Designation: HR-42 Heavy Hovercycle

Rough Draft

I. Dimensions.

• Length: 2.8 meters
• Width: 1.0 meters
• Height: 1.2 meters
• Weight: 0.55 metric tons.

II. Type.

• Personal Armored Hovercycle.

III. Service Life

• Used exclusively by the ASC, this armored hovercycle was introduced in 2025 and continued in operation until the coming of the Invid in 2033. Predominantly used by Tactical Corps.

IV. Propulsion.

• Engine: 1 4-cylinder 1000cc diesel engine providing 150 hp at 8000 rpm
  • 4 x P&W HJ-300 hover jets for vertical lift and directional thrust with twin vertical output vents, max. output 3.0 kN each, driven by a diesel engine. Peak hovering performance at 0.4 meter altitude. Capable of limited jumps over 5 meters in height.
  • 1 x P&W HJ-200 hover jet for forward thrust through a single vent, max. output 2.0 kN
  • 4 x P&W T-50 thrusters pointed aft for short bursts of rapid acceleration.
• Power-source: 1 x alternator with backup auxiliary power unit
• Fuel Capacity: 8 liter diesel.

V. Performance.

• Maximum speed : 150 kph
• Maximum range : 450 km
• Maximum height: 5.5 m

VI. Electronics Suite.

• Thomson mm-band phased array short range (1 km) radar imaging system
• Thomson forward looking all-weather imaging system providing infrared and ultraviolet guidance.
• Philips directional acoustic recording system
• Medium range multiband radio system

VII. Armament.

• None.

VIII. Armor.

The HR-42 is made up of advanced ceramic/composite materials able to withstand penetration from most small grenade and shell fragments. It provides good protection against small arms fire, and poor resistance to heavier infantry weapons, such as the 12.7mm machinegun round, as well as from fragments and near misses from higher caliber weapons. The pilot is unprotected.

IX. Development.

Following the success of the popular HR-32 hovercycle, the military leaders of the Southern Cross wanted a version that could survive on the active battlefield. Due to the susceptibility of the hovercycle to collateral damage, an armored version was devised that also provided an extensive sensor suite for a vehicle of its size. A conventional internal combustion engine was selected due to a perceived shortage of protoculture cells with the departure of the REF forces, and the lack of offensive capability of this vehicle.

The heavy hovercycle is the mainstay form of rapid transportation on the battlefield for the Southern Cross troops. The additional armor and electronics support made these vehicles popular with the reconnaissance forces of the Southern Cross, who frequently had to conduct their duties under fire and needed a vehicle that could survive. The small size and extensive sensor package make this an effective scouting vehicle.

Many of these cycles were destroyed in the wars with the Robotech Masters and Invid. Due to the mix of speed, armor and sensors, these vehicles were sought after by resistance fighters as an effective mode of transportation.

See additional design notes.

Return to RDF Auxiliary Vehicle Index

Go to 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.

Copyright © 1997 Robert Morgenstern, Peter Walker, Pieter Thomassen
Last Updated: Sunday, December 21, 1997 10:34 PM