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"ANT" Mecha Conversion System

Author	Comment
ShadowLogan	"ANT" Mecha Conversion System	Lead	[-]
Lt. Commander Posts: 290 (March 5, 2009 07:31 AM) 1st Lieutenant Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Tags : None Auxiliary Navigator Transport (ANT) Series The Auxiliary Navigator Transport Series (ANT for short) was quickly developed after the SDF-1's landing in 1999. The premise was to develop operation familiarity, robotic system engineering, and tactics with inexpensive robot vehicles prior to the planned introduction of fully robotic vehicles (mecha) based on perceived needs as a result of the initial exploration of the crashed SDF-1. Even though the ANT series was to be short lived with retirement planned for the 2009-10 time frame the basic designs continued to be used well past the 2020s usually by non-UEG aligned entities (mercenaries, independent states, bandits, etc) that wanted cheap mecha to build and operate in relation to the Robotech mecha. The UEG did acquire and use versions of the ANT in limited roles, usually for various training purposes. The ANT vehicle can be thought of as "exoskeleton" for a conventional wheeled or tracked ground vehicle that provides it with legged locomotion. Some versions are known to provide a small increase in firepower (attack helicopter style "stub wings" for missiles). These units are customized for individual vehicle families (example an M1A1 can not use a T-60), consequently there are numerous versions, but they are grouped into the three basic distinct series. All of which where initially developed in the early 2000-2 time frame and developed in the series number order. All of the ANTs have some common characteristics. The vehicle is suspended and secured within the ANT frame (top mounted turrets are not affected and undercarriage features are blocked, side features may be impaired). The wheels/treads can still spin, but they have nothing for traction while suspended. The wheel/tread spinning is how the vehicle powers the legs and causes them to spin (essentially the legs rotate like how some model/toys "walk"). Turning the vehicle is similar to how a tank does it with one side proving a stronger push than the other. The ANT Series One requires virtually no modification to the vehicle being used, it is even possible for the vehicle to "shed" the ANT exoskeleton if need be (a simple remote control mechanism). Restoring the ANT connections (while possible in the field) requires a team of mechanics working with a driver to "reload" and typically takes about fifteen minutes minimum. To gain a better familiarity with robotic vehicles, and performance similar to the planned Destroids an improved version was quickly developed. The Series Two heavily modifies the vehicle and the drive train connections to be more efficient allowing greater speeds to be reached than the Series One (which was found to be inefficient and slow). It should be noted that the Series two can not separate from the ANT frame and be mobile (there is no release mechanism). It requires several hours of work restoring the original locomotion system. Both the Series One and Two ANTs can be put into a "trailer" configuration to be transported by another vehicle. The Series Three is a self-propelled version of Series Two capable of switching between legged and track/wheel locomotion methods, but it requires the vehicle to be at a stop when starting or stopping the legs. Switching while in motion can damage the legs preventing them from operating (50% chance, roll for each leg). A Series Four was briefly considered, but dropped from the UEDC development before hardware could be assembled. Essentially this Series uses the vehicle to provide electrical power for the legs. The available electrical power though left much to be desired in these vehicles, alternate and auxiliary sources where considered. Officially no one on Robotech Earth is known to use the Series Four approach. (The unit would require some modification of the vehicle and could separate like the Series One, basic stats are still provided should the GM wish to use them). Auxiliary Navigator Transport (ANT) Model Type: Auxiliary Navigator Transport Series Class: Trailer Robot Crew: None *M.D.C. By Location: ANT Frame Main Body - 15 Legs (4-6)*** - 8 each Wheels (2-4) - 2 each Optional Stub Wings (2) - 5 each Statistics are presented in 1^st Edition, increase by 50% for 2^nd Edition (?). Values can be increased 25% for units built after 2020 with the proper materials, UEG supplied models have an extra 50% armor instead of the 25% for post 2020 models. These can also be viewed as a generic typical assignment and may vary by individual model. Destruction of the Main Body of the ANT frame will immobilize the vehicle's legs, and the Stub Wings (if carried). Both the Series One and Series Three retain their vehicle style locomotion. Loss of 1 leg will not affect a 6-legged configuration; the vehicle needs 3 legs to walk at 25% of its legged speed regardless if it is a 4 or 6-leg configuration. The 6-legged configuration will operate at 50% speed with 4 legs. Speed (typical, individual versions may vary): can climb a near 90degree vertical wall if the wall is strong enough (usually not, but a natural rock wall might) Series 1: legged speed is 25% of vehicle rolling maximum Series 2: legged speed is 50% of vehicle rolling maximum Series 3: vehicle rolling maximum is reduced 10% (legged speed is calculated without this penalty at the Series 2 rate) Series 4: (hypothetical) legged speed as Series One without an auxiliary or dedicated energy source, an auxiliary energy source is as the Series Two, a dedicated energy source incurs no loss of speed All speed stats are with a four legged design, +10% for the 6 legged series Statistics (typical, individual versions may vary) Height: adds 7ft to height of vehicle Width: adds 4ft to width of vehicle transported Length: no longer than the vehicle transported Weight: varies by intended vehicle to be carried with the heavier vehicles being more massive, 2-6 tons Cargo: usually designed for a type of vehicle (IFV, Half-Track, Main Battle Tank, etc) family Power System: powered by the vehicle's engine itself. Series Four auxiliary or dedicated system vary by type. Consequently range is dependent on the vehicle Bonus: As the base vehicle, incurs a -1 to Dodge for Series One, Two, and Three. Standard Equipment: All terrain wheels (2-4) are provided for when the ANT is being towed for the Series One and Two. The "trailer" wheels are not part of the Series 3 design as it still retains the "vehicles" locomotion. The "trailer" wheels may or may not be present on the Series Four. The Series Four may also have a dedicated or auxiliary energy source, and additional computer control of the legs. Weapon Systems 1. Hand-to-Hand: Stomp 2d12x10 S.D.C (or 1 M.D), body block/Ram per speed collision. 2. Optional Stub "wings" (2) provide 1 hard points each capable of carrying 4 mini-missiles and 1 short-range missile (usually the SRM is not carried) on the wingtip mounted on a rail position. Design Notes:** The concept was inspired from a scene in an early episode of the GI Joe cartoon (http://www.joetoonarchive.com/displayimage.php?album=27&pos=95). Note that the tank essentially walks up the shear cliff face to the Cobra Fortress. Comments, issues, etc?
Jefffar		#1	[-]
1st Lieutenant Posts: 269 (March 5, 2009 04:30 PM) 2nd Lieutenant Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Interesting, though the UEDF/UEEF seems to have eschewed conventional gorund fighting vehicles for most of their combats so I am curious about the utility of the device.
ShadowLogan		#2	[-]
Lt. Commander Posts: 291 (March 6, 2009 12:26 PM) 1st Lieutenant Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Primarily I see this being used by non-aligned UEG forces as the Rifts Equivalent of Chipwell power armor (Rifts: Mercenaries) or maybe even GAW. As I see it the UEG forces (RDF, REF, ASC, etc) would primarily use this type of vehicle for training purposes like: -dedicated trainers (T-38, T-1, T-2, etc) before the pilot would move on to a specific platform(s). IINM, US military pilots do recieve training in a propeller aircraft before transitioning to jets. Similiar concept. -target drones with locomotion similiar to legged mecha. The US military uses older/outdated hardware for target practice, early on with the legged mecha there might not be to many units to use for this role. They do have a few other options, but I see this as less expensive than trying to build a dedicated target unit or convert a Zentraedi mecha to operate by remote. There certainly would be performance differences. -in the early years to also gain some familiarity with a legged mecha and to experiment with tactics and such with legged designs prior to the actual introduction (paper vs real world). I am not saying they are widely used by the UEG forces, but when they are used it is primarily for training not confrontations with the enemy. The only exception might be with covert operations where they do not want the Forces readily connected to the UEG to be able to approach forces who are using the hardware a bit easier. This of course is after the wide spread deployment of mecha, prior to that they would be seen as a stop gap measure to fight the giant aliens. I can also see this being used as a predessor to multi-legged walkers that appeared with the Robotech Defenders Model line, something I have considered adapting (I'd avoid the redundant humanoid frames). Or if we get lucky and HG deciedes (or allow PB to) to create human mecha similiar to the Sand Stalker or Dromedin at some point down the line.