Designation: Roil Tiluvo class assault corvette Roil Quel class electronic warfare corvette Roil Luhoutzs class command corvette Roil Lihinal class gunboat Roil Destrin class assault corvette Roil Tiluvosen class assault corvette Listradin class light orbital transport

Names and disposition:

These vessels were built in the Valivarre system by the Robotech Mercantile Empire and entered service from 1903 through 2012. The Roil Tiluvo was the first version to enter production in 1903 and remains the most numerous as well, with a total of 88,719 constructed. Next produced, from 1909 on, were the Roil Quel, Roil Luhoutzs and Roil Lihinal. Off these versions the respective total numbers produced were 1,729, 1,012 and 516. Production for these versions ceased in 2008. The Roil Destrin was produced for the Border Fleets from 1915 through 2003, with a total number produced of 56,314. From the final two versions, the Roil Tiluvosen and the Listradin, only a few prototypes were constructed between 1996 and 1998.

The aggregate number of constructed corvettes is over 148,000. Of the Roil Tiluvo vessels, nearly 1500 went with the Tirolian fleet to the solar system and were mostly destroyed. The Southern Cross managed to capture 127 of these vessels, but did not have the energy supplies or spare parts to continue operating them. They were stored on board Space Station Liberty, where the Invid found and wrecked them. The REF found nearly a hundred of these vessels still intact on Tirol, but never deployed them as part of their forces. It is unknown how many of the Quel, Luhoutzs and Lihinal versions went with the Masters' fleet, but only 2 Quel and 1 Luhoutzs version survived the fighting. All 3 vessels shared the same fate as the Tiluvo versions captured by the Southern Cross. The REF only found 5 Quel versions among the Roil class vessels on Tirol, and disassembled these in an (failed) attempt to duplicate their avionics suite. All Roil Destrin were lost with their Border Fleet parent vessels, except for 415 still remaining in the Valivarre system awaiting assignation. These latter were stored with the captured Tiluvo vessels. All Tiluvosen and Listradin vessels were destroyed in the Invid invasion of Tirol.

Vessel's Complement:

(Roil Tiluvo):

• Flight crew (3 men),
• Troops (36 men).

(Roil Quel):

• Flight crew (3 men),
• Electronic specialists (9 men).

(Roil Luhoutzs):

• Flight crew (4 men),
• Troops (36 men),
• Command crew (20 men).

(Roil Lihinal):

• Flight crew (4 men),
• Troops (12 men).

(Roil Destrin):

• Flight crew (3 men),
• Zentraedi troops (22 men).

(Roil Tiluvosen):

• Crew (2 Zentraedi),
• Zentraedi Troops (20 men).

(Listradin):

• Flight crew (3 men).

• Life support limits for all versions save the Destrin and the Tiluvosen are for 900 micronian sized personnel, with a limited duration maximum of over three times this number. For the Destrin and Tiluvosen versions the limits are for about 40 Zentraedi, with a limited-duration capability of three times this number as well.

Dimensions:

(All):

• Length : 121.9 m over all.
• Width : 36.5 m over all.
• Mass : 2250 metric tons operational (typical) without cargo.
• Cargo mass: 713 metric tons maximum.
• Fuel mass : 585 metric tons maximum (typical).

(All except Destrin and Tiluvosen versions):

• Height : 23.1 m over all,
  
  18.2 m over the main hull.

(Destrin and Tiluvosen versions):

• Height : 27.1 m over all,
  
  22.2 m over the main hull.

Propulsion systems:

• Main power system: Zorrelev-45-Dirac protoculture-fueled Reflex furnace cluster with two furnaces. The powerplant can nominally deliver up to 3.5 gigawatts of power, and can operate for 60 minutes at maximum power before overheat initiates auto-shutdown.
• Maneuvering thrusters (12): Twelve thrusters clusters with vectorable nozzles constructed in strips of 6 m length are installed on the Riol series. Two strips are mounted forward and aft on the both the dorsal and ventral hull and on each flank. Four more strips are located on the four edges of the main hull amidships.
• Reaction engines (2): 2 Varrelev Tiralon fusion-plasma shock expansion thrusters with protoculture energizer and vectorable nozzles mounted in the lower aft flanks of the vessel.
• Anti-gravity System: 4 Rotalsz anti-gravity pods.
• Planetary Capabilities: The Riol series are well suited for both space and the atmosphere, and have, through their thrusters, anti-gravity systems and maneuvering thrusters excellent handling qualities in both environments. The vessel is equipped with three landing skids; two large main skids under the aft main body and one movable, two-pronged skid under the nose. All skids are vaguelly reminiscent of large metallic claws. The corvette can make cold landings on these skids, and due to the large surface area the resulting ground pressure is low enough to make a touch-down on many terrain types possible. In an ocean, the vessel will float but cannot maneuver, and the main ingress and egress ports will be submerged. Water can be let into the hold to submerge to vessel to a maximum depth of about 150 meters, but the anti-gravity systems will have to remain operating, otherwise the corvette will sink. Mecha can ingress and egress in this condition; however, the hold will have to be pumped dry before the vessel can resume atmospheric and/or space flight.

Endurance and mobility limits:

(All versions but the Destrin, Tiluvosen and Listradin):

• The dry stores endurance is seven days maximum; after that, the Roil series needs to restock.

(Destrin and Tiluvosen versions):

• The dry stores endurance is two days maximum; after that, the vessel needs to restock.
• The mecha consumables supplies (mainly missiles) are non-existent; there were no rearmament capabilities built in. If used as a bulk transport, the vessel can transport vast quantities of various munitions, but usage depends on the number of troops and intensity of fighting.
  The missile batteries on the Tiluvosen series was not designed to last through more than one intense combat.

(Listradin version):

• The dry stock endurance was to have been four days minimum.

(All versions):

• The Reflex furnace can function for about 20 years at normal usage levels before an energizer rebuild is necessary.
• At full power, the main propulsion systems can nominally produce up to 11 meganewtons of thrust. Reaction mass endurance is sufficient for a delta-v of 39.4 kps at the battle acceleration of 1.0 gees, and a delta-v of at most 7.3 kps at the flank acceleration of 4 gees. In an atmosphere, the engines can, through plasma-shock expansion, be overboosted to a maximum of 14.4 meganewtons of thrust and an acceleration of 5 g.
• The maximum sustained atmospheric speed is Mach 7.2. This can be exceeded during orbital ascends for the time needed to reach orbit. The maximum hover time on the anti-gravity systems is limited only by the protoculture supplies and maintenance requirements.

Weapon systems:

(All except Listradin):

• Makral Dassil 43 dual-mode particle cannon (2): The main assault weapons are two particle cannons mounted in the nose of the vessel, which can elevate between -20 and +110 degrees. The cannons can fire particle packets in enclosing fields ('annihilation disks') with a forward velocity of 4500m/s, or release the particles in a continuous beam. As the relatively low speed of the disks was only suitable on close ranges, this mode was most commonly used in an atmosphere, and the beam mode in space.
  Both cannons are fired synchronously, and the energy systems can supply enough energy to the particle generators to fire a continuous salvo until ammunition exhaustion (typically after 25 minutes of constant firing). The yield of each cannon is 140 MJ/s.
• Misaler Nabrilla 14 (1): A close-in weapon system, the Misaler Nabrilla is a rotary turret with four tunable lasers. The turret has its own independent targeting system. Each fired pulse has an impact energy of 12 MJ. This weapon system engages attacking missiles and point-blank mecha; it is not suited for long range fire. The rotary turret is mounted in the center of the bottom.
• Misaler Dassil 24 pulse beam cannon (2): A smaller point defense system providing coverage to the side and upper arcs. The system is mounted to either side of the nose just above the landing foot, and is capable of a yield of 11 MJ for each pulse. The system is frequently used for suppression fire during launch and recover operations for the bioroid carrier variants.

(Tiluvo, Quel, Destrin, Tiluvosen only):

• Makral Dassil 44 (6): Like the larger -43 series, this is a dual mode weapon capable of firing particle salvo's either as beams or 'packaged' in standing soliton fields. Unlike the -43, though, these weapons are rarely fired in their pulse mode. The cannons serve as the secondary armament for the corvettes, used mainly for strafing and starship assault.
  Each full-intensity shot has a yield of 90 MJ, and the cannons can cycle through their firing sequence every three seconds at full yield, or faster at lower yields. Four cannons are mounted behind the nose, two to each flank of the vessel in a vertical line, and two are mounted in the tail, over the reaction engines, firing aft.

(Tiluvosen only):

• Blishaug Rasar 41 (2): This is a missile launcher for the Rotpaen Touwhaug series (Terran name MPA-9 Minstrel) of missiles. Two horizontal launch slots for these missiles are located in the upper center of a missile pod mounted in the place of the cockpit and communications blister of the Tirolian flown versions. Both launchers are located over a magazine for 8 Minstrel missiles, giving the Tiluvosen a total load of 16 weapons. They launch the missiles by ejecting them horizontally over the craft, after which the projectiles ignite. All versions of the Minstrel could be carried by the corvette.
• Blishaug Rasar 42 (24): These are missile tubes for the Seraum Awhaug series (Terran name MPA-5 Moloch) missiles. Twelve launch silo's are mounted to the sides of the missile pod mounted in the place of the cockpit and communications blister of the Tirolian flown versions. There are no reloads available. All versions of the Moloch could be carried.
• Blishaug Rasar 43 (72): These are missile tubes for the Gerluj Touwhaug (Terran name MPA-4 Miff), Gluuk Awhaug (Terran name MPA-2 Megrim), and Vlwheralt Awhaug (Terran name MPA-3 Morgoth) missiles. The launch silo's are located in the nose of the missile pod mounted in the place of the cockpit and communications blister of the Tirolian flown versions. One reload missile is located directly behind each missile tube.

(Luhoutzs only):

• Makral Dassil 44 (8): Like the larger -43 series, this is a dual mode weapon capable of firing particle salvo's either as beams or 'packaged' in standing soliton fields. Unlike the -43, though, these weapons are rarely fired in their pulse mode. The cannons serve as the secondary armament for the corvettes, used mainly for strafing and starship assault. Each full-intensity shot has a yield of 90 MJ, and the cannons can cycle through their firing sequence every three seconds at full yield, or faster at lower yields.
  The Luhoutzs mounts 8 of these cannons, 6 in the traditional positions behind the nose and in the tail, and an additional 2 are mounted behind the upper forward Dassil 44 cannons in the flanks of the vessel.

(Lihinal only):

• Gluph Lihinal 21 anti-matter pellet rail cannon (4): This bombardment weapon was developed by the Tirolians as an alternative to the Reflex cannon. The basic cannon is a railgun, mounted in the same barrel housing as a Makral Mossil 1217 cannon. However, rather than firing a kinetic or incendiary slug, the cannon launches a pellet of anti-matter enclosed in a soliton wave field at a speed of 8.4 kps. When it strikes a target, the protective field dissipates and the anti-matter reacts with the surrounding matter. Four of these cannons were mounted in the place of the forward Mossil 1217 cannons. These were commonly fired in one salvo. The maximum mass of one pellet was about 20 milligrams, which gave a total salvo weight of 80 milligrams, sufficient to cause a reaction with a yield of 2.9 kT.
  However, the low speed of the projectiles made the weapon less useful than anticipated against enemy starships, and the Gluph Lihinal cannons did not replace the Reflex Cannons as expected. The cannons were suited however for aerial bombardment, and used as such.
• Makral Dassil 44 (2): Like the larger -43 series, this is a dual mode weapon capable of firing particle salvo's either as beams or 'packaged' in standing soliton fields. Unlike the -43, though, these weapons are rarely fired in their pulse mode. The cannons serve as the secondary armament for the corvettes, used mainly for strafing and starship assault.
  Each full-intensity shot has a yield of 90 MJ, and the cannons can cycle through their firing sequence every three seconds at full yield, or faster at lower yields. The Lihinal counts 2 of these cannons, mounted over the reaction engines, firing aft.

Electronics:

• The Roil Tiluvo, Luhoutzs, Quel and Lihinal versions mounted very extensive command, communication and control electronics for deployed Bioroid troops. These were installed in the aft section of the cockpit blister on the dorsal hull.
• The Roil Quel, as the electronic warfare variant, mounted very complex and sensitive electronic surveillance equipment. This craft was also equipped with a broad range of electronic jammers and spoofers for offensive electronic warfare.

Air group and mecha complement:

(Roil Tiluvo):

• 26 Bioroids with sleds.

(Roil Luhoutzs):

• 14 Bioroids with sleds.

(Roil Quel, Roil Lihinal, Listradin):

• None.

(Roil Destrin):

• 22 Zentraedi mecha (Regult artillery pods could not be deployed).

(Roil Tiluvosen):

• 20 Zentraedi mecha (Regult artillery pods could not be deployed).

Design notes:

The Assault Corvette is a streamlined, rocket and anti-gravity propelled transorbital atmosphere/space combat vehicle.

The rear part of the body is vaguely rectangular shaped, with the smallest dimensions in the vertical, narrowing to the front, forming a prow. Mounted here the forward landing skid, which, like the other skids, is shaped in a manner reminiscent of a claw. Aft under the hull are the two main skids. In the sides of the lower aft section, pointing rearwards in normal flight mode, are the two vectorable exhausts of the main reaction engines. As versions intended for Zentraedi troops and mecha, the Destrin and the Tiluvosen featured a higher main hull. To compensate, the hull carried less armour, and the mass (and thus engine specifications) remained the same.

All other details differ per version. The Listradin, for example, was an unarmed version intended as a civilian transport. As such, it carried no weapons. All versions save for the Tiluvosen were flown by micronian pilots from the cockpit section, which was located in an upper blister. This blister was lengthened aft, protruding over much of the dorsal hull, and usually housed electronics. The Tiluvosen flight crew was located in its body, and the blister on that version was converted into a capacious missile bay.

All armed versions were equipped with two forward and two aft particle cannons, and with a rotary close-in defence turret under the hull. The Tiluvo, Quel, Destrin and Tiluvosen variants mounted four additional particle cannons in the hull, the Luhoutzs version mounted six additional cannons. The main armament of the Lihinal version was mounted in four cannons, visually identical to and mounted in the positions of the more standard particle cannon. However, these weapons were rail cannons for anti-matter pellets. The troop carrying versions (Tiluvo, Luhoutzs, Destrin and Tiluvosen) had two large release doors in the sides aft.

The interiors of all craft have four deck levels. The only version differing in more than detail is the Tiluvosen. As a solely Zentraedi vehicle, this version carried its flight crew in the main body and a missile battery in the top blister. All other versions had their flight deck on top of the vessel, Immediately under the upper hull is a floor with medical facilities, crew rest rooms and other mission related rooms. Below this is the main mecha hangar, with enough room, if needed, for 26 Bioroids and their hoversleds in the micronian versions and 22 Zentraedi mecha in the Zentraedi versions. Underneath the hangar is a floor with access to the anti-gravity engines and several micronian sized storage rooms.

History:

In the late 1800's, the Bioroid troop carriers used by the Tirolian forces were in design and function closely related to the Frandlar Tiluvo transports of the Zentraedi fleets. The vessels were during operations escorted by the Rauliras fighter craft, at that time the pinnacle of Tirolian aerospace combat design. The first design proposal involved an updated carrier, but this was rejected fairly early in the design effort. Rather than using a dedicated fighter, it was intended that an assault corvette would carry armaments as well as Bioroid troops. This rather revolutionary decision was made after computer modeling showed that a large, armed troop transport would be more than capable of defeating aerial mecha, while remaining fully operational itself. If succesfull, in time this might render the aerospace and atmosphere fighter craft obsolescent.

The Masters then took the idea one step further. If the transport were to be equipped with enough firepower to enable it to overwhelm small spaceships (with Rudel-tactics if need be) then the entire army could be made up from just two main designs: the Bioroid and the Assault Corvette. This would significantly ease manufacturing and maintenance. This approach was chosen, and the Tirolian Assault Corvette was designed to fit this role. This it did magnificently. The Assault Corvette exceeded all the expectations its designers had of it, and set new standards for transports in the Robotech militaries. By the year 1938, all relevant Tirolian forces were equipped with the Roil Tiluvo. Consequently, several different versions were designed as well on the basis of the original corvette.

The first variant was the Roil Quel, an electronic warfare craft that had its mecha bay converted into an electronics hold, and mounted numerous phased array antenna all over its hull. The next two versions were the Luhoutzs, which carried additional command personnel and equipment in exchange for a large part of its troop capability, and the Lihinal bombardment variant. Two versions were designed for use by the Zentraedi. The Destrin version was intended for the Border Fleets, but due to several economic restraints, only the Tou Salaam cruisers were equipped to handle them. Although they were designed to transport Zentraedi troop, they retained the micronian flight crew. The Destrin featured an heightened main hull, to accommodate the large Zentraedi mecha. As the final military variant, the Tiluvosen was designed to complement the Frandlar Tiluvo re-entry pods. The cargo capacity of the Tiluvosen was far less than that of the re-entry pod, but the Tiluvosen was very heavily armed with guns and missiles. The tactical concept was to make the first landings with the corvettes, and to leave the heavy cargo lifting to the larger ships. This way, the Zentraedi could make assault landings with the armed and armoured corvettes in a manner which was impossible with the large but vulnerable and unarmed re-entry pod. However, this version as well as the final version, the civilian Listradin, never moved beyond the prototype stage.

During the Second Robotech war the Southern Cross forces often encountered this vehicle in four of its versions, either in space or on the planet itself. Always it proved to be as maneuverable and more powerful and resilient than the mecha and planes of the SC air and aerospace forces. The corvette has a legitimate claim to more kills of mecha and spacecraft than any other vehicle in the Second Robotech war, since it was used for every role the Bioroids were too small for but full destroyers too heavy, from ground strafing runs (the largest flying vehicle ever to do this) to orbital combat.

The REF made a serious attempt to adopt the Assault Corvette as its own standard dropship. However, different priorities and technical difficulties made this impossible, and at the time of the assault on Reflex Point only five of the Dragon-class corvettes, as the ships were known, were completed and conducting test flights on Tirol. The Dragon-class entered full scale production shortly after the war, and equips most of the orbital transport flights of both the Terran and Tirloian navies.

See additional design notes.

Return to Tirolian Naval Craft Index

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