VPA-01 CDAC

## VPA-01A Civil Defence Armoured Cycle

The **VPA-01A CDAC** (**Civil Defence Armoured Cycle**) is a Vertiech Mecha used by the Armies of the Southern Cross.

## Background

Experience with the First Robotech War and the Malcontent Uprisings had made the Armies of the Southern Cross acutely aware of the limitations of conventional infantry. While the development of their advanced body armour and laser weaponry had served to alleviate some of those concerns, there were still issues to be considered, especially those of mobility and firepower. To that end, the ASC began work on development of smaller Mecha designs that resulted in their series of Power Armour designs.

However, there was a desire to go further with this concept. This lead to the idea of a compact, highly mobile Battloid that would be able to transform into a motorcycle for greater mobility (an idea that was developed entirely independently of the UEEF's Cyclone concept). The early concepts looked promising, and the design team, headed up by Doctor Jacqueline Hargun, were able to develop a functional prototype of a transforming torso. However, there were issues with the limbs, largely due to the miniaturization needed, which prevented a fully functional transformation.

The result was that the team had developed a fully functional and capable Light Battloid, as well as a mobile pursuit motorcycle. However, it was incapable of transforming between the two modes on its own due to the partially functional limbs, which had to be jettisoned in order to switch to cycle mode. Furthermore, there was no way to attach the limbs to the cycle mode in the field to enable transformation to Battloid.

None the less, the Southern Cross were impressed with the resulting design. Production was ordered under the designation of VPA-01A Civil Defence Armoured Cycle (CDAC) with the understanding that fully functional limbs would be refitted to the design when they were perfected. In the meantime, the CDAC entered service with the Civil Defence Unit, as well as the GMP's Enforcement Division. As an interim solution, the CDU and GMP developed a variant of the M-984 Support Truck that could fit a CDAC with its limbs to enable transformation in the field. As an unexpected benefit, the limb-less CDAC proved to be rather inconspicuous in its cycle mode, resembling an ordinary street bike. The GMP would use this to their full advantage in covert surveillance operations.

Unfortunately, the issues with the limb transformation and incorporating them into the existing torso design proved to be insurmountable. Instead, development was suspended and spun off into the creation of an entirely new design under the code-name MODAT. Those CDU and GMP units that had received CDACs would continue to use them until the new design was ready to be deployed. As an interim solution to the ongoing field-deployment issues, the GMP developed a variant of the AHP-3 Hover Platform that allowed the air-dropping of Battloid mode CDACs. A variant, the VPA-S-01 Banshee was developed for use by the TSC, although it ultimately did not see widespread use.

Ironically, the MODAT program saw its own problems that delayed its own service entry and resulted in it seeing only limited production. The most notable use of the CDAC actually came before the war, where they were among Colonel B.D. Andrews' forces deployed in his coup in the Far East sector. Ironically, some of those CDACs were used to try and recapture the stolen MODAT-5 prototype. Most units equipped with CDACs retained them and employed them during the Second Robotech War. During that conflict the design suffered serious losses when troops were thrown against Triolian Bioroids, an enemy that they were not designed to face and were severely out-classed by.

Some examples survived the Invid Invasion and were used by resistance forces. While most were limited to their Battloid mode, there were a few cases of resistance fighters who had access to the CSV, giving them greater flexibility.

## Capabilities

Despite its size, the CDAC was classified as a Battloid, due to the pilot being fully enclosed within the torso and its entirely mechanical limbs. Like the Southern Cross' Power Armours, the CDAC was powered by a Protoculture engine. In Battloid mode, it was an effective light combat platform; fast and agile, capable of both running and limited flight through rear-mounted boosters. As a fully humanoid Battloid, the CDAC was equipped with functional manipulators, both allowing it to use a variety of gun pods and to use full manual dexterity; however, ultimately only a pair of gun pods would be designed for its use. While several other ideas were considered, all of them were considered to be too bulky for incorporation into the planned transformation, even if it was never fully realised.

In Battloid mode, the pilot sat in the torso in a fully enclosed cockpit. The cockpit was equipped with a full life support system and environmental protection, including an independent air supply. While not intended for use in the vacuum of space, the CDAC could operate in such if needs be. While not required, it was standard operational procedure for the operator to wear body armour, typically either the Gusoku or LPAS to provide protection from impact trauma as well as the risk of penetration.

The CADC's electronics fit was essentially a scaled-down version of that found in the Southern Cross' Battloids. Primary detection was provided by a short-range radar with both air and surface tracking modes. This was supported by secondary systems including infra-red and thermal optics, as well as a laser rangefinder. Communications were provided by short-range battlefield radio and video systems. Due to the construction, these sensors were entirely contained within the CDAC's head and torso, and thus were available in Motorcycle mode. Optionally they could be presented on the helmet's HUD when wearing the LPAS armour.

The CDAC's armour was an advanced, lightweight plastic-ceramic composite that is designed to prevent both kinetic and energy based attack. The armour is immune to small arms fire, and provides fair to good protection against heavy infantry weapons (such as a 12.7mm machine gun round) and moderate protection against heavier weapons (such as a Zentraedi 22.3mm autocannon round). However, the CDAC lacked the advanced anti-laser coating used in other Southern Cross Battloid designs due to the limitations of its transformable nature. In addition, the CDAC was equipped with a heavy riot shield for additional protection.

In motorcycle mode, the CDAC functioned as a conventional bike, albeit with the advantages of a more rugged frame and a Protoculture engine. In this mode, it retained the resilience of its Battloid form, but the rider was entirely exposed and lacked protection beyond their own body armour. However, it needs to be said that the CDAC resembled a conventional motorcycle and could easily blend in with traffic to maintain a low profile.

## Weapons and Equipment

* **GU-19 Gun Pod:** The CDAC's primary weapon was a hand held gun pod that fired 32mm rounds (the same type of ammunition as used by the UEDF's Spartan Destroid and Comanchero attack helicopter). While limited, the weapon was the largest that could be incorporated into in the transformation sequence. The weapon could be fired in semi-automatic mode, or fully automatic with a rate of fie of 150 rounds per minute. Ammunition fed from a 20-round magazine, with the CDAC typically carrying two spares.

* (optional) **N-1 Net Launcher:** A hand-held weapon designed to capture and ensnare enemy personnel and light Mecha. Launched a single tungsten filament net with a range of 15 meters.

* **Tow Cables:** The CDAC carried two pairs of cables; mounted on the front and rear in cycle mode, and in the shoulders in Battloid mode. Equipped with magnetic heads to allow the CDAC to capture enemy vehicles, as well as for battlefield retrieval.

## Game Statistics

* **Required Rank:** 1

* **Designation:** VPA-01

* **Division:** GMP, ASC-CDU

* **Stats**
	+ **Armour – Light:** 4
	+ **Structure** – **Light:** 8
	+ **Hardware Points**: Basic
	+ **Speed** – **Running:** 75 kph / 120m / 12 Ground Units
	+ **Speed** – **Riding:** 260 kph / 420m / 42 Ground Units

### Weapons

* **GU-19 Gun Pod:** The largest Gun Pod that could fit in the transformation sequence, it is not as powerful as the weapons used on other contemporary Mecha. The weapon is hand-held and can only be fired in Battloid Mode. The weapon has a Range of Medium, but can fire further. It deals x3 Light damage and ignores 3 points of Armour. The Gun Pod can only be used in Battloid mode. [E][H][P3]

* **Punch:** The CDAC's hands can be used as a weapon. They inflict Light-Class damage and ignore 1 point of the target's Armour. [M][P1]

### Features

* **Transformation:** The CDAC has 2 transformation states and gains the variable transformation properties found on *M165*. Note that the CDAC cannot transform without the aid of its Support Vehicle and is otherwise limited to one mode.
	+ **Cycle Mode:** A common-looking motorcycle that easily blends in with conventional designs.
	+ **Battloid Mode:** A small but capable humanoid combat Mecha with the driver fully enclosed within the chest.

* **CSV Docking:** The CDAC is designed to dock with the CSV in order to transform. Docking takes 1 action. While docked, the CDAC may use either mode, and uses the CSV's movement profiles. Both units gain the benefit of Docking as *H36*.

* **Indexing Hands:** The CDAC has fully functional hands built into the suit. They have a sensitivity of .1 kg

* **Space Capable:** The CDAC is fully environmentally sealed and can be used in space.

### Options

* **Shield:** Mainly used for riot protection, the shield also provides tactical usefulness in Mecha combat. The shield can only be used in Battloid mode and is detached during the transformation. The Shield can be destroyed to negate all damage taken from a non-area based Attack. [H]

* **N-1 Net Launcher:** This weapon fires a net made from strong filament that expands outward. It is meant as a less lethal deterrent and for crowd control. It is limited to Short Range. If the Attack is Successful, a target becomes ensnared. They cannot move and take a Disadvantage on all Actions. The net has 5 Light Structure, and setting someone free requires Actions over seconds [H]

### Equipment Suites

* **Tow Cables:** The CDAC is used by GMP and CDU members in high-speed pursuits and law enforcement. It comes equipped with two cables that it can fire from its front and rear in order to stop targets. The cables fire out over 10m and magnetically latch onto and entangle targets, hindering their ability to move. Use this equipment suite when Redirecting, Assisting or Inhibiting a target.
	+ **Uses:** 2
	+ **Skill:** 2

## Notes

* Design Notes
* Image Gallery