REEF-R02 Sentinel Robot Vehicle:

The REEF at Canaveral wanted to build diverse military forces but the were concern about how time it would take to develop all new designs. As a result, wherever possible, already existing designs were adapted to the roles that the REEF saw as needs. This included both vehicle and weapon system designs. One role was seen as needed was the air defense role. Generally, the REEF seems to prefer robot vehicle designs over tank designs. There was the old RDF Raidar X in this role but was seen as too large a robot vehicles.

Instead, the REEF was able to get a hold of a Coalition UAR-1 Enforcer robot vehicle and it was decided to use as a basis for the frame of a new robot vehicle design. Compared to the Raidar X, the Enforcer is only about half the height. Of course, the style of the new design was changed almost completely with the most important being the elimination of the “Death head” motif although the original design is still evident.

While not really any heavier armored, newer alloys and composites allow the new design to withstand greater damage than the Coalition design that it was based on. The fusion plant was replaced by a more standard REEF model and does not quite have the service life between refueling as the Coalition model. It is however slightly smaller and considered by the REEF engineers to be safer.

Other major modifications to the chassis is the modification of the waist of the robot vehicle to allow for greater rotation. The new design was modified so that it can rotate up to 160 degrees to either side. There was some criticism of this because some would have preferred a full 180 degree rotation. A second modification was in the legs, improving the running up to around ninety miles per hour.

Of course weaponry is the most important change to the design. At the heart of this are the flack cannon arms. The original arms are completely removed and flack cannons take the place of the original arms. All of shoulder mounted weapon systems of the Coalition design, including medium range missile launchers and the rail gun, were part of the removed arms. In addition, this eliminates the ability to use any robot sized handheld weapons and being effective in close range combat. The replacement guns are a pair of TRIAX flack cannons. Much longer ranged than the rail guns, these are the optional TX-862FC from the X-535 Hunter although the ammunition bins are slightly smaller. Using these weapons was able to vastly decrease development costs. Initially, the REEF purchased the weapons from the NGR but now has a licence to manufacture the weapons. When fired together, these flack cannons can be incredibly effective against aircraft. In addition, they can be used as short range artillery.

The designers wanted a close range defense in case missiles leaked through the main layer of defenses. The head was modified so that in its place is mounted a automated laser defense system. This laser defense system is largely based on the K-1000 Spider Defense System. Power is pulled from the main fusion reactor giving the weapon system virtually an unlimited payload. The automated system can be overridden by the pilot although most prefer to keep it in automated mode without an extremely good reason.

While the shoulder mounted medium range missile launchers had to be deleted from the design to mount the flack cannons, the mini-missile launchers in the waist were retained in the REEF design. There is some debate on how effective this missile system really is with only able to fire two missile volleys and a payload of twenty mini-missiles total. Still, due to location, there was little that could be done to improve it and no way that more rounds for the flack cannon could be carried in the place of the mini-missiles without even more radical redesign of the robot vehicle. Plasma and armor piercing mini-missiles are the most commonly carried.

Instead of mounting only a single smoke dispenser on the right leg, the new design mounts a pair of them with one on each of the robot vehicle’s legs. Using canisters, each has enough for five activations. In addition to smoke, tear gas and prismatic aerosol canisters can be carried. Prismatic aerosol is quite effective at disrupting laser weaponry so that they are not as effective.

Both the flack cannons and lasers have their own relatively short range tracking and targeting systems. Still, the original sensor array is replaced by a powerful radar system. This radar system is capable of tracking up to almost one hundred targets. Range is up to two hundred miles and is capable of tracking low altitude targets although still limited by the radar horizon.

The first prototype was actually built on the chassis of frame of an actual Coalition UAR-1 Enforcer. Compared to later models, it was slower and the design could not rotate as fully as production models. After much debate, it was decided to name the new design the “Sentinel” as it stands guard against air attacks. It was decided that in addition to being produced for the REEF Military, Southern Cross Manufacturing would also offer the design for sale. Both the standard model and the export versions are identical. Sales have been relatively modest although still considered an excellent design generally by those who have purchased the design..

Model Type: REEF-R02 a.k.a. ADR-02-MK I

Class: Air Defense Destroid

Crew: One

M.D.C. by Location:

	Arm mounted Flack Cannons (2):	225 each
	Head mounted Automatic Point Defense Laser:	50
	Waist Mini-Missile Turret:	30
	[1] Leg Smoke/Gas Dispensers (2):	25 each
	[1] Chest Spotlight & Video Camera:	10
	[2] Radar Turret (left shoulder):	100
	Head:	100
	Legs (2):	225 each
	Reinforced Cockpit:	125
	[3] Main Body:	450

Notes:

[1] These are small and difficult targets to strike, requiring the attacker to make a “called shot,” but even then the attacker is -4 to strike.

[2] Destruction of the radar mount will remove long range radar but both the flack cannons and the point defense laser mount have backup shorter ranged sensors. Requires a called shot to target the radar array and there is a -2 to to strike the radar array.

[3] Depleting the M.D.C. of the main body will shut the robot vehicle down completely, rendering it useless.

Speed:

Running: 90 mph (144.8 kph) maximum. Normal cruise speed is considered to be around 60 mph (96.6 kph.) The vehicle does not tire the operator.

Leaping: 15 feet (4.6 meters) up or across without a running start. Can add an additional 15 feet (4.6 meters) with a running start.

Underwater: It can walk along the bottom of the sea floor at 25% of maximum speed and has a maximum ocean depth of 1 mile (1.6 kilometer.)

Statistical Data:

Height: 19 feet 10 inches (6.05 meters.)

Width: 14 feet (4.27 meters.)

Length: 8 feet 2 inches (2.49 meters.)

Weight: 24 tons (21.8 metric tons) fully loaded.

Physical Strength: Equal to a P.S. 40.

Power System: Nuclear, average life is 15 years.

Cargo: Minimal, about 3 feet (0.9 meters) area behind seat. Generally, the operator will carry emergency supplies and a backup weapon in the compartment

Black Market Cost: 35 million for a new, undamaged, and fully operation robot complete with all weapons systems intact.

Weapon Systems:

Two (2) Recoilless Anti-Aircraft Flack Cannons: A double barrel system that replaces each arm that is identical to the TX-862FC with the exception that both ammo bins being slightly smaller and being both on the same side so not to interfere with movement. It is normally used for Anti-Aircraft but also works as excellent short range artillery. Both flack cannon arms are usually linked together to target a single target. The arms can rotate two hundred and seventy degrees, only able to not point straight downwards. As well, the arms can move from side to side independent of the body at up to sixty degrees outward and thirty degrees inwards. The waist of the robot can rotate up to one hundred sixty degrees.

Maximum Effective Range: 10,000 feet (3048 meters).

Mega Damage: Single Round 4D6, Two Rounds 1D6x10, Six Rounds 3D6x10, and Twelve Rounds (all four barrels at max) inflicts 6D6x10

Rate of Fire: Equal to the pilots combined hand to hand (usually 5 or 6)

Payload: Total 1200; 300 for each gun. That is 100 rapid fire volleys of 12 rounds, 200 volleys of 6 rounds, or 600 two round volleys.

Special Feature: The flack cannon has both and independent power supply and its own laser targeting and radar tracking system (especial useful if radar system is destroyed). They can also cross link to use the other cannons tracking and targeting system. Sensor has a range of 11,000 feet (3353 meters). The system can also be set on automatic in which each cannon (one or both can be put on automatic) which gives it +1 to strike and three attacks per melee and will fire two round burst. Gives +2 when fired by a pilot.
One (1) Head Automatic Point Defense Laser: The design is very similar to the Kittani Spider Defense System and is designed for an automated defense system against incoming missiles and in some cases infantry. The pilot can override the automated control although most often only done if there is a problem with one or both of the flack cannons. Has its own short range tracking system. Unlike the standard Spider Defense System, the weapon system is part of the robot vehicle and pulls power directly from the Sentinel’s fusion reactor.

Maximum Effective Range: 4,000 feet (1,200 meters) for light blasts, 3,000 feet (915 meters) for heavy blasts, 20 feet (6.1 meters) for electrical current, 100 feet (30.5 meters) for smoke grenades

Mega Damage: 4D6 for light blasts, 1D4x10 for heavy blasts, 3D6 S.D.C. for electrical current. See Grenades for details on grenades

Rate of Fire: Autonomous: 6 Attacks per melee (+2 to strike). Manual: Equal to number of combined hand to hand attacks (usually 4-6).

Payload: Effectively Unlimited.
One (1) Waist Mini-Missile Launcher: The robot has a turret mounted in its mid section that rapid fires mini-missiles. Normal load out are armor piercing and plasma mini-missiles. Due to low rate of fire, considered to be an ineffective weapon system bu many crews.

Maximum Effective Range: Varies with missile types, mini-missiles only (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)

Mega Damage: Varies with missile types, mini-missiles only (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)

Rate of Fire: One at a time or in volleys of two (2)

Payload: Twenty (20) mini-missiles.
Two (1) Smoke Dispensers (2): Instead of a single smoke dispenser, the robot vehicle has a smoke dispenser is mounted on each leg. The unit can release a cloud of smoke that will cover an 80 feet (24 meter) area in front of and around it. They can also release teargas and prismatic aerosol. The prismatic aerosol reduces the effectiveness of lasers.

Payload: Five (5) each for a total of ten (10), usual mix is four (4) smoke, four (4) prismatic, and two (2) tear gas.
Hand-to-Hand Combat: The robot can engage in Hand to Hand and is treated as per UAR-1 Enforcer with the following exception:

Adjust the damages as Follows:

Special Equipment:

The robot vehicle has all the standard features of a standard Rifts robot vehicles plus these special features listed.

Advanced Radar: Has a range of 200 miles (321.9 km) and can track up to 96 targets simultaneously. Able to track both high altitude and low altitude targets.
Combat Computer/ Targeting Computer: Assist in the tracking of targets. Calculates, Stores and Transmits Data onto the cockpit computer system or the HUDs.
Thermo-Imager: Range: 2,000 feet (609 meters). Finds the infra-red radiations of things that are warm. Also enables pilot to see in smoke, shadows and darkness.
Nightvision Optics: Range: 2,000 feet (609 meters). Uses light amplification to make a picture. Emits no light but will not work in absolute darkness.

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Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).

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