Designation:General Dynamics/Euromissile
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Type | : | (A,E,F) | Long range mecha launched all-purpose missile. |
(B) | Long range mecha launched ground attack missile. | ||
(C) | Long range mecha launched nuclear missile. | ||
(D) | Long range submarine/ship launched anti-ship missile. | ||
Service history | : | (A,B) | 2008-2021, early RDF Army and Spacy.
2023-2035, REF (All branches). |
(C) | 2008-2021, early RDF Army and Spacy.
2023-2035, REF Air Force, Marines and Spacy. 2023-2040, REF Army |
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(D) | 2010-2021, early RDF Navy.
2021-2033, SC Navy. |
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(E,F) | 2014-2021, early RDF Army and Spacy.
2023- , REF (All branches). |
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Length | : | (A,B,C) | 205 cm. |
(D,E,F) | 245 cm. | ||
Diameter | : | (All) | 43 cm. |
Wingspan | : | None. | |
Weight | : | (A) | 488 kg. |
(B) | 492 kg. | ||
(C) | 478 kg. | ||
(D) | 555 kg. | ||
(E,F) | 551 kg. | ||
Warhead | : | (A,F) | HE blast fragmentation. |
(B) | Multi-purpose cluster. | ||
(C) | W-119 Nuclear reaction. | ||
(D,E) | Plasma. | ||
Weight/yield | : | (A) | 100 kg. |
(B) | 68x1.5 kg multi purpose bomblet. | ||
(C) | Selectable from 5 kT to 100 kT. | ||
(D,E,F) | 150 kg. | ||
Propulsion | : | Ramjet with rocket booster. | |
Guidance | : | (A,E,F) | Optical, IIR and active radar with midcourse update. |
(B) | Inertial, with terminal radar homing. | ||
(C) | Optical, IIR and active radar with midcourse update, with permissive action link (PAL). | ||
(D) | IIR and active radar with midcourse update. | ||
Max speed | : | Mach 3.0 | |
Range | : | (A,B,C) | 70 km. |
(D,E,F) | 130 km. | ||
Platforms | : | Beta, Daedalus, Phalanx, Prometheus, Shark, Bat, Warspite. |
The Derringer is a standard atmospheric long range missile for the RDF, Southern Cross Navy and REF. Launched by mecha, ships and submarines, the various Derringer variants serve as anti-air, anti-ship and ground bombardment missiles.
In 2007, the fledgling RDF was searching for anti-air and medium surface-to-surface missiles with which to equip their mecha.
Usually, the difference in types would prohibit much commonality between the designs, but in this case, the requirements for speed and payload were almost identical, and thus it became possible to create a single airframe for all missiles. This airframe became the Derringer, one of the first multi-purpose missiles, capable of, for instance, air defense as well as ground attack. It was a very short but relatively thick missile without fins, instead relying on vectored thrust and body lift. To ensure a high speed and long range, an air breathing rocket-ramjet propulsion system was chosen.
The Derringer A was a standard anti-air and ground attack missile, with the first truly multi-purpose seeker head, developed with alien technology, providing the guidance. The Derringer A was mounted on the Phalanx and Shark Destroids, and used in medium air defense battalions as well. The Derringer B was a basically a Derringer A with the HE warhead replaced with a cluster payload and an inertial guidance during the flight phase, with an active radar unit for the terminal phase. The Derringer B was specialized for area attacks, but because of its limited effectiveness against full-size Zentraedi it was less used on Earth than the A model. The B variant was, however, quite effective against the Invid. The Derringer C was a tactical nuclear missile.
In 2010, the Navy developed an anti-ship variant of the Derringer. The missile's speed was respectable for such a role, but the short range and 100 kg HE warhead were insufficient to be used against ships. The Navy therefore stretched the missile by 40 centimeters, increased the warhead weight by half to 150 kg and replaced the HE with a plasma incendiary warhead. The fuel storage was increased as well. This missile, which was still compatible with all Derringer launchers, was technically highly successful, although it severely lacked viable targets and did not get its baptism in a shooting war until the EBSIS attack on Western Europe, on the eve of the Invid invasion. It is a standard weapon for the Warspite and Prometheus classes of Naval ships. The final versions are the Derringers E/F, which are still in production to this day. They combine the multi-purpose seeker head of the A version with the warhead of the D ship killer (E), or with a HE warhead of the same weight (F), and update other electronics as well. Although far more effective, the missile bins on the Shark and Phalanx can only accept these stretched missiles by allowing part of them to protrude in the open.
At present, there are plans to produce a Derringer G, which is a Derringer E/F with the warhead replaced by a heavy cluster payload. None are known to have been produced to date, however.
Go to RDF Multipurpose Missile Index.
Go to the Robotech Reference Guide Home Page.
Robotech (R) is the property of Harmony Gold. This document is in no way intended to infringe upon their rights.
Content by Peter Walker and Pieter Thomassen, with Rob Morgenstern