ARMAMENT
One seeing the staggering amount of armament carried by the EPZ-340 would never assume that its original role was to be a high speed transport Zoid. The Tsunami maintains a pair of variable payload weapon bays that conform to the requirements of a deployment, but these are in addition to a host of direct fire and tactical weapon systems. First and foremost, however, the EPZ-340 Tsunami is designed to carry one weapon into the theater; the VEX.
Variable-Execution Recombining Hyper-Charged Particle Cannon; “VEX” (x1) - dorsal mount, fixed carriage, bow arc, 90° maximum elevation
The VEX was the serendipity created out of a flawed concept that an AI weapon design computer attempted to recover; using a combination of modern CPG technologies to improve the Deathsaurer’s Charged Particle Cannon. The charge is split into five slightly less powerful beams, each delivered through a separate barrel, then recombine just before impact. However, the AI design computer had to invent an entirely new control system to make the design work. In its primary fire mode the gun fires at full power with a recombined beam delivering the same power as its predecessor with an effective instant kill range of two kilometers. The second mode delays each combiner beam by a fraction of a second; this adds power to the beam at increasing ranges and results in the effects of a super-charged particle cannon but at a range of 6 kilometers. It does, however, require excellent gunnery skills at maximum range. The third firing mode looses from one to five beams that do not recombine, forming a heavy particle cannon shotgun that spreads the damage over one large target or multiple smaller ones. This mode has a 1 kilometer range but requires little accuracy.
VEX Hyper-Charged Particle Cannon operation
The Tsunami has 2 power plants, one for the Zoid and one for the gun. Charge up, therefore, does not reduce any of Tsunami’s defenses in the least; not its shields, nor its weaponry. Second, the awesome recoil of the gun is reduced in three ways; 1) the Zoid can only fire the weapon while in the water (usually with the body below the surface and the VEX looming above the waves), which acts as a tremendous shock absorber, 2) the gun cradle is a bundle of hydraulic, pneumatic and myomer-based recoil recovery systems, 3) the Tsunami has a very impressive set of thrusters. The VEX takes 30 seconds to charge fully, during which the Tsunami is completely unhindered in battle. It requires 10 seconds to stabilize for an accurate shot, but a mode-3 attack (the super shotgun) requires only 5 seconds for stabilization. Bear in mind that the VEX can fire its central barrel only as a standard heavy particle cannon, requiring no stabilization and causing little recoil.
“Tempest” Variable-Payload Tactical Missile (x2) - 1 mounted beneath each lateral cargo bay, bow arc, horizontal launch
Tempest is designed to launch horizontally and travel underwater as a torpedo before breaking the surface and following the terrain to its target, up to 100 kilometers away. While designed to destroy reinforced installations, it is just as effective at destroying larger, slower Zoids such as the Ultrasaurus or Gordos. Standard payload damage is equivalent to the Iron Kong PK’s heavy theater missiles. The secondary payload are cluster bombs; each covers an area 100 meters wide by 500 meters long, delivering moderate damage to any armored units in the area but shredding infantry and lighter vehicles or Zoids. The final payload is an EMP charge that skybursts to knock out all active power systems in a 1 kilometer area. Each of a Tsunami’s two missiles may hold a different warhead, allowing an EMP burst just prior to a high explosive warhead strike.
”Monsoon” Multi-Role Guided Missile (x4) - dorsal bay, beneath VEX cannon power interchanger, vertical launch
The VEX must be raised 45° and the shield opened to facilitate launch, which can be done surfaced or submerged. These are the equivalent of the Iron Kong’s standard 6-shot launcher missiles. They are multi-role, meaning they may be fired at any target, Zoid or building, sea, air or land. Damage is heavy and range is 60 kilometers. They may engage fire-and-forget or may be optically guided to the target.
”Hurricane” Sea-to-Surface Missile (x2) - 1 per multi-role bay in standard configuration, bow arc
A fast, APEX (armor piercing high explosive) weapon for attacking sea or land targets within 30 kilometers. The missile has a reinforced casing which requires heavier firepower to destroy than a standard CWIS, but delivers a slightly less powerful warhead in exchange. The armor piercing nature of the missile, however, easily offsets the smaller warhead.
“Gale” Sea-to-Air Missile (x4) - 2 missiles per launcher, 1 launcher per side between shoulder and hip joints, 360° rotation
Gale missiles help protect the Tsunami from air strikes while surfaced while using the VEX. The missiles have a 25 kilometer range and deliver enough to disable or even destroy a lightly armored aerial Zoid.
“Sharkpack” Hypervelocity Torpedo (x14) - neck mounted pod with 7 tubes, 2 rounds each (14 total rounds), fixed forward
This pod is mounted between the shoulders at the base of the Tsunami’s neck. It is used for attacking shipping and aquatic Zoids. Each torpedo has a range of 10 kilometers and delivers moderate damage at supersonic speeds. The pod tracks 14 targets simultaneously and may fire upon 7 targets per salvo or launch torpedoes individually.
20mm Light Particle Cannon (x3) - throat mounted, fixed, 10° inclination and 260° arc of fire
These cannon were installed to make use of the Tsunami’s incredible neck arc and are used to sweep for light submersibles and mines. Though they cause minor damage, in unison they are cause for caution.
20mm Light Particle Cannon (x2) - tail mounted, fixed, 180° arc of fire
Identical to those mounted on the Tsunami’s throat, these paired guns are fitted to the extreme tip of the tail to provide some defense from pursuers and to intercept torpedoes. They are fixed but make use of the tail’s flexibility to cover a wide arc.
30mm Light Particle Cannon (x2) - tail gunner cockpit, turreted, 200° arc of fire
A slightly heavier tail gun, these two cannons are part of the tail gunner station, which has an additional 10° wider arc. An expert tail gunner could target an incoming unit with the 20mm guns and a second target with the 30mm cannons.
40mm Burst Cannon Battery (x2) - fore-fins, fixed bow arc, 5 guns per battery (10 total), 200 rounds per gun
Mounted to the fore-fins at the elbow as an afterthought, these unimposing square boxes are similar to the Iguan’s quad-impact gun array. They loose rapid fire gyrojet rounds (a cross between a bullet and a hypervelocity rocket) at semiautomatic speeds. A gyrojet attains incredible speeds but lacks an explosive warhead. They are almost as effective submerged as out of water, ripping holes through armor and shredding internal systems, and to destroy incoming torpedoes and slower missiles.
80mm Linear Particle Battery (x8) - shoulder and hip joints, 2 guns per battery (8 total), 180° rotation, 60° elevation, all arcs
Each fin structure is supported by a reinforced articulation that is capped by one of these heavily armored turrets. They are assault-capable cannons that deliver moderate to heavy damage at up to 3 kilometers. The Tsunami can be re-outfitted with a second suite of 4 batteries opposite the existing cannons on the underside of the fins, bringing the total number of cannons to 16 in 8 batteries, 4 above the surface and 4 beneath it.
Micro-Band Defensive Laser Battery (x8) - 2 batteries per rear fin, 2 lasers per battery (8 total), variable inclination
These are the same cannons mounted on the Seismosaurus, two turrets are mounted to each rear fin as a defense against missiles or to pick away at light aerial targets. All 4 batteries can fire to the rear, straight up and forward 45° through the upper arc. However, only 2 of the turrets can fire forward, giving the Tsunami 4 forward facing and 4 aft facing defense guns.
50mm Micro-Band Laser (x2) - head mounted, 260° arc of fire due to neck articulation, 360° turreted rotation
Mounted on either side of the head, these weapons are designed primarily to augment Tsunami’s local ranged combat capabilities. The banding is compressed tight on these guns, allowing them effective while submerged. They deliver moderate damage out to 500 meters under water and 1 kilometer surfaced.
Hardened Alloy Fangs - Head, fixed, 260° arc
The Tsunami can rip and shred with these basic melee weapons. What makes them dangerous is the range of the neck, its superbly wide arc of movement and staggering speed. Going head to head with the Tsunami in a biting match is like poking at a cobra with a switchblade.
and reinforced.
EPZ-340 TSUNAMI
Chassis: Elasmosaurus Type
Power Plant: EPZ-300-M (Empire Power Zoid –Class 3 – Marine)
Primary Mission: Aquatic Artillery/Assault
Secondary Mission: Aerial Assault
Tertiary Mission: Multi-role Transport
Crew: 3 (minimum rank requirement: Commander)
Pilot: Command/assault tactics; headGunner: VEX artillery system/assault weaponry; dorsal carriageGunner: Aft defense station/nav-com; tailStatistics
Length: 44.25 meters
Width: 22.5 meters (wingspan)
Height: 10.1 meters
Mass: 224 tons
Performance
Submerged Speed: 118 Knots (OHFS engaged)
Submerged Speed: 40 Knots (OHFS disengaged)
Air Speed: 892 Knots
CAPABILITIES
The EPZ-340 Tsunami is more stealthy than speedy in her normal operation, but tussling with one is still recomended against at the highest level. While submerged it can reach speeds of up to 40 knots, and it is as maneuverable under water as a Liger is on land. It can function to a crush depth of almost two kilometers and can function in waters from near volcanic heat to frozen polar cold. As a sea-going command Zoid, Tsunami has an excellent communications and sensory capability. It retails its multirole cargo bays, as well, which can be outfitted with modules for an array of missions from mine laying to troop transport, stealthy insurgence to frontal assault. One system has been key to the Tsunami's effectiveness, however.
Oscillating Hydrodynamic Force Shield (OHFS)
The Tsunami is so fast and agile, despite its bulky appearance and the considerable drag of the huge VEX weapon system, due to the OHFS. It was invented by an elite engineer who studied the possible effects of the Geno Breaker’s shield and a Magnessor lift system used when submerged. After years of tests and burned out shield panels, the OHFS evolved from a form of protection into a form of propulsion. Shield generator panels are mounted from head to tail tip, from belly to VEX gunner station. These create a oddly shaped bubble around the Tsunami that can’t keep the sea out. The panels adjust their trajectory in sequence, oscillating the field’s shape and acting like a hundred invisible oars, pulling and pushing the Zoid through the water. While in this mode there is no heat, no movement and no sound to detect; the Tsunami becomes virtually invisible to sensory equipment. With only the OHFS engaged the Tsunami can only achieve 40 knots, but combined with its powerful thrusters it tears through the water at 118 knots; though it loses much of its stealth capabilities. The system also aids in aerial flight to a degree (another unplanned for serendipity of design). It can fly at speeds up to 890 knots, though with very limited maneuverability. While in operation the OHFS provides deflection properties against light to medium energy weapons and light projectiles, similar to a weaker version of the Shield Liger system.
“Endurance” Class Stealth Cockpits (x3) - head, VEX gunner station, tail gunner station)
Tsunami has special cockpit construction to endure crushing depths, extended use of the OHFS and the intense radiation that would result from a breach of the VEX power core. The canopies are extra dense and coated inside and out with a platinum alloy similar to the gold found on US HARM equipped attack aircraft. As a bonus, this shielding also improves Tsunami’s stealth characteristics.
DEFENSES
The primary defense of Blazewing is its speed. Though it has countermeasures and some ECM properties (perhaps a 10% reduction in signature) it can outrun most missiles and bullets and outmaneuver most rockets. The EZ-106 is a mixed bag when it comes to armor; the wings, head and feet are heavily reinforced, but the body and legs have slightly substandard protection. One major point of vulnerability lies in the sheer number of engines; so many intakes make the Zoid quite susceptible to flak. The inverse is also true; many engines also allows multiple shut-downs while remaining aloft.
SUMMARY
The combination of the VEX and OHFS technologies gave the Tsunami its name; the Zoid is a silent force moving undetected beneath the waves, ready to cause terrible devastation at sea or on land with little or no warning. It is capable of stealthy insurgence, overwhelming long and extended range damage, and rapid exodus with minimal opportunity for retaliation. Local weapon systems are as effective as those for standoff range, defenses are myriad. Some Helic pilots are already referring to the Tsunami as the “Deathsaurer of the sea”. With hidden manufacturing facilities capable of producing a new EZ-340 every ten months, decisive action must be taken to prevent Zenebas from all but owning Zi’s waterways.
THE BUILD
THE CONCEPT
I have had a quite broken Evil Pegasus for some time (it's okay, I have both a mint Orudios and Evil Pegasus, still!) and have always been drawn to the wing design. I also took notice one day at the enormous number of aerial units Helic possessed and how few Zenebas had. Any modern military warfighter knows that air superiority is vital, and so I set about designing an Empire air Zoid. The wing coloration sinly cemented the alliance and final scheme for the custom, and the name as well! I wanted the body to proportional for the bird, and I wanted the flexibility to pose it and take advantage of those beautiful wings! /sigh. Alas, no such body in my collection... I'd have to build it.
HISTORY
Originally intended as a stealthy transport to circumnavigate Guylos’ marine forces before the resurgence of the Neo Zenebas Empire, the EZ-340 Tsunami evolved quickly into a terrifying force. Its role began to change as loyalist engineers took into account a possible Guylos-Helic alliance, or at least a Helic attempt to thwart the rebirth of their old nemesis. On Zi, no force in the world comes close to Helic’s domination of the skies; more than ten active classes of aerial Zoids rain destruction down on enemies of the Republic. Tsunami was designed to slip undetected beneath these aerial forces.
However, with the presence of Death Stingers on one side and the Ultrasaurus fleets on the other, Zenebas rethought their position on the new Zoid’s design. It was already an exceptionally stable and swift transport system, and the engineers began running weapon scenarios to determine what loadout the Tsunami could hold. Simultaneously, another group of engineers had completed their work on a terrible new super weapon dubbed the VEX. The system needed a special platform to wield it, and the Tsunami engineers found a match for their new design.
EZ-606 BLAZEWING
The original Blazewing carried the famous
"Black & Red" scheme of the Empire. There
are currently six Blazewings that retain this
coloration, designated as trainers for pilots
in training. They no longer bear the "Red'
Diamond" crest, however.
EZ-106 BLAZEWING
The units currently serving the air corps of
the Empire in A0W bear the "Steel Serpent"
crest and the "Burned Blood" colors of the
Empire. The new version also sports green
tinted canopies and polished alloy cannon
barrels, superior at dispensing heat.
Shoulder detail showing the turret, Tempest missile, and elbow-mounted 5-barrel, 40mm burst cannon array (square box at center). Also seen is a twin "Gale" sea-to-air missile battery. These rotate 180 degrees to launch against airborne threats.
PARTS LIST
Seismosaurus
neck, tail, shoulders, hips, turret housings, tailgun station, dorsal missile, bay cover, VEX 5-apurture nozzel/intake, aft defense guns & jaws
Savinga
head
Ultrasaurus
missile pods, VEX chassis, belly intakes, armor, tubing & caps
Dimetra Ptera
head cannon
Blade Liger
tailgunner weapon array
Iron Kong
monsoon missiles
Elephantus
dorsal missile bay hinge
Molga
caps!
Cannon Spider
tempest missile warheads
Deathrazer
stand
Elephander
thruster nozzles
Imperial Walker
center torso
NCC 1701-D
fins
F-14 Tomcat
tempest missile engines
A-10 Warthog
hurricane missles
HUM-V
pilot control surfaces, seat & console
Magnum Enforcer water pistol
VEX-Cannon
Armordine Armorworks promotional pitch for the Tsunami. The Zoid shown in the image is actually designated EX-340, the prototype. Note the lack of head mounted cannons and Sharkpack mulit- torpedo pod. More subtle changes include red turret articulation covers (the production model has gray seals), black missile fins and the lack of the white "Squadron 21" logo on the VEX power interchanger.
As a side note, the colors were chosen to unify my black-red Zenebas team. I was on the v of using the new red-gray theme, but it looked awkward on an underwater, stealthy Zoid. Here is my initial 3D sketch to decide on the current colors.
Tsunami standard weapon load:
(x1) - VEX-Cannon (Variable-Execution, Recombining Hyper- Charged Particle Cannon)
(x2) - Tempest tactical missile (port and starboard fuselage)
(x2) - Hurricane sea-to-surface missile (multi-misson bays)
(x4) - Gale sea-to-air missile (port and starboard sides)
(x4) - Monsoon guided variable payload missile (dorsal bay)
(x8) - Linear particle cannon (mounted on 4 turrets)
(x11) - Light particle defense gun (8 mounted on 4 turrets)
(3 mounted on throat)
(x14) - Sharkpack hypervelocity torpedoes (mounted within
ventral pod)
(x4) - Narrow band particle cannon (tail)
(x2) - Linear Particle Cannon - Head
(x10) - Burst cannon (arranged in 2 arrays- forward fins)
(x1) - Enhanced electronic warfare suite (fuselage)
(x1) - Hyper-bite fangs (jaws)
Here the first production EZ-340 Tsunami is escorted to sea by Blackfin Squadron 170. Her first mission; to test Guylos' sea defense forces. Of the zeven Zoids, only the Tsunami survived as they swam into a patrolling DHI-002 Angstmorder.
HISTORY - (continued)
The Tsunami prototype cut its teeth in a horrific manner. Major Bryde Ureth was given three vital targets to test the broad variety of weapon systems; one Helic target, one Guylos target, and one Zenebas target. By striking all three, the Empire could confound their enemies as to who was really developing the Tsunami while they prepared to use it in earnest. On a daring mid afternoon raid against Helic, the first Tsunami penetrated the Republic oceanic detection net and targeted five recently refitted Ultrasaurs being moved to positions in to the south. The VEX was charged and used for the first time; the beam cutting through the column head-on from a range of over 2 kilometers. Three Ultrasaurs were destroyed, one was severely damaged, losing three crew, and the fifth sustained minor damage but could not locate their attacker. The second target of the day was a Zenebas Whale King, loaded with Iguan and Hellcat units, all sacrificed for the sake of secrecy. The King was not informed of any attack, and it was struck by a hail of anti-Zoid missiles. The final target was a Guylos Death Stinger base. Two Stingers were struck from more than 70 kilometers by heavy warheads; one was destroyed. Tsunami’s reign of terror had begun.
AI-2 PROFILE
Tsunami is a deadly terror, and knows it. She originally lacked an AI-2 system entirely, but was upgraded during the past few years as units equipped with personalities performed better than those that lacked them. The newer Tsunamis seem to rely less on their stealth characteristics and instead desire the viscious frontal assault strategy. They are extremely predatory, but also carry a command presence, readily taking control of Warsharks and other smaller units. One Tsunami actually seemed to become very irritated when the commander of the fleet countermanded her wishes.
4th Place Winner
Zoids Poison 2007
