Overview

AeroTech is a tabletop wargame published by FASA set in the BattleTech universe. It simulates aerospace combat between fighters, troop-carrying DropShips, and interstellar JumpShips and WarShips. The first edition (AT1) was released as a large boxed set that could be played as a complete independent game while being fully compatible with the ground-based BattleTech game. Players command aerospace units in tactical engagements, managing movement, weapons fire, heat buildup, and damage.

Components

• Hexagonal grid maps (space and atmospheric combat)
• Aerospace unit counters or miniatures
• Record sheets (detailed unit information including armament, armor, and equipment)
• Dice (two six-sided dice)
• Combat tables and charts
• Rules booklet

Setup

1. Select a scenario or agree on force compositions.
2. Lay out the appropriate hexagonal map(s).
3. Each player selects their aerospace units and prepares record sheets.
4. Deploy units on their designated starting hexes.
5. Determine initiative.

Turn Structure

Each turn is divided into phases:

1. Initiative phase: Both players roll dice; the winner chooses to move first or second.
2. Movement phase: Players alternate moving units. Aerospace fighters have specific thrust and velocity mechanics.
3. Weapons fire phase: Players declare and resolve attacks against enemy units.
4. Heat phase: Track heat buildup from weapons fire and movement; excess heat degrades performance.
5. End phase: Resolve damage, check for critical hits, and remove destroyed units.

Actions

Movement

• Aerospace units use thrust points to accelerate, decelerate, and change facing.
• Velocity is tracked turn-to-turn; units maintain momentum.
• Atmospheric flight and space flight have different movement rules.
• Altitude is tracked for atmospheric engagements.

Weapons Fire

• Units fire weapons at targets within range and firing arc.
• Roll 2d6, modified by range, movement, and other factors, against a target number.
• Hit location is determined by a separate roll, specifying which section of the target takes damage.

Heat Management

• Weapons fire and high-thrust movement generate heat.
• Heat is tracked on the record sheet.
• Excess heat reduces movement, accuracy, and can cause ammunition explosions or shutdown.

Damage Resolution

• Damage is applied to specific locations on the target unit’s record sheet.
• Armor absorbs damage first; internal structure is damaged when armor is breached.
• Critical hits can destroy weapons, engines, or other systems.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

Victory conditions are scenario-dependent and may include:

• Destroying all enemy aerospace units
• Defending or attacking a specific DropShip or installation
• Achieving air superiority over a battlefield
• Escorting units safely through enemy territory

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• BattleTech compatibility: AeroTech units can interact with ground-based BattleTech units in combined-arms scenarios (strafing runs, air support, aerospace superiority).
• Multiple editions: Rules have been revised across five editions; later rules were incorporated into Total Warfare and Strategic Operations sourcebooks.
• DropShips and JumpShips: Larger vessels have different movement, combat, and damage mechanics than fighters.
• Record sheets: Each unit has a detailed record sheet tracking armor, weapons, ammunition, heat, and critical systems — damage is tracked precisely.
• Fighter squadrons: Advanced rules allow grouping fighters into squadrons for simplified play at larger scales.

Player Reference

Unit Type	Role	Key Mechanic
Aerospace fighter	Combat	Thrust, weapons, heat management
DropShip	Transport/combat	Heavier armor, more weapons, slower
JumpShip	Interstellar travel	Non-combat; strategic role
WarShip	Capital combat	Massive firepower and armor

Core dice: 2d6 for attack rolls and most checks

Heat warning: Excess heat = reduced performance, risk of ammo explosion or shutdown