Designation: HC-4 Hover Car HC-2 Hover Jeep

Rough Draft

I. Dimensions.

II. Type.

• Car: 5-seat convertible-top personnel transport
• Jeep: 2-seat convertible-top personnel transport

III. Service Life

• HC-4: The Hover Car is used by the GMP and high ranking officers of the Southern Cross forces beginning around 2020.
  The REF used this vehicle for rough terrain transportation from 2020 on.
• HC-2: The Hover Jeep is used by ground forces of the Army of the Southern Cross beginning around 2023. It is primarily used for officer and courier duties in the Civil Defense Unit and Tactical Corps.
  The REF used this Jeep for reconnaissance over broken terrain beginning in 2033.

IV. Propulsion.

HC-4 Hover Car

• 4 x P&W HJ-90 hover jets for vertical and maneuvering lift with directional output vents, max. output 9 kN each, driven by the engine. Peak hovering performance at 0.3 meter altitude.
• Engine: 1 x turbocharged 4 cylinder diesel generator providing 6 kW output, with battery backup
• Fuel Capacity: 80 liter diesel.

HC-2 Hover Jeep

• 4 x P&W HJ-80 hover jets for vertical and maneuvering lift with directional output vents, max. output 8 kN each, driven by the engine. Peak hovering performance at 0.3 meter altitude.
• Engine: 1 x turbocharged 4 cylinder diesel generator providing 6 kW output, with battery backup
• Fuel Capacity: 80 liter diesel.

V. Performance.

HoverCar:

• Maximum speed: 220 kph
• Maximum range: 600 km
• Lifting capacity: 3 metric tons

HoverJeep:

• Maximum speed: 220 kph
• Maximum range: 1000 km
• Lifting capacity: 2.1 metric tons

VI. Electronics Suite.

• Short-range tactical radio.

VII. Armament. (Typical, varies from vehicle to vehicle)

• None standard

VIII. Armor.

The armored body of the HC-2 hover jeep stops most small arms fire and grenade and shell fragments, and provides poor to fair resistance against heavier infantry weapons, such as a 12.7mm machinegun round. The basic hover cars are constructed of light weight composite materials and provide fair protection against small arms fire, and good protection against small grenade and shell fragments. The hover cars and jeeps have open air cabs with provide no environmental capabilities. Plastic/canvas covers are available to protect the driver and passengers from foul weather. These also provide limited biological and chemical protection.

IX. Development.

The Hover Car is the standard personnel transport used by the elite of the Southern Cross Command. A convertible soft canopy is provided in case of rain. These open air 5-seat vehicles were also popular among the Global Military Police for their flexibility and durability. These vehicles were mass-produced near Monument City and a number can still be found today still in operation attesting the durability of the design.

The REF used this vehicle where the simpler and easier to maintain M-304 jeep couldn't traverse. The design was sufficiently advanced that it was taken along with the Pioneer forces and limited production began shortly after the securing of Tirol.

A shorter two-seat version was also produced but not in as great a quantity primarily for the reconnaissance forces and couriers. This vehicle is referred to as the hover jeep. Since it sometimes operates in combat environments, the skin of the vehicle has been reinforced to protect its riders from shrapnel and light arms fire.

The REF used this vehicle for similar functions after the design was provided after the return of the Southern Cross forces after the defeat of the Robotech Masters.

See additional design notes.

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Copyright © 1997 Robert Morgenstern, Peter Walker, Pieter Thomassen
Last Updated: Saturday, December 20, 1997 2:27 PM