VM-5 MODAT

## VM-5 MODAT/ VM-5A Typhoon

The **VM-5 MODAT** was an experimental Veritech motorcycle developed by the Army of the Southern Cross. After considerable issues with its development, it entered service as the **VM-5A Typhoon.**

## Background

One of the greatest ‘missed opportunity' designs of the Robotech Wars would have to be the VM-5A Typhoon, also known as the MODAT. A two-mode, fully enclosed Veritech motorcycle, it was a design that never lived up to its potential due to no fault of its own, but rather being the victim of circumstances.

An outgrowth of the Southern Cross' considerable investment in their infantry forces, the MODAT had its genesis in several transforming motorcycle projects of the early 2020s. Only one of those had reached maturity, the VPA-01 CDAC (Civil Defence Armoured Cycle), and even then, it had been a compromised design. The CDAC was unable to fully transform and was instead dependent on a support vehicle to carry its Battloid-mode limbs and attach them in the field. This severely limited its capabilities and deployment, although it had the unexpected benefit that the CDAC's motorcycle mode appeared to be an innocuous vehicle that could easily pass for a regular motorcycle. Despite its shortcomings, the CDAC was deployed by both the CDU and GMP Enforcement Division with the understanding that it would be an interim design until a fully transformable Veritech motorcycle was developed.

The VM-5 Veritech Motorcycle was the end product of that process, and was developed alongside another project, one aimed at creating a mobile data terminal that could be connected to the EVE computer in the Tokyo Robotech Research lab. Headed up by Chief Minister Embry, the project resulted in a series of five prototypes developed under the code-name MODAT (MObile DAta Terminal) that were integrated into the prototype transformable motorcycle design. Testing of the prototypes proved promising; not only were the MODAT series capable of a full transformation, but their performance exceeded that of the CDAC at every step. Furthermore, the use of the terminal proved to be an invaluable tool for GMP enforcement teams in their location and apprehension of suspects.

Southern Cross command were impressed with the results and had ordered production of the MODAT under the designation VM-5A Typhoon. While seen as being costly, the effectiveness of the prototypes could not be disputed. Initial plans were to deploy the Typhoon with the GMP and CDU to replace existing CDACs, and then expand to worldwide deployments. In addition, the Tactical Corps had also shown interest in the design for use as an Infantry Support and recon platform for their own forces.

However, the MODAT project became a key part of Colonel B.D. Andrews' coup and effort to take control of the entire Far East Sector in the days before the Second Robotech War. On Andrews' orders, the five MODATs were destroyed to limit the ability of anyone other than him and his followers to access the EVE system. At the same time, Chief Minister Embry was targeted for elimination by Andrews due to his connection to the program. In a twist of fate, MODAT-5 survived the purge and was used by Mark Landry, a Tokyo biker, to fight back against Colonel Andrews and his plan. Ultimately, MODAT-5 was destroyed and Andrews was killed, ending his coup attempt. And while Minister Embry survived, the EVE System was compromised by Andrews during the coup.

As a result, the MODAT project fell under a cloud; it was central to the entire affair, and quickly became politically untouchable to many within both the ASC's command and the UEG. After some deliberation and considerable delay, the decision was made to push forward with production with some modifications. The most important of which was the removal of the EVE connection which was now seen as an avenue for potential compromises of security. Production of the Typhoon was finally agreed to after no small degree of debate.

Even then, the rollout was further hampered by the start of the Second Robotech War. The Southern Cross were forced to shift their priorities, and production the Typhoon was considered to be less urgent then replacing combat losses in frontline and especially space forces. Plans for advanced variants, such as a hoverbike model, were shelved indefinitely. As a result, only a relatively small number of Typhoons were shipped to units, many of which were then lost in combat in the devastating final days of the war. Ironically, many GMP and CDU units ended up retaining their CDACs long past the point where they were expected to replace them.

None the less, those Typhoons that did see service were well-liked by their crews and proved to be a capable urban combat and infantry support platform. The few that survived the Invid Invasion were in demand among resistance fighters for their mobility and low profile, while offering a greater level of protection than the Cyclone. In many respects, the design proved to be best used in a role that it was never intended for.

## Capabilities

Unlike its predecessor (Or for that matter, the UEEF's Cyclone series of Veritech motorcycles), the MODAT was designed to be a fully-enclosed, self-contained transforming Veritech motorcycle from the outset. None the less, the MODAT shared a number of components with its predecessor, including its miniature Protoculture engine. The Battloid mode featured a cockpit contained entirely within the torso with fully mechanical limbs, making it closer in form to the Southern Cross' Light Battloids than their Power Armour series.

The Battloid mode was fast and agile on its feet, and boasted full flight capabilities. It was equipped with functional manipulators, allowing it to carry various gun pods and other weapons in its hands. However, ultimately, only a single gun pod was developed for the MODAT, and it in turn was derived from the CDAC's GU-19. Other weapons simply proved to be too bulky to incorporate into the transformation sequence.

The Battloid mode 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 MODAT/Typhoon 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.

Compared to the functional sensor suite used by the CDAC, the MODAT/Typhoon was equipped with an extensive sensor array featuring higher resolution and more options than most of the ASC's Battloids or Power Armours. These included visual, thermographic, infra-red, low-light and a range of other visual options, as well as extensive audio pickups that allowed a user to eavesdrop on conversations at a distance with near perfect clarity. While supposedly these systems were added to allow the MODAT/Typhoon to be used in urban search and rescue operations, it was more likely they were requested by the GMP for use in surveillance. In addition, the MODAT/Typhoon was equipped with a short range battlefield radar. All of these systems were usable in both modes.

In addition to its sensory fit, the MODAT prototypes were equipped with a direct link to the EVE computer in the Tokyo Robotech Research lab. The intent was to use this link for coordination and command in large-scale operations, but again it was likely also intended to be used for surveillance and espionage means. Furthermore, through the EVE persona crafter by the Robotech Research Centre, the GMP could use the system to eavesdrop on personal communications and computer systems. However, the flow of data was a two-way affair and proved to ultimately be a liability. During his coup, B.D. Andrews ordered the destruction of the MODAT prototypes to prevent them from being used to access the EVE system. Due to the massive security compromises caused by the coup, the EVE link was removed from the production models. In addition to the link, both the MODAT series and Typhoon were equipped with advanced short-range radio and video communications systems.

In motorcycle mode, the MODAT/Typhoon 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. Compared to the relatively discrete CDAC (and Cyclone), the size and shape of the MODAT/Typhoon motorcycle mode made it impossible to pass for anything conventional.

The MODAT/Typhoon'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 MODAT/Typhoon lacked the advanced anti-laser coating used in other Southern Cross Battloid designs due to the limitations of its transformable nature. In addition, the MODAT/Typhoon was equipped with a heavy riot shield for additional protection; however, this could not be incorporated into the transformation and had to be discarded to convert into motorcycle mode.

## Weapons and Equipment

* **GU-19A Gun Pod:** The MODAT/Typhoon'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 MODAT/Typhoon typically carrying two spares. The gun pod was a redesign of that used by the CDAC with modifications to be incorporated into the transformation, but was functionally the same weapon.

* (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 MODAT 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.

## Notes

* Design Notes
* Image Gallery