F/B-199 Vandal

## F/B-199A Vandal

The **F/B-199A Vandal** was a fighter-bomber used during the Global Civil War.

## Background

The Vandal was developed by what was then the United States Air Force as a replacement for several other, older airframes. Besides being more advanced and offering greater capabilities, there was a desire to overcome some of the limitations of those designs. The Vandal was equipped for V/STOL capabilities to allow it to operate from improvised fields and runways so that it could continue to be used in the advent of strikes tanking out operational airbases. As it was, the fighter saw use in the Global Civil War, a completely different conflict to the one it was expected to fight.

Used by the Western Alliance and several other powers, the Vandal was deployed alongside other well-known aircraft such as the F-203 Dragon II. Vandals saw considerable action across the world, especially in the campaigns to reclaim the American west and then against NEACAP forces across the Pacific. While it performed well as a strike fighter, in air-to-air combat, its performance was found to be lacking against the newest generation of enemy fighters, such as the FX-101 Hayate, which led to growing losses.

The end of the Global Civil War and the formation of the UEDF ultimately proved to be as much of a blow to the Vandal as a design as combat losses. The UEDF chose the MiM-31 Karyovin and A-12 Avenger II as its main strike aircraft over the Vandal. While existing examples were retained in the service of various member-states, the Vandal did not undergo any Robotechnology-derived upgrades like other fighters. However, they did see some use against the Anti-Unification League in various regional conflicts in actions supporting UEDF forces.

Most remaining Vandals were destroyed during the Rain of Death. A few examples survived afterwards, but were generally phased out of service due obsolescence or a lack of surviving support. None are known to have remained in service by 2020, although some survived in museums or other private collections.

## Capabilities

While designed for both air-to-air and air-to-surface operations, the Vandal was far more suited for the latter. Its heavier frame and high wing loading made it less agile than dedicated fighters, although it could still serve as a dedicated interceptor. Where the Vandal truly shined, however, was as a strike fighter. Able to be equipped with a wide range of ordinance, the Vandal proved to be capable at low-level penetration strikes.

While its design was largely conventional, the Vandal was built with secondary V/STOL engines in its midsection and rear to give it rough field and short runway capabilities. Its avionics were considered to be top of the line at the start of the GCW, including a multi-mode scan and track radar with multi-target capabilities as well as a secondary surface scan mode. Other equipment included infrared tracking and a laser designator. Communications were provided by a contemporary radio fit. The Vandal received several electronics upgrades during the course of its life.

The skin of the Vandal is composed of an advanced titanium-steel alloy. The armor on the aircraft stops all small arms fire, provides fair protection against heavier infantry weapons, such as a 12.7mm machinegun round, and poor resistance to light mecha-mounted weaponry, such as the Zentraedi 22.3mm HE autocannon round.

## Weapons and Equipment

* **Six-Barreled 20mm Cannon:** Mounted in the wing root. Fires 20mm Armour-Piercing Incendiary (API) or High-Explosive Incendiary (HEI) rounds. Approximate rate of fire 4000 rounds per minute; carries 515 rounds in ammunition bin.

* 6 Underwing Hardpoints for various ordinance, including air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles, bombs, rockets and other ordinance. Typical UEDF loadout was six **AMR-2 Renegade** air-to-surface missiles.

* 1 centerline hardpoint for drop tanks and other equipment.

## Game Statistics

* **Required Rank:** 1

* **Designation:** F/B-199

* **Stats**
	+ **Armour – Light:** 2
	+ **Structure – Light:** 6
	+ **Hardware Points**: Basic
	+ **Speed** – **Flight:** 1500 kph / 2.5 km / 250 Ground Units

### Weapons

* **Vulcan Cannon:** The Vandal is armed with a 20mm Vulcan Cannon in the wing root. The weapon has a high rate of fire and is designed for use in air-to-air combat against other aircraft. It inflict x3 Light damage to targets and have a range of Long [L1][H]

* **Wing Hardpoints:** The Vandal has six hardpoints under the wings for various weapons. Chose one option from Smart Bombs, Tactical Missiles or Mini-Missiles.
	+ **Smart Bombs:** These racks release guided ‘smart’ bombs that glide towards their target. This weapon can only be used through an Equipment Suite. [H][B10]
	+ **Tactical Missiles:** The Vandal can mount Tactical Missiles for use against ground targets. These weapons can only be used through an Equipment Suite [H]
	+ **Mini-Missiles:** The Vandal can mount Mini-Missiles for use against ground targets. These weapons can only be used through an Equipment Suite [H]

* **No Melee:** The Vandal cannot engage in melee except to make Ramming attacks.

### Features

* **Atmosphere Only:** The Vandal can only be used in an Earth-like atmosphere.

### Equipment Suites

* **Mini-Missiles:** The Vandal mounts mini-missiles on the wings for use against armoured ground targets. They can be used up to Medium range and inflict Mecha-scale damge. This weapon can only be used if the Mini-Missiles option is chosen above. [B3]
	+ **Uses:** 3
	+ **Skill:** 3

* **Tactical Missiles:** The Vandal can optionally carry air-to-surface missiles for use against various targets. These weapons can be used up to Long range and inflict Mecha-scale damge. This Equipment Suite can only be used if the Tactical Missiles option is chosen above. [B5]
	+ **Uses:** 2
	+ **Skill:** 4

* **Smart Bombs:** The fighter is equipped with Smart Bombs which using micro thrusters and onboard computer systems attempt to self guide themselves to targets when unleashed. Use this equipment suite when attacking with Smart Bombs. This weapon has a Range of Short and inflict Mecha-scale damge. [B20]
	+ **Uses:** 1
	+ **Skill:** 5