A-42 Vampire

## A-42C Vampire

The **A-42C Vampire** (colloquially known as the 'Vampire Jump Jet') was a VSTOL strike fighter used by various powers.

## Background

Designed and entering service in the years preceding the Civil War, the Vampire was intended from the outset to be a second-generation VSTOL strike fighter to replace previous designs. The biggest improvement over previous designs was its capacity for supersonic speeds, a capability that its predecessors lacked, while extending operational ranges thanks to improvements in engine designs. However, it still maintained the same short-field capabilities as those prior aircraft, which allowed it to be operated from small aircraft carriers and other naval vessels.

While it originally entered service with the United States military, the Vampire was used by a number of different factions during the Global Civil War. It was employed in both land and sea-based operations, and demonstrated considerable flexibility in its capabilities. Possibly its most infamous use would be during the Lemurian attack on Brisbane. Vampires operating from the *Lemuria* were able to strike targets in and around the city before seemingly vanishing into the ocean.

By the end of the Global Civil War, the Vampire had suffered severe losses through attrition, but a number remained in service. The design was passed over by the UEDF due to its mechanical complexity and the perception that it was already nearing the end of its service life. None the less, legacy Vampires served in the forces of various UEDF member-states. Some Vandals were also used by Anti-Unification League forces, often taking advantage of their capabilities to operate from concealed airfields or civilian ships.

Most remaining Vampires were destroyed in the Rain of Death, having taken no active part in the First Robotech War. While survivors were pressed into the forces of the various emergent states of the Reconstruction period, their complexity and dwindling parts supplies limited their usability. The last known examples were retired from service by 2020, leaving only a handful of examples in museums and private collections.

## Capabilities

The Vampire was designed from the outset to be a VSTOL-capable strike aircraft that was capable of supersonic flight. The result was a somewhat complicated and maintenance-intensive design, using a pair of ducted, vectored-thrust engines for lift and propulsion. However, the result was performance that was far superior to other VSTOL aircraft. While contemporary aircraft like the F-203 Dragon II and F/B-199 Vandal also possessed STOL capabilities, none had full vertical take-off capacity. However, it needed to be said that VTOL operations were very fuel-intensive and reduced the effective range. It needs to be said that the Vandal was a complex aircraft and difficult to learn, which factored into the UEDF's decision not to widely adopt it.

The Vampire featured numerous adaptations for its role. All models were fitted with folding wings for carrier storage that also meant it could operate from small fields and shelters. The Vampire was equipped with a multi-mode search and track radar for both air-to-air and air-to-surface target tracking, as well as infrared tracking and a laser designator. Communications fits varied widely from different users, but usually were conventional in nature.

The skin of the Vampire 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

* 2 **25mm Cannons:** Mounted in the wing roots. Fires fires APHE (Armor Piercing High Explosive) and HEI-T (High Explosive Incendiary with Tracer) rounds. Maximum rate of fire 850 rounds/minute. Ammunition supply 500 rounds.

* 6 Underwing Hardpoints for various ordinance, including air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles, bombs, rockets and other ordinance. For VTOL operations, the Vampire typically left two of the hardpoints empty to reduce takeoff weight.

* 1 centerline hardpoint for drop tanks and other equipment.

## Game Statistics

* **Required Rank:** 1

* **Designation:** A-42C

* **Stats**
	+ **Armour – Light:** 2
	+ **Structure – (type):** 15
	+ **Hardware Points**: Basic
	+ **Speed** – **Flight:** 1500 kph / 2.5 km / 250 Ground Units

### Weapons

* **25mm Cannons:** The Vampire is armed with a pair of 25mm Cannons in the wing roots. The weapons have a high rate of fire and are designed for use against both air and ground targets. They 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.
	+ **Tactical Missiles:** The Vampire can carry Tactical Missiles under the wings. This weapon can only be used as a part of an Equipment Suite. [H]
	+ **Bomb Racks:** The Vampire carries four racks of Smart Bombs under its wings. These racks release guided 'smart' bombs that glide towards their target, inflicting x2 Mecha-Class damage on a hit. They have a range of Short and attacks with Bombs may be used a total of 2 times. [H][B10]
	+ **Rocket Pod:** Launches a spray of unguided rockets for close air support. Creates a Cone area of attack at Medium Range. Less effective against fast-moving targets. The Rocket Pods can be used up to twice. These weapons inflict Mecha-class damage. [C]

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

### Features

* **VTOL Capability:** As a VTOL craft, the Vampire is able to hover or travel at speeds that would stall regular fixed-wing aerial craft.

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

### Equipment Suites

* **Tactical Missiles:** The Vampire 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