Jebe457

In a lot of respects the OG Destroids amounted to Studio Nue, being Studio Nue where like they had done on SBY II they produced a lot more design work than the Production Staff could realistically use. The Tomahawk had very clear inspiration from the then relatively new JSDF Type 74 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_74 The Defender while in practice arguably more a reference to the Shilka, was in turn likely influenced by the JDSF's use of: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M42_Duster and what would then have been the beginning of rumblings for a replacement that would ultimately be: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_87_self-propelled_anti-aircraft_gun I think we can reasonably in turn argue the Monster literally having 40cm cannons setup the way it does amounted to a reference to... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_battleship_Yamato a certain iconic ship which they at the time had spent a few years working on a kind of important Anime production involving called SBY II, which was arguably responsible to the shift towards Japanese Animation getting larger budgets and Anime as we understand it becoming a thing. In a lot of respect the rest fill in from there. Contrary to the usual stereotype SDF:M doesn't portray these platforms as lacking, but it does pretty clearly have issues with integrating them. If we don't overly focus on the period where the Bubble Economy and related meant Studio Nue's efforts with the Macross didn't really have a budget [read Macross 7]: They're acknowledged as a thing in Macross Plus [1994-95], despite that being a short OVA with a big focus on a Pair of Prototype VFs. Mind in turn 1994 is around when Evangelion is creating a splash in part because people are beginning to realize what will come to be called The Lost Decade isn't a short term problem. The Macross Zero OVA [2002-2004] makes a point to do significant design work to create the Cheyenne, a reworked prototype Monster, and VF-0 Armored Valkyrie. Macross Frontier [2008] then sees them finally get that kind of budget for a TV series where they decide to effectively iterate the Cheyenne/Monster/VF combo. Macross Zero & Frontier in turn found a balance where the depicted Destroids were purposeful, with their inclusion not being burdensome to Production. So that's arguably what we're looking at having happened, and that approaching being easier in that regard where SDF:M never quite managed to make it work is why we're liable to see them stick with that. Mind in turn that Studio Nue has had a not exactly minor hand in Armored Core Mecha design. I would argue Sensible Upgrading the Type-04 line and the Type-07 line is relatively straightforward based on precedence to the VF-11 era, but represent hardware that would be more trouble than their worth for Show Production. Tomahawk Basic Generational Tech upgrade evolutions, ala newer computers, actuators, etc. Mount Gatlings alongside the PPGs like the Cheyenne II Rewire the modular shoulder mounts to be able to also handle a pair of head laser analogues. Structure the associated group to have a mix of laser and missile packs on the shoulder mounts to help with doing the equivalent of VFs & Battlepods gunning at incoming missiles. The obvious problem with this is you're adding a lot of stuff for Show Production to account for in scene planning versus the Cheyenne II, and you wouldn't really get much of an opportunity to use it productively beyond what you get with depicting Cheyenne IIs. Defender Basic Generational Tech upgrade evolutions, ala newer computers, actuators, etc. Setup a version that's basically the classic config with the extra hard-points of the official upgrade top/bottom on each arm. Longer range version with the OG quad cannons, and something along the lines of AAM-1 triples per hardpoint. Shorter range version with the Rotaries, and Micro-pods as officially depicted. Again in Show Production terms this would tend to cause needless scene planning complications versus just using Cheyenne IIs. Spartan Basic Generational Tech upgrade evolutions, ala newer computers, actuators, etc. VF-11 style gun pod with integrated bayonet and field swappable magazines. VF-11 style Ballistic Shield, albeit a bit larger with spare mags mounted on the backside as with the VF-11 In universe it's worth emphasizing Global was very explicit at the end of SDF:M in his desire that UN Spacy not become a militaristic conquering force like the Zentradi. In real world terms this echoes the sentiment that for a variety of reasons the Japanese people aren't exactly going to be fond of the notion of _them_ occupying someone. Additional Note: The Type-04 as of SW1 could beat the VF-1 in a foot race at 180kph vs. 160 kph, and both the Type-04 and Type-07s already integrated Jump Jet systems. So a SW1 era VF only has a mobility advantage of the 1/10th of price Destroid if it's in one of the other modes.