Robotech Expeditionary Forces - Destroids

The term Destroid is a shortened form of the term Destroyer Android and refers to the class of robotic combat systems designed with a humanoid form. The second generation Destroids used by the REF are the successors to the RDF Destroid mecha, which were designed as heavy armor combat systems fulfilling artillery, anti-aircraft, and front-line heavy weapons roles.

Like other second generation United Earth Forces mecha, the REF Destroids are roughly half the size of their RDF predecessors. In this case the reduction in size was necessitated by the requirement to carry as many as possible as part of the offensive complement aboard REF spacecraft. REF Destroids filled both offensive and defensive combat roles. Many served to protect Earth's fledgling extra-Solar colonies from the (at the time) very real threat of rogue Zentraedi elements still operating in deep space. During the early days of the Invid War the Destroids saw extensive front-line action on multiple worlds before their numbers dwindled due to attrition and these battle hardened mecha were replaced with newer generation Battloid mecha.

REF Destroid Defender (Raidar X)

Mecha Data

  • Designation: ADR-04-Mk XI
  • Mecha Class: Air Defense Destroid

Statistics:

  • Crew: 1 pilot
  • Weight: 17 tons
  • Height: 7.6m
  • Breadth: 5.5m
  • Depth: 3.6m
  • Max walking speed: 160 kph loaded

Armament

  • 2 x tri-barrel rapid fire laser cannons mounted in the arms
  • 2 x 60mm unguided missile launchers with 6 missile payload
  • 1 x anti-personnel defense laser in the underbelly

The REF Defender is a more versatile, smaller version of the famous RDF model. Like its predecessor, the new Defender is primarily designed to combat aircraft and other flying menaces. To give it extra versatility, the laser arms not only rotate 360 degrees, but can also move left to right in a 45 degree sweep (the RDF model could not swing left and right). A mini-missile launcher is mounted on each shoulder, providing short-range capabilities.

REF Destroid Monster (MAC III)

Mecha Data

  • Designation: HWR-00-MK-III
  • Mecha Class: Heavy Artillery Destroid

Statistics:

  • Crew: 2 or 3 crewmen
  • Weight: 110 tons combat ready
  • Depth: 12.5m
  • Height: 14.8m
  • Breadth: 11.6m
  • Max walking speed: 72 kph

Armament

  • 3 x 40cm autocannons with 20 rounds each, mounted on the top
  • 2 x particle beam cannons mounted in the arms
  • 1 x front-mounted 275mm medium-range missile launcher with six missile payload
  • 2 x heavy drum bombs with variable timer

The largest of all the new destroids is the MAC III. Like its predecessor, it was developed to be a mobile fortress with the firepower of a 20th century battleship. The MAC III is just as powerful as the MAC II Monster, and more maneuverable. One of the drawbacks of the old RDF model MAC was that it was terribly slow. The new MAC III is lighter, shorter and faster with a greater variety of weaponry, while sacrificing little armor or firepower.

REF Destroid Phalanx (Shark)

Mecha Data

  • Designation: SDR-04-Mk XIII
  • Mecha Class: Artillery Destroid

Statistics:

  • Crew: 1 pilot
  • Weight: 37 tons (loaded)
  • Height: 8.6m
  • Breadth: 6.1m
  • Depth: 5.0m
  • Max walking speed: 112 kph loaded

Armament

  • 2 x missile bins. Each bin has 10 missiles at the ready and another 10 in each magazine. Missiles are 430mm long-range missiles or 275mm medium-range missiles, and are usually used in an anti-air capacity, though artillery rockets can also be carried.
  • 1 x 60mm unguided missile launcher with 48 missile payload and another 48 in the magazine.

The new REF Phalanx is, like its predecessor, still the long-range powerhouse of the destroids. As an artillery support unit, the Phalanx is unsurpassed, but even with its additional defensive armaments and hands it remains the least versatile of all the mecha. The most obvious change from its predecessor is the more rounded body and the elongated trunk of the main body that protrudes like a mechanical head of a shark. The bottom half of the "shark head" can open up to unleash another battery of missiles (short-range). The two spotlights on both sides of the body resemble eyes, completing the illusion of a monstrous head giving the mech its nickname, "the Shark".

REF Destroid Spartan (Gladiator)

Mecha Data

  • Designation: MBR-07-Mk III
  • Mecha Class: Mainforce Destroid

Statistics:

  • Crew: 1 pilot
  • Weight: 19.2 tons (loaded)
  • Height: 8.4m (with laser cannons lowered)
  • Breadth: 4.2m
  • Depth: 3.47m
  • Max walking speed: 193 kph

Armament

  • 2 x high-powered laser cannons mounted on the shoulders
  • 1 x rapid-fire laser turret built into the chest
  • 1 x 60mm unguided missile launcher in the chest with 36 missile payload
  • 16 x 190mm short-range missiles, mounted in single-shot surface launchers in the lower legs

The Spartan, along with the MAC III, is one of the most changed in appearance and armaments. The metal leviathan is still the fastest of its brothers and still mainly a frontline combat unit, but its weapon systems are completely different from the famous MK II of the RDF. The shoulder missile pods have been replaced with high-powered laser cannons, the chest mounted weapon cluster has been replaced by a dual laser turret and mini-missiles, while short-range missiles are now stored in the legs like the Alpha fighter.

REF Destroid Tomahawk (Excalibur)

Mecha Data

  • Designation: MBR-04-Mk VII
  • Mecha Class: Mainforce Destroid

Statistics:

  • Crew: 1 pilot
  • Weight: 20.6 tons loaded
  • Depth: 3.4m
  • Height: 10.97m
  • Breadth: 5.6m
  • Max walking speed: 121 kph

Armament

  • 1 x Heavy beam cannon on the left arm
  • 1 x Double-barrel laser in the head
  • 2 x Missile launchers in the shoulders, each capable of carrying 12 short-range anti-mech missiles
  • 2 x Missile launchers on the outboard shoulders, each capable of carrying 18 60mm unguided missiles

The REF Tomahawk is still used as an assault and defense heavy weapons system. Like its predecessor, the REF Tomahawk has long-range and short-range armament. The major change is the replacement of one of its heavy beam cannons with a Spartan-type mecha arm. The addition of the arm and hand gives it greater versatility in hand to hand combat and reconnaissance. The pilot can now pick up and carry items, and perform articulated work. A second hand has also been added to the beam cannon, although it is a bit clumsy. Its many anti-personnel weapons have been replaced with anti-armor weapons in anticipation of a more powerful foe. A walking dreadnought made even deadlier with its battery of missiles, lasers, beam cannons and increased speed and mobility.

REF Tactical Battle Pod

Mecha Data

  • Designation: TBP-Z1
  • Mecha Class: Destroid; Tactical Battle Pod - Zentraedi Type One

Statistics:

  • Crew: 1 pilot, 1 passenger (optional)
  • Weight: 12.7 tons
  • Height: 7.0m
  • Breadth: 4.3m
  • Depth: 4.45m
  • Max walking speed: 280 kph

Armament

  • 2 x particle beam cannons mounted on top (tandem or independent fire)
  • 2 x single barrel 32mm auto cannons mounted on bottom
  • 2 x single barrel rear-facing laser cannons on top

In the wake of the Malcontent Uprisings nearly all remaining Zentraedi loyal to the United Earth Forces were micronized to human size. These capable soldiers were eager to participate in the Pioneer Mission to seek out the Robotech Masters homeworld but there was an issue of equipping them. The now micronized Zentraedi could no longer operate their giant mecha, and the controls of the Earth mecha were too foreign to allow quick retraining. The REF Zentraedi Mecha Program was initiated to provide a solution, the result of which was the development of Zentraedi-style mecha that could be operated by micronized Zentraedi. The TBP-Z1 is the REF variant of the classic Zentraedi Tactical Battle Pod mecha. Smaller in scale (as are most REF mecha compared to their predecessors), the TBP-Z1 includes similar armament to its ancestor but also includes a pair of humanoid arms with manipulator hands; and while the controls work in much the same way as the full-size Zentraedi Battle Pod, the cockpit of the TBP-Z1 is more heavily armored, providing greater protection to the pilot.

REF Officer's Battle Pod

Mecha Data

  • Designation: OBP-Z2
  • Mecha Class: Destroid; Officer's Battle Pod - Zentraedi Type Two

Statistics:

  • Crew: 1 pilot
  • Weight: 17 tons
  • Height: 8.05m
  • Breadth: 4.6m
  • Depth: 6.1m
  • Max walking speed: 280 kph
  • Cruising flight speed: 480 kph
  • Max flight speed: 1080 kph (mach one)

Armament

  • 2 x particle beam cannons mounted on top (tandem or independent fire)
  • 2 x medium beam cannons mounted in the upper arms
  • 2 x single barrel medium cannons mounted in the lower arms
  • 2 x single barrel rear-facing impact cannons mounted on the back

Like the TBP-Z1, the OBP-Z2 Officer's Battle Pod is a product of the REF Zentraedi Mecha Program. The OBP-Z2 is the REF variant of the classic Zentraedi Officer's Battle Pod mecha. Smaller in scale (as are most REF mecha compared to their predecessors), the OBP-Z2 includes similar armament to its ancestor but also includes a pair of manipulator hands attached to the weapon arms, however it lacks the short range missile capability of the original Officer's Pod. While sporting operator controls famililar to Zentraedi pilots the cockpit of the OBP-Z2 is more heavily armored, providing greater protection to the pilot.

Warp Zone | Robotech RPG | Sentinels | Mecha and Equipment | REF Destroids