ARMD Class Combat Space Carrier


ARMD II Carrier (as seen connected to the SDF-1 Macross)


BACKGROUND
One of the primary reasons that the SDF-1 Macross was able to pass through frequent battles with aliens was the launching of effectively operated and hard-fighting carrier borne aircraft. It is the Space Carrier ARMD which sustained that, and functioned as both the mothership of and the center of operation for the SDF-1's carrier borne aircraft. Even though these warship were originally constructed as a rig and floating stand for space fighters deployed at such places as the Lagrange Points and above satellite geosynchronous orbit, as the restoration plan of the ASS-1 progressed, they were diverted and hurriedly constructed to be the carrier-based aircraft operation platform. The ARMD technically exist only as a hastily made ships for combining with the SDF-1 Macross.

Various mechanisms were added to the warships when the ARMD was remodelled from a Space-Fighter Rig to an ARMD. The first warship, ARMD-01, connects to the SDF-1's left side, and the second warship, ARMD-02, is on the right side. The deck layout of 01 and 02 are reversed on the left and right (the bridge of 01 is placed starboard, and the bridge of 02 is port), and it can be surmised that the decision for this arrangement was from the conception of the plan to integrate the ships with the SDF-1.
The ARMD were docked with the SDF-1 in 2008.12, and formed one part of the SDF-1's strategic system. They attended the SDF-1's space-launch ceremony in 2009.02. The SDF-1 and its ARMD sustained the attack by the alien "Zentraadi people" during the ceremony and took the drastic step of an emergency fold, together with the Valkyrie squads that had launched from the carrier Prometheus for the protection of the SDF-1. Thereafter, no matter what, the ARMD demonstrated the capabilities of ship-borne aircraft and repelled the attacks of both the Zentraadi and Meltrandi Forces until the SDF-1 Macross returned to Earth from the outer circumference of the Solar System. In the "Minmei Attack", the ARMD rushed into the Bodoru Flagship as both flanks of the SDF-1. It contributed to the crushing of the flagship by simultaneously firing its armaments with the SDF-1.

These versatile ships end up being used by the UN Space for the defence of Earth until 2070 when it is decommissioned.


Note
The designs of the ARMD platforms differ between the TV Series and the Macross:Do You Remember Love Movie. The TV design is designated as the ARMD Type I the stats are the same but it is a cosmetic upgrade only.

STATS
Vehicle Type: Space Carrier 
Government: United Nations Government 
Manufacturer: OTEC & UN Spacy 
Crew:
1,000
Notable Ships of Class:
  • ARMD-01 attached to the SDF-1
  • ARMD-02 attached to the SDF-1
  • ARMD-10 Last surviving UN-Spacy Carrier defending Apollo Luna Base
  • ARMD-05 Last surviving UN-Spacy Carrier defending Apollo Luna Base
  • ARMD-08 Last surviving UN-Spacy Carrier defending Apollo Luna Base
  • ARMD-11 Last surviving UN-Spacy Carrier defending Apollo Luna Base
ARMD Type I Class Space Carrier.

SPEEDS:
Speed (Sublight): 0.20 speed of light (37,200 miles per second) 
Speed (Auxiliary Drives): Mach 2.0 
Speed (Space Fold): No Fold Drive fitted 
Space bound:
The ARMD platforms are not designed for atmospheric use. Any attempt to take the ARMD into an atmosphere would cause it to crash.
Maximum Range: Unlimited (estimated life span unknown)

STATISTICAL DATA:
Length: 430 m
Width: 220 m
Weight: 174,000 tons
Sublight Drive:
Overtechnology Advanced Heat Pile System Clusters
Gravity Control System: Overtechnology Advanced Gravity Control System 
Auxiliary Engine:
Overtechnology Nozzle Cluster
Sensor System: Overtechnology Advanced Tracking Cluster

WEAPON SYSTEMS:


1.ANTI-SHIP MISSILE LAUNCHERS (2): The primary weapon of the ARMD Space Carriers is a missile launcher designed to destroy celestial objects such as asteroids that may threaten earth, or enemy spaceships moving to invade the planet. Each missile launcher is roughly 40 metres in length for an effective rail gun effect when firing the weapon.
    • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-Celestrial object
    • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Warship
    • RANGE: 1,000 miles (1,600 km)
2.GUIDED CONVERGING BEAM CANNONS (5): Several beam cannons adorn the surface of the Space Carriers. Identical in design to the Converging Beam Cannons that the SDF-1 features these are the main anti-ship weapons of the ARMD platforms. Due to the placement of the beam cannons, (four facing forward, and four facing aft on both the top and bottom of the carrier,) only four cannons maximum can be brought to bear on any target.
      • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-Warship
      • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Ship-to-Ship Defense
      • RANGE: 200 miles (320 km)
    3.ANTI-MECHA LASER TURRETS (12): arrayed with four on the port and starboard sides and four situated towards the front of the vessel yet able to traject to fire behind the anti-mecha lasers are designed to defend against any close in threats to the ARMD platform.
        • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-Aircraft
        • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Missile
        • RANGE: 60 miles (96 km)

      SYSTEMS OF NOTE:
      • GRAVITY GENERATORS: The ARMD Space Carriers are equipped with gravity generators so as to simulate the effects of gravity within the Carrier and on its decks.
      • LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS: The ARMD Carriers have sufficient life support to provide breathable air and comfortable temperatures for up to 1,500 people for up to 20 years (air was recycled). In an emergency the life support system could support up to 3,500 people at one time. The ship contains enough food and water onboard to support the crew for up to 5 years (with recycling).
      • LONG-RANGE TRACKING SENSORS: The ARMD's are equipped with a complex sensor system that can track and identify up to 1,500 craft simultaneously. The system had a 2,000 mile/3,200 km range.
      • SUBLIGHT ENGINES: The ARMD Space Carriers are equipped with impulse engines that can propel the craft at speeds up to 0.20 speed of light (37,200 miles per second) in space. Note that these engines are mainly intended for rapid movement inside a planetary system and are not suited for long voyages between star systems.
      • SUBSPACE MASS SENSORS: As part of the ARMD's sensor systems, the Space Carriers are equipped with subspace sensors that can detect mass readings and movement of objects up to 93 million miles distant from the carrier. Readings taken with the subspace sensors are not very detailed and cannot detect objects of less than 60,000 kg (this includes most Zentraedi and UN Spacy mecha).
      MECHA COMPLEMENT: (Prior to Space War One)
      • QF-3000E Ghost: 270
      • Lockhee SF-3A Lancer II: 78
      • Support Craft: Numerous
      MECHA COMPLEMENT: (During and after Space War One)
      • QF-3000E Ghost: 66
      • VF-1 Valkyrie: 262
      • Support Craft: Numerous