Background:
Vesopia Mechworks has a very extensive prototyping stage, where experimental designs are produced in lance-strength, and then, with house-internal troops (cross reference: VMA, Vesopia Mechworks Auxiliaries) for hire, sent out to support in-field under real-life combat situations. The newest additon, fresh out of the shops, is the VMX-04 Sutoraikā. Here, the hyrbidisation is taken even further. Based upon the reliable, if bulky SVM Serviceman 'Frame, the Sutoraikā sports the same widefield vision fom it's spacious cockpit, but, due to Ijad tenchology, on a much smaller 'Frame. Initial tests have shown that the VMX-04's lower tonnage allows for less internal support without sacrificing stability, with results in a better gear-to-structure weight ratio.
Built with modularity in mind, the Sutoraikā already has a solid selection of weapon and support systems available. The compact 'Frame helps with a small profile, while the angles and materials used obscure the sensor signature. Because of the prolonged exposure to Ijad technology, the VMX-04 might face problems on extended field missions, as his parts can be hard to come by. Alongside Ijad troops, the majority of the energy weaponry and power systems can be serviced without problems, but the converter and adapter system buried inside the 'Frame are still not simplified to a level that allows for unsupported use in the field. The conventional parts included in the 'Frame are also taken from the SVM 'Frame, so any readily available replacement parts outside of the system of Vesopia are unlikely to be found.
Preinstalled Systems:
As with most Ijad inspired designs, the Sutoraikā also sports a C3 Slave unit with slots to upgrade to a C3 Master unit aswell. Connectivity and communication are important to the Ijad, and this 'Frame design reflects that. The larger cockpit - compared to the first hybrid, the VMW-03 Gādian - allows for a different approach to data display. Doing away with all MFDs, the information is entirely integrated in the large windowpanes. In case of failure, two small back-up displays on the sides can be rerouted to show what the main screens would show. Integrated light dampening/augmenting, thermal sight and pseudo 3D pictograms turn the cockpit of the VMX-04 into an information center that might be harder to grasp at first.
To facilitate this, communication systems have been moved out of the displays and into a hypodermic attachment. Slid under the skin of the pilot, the implant detects pulses from the speech center and send impulses to the hearing center, announcing incoming messages, sending replies and opening/closing channels. This primitive neural implant is a far cry from a real integrated neural component, but as an experimental device, it does work. Current limitations in disturbence tolerance, subconscious triggering and false positives do not allow for a more sophisticated system.
Nevertheless, with the power couplings of the Ijad technology, and their energy weaponry combined with conventional armaments, the VMX-04 already sports able capabilites to engage in the battlefield of tomorrow. Modularity down to individual relays make sure that the 'Frame retains his ability to adapt.
Imagery:
L2R: Front, Side, Back, Angle
Technical Schematics
LDD File for the Kit | Variants Zip
NEW: Partslist!
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Additional Systems:
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Enhanced Armor Plating.
Replacing the Heat Sinks in the lower legs with ferro-fibrous armor and attaching durasteel-framed ferro-fibrous plates on the arms, the VMX-04 becomes more durable.
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VRSS - Variable Range Sensor Suite.
Attached to the C3 Slave comes a sensor with mixed ranges, which can be further augmented with a direct-beam scanner, for precision rangefinding and triangulation.
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MDTS - Multi-Directional Thruster System.
Commonly referred to as "jump jets", the MDTS allows the VMX-04 to reroute heat and power from the fusion reactor to jets, which then, assisted by the board computer, provide thrust to "jump" over/on obstacles and cross long distances with ease.
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Weapon Systems
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DSRR - Discardable Short Range Rockets
For self-defense purposes or to further augment the firepower of a given 'Frame, DSRR can be added to shoulder mounts, uAC10, shoulders, arms and other hardpoints.
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MPML - Multi-Purpose Missile Launcher
The MPML fires a switch-guided missile that can track its target either based on own sensory or even C3 data, for indirect long range fire, or switch to SAM mode, to fire at airborne targets. Because the warhead does not arm below a certain range, midrange applications are next to null.
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LRM5 - Long Range Missile Rack, 5 tubes.
The LRM5 is a simple, guided warhead, missile system, intended to lock onto a target and arch onto from above for indirect fire. The system can be fed C3 data, so it doesn't even need own target acquisition to fire accurately. The swarming properties of firing multiple small missiles over one big one results in more hits due to accuracy through volume.
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PMD - Precision Mass Driver
Connected to the fusion core, this mass driver weapon accelerates a projectile within its coils to supersonic speed, causing it to inflict massive damage at range. Intending as a designated marksman rifle, the PMD is in between worlds, not for extreme ranges, where the charge detoriates, but still exceeding ranges of other systems, like the IPSP. Part of the principle is static charge in-flight, so the damage potential is lower close to the system. Pilots are reminded to stay at distance for optimal effects.
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uAC10 - Ultra Autocannon/10
Expanding on the trusted technology of the autocannon - basically, a fast-firing large-bore cannon - the uAC10 is the "ultra" version of the same system, firing faster, at the expense of generating more heat.
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IPSP - Inductive Plasma Spark Projector
Taking Ijad technology for long range weaponry, the IPSP basically generates a arc of energy between the electrodes at the tip of the weapon system, and then projects a directed bolt of superheated plasma through the energyfield, coating it in a mantle of energy to preserve it from dissipating too fast. The range is limited, but the speed and impact of the projectile make up for it.
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FAFM - Fully Articulated & Formed Manipulators
Invented for the conventional VMW-02 Bullfrog 'Frame, the FAFM system was refined for use on the VMX-04 Sutoraikā. Be it finer usage, grabbing things too small for the rudimentary manipulators 'Frames normally have; or to rip off armor plates of hostiles - the FAFM twin system allows for versatile applications.
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(each) / Twin use: 
CDPG - Contact Discharge Plasma Gauntlets
Charging up two containers with superheated plasma, these gauntlets release their payload upon contact with a surface. The tips claw into the material, and then, the energy is channeled through the center focussing ejector, causing severe destruction up close. Taken from mining operations, refined and augmented with Ijad technology, this weapon system can be used single or in pairs.
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Loadouts (see here for reference)
Area Denial
Artillerist
Brawler
Closer
Platform
Sniper
Soldier
Spotter
Spotter, Armored & Armed
Stalker
Tank
Turret
