EC-33 Tiger's Eye

## EC-33B Tiger's Eye

The **EC-33B Tiger's Eye** is a Airborne Warning and Control System Aircraft used by the UEDF.

## Background

The EC-33A Tiger's Eye was developed for the then-US Air Force prior to the Global Civil War as a an adaptation of an existing commercial airliner frame. The craft was used throughout the Civil War by the Eastern United States, as well as a number of other powers. Following the formation of the United Earth Government, it was adopted by the UEDF as the standard land-based AWACS aircraft of their forces as the EC-33B, a newer model that incorporated some Robotechnology advances to its electronics. In this role, it proved to be invaluable in tracking AUL forces and countering their operations.

Most existing examples were destroyed in the Zentraedi Rain of Death. Those that survived were pressed into service alongside new-built examples, and were fielded as forward command bases during long range patrols and to coordinate efforts to put down Zentraedi uprisings. These aircraft were used to extend the UEG's sphere of influence into the wastelands and to provide buffer zones around the pockets of civilization that sprang up after the Zentraedi assault. These aircraft were crucial to maintain order so that Earth could recover from the catastrophe.

While capable, the civil war-era airframe had reached its limits by the end of the Malcontent Uprisings. The Army of the Southern Cross replaced the craft with the EC-32A Raven TAWACS shuttle in the early 2020s. The remaining examples were mothballed, but a few were bought out of retirement following the Second Robotech War to aid the UEG's desperate efforts at maintaining order, and to make up for the catastrophic losses suffered by the Raven fleet. Those craft were destroyed in the Invid Invasion.

## Capabilities

The Tiger's Eye was equipped with an extensive electronics and radar fit (described below) that gave it extensive long-range tracking and target identification capabilities. Furthermore, it was outfitted with an extensive communications suite that allowed its crew to coordinate the actions of a large number of friendly craft, and included long-range and satellite uplink capabilities. In addition to the five surveillance operators in the surveillance centre, the crew included a Mission Director, Surveillance Controller, Weapons Controller (for coordination with friendly aircraft) and two equipment technicians.

Due to its construction, the Tiger's Eye possessed a long patrol endurance with a maximum cruising range of over 10,000 km. This could be further extended by in-flight refueling. However, due to its conventional construction, the aircraft was unarmed and effectively unarmoured, relying instead on its electronics for protection. As a result, the craft often worked with escorts, either VF-1 Veritechs or F-203 Dragon IIs. Furthermore, it was also limited to hardened runways for take-off and landing.

## Weapons and Equipment

* **X-band pulse-Doppler radar:** Provides long-range detection and tracking of targets at all altitudes.

* **Very-long-range wideband surveillance radar:** with rotary 12m radome, mounted to plane’s fuselage.

* **I-band Side-Looking Synthetic Aperature Radar (SLAR):** Used for imaging and target determination mounted within 3m canoes on either side of the lower fuselage. System is capable of tracking larger targets out to 185.2 km and small vehicles out to 37 km.

## Game Statistics

* **Required Rank:** 1

* **Designation:** EC-33B

* **Stats**
	+ **Armour – Light:** 2
	+ **Structure – Light:** 20
	+ **Hardware Points**: Basic
	+ **Speed** – **Flight:** 800 kph / 1.25 km / 125 Ground Units

### Weapons

* **No Melee:** The Tiger's Eye cannot engage in melee except to make Ramming attacks.

### Features

* **AWACS:** The Tiger's Eye gains Advantage on all Sensor skill rolls.

* **Crew:** The Tiger’s Eye has a crew of 12: 1 pilot and 1 co-pilot, plus 10 additional crew who operate its sensory systems.

* **Atmosphere Only:** The Tiger's Eye can only be used in an Earth-like atmosphere.

* **Generic:** The stats for the Tiger’s Eye can be used to represent other utility aircraft.

### Equipment Suites

* **AWACS:** An AWACS suite helps aircraft identify threats at a long range. This Equipment Suite may be used when taking an action that uses the vessel’s sensors. [H][H]
	+ **Uses:** Unlimited
	+ **Skill:** 2

## Notes

* Design Notes
* Image Gallery