Robotech Expeditionary Forces - Veritech Mecha

The term Veritech is a corruption of Vari-Tech, which is short for Variable Technology. The name Veritech is used to describe any of the mecha combat systems with transformation capabilities. In general terms, this means that the mecha is capable of altering its physical configuration into multiple modes. These modes usually fall into one of the following categories:

• Battloid Mode: the "giant robot" mode of the Veritech. This mode mimics a humanoid form, with legs, arms (with manipulator hands) a central torso and a head. This is generally the most versatile mode of the Veritech, with the mecha acting as an extended exo-skeleton battle armor for the pilot. The term Battloid is a shortened version of Battle Android.
• Vehicle Mode: the main transport mode for the mecha, usually designed for speed and maneuverability. Vehicle mode is usually based on a traditional combat vehicle such as a jet fighter. For specific mecha this mode is usually named after the vehicle type (like Fighter or Hovertank mode) instead of the more generic Vehicle mode.
• Guardian Mode: a hybrid mode between Battloid and Vehicle mode, usually exhibiting some functionality from both of those modes. Not all Veritechs have a Guardian mode.

Veritechs with only two forms, usually Battloid and Vehicle, are referred to as Dual-Mode. Those with all three forms are called Tri-Mode.

Veritech technology was made possible in the early 21st century by advances resulting from reverse engineered alien technology. This advanced technology is usually referred to as Robotechnology, though that term applies to more than just the the technology used in advanced mecha combat systems. The initial design theory behind creating Veritechs was to create combat systems capable of dealing with the perceived Zentraedi threat (this was before humanity knew anything about the Zentraedi aside from their physical size). Since the existence of aliens was being kept hidden from the general public there was a need to disguise the capabilities of these new combat systems so the scientists came up with the idea of having these giant robot vehicles be able to change shape into more conventional looking combat vehicles.With the defeat of the Zentraedi the necessity for disguise was no longer present, but the first generation Veritechs had shown the tactical advantage of having a combat vehicle capable of both high-speed maneuverability and combat versatility. Veritechs allowed a single vehicle to perform the functions of two or three standard combat systems.

The second generation of Veritechs, those used by the Robotech Expeditionary Forces of the Pioneer Mission, were designed with speed, mobility, and maneuverability in mind. While the previous generation were large, almost 4m tall in Battloid mode, in order to combat giant aliens, that was no longer a requirement. Also, these new Veritechs could take advantage of the more mature Robotechnology and need not be built around pre-existing combat systems. With large size no longer necessary, and with miniaturization of the the mecha systems, the new generation of Veritechs would be more powerful than their predecessors, but at half the size.

• VF/A-6 - Veritech Alpha Fighter
• VF/G-2X - Veritech Gamma Fighter