rounds fired, it was decided that an energy cannon made more sense than a projectile cannon, since otherwise, the AIFV would be totally occupied by ammunition and would be incapable of fulfilling the AIFV function. Dedicated mobile armored anti-aircraft vehicles tend to centrally mount the cannon(s) for better operation. The forward location of the cannon on the AIFV suggests that the rear of the vehicle is needed for another function, such as carrying troops. Due to the size of the barrel, this vehicle rates as an armored infantry fighting vehicle instead of an armored personnel carrier. Since the Macross-era lacked armored vehicles, this design was hypothesized to be available in the UNDF era with an early energy cannon provided from research into the ASS-1 ship.

Due to the similarities in the shape of the frames, it was assumed that the ACC was a design variant of the AIFV.

Go to M-9 Inca AIFV technical file.

Go to M-9 Inca ACC technical file.




ROCKET LAUNCHERS/ARTILLERY:




MLSAMS Armored Mobile Launcher Surface-to-Air Missile System

JAPANESE NAME:

Unnamed Missile Launcher (The Super Dimensional Cavalry Southern Cross)

MAIN EPISODES SEEN IN:

#38, ??

MAIN WRITTEN SOURCE MATERIAL:

None.

REFERENCE FOR ANIMATION SHEETS:

My Anime Magazine, June 1984, Robotech: Southern Cross RPG.

COMMENTS:

Details on this vehicle are very sparse, forcing us to base almost all of our entry on speculation. We see a few scenes of these vehicles firing Swordfish as well as pictures of the Bloodhound missile being raised and a few seconds of screen time of five of these vehicles operating as a field unit.

WHY WE DID WHAT WE DID:

This vehicle frequently operated in conjunction with the Inca armored vehicles, so a similar powerplant was hypothesized. Due to how easily the bioroids destroyed these vehicles, its armor was assumed to be fairly light. The service introduction of this vehicle was assumed to be in the UNDF era due to its more conventional technology.

The Bloodhound vehicle is seen to operate in units of 5 launchers with about four personnel manning each. Animation footage illustrates a single missile being carried, which are used for air defense. The animation sheets make it clear that the Bloodhound launcher and the 8-Swordfish launcher are variants of the same vehicle.

Go to MLSAMS technical file.


SOC Surface-to-Orbit Defense Headquarters / GMU Ground Mobile Siege Unit

JAPANESE NAME:

N/A (Robotech II: The Sentinels)

MAIN EPISODES SEEN IN:

None.

MAIN WRITTEN SOURCE MATERIAL:

None.

REFERENCE FOR ANIMATION SHEETS:

Robotech Art 1, Robotech II: The Sentinels RPG.

COMMENTS:

Design based on animation sheets.

WHY WE DID WHAT WE DID:

A great deal of angst and discussion has gone on to develop a viable use for this vehicle. It's size from the animation sheets clearly prohibits its use as a huge mecha carrier. The use of the beam cannon for artillery is silly as the horizon quickly limits range, and make the vehicle a big target for stand-off attack aircraft or bombardment. This lead to the HQ concept. The ASAT role was developed in an attempt to explain the use of the drop pods, as an HQ would not be equipped with SpecFor pods since it would only enter into secured territory, while SpecFor units are inserted before an area is secured, or behind the lines.

Go to GMU technical file.


RRG YMH-10 Self-Propelled Synchro Cannon

JAPANESE NAME:

Unknown (Genesis Climber Mospeada)

MAIN EPISODES SEEN IN:

#83

MAIN WRITTEN SOURCE MATERIAL:

None.

REFERENCE FOR ANIMATION SHEETS:

Robotech Invid Invasion RPG.

COMMENTS:

Details on this vehicle are limited, forcing us to base all of our entry on speculation.

WHY WE DID WHAT WE DID:

Sue Graham provided a small description of how the Synchro Cannon worked to the band of freedom fighters. The rest is trying to fill in the gaps to lead from a SDF-mounted weapon to a field artillery piece.

Go to Synchro Cannon technical file.




TANKS:




M-21 Anaconda Main Battle Tank

JAPANESE NAMES:

M-21 Anaconda Heavy Tank (Megazone 23 Part 1)

MAIN EPISODES SEEN IN:

Robotech - the Movie: The Untold Story

MAIN WRITTEN SOURCE MATERIAL:

Official Art of Megazone 23 Part 1.

REFERENCE FOR ANIMATION SHEETS:

Official Art of Megazone 23 Part 1.

COMMENTS:

This vehicle is seen, however briefly, in the Robotech Movie. However, since the Japanese source material is so sparse, our entry is little more than speculation. The name comes from the subtitles of a version of the Megazone 23 Part 1 videotape, that a fan pointed out. We have not been able to verify this name, but adopted it nevertheless.

WHY WE DID WHAT WE DID:

The tank was based on existing tanks and extrapolated on the Leopard 2 Main Battle Tank. Based on a lack of normal armor, this vehicle was extended back to the UNDF with respect to its implementation date. To make it standout, we hypothesized it to be a part of the destroid development program's research into advanced armor materials. With advanced materials, it should have improved armor over today's tanks, so the heavy armor was added.

Go to Anaconda technical file.


M-23 Highlander Light Battle Tank

JAPANESE NAMES:

Unknown (Genesis Climber MOSPEADA)

MAIN EPISODES SEEN IN:

#65

MAIN WRITTEN SOURCE MATERIAL:

None.

REFERENCE FOR ANIMATION SHEETS:

None.

COMMENTS:

This vehicle is seen, however briefly, in the first episode of New Generation illustrating the Invid's rapid domination of Earth. Due to lack of concrete information, our entry is little more than speculation.

WHY WE DID WHAT WE DID:

This tank was viewed as a light tank to complement the Anaconda MBT.

Go to Highlander technical file.




JEEPS:




M-299 All-Terrain Jeep

JAPANESE NAME:

M-299 (The Super Dimensional Fortress Macross)

MAIN EPISODES SEEN IN:

#5, 6, 8, 33

MAIN WRITTEN SOURCE MATERIAL:

None.

REFERENCE FOR ANIMATION SHEETS:

Macross: Perfect Memory, This is Animation #7: Macross (Part 3).

COMMENTS:

Details on this vehicle are very sparse, forcing us to base almost all of our entry on speculation from the graphical images.

WHY WE DID WHAT WE DID:

The performance data was extrapolated from current technology vehicles.

Go to M-299 Jeep technical file.


General Motors (X)M-3002 Hostile Environment Jeep

JAPANESE NAME:

GN XM-3002 (The Super Dimensional Fortress Macross)

MAIN EPISODES SEEN IN:

#7, 30

MAIN WRITTEN SOURCE MATERIAL:

None.

REFERENCE FOR ANIMATION SHEETS:

Macross: Perfect Memory.

COMMENTS:

Details on this vehicle are very sparse, forcing us to base almost all of our entry on speculation.

WHY WE DID WHAT WE DID:

Since this is a vehicle intended for operation without atmosphere, it was decided that a internal combustion engine didn't make too much sense since it would have to waste space to the carry the oxygen needed to burn the gas. This led us to make it battery powered. The bubbles behind the front seats appear to be pressurized gas containers, so it was hypothesised to contain an oxygen supply for the passengers for extended operations. Considering advances in materials necessary for the veritechs to function, it was hypothesised that a higher pressurization was possible to allow a longer operation time for the air tanks.

Because of the X in the name, it was assumed that was a prototype vehicle instead of a production unit. However, it seemed logical that the ASC and REF forces would continue to use this vehicle. With limited resources, there didn't seem a need to develop a new non-combat hostile environment jeep. It didn't make sense for a prototype vehicle to be used for decades, so the XM-3002 was kept to be consistent with the Macross source material during the SDF-1's voyage, with a production version being available after the SDF-1 returned.

Go to Hostile Environment Jeep technical file.


All-Terrain Squad Support Vehicles

JAPANESE NAME:

Unknown (Genesis Climber Mospeada)

MAIN EPISODES SEEN IN:

#63-#68,#75,#77-#85

MAIN WRITTEN SOURCE MATERIAL:

None.

REFERENCE FOR ANIMATION SHEETS:

Robotech Invid Invasion RPG.

COMMENTS:

Details on these vehicles are limited, forcing us to base all of our entry on speculation.

WHY WE DID WHAT WE DID:

Lunk exclaims "Eat laser!" during his assault on Reflex Point in 'Dark Finale' leading us to believe the barrel visible in front of the passenger a laser cannon. In this same battle, four missiles are seen being fired from the rear. In a side shot, the launcher extends all the way to the rear of the jeep suggesting that is holds additional missiles. Based on the size of the missile fired, two reloads per tube are speculated. In 'Separate Ways', we see Lunk extract three protoculture canisters from the engine compartment of his jeep that had a building dropped on it, leading to the fuel sizing of the vehicle.

The vehicle seen in Lunk's flashback in 'Paper Hero', has six wheels instead of four used the rest of the time. This led to the development of separate jeep and truck files. The truck also appears to have a larger missile rack. From the pictures, the truck has a larger engine compartment causing us to expand the engine size and fuel capacity.

Go to REF Jeep technical file.


Hover Car

JAPANESE NAME:

Unknown (The Super Dimensional Cavalry Southern Cross)

MAIN EPISODES SEEN IN:

#39, +

MAIN WRITTEN SOURCE MATERIAL:

None.

REFERENCE FOR ANIMATION SHEETS:

Robotech: Southern Cross RPG.

COMMENTS:

Details on these vehicles are very sparse, forcing us to base almost all of our entry on speculation. We see a Hover Jeep in front of a hypothesised hovertransport. The Hover Car is seen in transporting General Emerson.

WHY WE DID WHAT WE DID:

These vehicles were drafted to be consistent with the hover transport file.

Go to Hover Car technical file.




TRUCKS/TRANSPORTS:




2.5 Ton Truck

JAPANESE NAMES:

Unknown (Megazone 23 Part 1)

MAIN EPISODES SEEN IN:

Robotech - the Movie: The Untold Story

MAIN WRITTEN SOURCE MATERIAL:

Official Art of Megazone 23 Part 1.

REFERENCE FOR ANIMATION SHEETS:

Official Art of Megazone 23 Part 1.

COMMENTS:

This vehicle is seen, however briefly, in the Robotech Movie. However, since the Japanese source material is so sparse, our entry is little more than speculation. Since 2.5 ton trucks are fairly universal, a generic entry was developed and applied to all branches of the RDF.

WHY WE DID WHAT WE DID:

This file was extrapolated from modern trucks. The Hargun Ground Insertion Vehicle and C3I bunker were extrapolated from animation sheets and animation.

Go to Truck technical file.


DL-88 Centipede Hostile Environment Truck

JAPANESE NAME:

DL-88 Centipede (The Super Dimensional Fortress Macross)

MAIN EPISODES SEEN IN:

#7, 30

MAIN WRITTEN SOURCE MATERIAL:

None.

REFERENCE FOR ANIMATION SHEETS:

Macross: Perfect Memory.

COMMENTS:

Details on this vehicle are very sparse, forcing us to base almost all of our entry on speculation. The source material lists this vehicle as a dual use goods transport.

WHY WE DID WHAT WE DID:

Because of the operating environment of the truck, it was decided that it would not be powered by an internal combustion engine. However, protoculture was not used since it was in widespread use when the SDF-1 launched and it is doubtful they would have wasted such limited new resources on a simple truck.

Go to Centipede technical file.


Flatbed Mecha Hauler

JAPANESE NAME:

Unknown (The Super Dimensional Fortress Macross)

MAIN EPISODES SEEN IN:

#8

MAIN WRITTEN SOURCE MATERIAL:

None.

REFERENCE FOR ANIMATION SHEETS:

Macross: Perfect Memory.

COMMENTS:

Details on this vehicle are very sparse, forcing us to base almost all of our entry on speculation.

WHY WE DID WHAT WE DID:

Since this vehicle needed to be able to carry damaged mecha, a large, high torque engine was proposed. The picture in M:PM shows it carrying a broken Defender, so that can give us an idea of scale.

Go to Mecha Hauler technical file.


Hover Transports

JAPANESE NAME:

Unknown (The Super Dimensional Cavalry Southern Cross)

MAIN EPISODES SEEN IN:

#38, 39, +

MAIN WRITTEN SOURCE MATERIAL:

None.

REFERENCE FOR ANIMATION SHEETS:

This Is Animation #10: Southern Cross.

COMMENTS:

Details on these vehicles are very sparse, forcing us to base almost all of our entry on speculation.

WHY WE DID WHAT WE DID:

The AHT-1 was invented for the ORP fanfic. Rob is assuming that we can see the front of one being used by the Civil Defense Units in the beginning of 'Volunteers'.

The RPG is totally wrong on the scaling of the cargo haulers, based on the animation footage. They have called the flatbed truck a 100 ton semi and the hover mover a full-sized 20 ton truck. In the animation, the flatbed is seen ferrying GMP Golem Robots, and the sizing is not consistent with today's semi-trailer trucks. Based on scale, it might be possible to fit three robots on the bed of the truck. This yields a carrying capacity of about 50 metric tons. The hover mover is seen in a short clip of 'Volunteers' before Sean ogles the new hovertank intended for the 15th squad's new commander. The scene shows a large engine in the front cargo bed leading to question the RPG's 20 ton cargo capacity. We see the hover tractor towing hover barges full of supplies being loaded onto the naval vessels for Emerson's assault on the Masters' fleet.

Go to HoverTransports technical file.




HOVER CYCLES:




HR-32 Hovercycle

JAPANESE NAME:

Flash Clapper (The Super Dimensional Cavalry Southern Cross)

MAIN EPISODES SEEN IN:

#38, 39, +

MAIN WRITTEN SOURCE MATERIAL:

1/20 Flash Clapper model instructions.

REFERENCE FOR ANIMATION SHEETS:

Robotech Art 1, Robotech: Southern Cross RPG, This Is Animation #10: Southern Cross.

COMMENTS:

Details on this vehicle are sparse, forcing us to base almost all of our entry on speculation.

WHY WE DID WHAT WE DID:

Because of the size of the hovercycle and its performance capabilities seen in the animation, the engine needs to be small, yet very powerful. Bowie mentions repairing the carburetor when he and Musica are fleeing the GMP. This implies an internal combustion engine. As such, it was assumed that advanced materials allowed for the increased performance. The vertical jumping capability is extrapolated from Dana's tipping over a GMP Golem Robot in 'False Start'. The lack of armor is extrapolated by how easily the bioroids were capable of destroying them.

Go to HR-32 Hovercycle technical file.


HR-42 Heavy Hovercycle

JAPANESE NAME:

Unknown (The Super Dimensional Cavalry Southern Cross)

MAIN EPISODES SEEN IN:

None

MAIN WRITTEN SOURCE MATERIAL:

None.

REFERENCE FOR ANIMATION SHEETS:

Robotech Art 1.

COMMENTS:

Details on this vehicle are limited to a single picture in Robotech Art 1, forcing us to base all of our entry on speculation.

WHY WE DID WHAT WE DID:

This vehicle was included because it filled a niche that we believed was missing. Since the hovercycles appeared to be easily destroyed by the Bioroids, it was assumed to be unarmored. For battlefield use, some amount of armor would be useful for front line scouts. Because of its greater bulk, it was assumed to be an armored variant of the more common hovercycle. Considering the twin front hoverjets, it is assumed to weigh significantly more. To add to this, a useful sensor suite was included to complete the package for a high speed scouting vehicle for patroling the wastelands left after the Zentraedi Holocaust.

Go to HR-42 Heavy Hovercycle technical file.




INVID PERSONNEL TRANSPORTS:




Hover Speeder

MAIN EPISODES SEEN IN:

Robotech II: The Sentinels

MAIN WRITTEN SOURCE MATERIAL:

None.

REFERENCE FOR ANIMATION SHEETS:

Robotech II: Sentinels RPG.

COMMENTS:

Details on this vehicle are limited, forcing us to base all of our entry on speculation.

WHY WE DID WHAT WE DID:

-UNDER DEVELOPMENT-

Go to Hover Speeder technical file.


Scorpion Troop Transport/Destroyer

MAIN EPISODES SEEN IN:

Robotech II: The Sentinels

MAIN WRITTEN SOURCE MATERIAL:

None.

REFERENCE FOR ANIMATION SHEETS:

Robotech II: Sentinels RPG.

COMMENTS:

Details on this vehicle are limited, forcing us to base all of our entry on speculation.

WHY WE DID WHAT WE DID:

-UNDER DEVELOPMENT-

Go to Scorpion technical file.




TIROLIAN GROUND VEHICLES:




Tirolian Hover Car

MAIN EPISODES SEEN IN:

#55, ?

MAIN WRITTEN SOURCE MATERIAL:

None.

REFERENCE FOR ANIMATION SHEETS:

None currently available. Based on animation footage.

COMMENTS:

Details on this vehicle are limited, forcing us to base all of our entry on speculation.

WHY WE DID WHAT WE DID:

-UNDER DEVELOPMENT-

Go to Hover Car technical file.


Tirolian Armored Car

MAIN EPISODES SEEN IN:

#56, ?

MAIN WRITTEN SOURCE MATERIAL:

None.

REFERENCE FOR ANIMATION SHEETS:

None currently available. Based on animation footage.

COMMENTS:

Details on this vehicle are limited, forcing us to base all of our entry on speculation.

WHY WE DID WHAT WE DID:

-UNDER DEVELOPMENT-

Go to Armored Car technical file.


Tirolian Hover Van

MAIN EPISODES SEEN IN:

#55?

MAIN WRITTEN SOURCE MATERIAL:

None.

REFERENCE FOR ANIMATION SHEETS:

None currently available. Based on animation footage.

COMMENTS:

Details on this vehicle are limited, forcing us to base all of our entry on speculation.

WHY WE DID WHAT WE DID:

-UNDER DEVELOPMENT-

Go to Hover Van technical file.


Tirolian Hover Truck

MAIN EPISODES SEEN IN:

#55, 56?

MAIN WRITTEN SOURCE MATERIAL:

None.

REFERENCE FOR ANIMATION SHEETS:

None currently available. Based on animation footage.

COMMENTS:

Details on this vehicle are limited, forcing us to base all of our entry on speculation.

WHY WE DID WHAT WE DID:

-UNDER DEVELOPMENT-

Go to Hover Truck technical file.


Tirolian Command Platform

MAIN EPISODES SEEN IN:

?, #60

MAIN WRITTEN SOURCE MATERIAL:

None.

REFERENCE FOR ANIMATION SHEETS:

None currently available. Based on animation footage.

COMMENTS:

Details on this vehicle are limited, forcing us to base all of our entry on speculation.

WHY WE DID WHAT WE DID:

-UNDER DEVELOPMENT-

Go to Masters' Command Platform technical file.


Go to the Robotech Reference Guide Home Page.


Robotech (R) is the property of Harmony Gold, ©1985. The Robotech Role-Playing Game is the property of Palladium, Inc. This document is in no way intended to infringe upon their rights.

Content and HTML by Robert Morgenstern (rmorgens@ieee.org)
Copyright © 2000, 1997 Robert Morgenstern, Pieter Thomassen, Peter Walker