Army of the Southern Cross - Battloids and Powered Armor
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ASC Non-transformable Battloids
The term Battloid is a shortened form of the more accurate term Battle Android and
refers to the class of robotic combat systems designed with a humanoid form. Unlike the first generation RDF Destroid
mecha, which were designed as heavy armor combat systems fulfilling artillery, anti-aircraft, and front-line heavy
weapons roles, the Battloid class of Southern Cross mecha serve as front-line armored infantry or specialized
roles like reconnaissance and search and rescue.
The Southern Cross Battloids were designed to act as the heavily armored equivalent of a regular soldier.
As such the Battloids do not possess many forms of heavy ordnance for armament. Most possess only basic energy weaponry
for internal weapons systems and their primary armament being, like a regular soldier has a rifle, a hand-held gun pod
(similar to those carried by the Southern Cross Veritechs). Battloids can usually be found performing basic patrol
and guard functions around military and civilian installations, search and rescue operations, or special operations
and reconnaissance missions.
The Southern Cross battloids use more conventional inertial confinement fusion reactors instead of
the Protoculture power sources used by the more versatile Veritech mecha. This puts some
limits on their use due to the limited fuel capacity (approximately one week of combat operations) and high cost producing the
liquid metallic hydrogen used in the reactors.
CBH-4 Salamander
| Mecha Data |
- Designation: CBH-4
- Mecha Class: Heavy Infantry Combat Battloid
- Crew: 1 pilot
- Weight: 19 tons
- Height: 6.1m
- Width: 2.9m
- Depth: 2.5m
- Max walking speed: 72 kph
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| Armament |
- 2 x Ion cannons on either side of the head
- 2 x 3-tube 70mm rocket launchers on the back
- 1 x 30mm pulse ion cannon gun pod
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| Additional Equipment |
- Optional command and control systems in officer-issued version
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The CBH-4 Salamander is the primary mechanized infantry unit in use by the Tactical Corps. With its
mix of weapons, armor and adaptability this battloid is frequently deployed in both front-line and
support roles.
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CBL-8 Dryad
| Mecha Data |
- Designation: CBL-8
- Mecha Class: Light Infantry Combat Battloid
- Crew: 1 pilot
- Weight: 14 tons
- Height: 5.4m
- Width: 2.7m
- Depth: 2.4m
- Max walking speed: 96 kph
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| Armament |
- 2 x Ion cannons on either side of the head
- 1 x 30mm pulse ion cannon gun pod
- 1 x hydraulic ram spike in the left arm used for breaching and demolition
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The CBL-8 Dryad is a fast strike mecha, frequently used in combat engineering roles. Dryads
were mainly deployed in former Zentraedi controlled areas like the jungles of the Amazon,
central Africa and Indochina. As a result they are used primarily by the Jungle Squad units
still assigned to those reasons.
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FRB-7 Monocle
| Mecha Data |
- Designation: FRB-7
- Mecha Class: Force Reconnaissance Battloid
- Crew: 1 pilot
- Weight: 17 tons
- Height: 6.1m
- Width: 3.0m
- Depth: 1.8m
- Max walking speed: 96 kph
- Max air speed (46m ceiling): 136 kph
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| Armament |
- 1 x 30mm pulse ion cannon gun pod
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| Additional Equipment |
- Enhanced Reconnaissance Sensor System
- Radar-absorbent and heat-shielded stealth chassis with sound dampening
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The FBR-7 Monocle, also known as the "Cyclops", is a reconnaissance and forward observation mech.
It is equipped with an advanced sensor and communications suite, making it ideal for the reconnaissance,
intelligence-gathering and target acquisition missions frequently undertaken by the Recon Escort Patrol.
Lightly armed and armored, the FRB-7 makes up for this with its maneuverability, including an optional flight pack
giving it limited air and jump capability, as well as enhanced stealth systems.
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SRB-9 Satyr
| Mecha Data |
- Designation: SRB-9
- Mecha Class: Alpine Combat and Search and Rescue Battloid
- Crew: 1 pilot
- Weight: 17 tons
- Height: 6.5m
- Width: 3.2m
- Depth: 2.6m
- Max walking speed: 96 kph
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| Armament |
- 1 x 30mm pulse ion cannon gun pod
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| Additional Equipment |
- 2 x forearm spike launchers with 50m cable and winch rated to 10 tons
- Enhanced SAR sensor suite
- High-power radio and beacon
- Alpine SAR kit
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The SRB-9 Satyr is used almost exclusive by the Mountain Offensive Squad. It is designed
with climbing capability as well as the surefootedness needed to navigate the rocky
terrain of the planet's mountainous regions. Though limited in offensive capability,
the Satyr excels in its primary role as a mountain search and rescue (SAR) platform.
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APR-4 Golem
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Mecha Data
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- Designation: APR-4
- Mecha Class: Autonomous Patrol Robot
- Crew: none, autonomous robot
- Weight: 7 tons
- Height: 4.9m
- Width: 2.3m
- Depth: 1.3m
- Max walking speed: 72 kph
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Armament
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- 1 x 40mm anti-riot grenade launcher (carried)
- 1 x hand-held shock baton
- Short-range acoustic device (SRAD) mounted in the lower abdomen
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Originally designed as a fully autonomous robot soldier, a suitable artificial
intelligence system that was fully adaptable to combat situations could not be
developed. The A.I. was found to be too slow to compensate for the chaos found
in front line battles so the Global Military Police took control of the development
project. The robot was adapted to fulfill a more defensive role and the APR-4
can now be found acting as security guards and secondary defense
for key military installations, and as police alongside Civil Defense forces in key cities
of the United Earth Government.
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ASC Powered Infantry Armored Mecha Suits
Even though they were smaller than their first generation counterparts, the Southern Cross
battloid mecha were still unsuitable for dealing with military threats involving more conventional ground
troops, or for dealing with civilian strife, both of which were becoming the common type of threat faced
by the Southern Cross after the final defeat of the Zentraedi at the end of the Malcontent Uprisings. To deal
with these threats Robotech engineers developed small-scale mecha that were in effect heavily armored
powered exoskeletons. Unlike the larger battloids, these mecha were not designed to be piloted but instead
worn, with the operator moving the mech with his own limbs (though with power enhanced strength and mobility).
Sensor data is displayed directly on a heads-up display (HUD) in the mech's head (helmet) while weapons and
other auxiliary systems are operated by a combination of hand controls in the arms and voice command. Since
size constraints prevent these mecha from using either Protoculture or fusion power sources, engineers opted
instead for liquid hydrogen fuel cells, allowing the same fuel source as the fusion reactors of the battloids
to be used for the mecha suit fuel cells.
Referred to alternately as both Powered Armors and Mecha Suits, these mecha are usually equipped
with some built-in offensive capability that, thanks to their small size, can be augmented with conventional
carried infantry weaponry.
HPSI-3 Basilisk
| Mecha Data |
- Designation: HPSI-3
- Mecha Class: Heavy Infantry Powered Armor
- Crew: 1 pilot
- Weight: 630 kg
- Height: 3.3m
- Width: 1.7m
- Depth: 1.7m
- Max walking speed: 96 kph
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| Armament |
- 1 x 7.62mm pulse ion cannon in the right forearm
- 1 x 40mm single-tube grenade launcher in the left forearm
- 1 x .50 caliber large-frame assault rifle
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The HPSI-3 Basilisk is a heavily armored, environmentally-protected mecha suit designed
for use in harsh environments. It sees most of its use in the deserts and wastelands
found across the globe, and as such is primarily used by the Desert Squad (the armor
is sealed and lubricated specially for keeping out dust, dirt and other contaminants).
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LPSI-4 Fenris
| Mecha Data |
- Designation: LPSI-4
- Mecha Class: Light Infantry Powered Armor
- Crew: 1 pilot
- Weight: 428 kg
- Height: 3.0m
- Width: 1.5m
- Depth: 1.4m
- Max walking speed: 128 kph
- Thruster-enhanced leap: 106m
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| Armament |
- 1 x 12.7mm pulse plasma cannon in the left forearm
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| Additional Equipment |
- 1 x hydraulic ram spike in the right forearm used for icebreaking
- 1 x variable head grapnel launcher with 30m synthetic cable in the left forearm
- 1 x multi-spectrum spotlight in the chest
- 2 x fold-out stabilizers in the feet for traversing arctic terrain
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The LPSI-4 Fenris, named for the giant wolf of Norse myth, is the primary powered armor of
the Cold Weather Offensive Squad. This light suit is designed for speed and agility and is
optimally tuned for use in the frozen wastes.
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HADS-10 Kraken
| Mecha Data |
- Designation: HADS-10
- Mecha Class: Hard Atmospheric Diving Armor
- Crew: 1 pilot
- Weight: 472.5 kg
- Height: 3.0m
- Width: 1.5m
- Depth: 1.4m
- Max walking speed: 73 kph
- Max underwater speed (1,839m max dive depth): 64 kph
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| Armament |
- 1 x 45mm double-barrel mini-torpedo gun
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| Additional Equipment |
- 1 x sonar suite
- 1 x high intensity multi-spectrum spotlight in the head
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The HADS-10 Kraken is a power-assisted, reinforced atmospheric diving suit
used by the divers of the Sea Squad for combat boarding operations as well
as deep sea rescue and exploration.
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HOPSI-5 Manticore
| Mecha Data |
- Designation: HOPSI-5
- Mecha Class: Heavy Orbital Powered Armor
- Crew: 1 pilot
- Weight: 518 kg
- Height: 3.2m
- Width: 1.6m
- Depth: 1.5m
- Max walking speed: 80 kph
- Max space speed: 96 kph (480 kph with thruster pack)
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| Armament |
- 1 x 7.62mm pulse ion cannon in the right forearm
- 1 x 20mm particle carbine with undermounted 40mm grenade launcher
- 1 x retractable ceramic combat blade in the left forearm
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| Additional Equipment |
- 1 x hydraulic ram spike in the right forearm used for hull breaching
- 1 x multi-spectrum spotlight in the chest
- 1 x variable head grapnel launcher with 30m synthetic cable in the left forearm
- 1 x high intensity plasma cutter/welder
- Electromagnetic pads in the hands and feet for scaling space vessel hulls
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Based on the same frame as the LPSI-4 Fenris, the HOPSI-5 Manticore is more heavily armed and armored
and modified for use by the Cosmic Unit for spacecraft boarding operations and EVA
maintenance and repair missions. In addition to the standard mecha suit systems, the Manticore
is temperature and radiation shielded and equipped with small orbital maneuvering thrusters
as well as an optional spaceflight thruster pack.
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HPSI-6 Triton
| Mecha Data |
- Designation: HPSI-6
- Mecha Class: Close Combat Powered Armor
- Crew: 1 pilot
- Weight: 543 kg
- Height: 3.4m
- Width: 1.8m
- Depth: 1.7m
- Max walking speed: 88 kph
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| Armament |
- 2 x retractable ceramic combat blades in the forearms
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The HPSI-6 Triton is designed for close quarters combat. Used mainly by the Humid Climate
Offensive Squad, this mecha suit is used for infiltration and insertion missions as
part of fast strike special forces squads. Their primary function is to provide heavy
armor support to the rapid mobile infantry forces of the HCOS.
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CDRC-1 Unicorn
| Mecha Data |
- Designation: CDRC-1
- Mecha Class: Civil Defense and Riot Control Powered Armor
- Crew: 1 pilot
- Weight: 504 kg
- Height: 3.1m
- Width: 1.6m
- Depth: 1.5m
- Max walking speed: 104 kph
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| Armament |
- 1 x 40mm anti-riot single-tube grenade launcher in the left forearm
- 1 x short-range acoustic device (SRAD) in the right forearm
- 2 x retractable ceramic combat blades in the forearms
- 1 x polycarbonate riot control shock baton
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| Additional Equipment |
- Search and rescue (SAR) sensor suite
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The first powered armor developed for the Southern Cross, the CDRC-1 Unicorn is based on an earlier
prototype RDF powered mecha suit that saw limited action during the Malcontent Uprisings. The prototype's
armament was swapped with a variety of non-lethal ordnance in accordance with the Unicorn's
role in civil defense, riot control and, more recently, search and rescue operations. Befitting its
primary functions, the Unicorn is used by the Civil Defense Unit.
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