BACKGROUND

The Recon Drone was devised by the Robotech Masters for reconnisance and exploration duuties in support of regular Bioroid units. The unit featured an extensive sensory and radar system that allowed it togather information on enemy forces. One of it's more interesting feature was a smaller drone located in the body of the main drone. This contained the main unit's sensory systems and a backup AI system. The smaller drone was better able to infilrate confined areas and remain unoticed. In the advent of the main unit being destroyed, the smaller drone could return to the launch unit with the recorded information.

The Recon drone was more heavily armed than the regular Bioroids, as it would often have to operate alone. It was equipped with a forward-mounted Quad-Barreled laser cannon and two launcher for medium-range missiles. However, the unnit was not designed for combat, and the weapons were mainly for defensive purposes.

The Drone was only produced in compatitively limited numbers due to the high cost and specilised mission of the vechicle. As the Robotech Master's protoculture suppplies dwindled, many were scrapped to provide materials for the more versatile Bioroids. A few units saw action during the early days of the Second Robotech War when mixed forces of Drones and Scout Bioroids engaged the ASC's forces to evaluate their ablilites.

RPG STATS

M.D.C. BY LOCATION:

   	Quad-Barreld Cannon		30
	Side Pods/Missile Launchers (2)	100 each
	*Thrusters (2, rear)		50 each
	**Main Body			150
	***Sensors/Sensor Drone		50

*Destroying one thruster in space will destroy the thruster in the wing, reducing the drone’s speed by 50% and giving it -3 to dodge. Destroying both wings will limit the drone to it's anti-gravity system for movement (150kph, -4 to dodge)

**Depleting the MDC of the main body will destroy the drone. If the Sensor Drone survives it can continue to operate.

***Depleting the MDC of the Sensors will blind the unit, leaving it at -4 to strike and dodge. Destroying the sensor drone will destroy any information it may carry.

SPECIFICATIONS

Bonuses: +1 to strike, +5 to dodge in space, +3 to dodge in atmosphere (+6 and +4 for the Sensor Drone)

WEAPON SYSTEMS

1. One Quad-Barreled Laer Cannon. The laser cannon is mounted in a turret below the main sensors. The turret can rotate 45 degrees to either sides and 45 degree up and down.
• Purpose: Assault/Anti-aircraft
• Range: 1200m
• Mega-Damage: 6D6 MD
• Rate of Fire: Twice per round.
• Payload: Effectively unlimited.
2. Medium-Range Missile Launchers. The Drone has a pair of meaduim-range missile launchers built into the pods on the sides of the mecha.
• Purpose: Anti-aircraft
• Missile Type: Any type of MRM can be used.
• Range: Depends on missile type
• Mega-Damage: Depends on missile type
• Rate of Fire: One, 2, 3 or four missiles per launcher
• Payload: 4 missiles per launcher, total 8

STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE RECON DRONE:

• Radar: Range: 300 km. Standard operation.
• Radio/Video Communications: Wide band, directional radio and video telecast capabilities. Range: 1000km, or can be boosted by satellite.
• Laser Targeting System: Close range; 1 km
• External Audio Pickup: Range: 600 ft (183 m). A sound amplification system that can pick up normal conversation up to 300 feet away.
• Optics: Infrared: Range: 4000 feet (1220 m). This optical system projects a beam of infrared light that is invisible to the normal eye, but detectable by the mecha's sensors. The system allows the pilot to detect hidden/concealed objects by their IR reflectiveness. The beam will be visible to anyone with IR sensitive optics, however.
• Optics: Nightvision: Range: 4000 feet (1220 m). A passive light image intensifier that emits no light of its own, but relies on ambient light which is electronically amplified to produce a visible picture.
• Optics: Thermal Imager: Range: 4000 feet (1220 m). A passive optical heat sensor that detects infrared radiation projected by warm objects and converts that data into a false-colour visible image. The system enables the drone to see in the dark, in shadows, and through smoke.
• Protoculture Engine: The Recon Drone is powered by a Protoculture engine, giving is an average life span of 12 years. Constant use will cut that time to about half. The Sensor Drone has its own Protoculture Cell power system, giving it an operational time of about 100 hours.
• Artifical Intelligence System: The Recon Drone is controlled by an onboard AI system capable of performing all the operations needed by the drone. It is also rpogrmmed with the following skill equivelents: Pilot Space Fighter - 98%; Detect Ambush - 90%; Detect Concelament - 80%; Tracking - 80%; Prowl (Sensor Drone only) - 35%

Designers Notes

Japanese Name: Unkown Megazone 23, Part 1

Episodes Seen in: Robotech The Movie: The Untold Story

I can't read Japanese and haven't seen any info on this mecha, so I made it all up based on the footage of it in action. If anyone knows anything about this vehcile, PLEASE tell me!