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Designation:

Varauta Assault Cruiser

Note: While Varauta ships have been assigned Terran naval/space type designators, it must be stressed that their size and armaments placed them in a class of their own, matched only by contemporary construction of like designations. As such, their designations must be viewed as indicators of intent and use rather than absolute strength. In addition, the proper translation of the Varauta vessel designations into English was never completely agreed upon. Most of this file is pure speculation based on reconnaissance photos and footage and eyewitness accounts and similar designs.

Names and disposition:

Unknown. Approximately 8 where seen during the Varauta War in 2064 though it is possible many more could exist.

Ship's complement:

• Ships' crew (1200 men)
• Mecha pilots (360 men)

Note: The given numbers are approximations; the exact number varied somewhat due to operational realities and different ships.

Dimensions:   

Propulsion systems:

• Main power system(1): Unknown at this writing. Thought to be anti-matter powerplant.
• Maneuvering thrusters (56): Unknown type at this writing. Layout appears to be as follows: Six on the bow, twenty on each side with four more on the top and five more on the bottom.
• Reaction-mass thrusters (20): Power unknown at this writing.
• Anti-gravity system (1): Propulsive power unknown at this writing.
• Space fold (1): Very advanced hyper space fold drive. Able to conduct ultra high speed folds at extreme range as well as accurate near gravity well folds.
• Planetary capabilities: Unknown as of this writing.

Endurance and mobility limits:

• Max atmospheric speed: Mach 3 or about 3110 kph.
• Max observed space acceleration: 28.3 G
• Range: Unknown.

Weapon systems

• Mini-reflex cannon (1): The most devastating weapon aboard the cruiser, the mini-reflex cannon. The cannon is bottom mounted, protected under a retractable focusing lens array on the ship's ventral surface. While it does not have the total annihilation power of its larger cousins, it is still capable of demolishing ships with a single salvo.
• Main beam cannons (2): The cruiser's primary weapons are mounted in an 'eye-shaped' lens array on either side of the vessel. The weapons is directly fed by numerous power conduits from the cruiser's main reactor, and combined with the focusing lens, adds tremendous firepower to the ship. Each cannon has an omni-directional focusing lens, allowing it to fire in any path within its fire arc (port/starboard). The beam is of an unknown type though it has been guessed to be a particle cannon by some experts though there is no concrete evidence to prove this.
• Medium beam cannons (12): A series of twelve medium beam cannons, each with a focusing array similar to that of the main beam guns are mounted on the forward section of the cruiser. Each cannon has an omni-directional focusing lens, allowing it to fire in any path within its fire arc (port/starboard). Six lasers are mounted on each side. Again the beam is of unknown type though it is as stated a smaller version of the main beam cannon.
• Laser turrets (48): Part of the cruiser's defense system is formed by numerous retractable laser turrets housed within the massive superstructure. Highly accurate and yet very powerful, these weapons can destroy incoming missiles or hostile fighters with ease. 24 turrets are mounted on the port and starboard sides, 3 towards the bow, and 5 towards the aft. Each turret has a 180 degree arc of fire towards its respective direction.
• Missile turrets (26): Long ranged missile turrets allows the cruiser to use its defense system to engage hostile targets at long and extreme ranges. Like their laser carrying counterparts, the turrets are housed beneath armored hatches and rise only when firing. 9 turrets are mounted on the port and starboard sides, 4 towards the bow, and 4 towards the aft. Each turret has a 180 degree arc of fire towards its respective direction.

Air group and mecha complement:

• 240 Fz-109 Elgerzorene Veritech fighter
• 60 Fbz-99 Zaubergeran Veritech heavy bomber
• 60 Az-130 Pantserzorene Veritech fighter

Note: The given numbers are estimates.

Electronics:

• Omnidirectional barrier defense system(1): An advanced forcefield system which covers the full four pi steradians around the ship with a yellow-greenish forcefield (or if desired, only part of the ship). This field will stop all solids and directed energy weapons (except lasers through a narrow band). However, excess energy which cannot be shunted from the field will be stored in the virtual structure of the field itself. The Varauta design seems to have a extremely high capacity, much higher than contemporary Terran designs. However there is a drawback it appears as though no energy weapons may be fired while the shield is up leaving Varauta power systems to be often thought of as rather weak.

Design notes:

The assault cruiser is the second largest warship in use by Varauta forces. While only 800 meters long, the cruiser is heavily armed and armored, yet still has enough speed and maneuverability to outrun or outmaneuver hostile craft. This ship fills the niche between the smaller battleship and the much larger flagship, and often forms the head of small raider fleets.

As with all Varauta ships, the assault cruiser utilizes technology from the ancient Protoculture civilization. Stealth paneling covers most of the cruiser's outer surface, while the traditional recessed engine common to her sister ships disperses the ship's infrared signatures. The assault cruiser is also the only Varauta ship to mount retractable weapons, slaved to the ship's advanced radar systems.

Quite similar in function and principle to the 20th century USN Ticonderoga-class Aegis cruisers, the Varauta assault cruiser sports a hyper-advanced radar suite that is capable of tracking and automatically directing the ship's anti-fighter and anti-missile weaponry against hundreds of targets simultaneously. With help from the radar, both laser and missile turrets become extremely accurate at engaging even small, fast moving targets that the overall sluggishness of Varauta gunners is virtually eliminated.

An assault cruiser served as the flagship of Gigile during the Varauta War. The ship participated in numerous raids against the 7th Colonization Fleet, where it was, for the most part, used only as a fighter carrier for Gigile's brainwashed legions.

History:

Unknown. Sketchy details exist but nothing concrete. Most information has been classified top secret by the RDF and UN Government.

Layout adapted from Robotech Reference Guide

Content by Jeffrey R. Spillner
Copyright © 2000, 1999, 1998 Jeffrey R. Spillner

Page Last Updated on February 3, 2000 @ 11:00 GMT