Hyper-Cobalt Rockets: The UEF's First Strike Weapon
Posted: Fri May 27, 2022 12:39 am
Okay,
for years I've suggested the idea that the Hyper-Cobalt Rocket is, in fact, an FTL-capable weapons system. That it was a weapons platform, developed along with the "Lorelei" SigInt/CommInt Satellites, to give the UEF the capability of striking targets anywhere in the solar system. This was done to tip the balance and prevent a recurrence of the 1st Robotech War where Breetai showed up with his Aldo-class starfleet and proceeded to launch attacks before the UEF could properly move enough assets in theatre to blunt such an attack. This, along with patrols by units like the Liberty Observer Battlegroup would give the Earth enough of a warning and head start on any rogue Zentraedi forces that decided to go "a Viking".
Now, what proof do I have? First, the Hyper-prefix in almost every other instance (Hyperspace, Hyperspace Fold, Hyper-Communications, Hyper-Dimensional) indicates Faster-than-Light technology. And, if we're being honest, the "Hyper-Magnetic Particle Beam" Dana references in Danger Zone could well be predicated on some exotic FTL matter used in bringing down the City-ship.
Second, there is the fact the one time they're referenced, they're being launched AHEAD of the Final Offensive. In fact, they're being launched BEFORE The Masters even reach Earth's outer defense perimeter (which by Final Nightmare, should be beyond Lunar orbit).
Episode #58 Final Nightmare
MISSILE COMMAND: Attention all missile silos. Prepare Hyper-Cobalt Rockets for launch. Repeat. Prepare all rockets for launch. We are at T-minus 7 minutes and counting.
....................................................
THE NARRATOR: Meanwhile far above, as the Robotech Masters fleet approaches Earth's outer defense perimeter, their movements are being carefully monitored by the Moon Base ALuCE-1.
COLONEL GREEN: General Emerson, all of our scanners are lighting up like a Christmas tree. It looks like the entire enemy fleet is attacking!
GENERAL EMERSON: What, the entire fleet?
COLONEL ROCHELLE: Its true, sir. They're holding back nothing. It looks like they've launched every ship they have.
GENERAL EMERSON: Good lord!
COLONEL ROCHELLE: Battle stations, sir?
GENERAL EMERSON: Mmm...
COLONEL GREEN: Wait, I'm receiving some sort of message on the emergency frequency. Look, General Emerson, its Commander Leonard himself.
GENERAL EMERSON: Oh...yes Commander?
SUPREME COMMANDER LEONARD: General Emerson, you are aware of the fact the enemy has launched his entire fleet against us?
GENERAL EMERSON: Yes, sir.
SUPREME COMMANDER LEONARD: In our meeting just this morning, the Joint Chiefs agreed to a preemptive strike, but the aliens have beaten us to the punch. Now we mustn't let them get the first blow in!
GENERAL EMERSON: No, sir!
SUPREME COMMANDER LEONARD: I want you to punish them for this! I'm depending upon your units to neutralize their primary assault wing.
GENERAL EMERSON: Yes, sir.
So, the UEF's Joint-Chiefs-of-Staff agreed to the Supreme Commander's request for a preemptive strike: the Hyper-Cobalt Rockets. Sadly, the strike obviously failed since the first blow didn't land. Not surprising given The Masters have some funky stealth tech (some of which may in fact be related to the fact their ships are powered by imploding/exploding at the same time). And that strike had to be capable of reaching targets well BEYOND what could be traversed by normal missiles.
for years I've suggested the idea that the Hyper-Cobalt Rocket is, in fact, an FTL-capable weapons system. That it was a weapons platform, developed along with the "Lorelei" SigInt/CommInt Satellites, to give the UEF the capability of striking targets anywhere in the solar system. This was done to tip the balance and prevent a recurrence of the 1st Robotech War where Breetai showed up with his Aldo-class starfleet and proceeded to launch attacks before the UEF could properly move enough assets in theatre to blunt such an attack. This, along with patrols by units like the Liberty Observer Battlegroup would give the Earth enough of a warning and head start on any rogue Zentraedi forces that decided to go "a Viking".
Now, what proof do I have? First, the Hyper-prefix in almost every other instance (Hyperspace, Hyperspace Fold, Hyper-Communications, Hyper-Dimensional) indicates Faster-than-Light technology. And, if we're being honest, the "Hyper-Magnetic Particle Beam" Dana references in Danger Zone could well be predicated on some exotic FTL matter used in bringing down the City-ship.
Second, there is the fact the one time they're referenced, they're being launched AHEAD of the Final Offensive. In fact, they're being launched BEFORE The Masters even reach Earth's outer defense perimeter (which by Final Nightmare, should be beyond Lunar orbit).
Episode #58 Final Nightmare
MISSILE COMMAND: Attention all missile silos. Prepare Hyper-Cobalt Rockets for launch. Repeat. Prepare all rockets for launch. We are at T-minus 7 minutes and counting.
....................................................
THE NARRATOR: Meanwhile far above, as the Robotech Masters fleet approaches Earth's outer defense perimeter, their movements are being carefully monitored by the Moon Base ALuCE-1.
COLONEL GREEN: General Emerson, all of our scanners are lighting up like a Christmas tree. It looks like the entire enemy fleet is attacking!
GENERAL EMERSON: What, the entire fleet?
COLONEL ROCHELLE: Its true, sir. They're holding back nothing. It looks like they've launched every ship they have.
GENERAL EMERSON: Good lord!
COLONEL ROCHELLE: Battle stations, sir?
GENERAL EMERSON: Mmm...
COLONEL GREEN: Wait, I'm receiving some sort of message on the emergency frequency. Look, General Emerson, its Commander Leonard himself.
GENERAL EMERSON: Oh...yes Commander?
SUPREME COMMANDER LEONARD: General Emerson, you are aware of the fact the enemy has launched his entire fleet against us?
GENERAL EMERSON: Yes, sir.
SUPREME COMMANDER LEONARD: In our meeting just this morning, the Joint Chiefs agreed to a preemptive strike, but the aliens have beaten us to the punch. Now we mustn't let them get the first blow in!
GENERAL EMERSON: No, sir!
SUPREME COMMANDER LEONARD: I want you to punish them for this! I'm depending upon your units to neutralize their primary assault wing.
GENERAL EMERSON: Yes, sir.
So, the UEF's Joint-Chiefs-of-Staff agreed to the Supreme Commander's request for a preemptive strike: the Hyper-Cobalt Rockets. Sadly, the strike obviously failed since the first blow didn't land. Not surprising given The Masters have some funky stealth tech (some of which may in fact be related to the fact their ships are powered by imploding/exploding at the same time). And that strike had to be capable of reaching targets well BEYOND what could be traversed by normal missiles.