Roil Tiluvo Class Assault Corvette

(Version 1.00 - Last Modified: 01/15/2005)
Background information inspired by Roil Tiluvo class assault corvette by Pieter Thomassen, on the Unofficial Robotech Reference Guide.
Roil Tiluvo Class Assault Corvette

In the late 1800's, the Bioroid troop carriers used by the Tirolian forces were closely related to the Frandlar Tiluvo Transports of the Zentraedi fleets. The first design proposal for a replacement involved an updated carrier, but this was rejected fairly early in the design effort. Rather than using a dedicated fighter to escort a defenseless transport, it was intended that an assault corvette would carry armaments as well as Bioroid troops. This rather revolutionary decision was made after computer modeling showed that a large, armed troop transport would be more than capable of defeating conventional aerial mecha, while remaining fully operational itself. If successful, this might render the aerospace and atmosphere fighter craft obsolescent. The Masters then took the idea one step further: if the transport were to be equipped with enough firepower to enable it to overwhelm small spaceships, then the entire army could be made up from just two main designs: the Bioroid and the Assault Corvette. This would significantly ease manufacturing and maintenance. This approach was eventually chosen, and the Roil series of assault corvettes was designed to fit this role. This it did magnificently. The corvette exceeded all the expectations its designers had of it and set new standards for transports in the Tirolian Mercantile Empire's military. By the year 1938 CE, all relevant Tirolian forces were equipped with the Roil Tiluvo Class Assault Corvette.

Based on the success of the original model, several different versions were designed to fit additional needs of the Tirolians. The first two new versions were the Roil Luhoutzs, which carried additional command personnel and equipment in exchange for a large part of its troop capability, and the Roil Lihinal bombardment variant. The Zentraedi then proceeded to create a version, the Roil Tiluvosen, which was designed to complement the Frandlar Tiluvo Transports. The cargo capacity of the Tiluvosen was far less than that of the Frandlar Tiluvo Transports, but the Tiluvosen was very heavily armed with guns and missiles. The tactical concept was to make the first landings with the corvettes, and to leave the heavy cargo lifting to the larger ships. This way, the Zentraedi could make assault landings with the armed and armored corvettes in a manner that was impossible with the large but vulnerable and unarmed Frandlar Tiluvo Transports. However, this version never moved beyond the prototype stage before the collapse of the Tirolian Mercantile Empire.

During the Second Robotech War, the Armies of the Southern Cross forces often encountered this vehicle and it always proved to be as maneuverable and more powerful and resilient than the mecha and planes of the SC air and aerospace forces. The corvette has a legitimate claim to more kills of mecha and spacecraft than any other vehicle in the Second Robotech war, since it was used for every role the Bioroids were too small for but full destroyers too heavy, from ground strafing runs (the largest flying vehicle ever to do this) to orbital combat.

The Assault Corvette is a streamlined, rocket and anti-gravity propelled transorbital atmosphere / space combat vehicle. The rear part of the body is vaguely rectangular shaped, with the smallest dimensions in the vertical, narrowing to the front, forming a prow. Mounted here the forward landing skid, which, like the other skids, is shaped in a manner reminiscent of a claw. Aft under the hull are the two main skids. In the sides of the lower aft section, pointing rearwards in normal flight mode, are the two vectorable exhausts of the main reaction engines. Most other details differ per version. All versions were flown by Tirolian pilots from the cockpit section, which was located in an upper blister. This blister was lengthened aft, protruding over much of the dorsal hull, and usually housed electronics.

All versions were equipped with two forward and two aft particle cannons, and with a rotary close-in defense turret under the hull. The main Tiluvo variant mounted four additional particle cannons in the hull and the Luhoutzs version mounted six additional cannons. The main armament of the Lihinal version was mounted in the four cannons, visually identical to and mounted in the positions of the more standard particle cannons, however, these weapons were rail guns. The troop carrying versions, Tiluvo and Luhoutzs, had two large release doors in the sides aft.

The interiors of all craft have four deck levels. All versions had their flight deck on top of the vessel. Immediately under the upper hull is a floor with medical facilities, crew rest rooms and other mission related rooms. Below this is the main mecha hangar, with enough room, if needed, for 26 Bioroids and their Skysleds. Underneath the hangar is a floor with access to the anti-gravity engines and several Tirolian-sized storage rooms.

Ship Information:

Vehicle Complement (Roil Tiluvo):

Vehicle Complement (Roil Luhoutzs):

M.D.C. by location:

Speed:

Statistical Data:

A Roil Tiluvo assault corvette opening fire

Weapon Systems:

  1. Dual Ion Cannons (2)
  2. Secondary Particle Cannons (Roil Tiluvo: 6, Roil Luhoutz: 8, and Roil Lihinal: 2)
  3. Rotary Blast Turret
  4. Reflex Electromagnetic Rail Guns (4, Roil Lihinal only)
  5. Heavy Reflex Cannon (Optional, Roil Lihinal only)

Standard Systems:

  1. Life Support System
  2. Communication Systems
  3. Sensor Systems
  4. Targeting Computer System

Combat Summary: