VPA-S-01 Banshee

## VPA-S-01A Banshee

The **VPA-S-01A Banshee** was a light Battloid used by the Army of the Southern Cross on board their spacecraft.

## Background

While the VPA-01 CDAC was considered a qualified success, the failure to develop fully transformable limbs was still a point of contention. While development had begun on the design's intended successor, the VM-5 MODAT, there were questions over the future of those CDACs still in active service. The GMP and CDU had only ordered production of the design on the assumption that it would eventually be refitted with a full transformation. As such, as they were now looking to replace the design wholesale, the question was then raised of what to do with those extant examples.

By chance, the Tactical Space Corps was looking for a light Battloid for use in space operations, including close-in ship defence and salvage. While it had not been intended for space use, the CDAC had undergone space-worthiness trials no less under the TSC's supervision. Looking over the data from those tests, the TSC were impressed with the design and approached the GMP and CDC with an offer. They would take possession of CDACs as they were replaced, and then modify them for their own use.

Re-designated as the VPA-S-01A Banshee, the TSC model was intended to be a low-cost refit of existing units. The transformation switch was disabled, leaving it permanently configured in Battloid Mode. The unit was fitted with a new head (which included a quartet of low-output lasers for cutting purposes) and a new thruster pack. The biggest change was the addition of new weaponry. In place of the CDAC's GU-19 Gun Pod was a short-barreled version of the GU-11, giving the Banshee considerable firepower for its size.

A number of units were converted directly from the factory and issued to TSC units. However, the political fallout from B.D. Andrews' coup in the Far East sector, and related issues, delayed production of the MODAT. As such, only a comparatively small number of Banshee conversions were performed. Many of those that entered service were then lost along with their ships during the Second Robotech War. However, a small number survived in reserve on the ASC's various Lunar facilities.

## Capabilities

As a light Battloid, the Banshee sat between the Southern Cross' Battloids and its smaller Power Armours. Like its predecessor, the Banshee's pilot sat in a fully enclosed cockpit contained entirely within the torso. The cockpit was equipped with a full life support system and environmental protection, including an independent air supply. 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, while also acting as a backup in case of failure of the life support systems.

The Banshee retained the same sensory fit as its predecessor. 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 upgraded include mid-range battlefield radio and video systems.

The Banshee was also equipped with a quartet of small lasers in the head mounted around the main sensor eye. Designed as tools for cutting and other utility functions, they were not effective weapons.

As a space-use Battloid, the Banshee was equipped with a large thruster pack on its back to provide mobility. While not capable of the same degree of acceleration as a dedicated space fighter, the Banshee was still capable of manouvering in space under its own power and was useful for short-ranged flights. The Banshee possessed the same tow cables as the CDAC, which could be used in salvage operations or to tether it to a ship. To aid it in shipboard mobility, the Banshee also was equipped with magnetic clamps in its feet. The only drawback of this system was the use of the same Protoculture power system as the CDAC, which could be quickly drained through extensive use of the thrusters.

While no longer able to transform, the Banshee retained the full mobility of the CDAC otherwise. The craft possessed a trio of large thrusters on the back to allow it to move and maneuver in space. When used in terrestrial conditions, the Banshee was capable of limited flight. While the transformation was disabled, the craft was theoretically still capable of transformation and through a simple mechanical refit. However, this was never used operationally.

The Banshee'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 Banshee lacked the advanced anti-laser coating used in other Southern Cross Battloid designs due to the legacy of the CDAC's production.

## Weapons and Equipment

* **GU-11S Gun Pod:** The Banshee's only weapon was a short-barreled, shoulder-mounted version of the VF-1's GU-11. The weapon fired 55mm explosive shells with a fully automatic rate of fire of 200 rounds per minute. The weapon was fed from an internal magazine.

* **Tow Cables:** The Banshee carried two pairs of cables, mounted on the shoulders. Equipped with magnetic heads to allow the CDAC to capture enemy vehicles, as well as for battlefield retrieval.

## Game Statistics

* **Required Rank:** 2

* **Designation:** VPA-S-01

* **Division:** ASC-TC

* **Stats**
	+ **Armour – (Light):** 5
	+ **Structure – (Light):** 8
	+ **Hardware Points**: Basic
	+ **Speed** – **Running:** 75 kph / 120m / 12 Ground Units
	+ **Speed** – **Space:** 300 kph / 500m / 1 Space Units

### Weapons

* **GU-11S Gun Pod:** The Banshee's only ranged weapon is a shortened version of the gun pod used by the VF-1 Veritech series. Wielded in a shoulder mount, if fires 55mm rounds at a high rate of fire and is intended for use against enemy aircraft and Mecha. It inflicts Mecha-scale damage. Destruction of the Gun Pod prevents use of the Heavy Burst equipment suite. [B1][E][H]

* **Punch:** The Banshee'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

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

* **Space Capable:** The Banshee is fully environmentally sealed and mounts manoeuvring thrusters for use in space.

* **Head Lasers:** The Banshee is equipped with a quartet of small lasers in the head for use as cutting tools.

### Equipment Suites

* **Heavy Burst:** The Gun Pod may be used to fire a Long Burst of fire. At Short Range, the heavy burst causes increased effect, but risks depleting the weapon's ammunition. When all the uses of this Skill have been used, the GU-11S is considered to be out of ammunition and cannot be used until reloaded. [P1]
	+ **Uses:** 2
	+ **Skill:** 2

* **Tow Cables:** The Banshee comes equipped with two cables that it can fire from its front and rear for use in salvage and recovery actions. 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