- Spoiler:
Name: ADR-04-Mk X Defender
Operator: Earth Sphere Federation
Equipment Type: anti-aircraft robot, series 04
Manufacturer: Vickers/Chrauler
Introduction: March 2069
Accommodation: pilot only
Dimensions: height 11.27 meters (overall), 10.73 meters (up to antennae); length 4.3 meters; width 8.6 meters
Mass: 27.1 metric tons
Power Plant: Kranss-Maffai MT828 thermonuclear reactor developing 2800 shp; auxillary fuel generator GE EM10T rated at 510 kW.
Design Features: vertical tracking main sensor; range setting radar and starlight scope; removable weapons bays and enclosed cockpit; removable ammunition drums; 2 x forward searchlights.
Armament:2 x Erlikon 78 mm liquid-cooled high-speed automatic cannon Type 966 PFG Contraves II (standard 200 rounds each).
Description and History: After the successful design of the first main battle robots (MBRs), the E.S.F. Government began exploring various concepts in bipedal technology to build main battle robots suited to different operational roles. One such concept was to create an anti-aircraft MBR that could mount powerful, far-range weaponry. A joint development program by Vickers-Chrauler was authorized by the E.S.F. Government and resulted in the eventual deployment of the Mk X Defender. Utilizing the standard bipedal movement system, the Defender featured a new upper chassis with two, double barrel Erlikon Contraves II weapons systems firing 78mm rounds. These impressive wide-bore guns fired 500 rounds per minute from each of the four barrels and had a muzzle velocity of 3,300 meters per second. Two large ammunition drums mounted on top of the chassis fed through the weapons bays for fast firing and designs were eventually made for enlarged magazines featuring a much greater ammunition capacity. The Mk X Defender Destroid proved successful and was approved for mass production. Unfortunately the weapons systems were prohibitively expensive and notoriously difficult to manufacture, resulting in a lengthy lead-time to deployment.
