The ARMD series was designed to support the centre piece of the Robotech Defense
Force, the SDF-1 Macross. The theory was that a Macross-sized vessel would be the centrepiece of
any alien invasion force, and the ARMD platform would weaken both the main enemy ship and its escorts
with long-ranged beam and missile fire before the Macross herself would deliver the killing blow. The
ARMD platforms could also dock with the SDF-1, and supplement her firepower in battle. In theory, the
defense was a sound strategy. However when the alien force arrived, it became apparent that not only
was the SDF-1 compartively small to even the main enemy cruisers, but also that the alien fleet massed
in far greater numbers than ever dreamed. The resulting attack led to the obliteration of any ARMD
platforms in orbit as they were both outclassed and outnumbered. Two vessels survived the Zentraedi campaign
and the resulting holocaust. These two ships would serve as orbital bases for the RDF until their decomissioning
in 2023.
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