SDF-3 Pioneer
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In the fictional world of Robotech, the SDF-3 is the third Super Dimensional flagship of the United Earth Forces that was first introduced in Robotech: The Sentinels (1986). In recent comics, it was identified by name as the Pioneer and was rebuilt as a "Shadow Dimension Fortress". It is commanded by Admiral Lisa Hunter, and later by her husband Admiral Rick Hunter.
- This article specifically deals with Robotech continuity. See the article about the SDF-1 more general information from both Macross and Robotech.
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[edit] History and Background
Robotech: The Sentinels depicted the SDF-3 under the final stages of construction within the giant Robotech factory in orbit around the Earth in 2022. Though human-engineered, the exterior is of Tirolian design as part of the Pioneer expedition's strategy of infiltrating the Robotech Masters' homeworld. The ship is introduced in the pilot feature of Robotech II: The Sentinels, but the launch is never seen because the rest of the series was never completed. The storyline is continued in a series of Robotech novels from Del Rey.
[edit] Reconstruction
The sequel Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles continues from both the end of the original Robotech television series and the unfinished Sentinels series. The first issue of Wildstorm's 5-part prequel comic series Robotech: Prelude to the Shadow Chronicles shows the original version of the SDF-3 from the Sentinels video, but the ship is damaged and rebuilt as a "Shadow Dimensional Fortress" in later issues. This new look duplicates the general arrangement of the original design but has a look more in the style of the larger ship designs from Mospeada/New Generation, most specifically the SDF-4 Izumo/Liberator. This has been explained as a total systems rebuild, incorporating the shadow cloaking system to evade Invid protoculture sensors.
[edit] Mysterious Disappearance
In the final episode of the original Robotech series, audiences anticipated the return of the SDF-3, but were left hanging by its mysterious disappearance. Command of the returning expedition was taken over by the SDF-4. Del Rey continued the story through the novel End of the Circle to a mixed reception by fans who preferred to see the Sentinels story completed by Harmony Gold.
[edit] Details
[edit] Dimensions
- Length: 1622 m (overall)
- Height: 362.7m
- Width: 281.6m
- Displacement: 46.85 Million Tons (approximate)
[edit] Crew Compliment
- Shipboard Crew: 10,000 (Includes the command crew, all officers, non-coms and enlisted ranks)
- Troops: 3948 (Both combat ready and reserve)
- Total Crew: 13,948
[edit] Weapons & Defensive Systems
- Full Barrier System: This is a force field which encompasses the entire ship. It can be erected in as little as five seconds.
- Barrier Defense System: Also known as the Pinpoint Barrier System, this uses smaller moveable force shields which are used to protect only the Command Tower.
- Laser Turrets (Zentraedi style): Forty-eight laser turrets line the top, bottom and sides of the ship's hull. These are mainly point-defense should any enemy mecha close in on the ship.
- Missile Bays: Twenty-four missile bays are strategically placed around the hull. They are retractable and remain hidden until use.
- Laser Cannons: Located on either side of the main hull are appendages with laser cannons, two each. These can be used for point-defense, but their primary use is in ship-to-ship combat.
- Reflex Cannons (Main guns): The forward portions of the main hull are comprised mostly of two large Reflex cannons. These are used in ship-to-ship combat, or for station/planetary assault. They can be used to devestating effect in clearing clusters of enemy mecha as the beams destroy everything in their path out to an effective range of 192,000km.
- In addition to the above systems, the SDF-3 carries a full compliment of Veritech fighters (1100+), Destroid Mecha (1600+ which includes over 1000 Zentraedi mecha) and Zentraedi Warriors (1000+).
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- The Unofficial Robotech Reference Guide
- The Invid Connection (Beyond Reflex Point) - Information on Robotech and Macross