Type 2 Air Combat Mobile Armor
Humanoid Mobile Space Cavalry Weapon for Space, Air, and Land
The Type 2 Mobile Space Armor powered suit is a humanoid mobile weapon that combines the advantages of aerospace, airborne, and armored combat vehicles. Nicknamed “Shoki” by members of the cavalry, it has nimble space mobility and excellent impact capabilities on the ground. It is a versatile weapon with the firepower to carry aircraft armament. It is also characterized by its ability to be manufactured in a short period of time in the ship’s onboard factory.
Hajime Saito of the Space Cavalry invented this machine. In the midst of the destruction of the lunar base in the war against Garmillas, the retreat to Earth, and maintaining security in the underground city, he realized the need for new equipment for the Space Cavalry. He came up with the idea of a one-man weapon that would have the functions of both an aircraft and an armored fighting vehicle.
After the restoration of Earth, Saito was stationed on the 11th planet as the commander of the Space Cavalry’s 7th Regiment, and with the support of General Ryu Hijikata, a simulation was conducted under the tentative name “Saito-style Mobile Armor.” Although the 11th planet was destroyed by a Gatlantis attack, the mobile armor was on the verge of mass production. This was accomplished at Yamato‘s onboard factory after Saito and his crew boarded the ship.
Furthermore, after receiving approval from the Earth Defense Command, the armor was formalized as “Type 2 Mobile Space Armor.” It was also produced outside of Yamato.
Airframe Structure
Type 2 Mobile Space Armor is estimated to be about 3 meters tall. It can be used not only on land, but also in space and in the air. Three-dimensional maneuvering, including flight in the atmosphere, is performed by the high-powered thruster on the back. High-speed maneuvering on the ground is made possible by the crawler units on the ends of the legs. It can operate in most environments.
The silhouette of the human form seems unreasonable as a weapon, but is a natural choice for “armor” for the Space Cavalry. Since it can lie “face down,” the front projected area is relatively small.
Unsolved Problems with Small Manned Weapons
The Type 2 Mobile Space Armor was completed at the Yamato‘s onboard factory, based on an idea by Hajime Saito, the commander of the Space Cavalry. It is a humanoid powered suit type mobile weapon. Despite its 3-meter class size, it is flexible enough to operate in space, in the air, or on the ground. It is a highly functional and versatile maneuverable weapon.
Its combat capability is superior to Gatlantis’ Needle Slave. In the Telezart landing operation, it sank a number of unmanned Medalusa-class heavy battleships. Naturally, there are also a few shortcomings. As can be understood from Saito’s words, “What it lacks in armor and power, it makes up for in skill.”
The problem of bullet resistance is particularly serious, since a Needle Slave’s Needle Gun can penetrate the armor. This problem was compounded by the fact that it is easy to cause death or injury to the crew due to its structure as a small powered suit. This drawback could be alleviated by developing an option similar to the Needle Slave’s removable armor plates, but no fundamental countermeasures were taken during the Battle of Gatlantis, perhaps because of aversion to increasing weight.
Cockpit
The cockpit space for Type 2 Mobile Space Armor is limited due to the size of its fuselage, and must be extremely cramped. The powered suit type has an image of being “worn” by its pilot. The arms and legs are occupied by drive systems and armaments, so the cockpit can only be located inside the fuselage. Although the crew members become fatigued because of their immobility, destruction of the arms and legs does not directly lead to injuries.
Head
Type 2 Mobile Space Armor, a humanoid mobile weapon, has a “head” equivalent to that of a human. It encases the pilot’s head and acquires external information through various sensors and visual observation. The forehead is marked “Keep Clear / Optical Seeker and Memory Camera System.” This is because the pilot can only recognize information displayed on the visor and via voice contact. The head also serves as a collection of information terminals.
A: pulse laser cannon
B: Frame for additional equipment
C: smoke discharger
D: Small pulse laser (2 guns)
E: Machine gun (with solid projectiles)
Heavy armament beyond the realm of Powered Suits
The Type 2 Mobile Space Armor can be used in a variety of operational modes. It is a small mobile weapon of 3m class, but its firepower is high and its instantaneous maximum power approaches that of Cosmo Tiger II.
The firepower of the Type 2 Mobile Space Armor is supplied by firearms built into the limbs and a frame on the back for additional equipment. The arms are fitted with solid projectile cannons. The frame for additional equipment includes pulse laser cannons on both sides and a payload that can carry missiles for air and space use, giving it more firepower than a mere powered suit.
In addition to this, it has the unique ability to operate in space, in the air, and on the ground (air navigation, flight including hovering, and walking/running). The Telezart landing operation was a notable example, the first time a Marine Corps-like operation across different domains was possible. It destroyed Deathvatator fighters and various naval vessels in space combat. In the land battle, it destroyed Needle Slaves and even Medalusa-class heavy battleships.
Arm Weapons
Unlike the crew’s body unit, the arm unit is completely mechanical (the arms of the pilot are located inside the torso of the mobile armor), and its total height reaches 3m. Because of its small size and structural constraints, the arm unit carries not only a drive mechanism but also relatively high-powered firearms. In particular, the machine gun mounted beneath the forearm is powerful and has a large number of rounds. It was often used as the main armament of Type 2 Mobile Space Armor.
Frame for additional equipment
A frame for additional equipment, which also serves as the base of the pulse laser cannon, is installed on the back of Type 2 Mobile Space Armor. (It is removable, and is not equipped with a maneuvering engine when used in confined spaces such as in-ship combat.)
The additional equipment frame can be equipped with aircraft armament, especially missiles and space torpedoes, which can greatly enhance the firepower and maneuverability of the mobile armor. In addition to the equipment frame, there are other hard points that can be mounted with armaments and other equipment.
Matching the mission of the Space Cavalry with Type 2 Mobile Armor
The Type 2 Space Cavalry Armor, developed and manufactured in Yamato‘s onboard factory and officially adopted by the Earth Federation Forces, is a form of armament that can be converted from shipboard use to aerospace/aircraft use. It carries a high-power propulsion system for space and atmospheric flight, and the foot crawler system enables high speed running on the ground to enable a series of characteristics.
The factor that makes it a powerful space combat suit is its arms and legs, which are modeled after those of a human being. These limbs allow the Type 2 Mobile Space Armor to perform tasks similar to those of a human being, and execute complex maneuvers on the ground. This capability is difficult to achieve with other vehicles, a feature unique to powered suits, which expand the capabilities of human beings.
Firepower, mobility, and human capability expansion are the three major elements of Type 2 Mobile Armor. These elements enable the Space Cavalry to complete its missions without support. With the exception of bullet resistance, the practicality is extremely high.
Arms and Legs
The pilot is carried inside the torso, so their arms and legs do not enter the Mobile Armor’s arms and legs. The arm and leg units of Type 2 Mobile Space Armor strongly resemble the structure of a human being, contributing greatly to the improvement of versatility and multipurpose use.
In particular, the hands are five-fingered manipulators, similar to those of humans, and provide both great power and advanced work performance. The combination of the arms and the legs, which enable bipedal walking, is a feature not found in other mecha.
Propulsion
One of the units that make the Type 2 Mobile Armor more than just a powered suit is its propulsion system, which can be connected to the back. This allows the Type 2 Mobile Armor to maneuver freely in three dimensions, and can be used for both airborne and atmospheric flight. This feature also means that it can be easily operated in conjunction with other aircraft, such as the Cosmo Tiger II.
Armament
The firearms carried by the space cavalrymen include a Type 99 assault rifle with a grenade launcher, an AK01 long-barreled laser assault rifle, and a Pzf-89 small rocket launcher. It uses a Type 97 automatic pistol as a subarm (all but the AK01 are solid ammunition firearms).
During the Battle of Gatlantis, the Type 2 Mobile Armor invented by Hajime Saito was produced in Yamato‘s onboard factory. It was used in the Telezart Landing Operation and the Battle of the City Empire. Type 2 mobile armor data was provided to the Federation Forces and used for space operations.
Type 100
Space Reconnaissance Aircraft
A masterpiece with no easy substitute
Thanks to its compact size with a total length of 14.2m, the Type 100 space reconnaissance plane is an aerospace craft that can be used as a ship-borne aircraft. At the end of the Garmillas War, it was operated as a shipboard reconnaissance aircraft on Yamato. It continued to be deployed when Yamato was re-commissioned in 2202, operating from hangar 3.
The reason for the continued deployment of the Type 100 was the need to gather information in an area far from Yamato, for which no alternative aircraft existed. (Its functions and operational objectives differ from those of the Ki-8 prototype spacecraft “Stork,” which was also deployed.)
Optical surveys centered on visual observation can be achieved with fighter planes such as the Cosmo Zero and Cosmo Tiger, but when it comes to wide-range information gathering by electronic means and sample recovery after landing, no other ship-borne aircraft can match the Type 100.
Another advantage is that missions can be shared between two crew members, who can serve simultaneously or take turns. A modified version of the Cosmo Tiger II was also developed as an information-gathering vehicle, but it was not deployed on Yamato. The Type 100 is considered superior in terms of versatility.
Cockpit
The Type 100 space reconnaissance plane has an in-line, double-seated cockpit. Two passengers are seated in the cockpit for reconnaissance and exploration, which are the main missions of the aircraft. When three passengers are on board, a seat is provided in the rearmost compartment of the cockpit, but it is not used very often.
Due to the Type 100’s specifications as a double-seat reconnaissance aircraft, the roles of the front and rear seats are different. The normal division of duties is that the front seat pilots the aircraft, while the rear seat is responsible for the operation of radar and various sensors. It is also assumed that when landing on a surface during a mission, one or both operators may exit the aircraft to conduct surveys and operate equipment.
Assuming a situation in which the front seat passenger loses control of the aircraft, the rear seat can also take control (though the front seat cannot control sensor systems). Unlike the Cosmo Zero and Cosmo Falcon, the control stick is positioned on the right side of the seat.
Type 100 space reconnaissance aircraft / Ki-8 prototype spacecraft
A pair of shipborne aircraft with an active role in intelligence gathering and exploration
Yamato‘s onboard aircraft at the time of the Battle of Gatlantis included those that were already in operation during the voyage to Iscandar. Among them, those known for non-combat missions were the Type 100 space reconnaissance aircraft and the Ki-8 prototype spacecraft [Stork]. They were also carried by Yamato when it departed from Earth in 2202, and used on the planets Stravase and Zemulia.
The Type 100 is a VTOL type general-purpose reconnaissance aircraft modified from the SR91 planetary search aircraft developed by the United Nations Space Development Organization. It is equipped with a large radar dome on the lower center of its body and various sensors in two bulges at the rear of its upper surface, and has advanced information-gathering capabilities.
The Nambu Heavy Industries-related aircraft used by Susumu Kodai when he infiltrated the Garmillas embassy on the Moon is also believed to have the same specifications.
The Ki-8 prototype spacecraft is a special-purpose craft that can operate in four domains: space, air, land, and underwater. It is capable of descent to planets and long-duration exploration activities. On Yamato, it is mounted in the high-pressure hangar forward of the third bridge. It was loaded in 2199 as a reserve aircraft, and only some of the crew knew of its existence. It was used during the return trip from Iscandar.
Type 100 Structure
The Type 100 Space Reconnaissance Aircraft is a small double-seat aircraft (which can be converted to a three-seater) with an overall length of 14.2m. It is equipped with a full range of sensors and radar, and the under-wing pod can be modified to suit the aircraft’s mission purpose.
The landing gear is slow, but it can be used for self-propulsion over uneven terrain, and it can also keep the aircraft level on inclined terrain. A small, three-fingered manipulator built into the underside of the machine not only handles a variety of tasks, but can also be used in conjunction with a suction device.
Ki-8 Structure
The Ki-8 prototype spacecraft, commonly known as the “Stork,” is a prototype for planetary exploration. It is a versatile vehicle that can not only fly in atmosphere, but can also travel on the ground, and navigate over and under water.
The cockpit, which can accommodate five passengers and the Analyzer unit AU09, is covered with a large area of reinforced canopy and protected by a roll bar, providing both external visibility and durability. The wings are foldable and equipped with a multi-purpose unit, observation sensor, and obstacle-clearing firearms.
General Purpose Space Transport SC97 Cosmo Seagull
A multi-purpose transport aircraft also installed on Yamato
The SC97 “Cosmo Seagull” is a multi-purpose transport aircraft deployed by the Earth Federation Forces both inside and outside atmosphere. It has been in use since the days of the United Nations Space Navy, and was already in practical use during the Garmillas War.
In 2199, two SC97s were installed on Yamato for the voyage to Iscandar, and were also used as Yamato‘s onboard aircraft during the Battle of Gatlantis in 2202. The Cosmo Seagull is superior in that it can operate both in space and in atmosphere. It can take off and land vertically even when loaded, and has a large payload capacity despite its compact size (less than 20 meters in length). It has a particularly high load capacity, with a maximum of 24 passengers with standard equipment (space cavalry) or about 30 Yamato personnel.
It is also characterized by variations in the removable containers that serve as loading compartments. It was developed to transport supplies, emergency medical services, command and communications, ordnance deployment, etc.
In the Garmillas War, the MF-98S, a Type 89 special maneuverable exoskeleton for the AU-9 (Analyzer) was sometimes suspended from it. However, this unit was not used in the Gatlantis War, so the Seagull was instead equipped with a container for transporting personnel.
Airframe Structure
The Cosmo Seagull’s fuselage structure is a twin-boom tail wing type. A detachable container is mounted at the rear of the fuselage between the two booms. Each boom is connected to a main wing with the engine pod, VTOL nozzle, attitude control rocket nozzle, and tail wing, supporting the maneuverability of the Cosmo Seagull.
Wing Tilt
Cosmo Seagull’s vertical takeoff and landing is performed by the “tail wing,” which changes the direction of the main engine-mounted wing itself. (The auxiliary VTOL nozzle is also used.) The large thrust of the main engine can be used directly, enabling vertical takeoff and landing without problems, even with heavy containers on board. Another advantage of this aircraft is that it can easily stay in the air for extended periods.
Loading capacity provided by a large cabin, unique to a transport aircraft
With an overall length of just under 20m, the SC97 “Cosmo Seagull” is a small transport aircraft. It is similar to the transport helicopters and transport tilt rotor aircraft that were in operation from the late 1900s to the 2000s. The reason for its small size was thought to be the United Nations’ desire for a “shipboard transport aircraft” that could be operated on spacecraft. In fact, the Cosmo Seagull’s performance as a shipboard transport had no problems, and is widely used by spacecraft such as Yamato and its sister ship Ginga.
The Cosmo Seagull’s transport capability is largely due to detachable containers carried from the center to the rear of the fuselage. On the other hand, the cockpit cabin and the large-volume airlock, which also serves as a connection point to the containers, are also used to transport cargo.
In these spaces alone, six seats, including a foldable type, are provided as standard (additional seats can be added, and rescue workers and other passengers can also be accommodated). The number of passengers allowed by this large cabin facilitates the operation of not only the Cosmo Seagull itself, but also a wide variety of containers, giving it a high degree of versatility.
Cockpit
The cockpit cabin of Cosmo Seagull occupies a large space (estimated at about 40% of the fuselage). The window frames of the canopy are thicker to ensure strength. There are many large windows not only in front of the cabin, but also above and on the sides, allowing for good visibility to the outside. This excellent external visibility and the ability to take off and land vertically due to the tilt of the wings, including the engine pod, are also advantageous for landing in narrow areas such as canyons and forests.
The main and copilot’s seats are arranged side by side on either side of the cockpit. It is believed that this configuration was adopted because the aircraft is not required to fly as fast as a fighter. Because there is ample space, both pilots have good visibility, which means that even if one pilot is injured, it is not difficult for the other pilot to operate the aircraft alone. Naturally, it can also be controlled by only one occupant. In the Telezart landing operation, Yuki Mori alone was able to descend into a gap in the outer shell of the planet.