Southern Cross Ships

(Version 1.01 - Last Modified: 08/12/2005)


Introduction

After the First Robotech War, the Armies of the Southern Cross and the original REF fleet, which traveled with the Pioneer Mission, were designed to fight Zentraedi ships and tactics and would have been quite good at that mission, except neither fleet ever encountered the Zentraedi in any serious manner. Using slightly more advanced technology and with a better understanding of the technology they acquired from Zentraedi that joined the RDF, the Armies of the Southern Cross were able to deploy a new generation of ships built and trained to fight Zentraedi fleets. Unfortunately, the Zentraedi never returned to Earth following the end of the First Robotech War, instead of the Robotech Masters came to Earth with their army of Bioroids and with completely different tactics. The Robotech Masters employed faster and stronger mecha then the Zentraedi and their tactics were equal to the best plans made by the defenders of the Earth.


SC-32 Gossamer Space Shuttle

SC-32 Gossamer Space Shuttle

Designed as a replacement to the SC-27 Star Goose, the SC-32 Gossamer Space Shuttle is designed to haul cargo short distances. Although it can be modified to carry personnel, the shuttle offers very few amenities and during the war, the shuttle was modified to carry and deploy mecha during space battles.

Pegasus Assault Shuttle

Pegasus Assault Shuttle

Designed for cargo and personnel transportation, the Pegasus shuttle is similar to the Gossamer shuttle, except the Pegasus is equipped with weapons and can defend itself. Used both as transports and as small, armed escorts, the Pegasus performed admirably during the Second Robotech War especially since their major opponent, the Roil series of Assault Corvettes used by the Robotech Masters were faster, stronger, and tougher then the Pegasus shuttles.

Banshee Class Frigate

Banshee Class Frigate

Designed as a jack-of-all-trades, the Banshee frigate were woefully unprepared to fight the Robotech Masters' fleets. Almost four out of every five frigates were destroyed during the Second Robotech War as these underpowered ships were forced to fight either more maneuverable or more powerful ships.

Battle Class Heavy Destroyer

Battle Class Heavy Destroyer

Built as the backbone of the space fleet for the Armies of the Southern Cross, the Battle destroyers were built as combat support vessels, carrying a significant armament and a larger number of launched mecha. Unlike most other ships in the Southern Cross fleet, the Battle destroyer performed admirably against the forces of the Robotech Masters.

Tristar Class Light Cruiser

Tristar Class Light Cruiser

The flagships of the Southern Cross fleets, the Tristar cruisers were to act as the main defenders of the Earth and were supported by a number of Battle destroyers and Banshee frigates. Designed to fill both the needs of the REF and the Armies of the Southern Cross, too many compromises were introduced into the ships design and the end result was a weak ship that performed poorly against the Robotech Masters.