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Description
The VCD-1 Variable Combat Drone is an autonomous robot equipped with a high-sensitivity optical camera, three hover drives, and a pivoting laser gun capable of variable output.

The purpose of the VCD-1's design is to fulfill both the scouting/reconnaissance role as well as that of a light assault weapon all within a single machine, hence the "variable" quality in its name and armament.

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In its default configuration "Recon Mode", the VCD-1 can be seen hovering at heights up to 100 meters in the air via the use of three hover-propulsion thrusters; the main unit mounted in the rear of the machine with the secondary thrusters mounted in articulated arms flanking either side of the main body. While it can fly in bursts of over 80 km/h, the VCD-1 is usually set to cruise at speeds of around 20-30 km/h at low altitudes, depending on the current mission directive.

The thrusters mounted on the arms in the default configuration allow great maneuverability, including strafing from side to side for the drone since direction can be changed easily. However, while the drone is hovering at high altitudes in this configuration, it must send about 70% of its power core's output to the hover drives to support its weight. This leaves only 30% of the power output to support the laser gun.

While in the default form, the VCD-1's laser gun performs like a rapid-fire pistol. The blasts have only moderate range and, while leaving searing and potentially-fatal burns on exposed targets, it struggles to do much damage against armored opponents or vehicles. The VCD-1 is programmed to fire in quick bursts and use its maneuverability to evade capture or destruction.

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As for the "variable" part of the VCD-1, it possesses the ability to transform in order to deal with different situations. By flipping over and using the articulated arms to reconfigure the direction and center-of-gravity of the main body, the drone is able to reposition its thrusters to enter a completely different stance.

In "Assault Mode," the VCD-1 resembles something like a hovertank mixed with a scorpion. The laser gun is now mounted on "top" of the carriage while the secondary thrusters are now more towards the front of the body, and mounted below the center of gravity. With this new form, the VCD-1 is no longer capable of efficiently maneuvering at higher altitudes, and now is restricted to hovering about half a meter from the ground.

This is because in Assault Mode, the VCD-1's power core redistributes its energy so that the armament gets priority, with 60% of the total output (doubled from the Recon Mode) while the propulsion systems get only 40% of the total. Although this restricts the drone's movement, it now allows for much more powerful blasts from the laser gun that changes the combat potential of the VCD-1 entirely.

The laser now fires heavy blasts that can easily blow holes through organic material, while punching through moderately-armored personnel or vehicles. However, the cooldown time between shots is much longer, so sustained fire or quick bursts like in the Recon Mode are no longer possible.

The AI behavior of the VCD-1 in Assault Mode also changes; instead of prioritizing its own safety, it more aggressively chases down its enemies with the intent to neutralize them using its now-powerful main gun. This aggression is intended to offset the maneuverability it lost in its transformation.

With the versatility inherent in a transformation mechanism and in the variable-output main laser gun, the VCD-1 is a successful combat drone that can adapt to a wide variety of situations.

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Well, this was a quick Lego thing that I made up and threw together today using the spare parts from the Pick-a-Brick order I got that included the 2019 Sentinel parts. I had a lot of unique pieces left over that I had ordered lots of spares for, so I figured it would be fun to challenge myself with a design that could pass as something made intentionally.

I really dig the aesthetic of the grey/black with the light blue accents; I knew it would be fun to play around with so many translucent light-blue bricks! They make for perfect "hover" or "thrust" effect parts, and double as cool laser effects, too! I hope it is clear in the images that the laser from the Assault Mode is more powerful than the Recon Mode.

Description
The VCD-1 Variable Combat Drone is an autonomous robot equipped with a high-sensitivity optical camera, three hover drives, and a pivoting laser gun capable of variable output.

The purpose of the VCD-1's design is to fulfill both the scouting/reconnaissance role as well as that of a light assault weapon all within a single machine, hence the "variable" quality in its name and armament.

-----

In its default configuration "Recon Mode", the VCD-1 can be seen hovering at heights up to 100 meters in the air via the use of three hover-propulsion thrusters; the main unit mounted in the rear of the machine with the secondary thrusters mounted in articulated arms flanking either side of the main body. While it can fly in bursts of over 80 km/h, the VCD-1 is usually set to cruise at speeds of around 20-30 km/h at low altitudes, depending on the current mission directive.

The thrusters mounted on the arms in the default configuration allow great maneuverability, including strafing from side to side for the drone since direction can be changed easily. However, while the drone is hovering at high altitudes in this configuration, it must send about 70% of its power core's output to the hover drives to support its weight. This leaves only 30% of the power output to support the laser gun.

While in the default form, the VCD-1's laser gun performs like a rapid-fire pistol. The blasts have only moderate range and, while leaving searing and potentially-fatal burns on exposed targets, it struggles to do much damage against armored opponents or vehicles. The VCD-1 is programmed to fire in quick bursts and use its maneuverability to evade capture or destruction.

-----

As for the "variable" part of the VCD-1, it possesses the ability to transform in order to deal with different situations. By flipping over and using the articulated arms to reconfigure the direction and center-of-gravity of the main body, the drone is able to reposition its thrusters to enter a completely different stance.

In "Assault Mode," the VCD-1 resembles something like a hovertank mixed with a scorpion. The laser gun is now mounted on "top" of the carriage while the secondary thrusters are now more towards the front of the body, and mounted below the center of gravity. With this new form, the VCD-1 is no longer capable of efficiently maneuvering at higher altitudes, and now is restricted to hovering about half a meter from the ground.

This is because in Assault Mode, the VCD-1's power core redistributes its energy so that the armament gets priority, with 60% of the total output (doubled from the Recon Mode) while the propulsion systems get only 40% of the total. Although this restricts the drone's movement, it now allows for much more powerful blasts from the laser gun that changes the combat potential of the VCD-1 entirely.

The laser now fires heavy blasts that can easily blow holes through organic material, while punching through moderately-armored personnel or vehicles. However, the cooldown time between shots is much longer, so sustained fire or quick bursts like in the Recon Mode are no longer possible.

The AI behavior of the VCD-1 in Assault Mode also changes; instead of prioritizing its own safety, it more aggressively chases down its enemies with the intent to neutralize them using its now-powerful main gun. This aggression is intended to offset the maneuverability it lost in its transformation.

With the versatility inherent in a transformation mechanism and in the variable-output main laser gun, the VCD-1 is a successful combat drone that can adapt to a wide variety of situations.

-----

Well, this was a quick Lego thing that I made up and threw together today using the spare parts from the Pick-a-Brick order I got that included the 2019 Sentinel parts. I had a lot of unique pieces left over that I had ordered lots of spares for, so I figured it would be fun to challenge myself with a design that could pass as something made intentionally.

I really dig the aesthetic of the grey/black with the light blue accents; I knew it would be fun to play around with so many translucent light-blue bricks! They make for perfect "hover" or "thrust" effect parts, and double as cool laser effects, too! I hope it is clear in the images that the laser from the Assault Mode is more powerful than the Recon Mode.