VF-1 Valkyrie
| VF-1 Valkyrie | |
 | |
| Spacecraft Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Base Hull | Stonewell-Bellcom VF-1 |
| Length | 14.23m |
| Width | 14.78m |
| Height | 3.83m |
| Mass | 13.25 tons unloaded |
| Drive Type | Dual Fusion Turbine |
| Armament | Six universal underwing hardpoints, one GU-11 55mm gatling |
| Primary Manufacturer | Stonewell-Bellcom Aerospace, Black Aeronaut Technologies |
| Owner | Multiple |
| Purpose | Interceptor |
| Primary Crew | One pilot |
| Other Crew | (Some models: One trainee/passenger/EWO) |
| Auxillary Vehicles | n/a |
| Operational Status | Active |
The primary fighter craft of Greenwood Security Services and the Roughriders mercenary unit for a decade, the VF-1 Valkyrie remains a popular craft throughout Fenspace.
History
One of the most visually stunning and recognizable mecha designs in anime history, the VF-1 was a natural choice for Stonewell-Bellcom Aerospace's first project. With the F-14 Tomcat (the VF-1's visual design inspiration) consigned to the boneyard by the US Navy, salvaging the airframes seemed a logical starting point. 40 Tomcats were salvaged before interference from Iranian agents caused American security to crack down, closing off SBA's access to additional units.
The manufacturing process, like most Fennish production during that period, involved a thorough bath of Handwavium in conjunction with constant replays of the various Macross anime, games, and soundtracks in the manufacturing bays. The transformation took between five and eight days per unit, with SBA's technicians able to work on up to six at a time.
The resultant fighter was fast, maneuverable, and versatile, its armor capable of standing up to many of the weapons commonly in use at the time and its quirks typically limited to a requirement for a soundtrack to be playing in the cockpit during combat.
Stonewell-Bellcom was able to hand-build a number of additional units during the Boskone War. The only other party using them was the Roughriders, who provided BAT technicians to assist in the construction. After the war ended the VF-1 was superseded in GSS and Roughrider service by the VF-4. Black Aeronaut Technologies compiled the accumulated expertise and offered to license production of the Valkyrie for sale on the Fennish civilian and military market.
Variants
- VF-1H
- The initial handwavium-derived model. Only 40 of these were built. Officially considered a sub-variant of the VF-1A.
- VF-1J
- The standard fighter deployed by GSS and Roughriders, with two head/turret mounted lasers and fittings to accept FAST packs.
- VF-1J FAST
- Fuel Armor Sensor Tactical packs were designed to increase the flight and combat endurance and capacity of the VF-1J. Initial plans had been passed around but were not finalized until after the heavy losses of the initial phases of the Boskone War. The FAST augmentation packs add increased capability at a slight cost in atmospheric maneuverability.
- VF-1S
- Almost identical to the VF-1J, the VF-1S is fitted with four pulse lasers in the turret mount and improved communications and sensory electronics. It is typically piloted by squadron commanders or members of elite units. Like the VF-1J, it can be fitted with FAST packs.
- VF-1L
- The -1L is a purpose-built EWAR model. It has the two-man cockpit of the -1D and -1E models, except the second seat has no flight controls. Instead, it has a suite of controls for its sophisticated electronics warfare package, tailored explicitly towards illuminating stealthed units, blinding enemy units, and spoofing radar ghosts of itself or other friendlies. Rather than a laser turret, the -1L instead has high-power antennas that are used for it's illumination and blinding. The antennas are powerful enough to overpower even HARM-based tracking systems. Like the VF-1J, it can be fitted with FAST packs.
- VF-1A
- With only a single turret laser and lacking attachment points for the FAST packs, the VF-1A is the standard export model to legitimate military customers. (While the FAST pack attachment points and software are not provided, they are easy enough to customize after purchase.) Customers include the United States Navy, British Royal Navy, Great Justice, Space Patrol, and several independent factions.
- VF-1C
- The -1C is designed specifically for the civilian market. While completely unarmed (the turret laser replaced by a communications antenna), it is still capable of wielding a compatible gun pod in Battroid or Gerwalk mode, and the underwing hardpoints are still present (intended for additional fuel, life support, cargo, or other mission augmentation packs). This is a popular sale item and a major profit item for Black Aeronaut Technologies and, by way of licensing fees, Stonewell-Bellcom.
- VT-1D
- Identical to the VF-1J except for the extended cockpit and airframe, and expanded life-support and fuel stores. The VT-1D has a two-seat cockpit intended for training use, but can also be used for critical courier missions or passenger transport.
- VT-1E
- Effectively a VF-1C with the extended frame and dual cockpit of the VT-1D, the VT-1E is just as popular as its single-seater companion on the civilian market.
FAST Packs
FAST stands for Fuel, Armor, Sensors, Tactical. Designed to supplement the Valkyrie's capabilities and survivability, they became standard on GSS and Roughriders Valkyries late in the Boskone War. The designs were licensed for sale to other military purchasers after the VF-4 Lightning was deployed.
All models of FAST pack add maneuver verniers, sensor equipment, life support and fuel stores to the airframe. Armor is fitted over the fusion turbines along with an additional set of landing gear, as the standard fighter-mode gear is obstructed by the verniers and fuel stores. Gerwalk-mode VTOL is unaffected. Armor is also added to the arms, allowing them to be used to block incoming attacks. The back-mounted pods consist of two parts, a weapons pod and a thruster. The thruster is standard and considerably increases the craft's acceleration curve.
The downside to the FAST packs is the changes induced on the craft's aerodynamics. A slight loss of atmospheric speed and maneuverability is an unfortunate trade-off for the significant increase in spaceborne combat power.
- FAST Standard packs augment the fighter's firepower with a large quantity of missiles. Each pod carries twenty short-range missiles, most commonly the GPM-12 "Stiletto".
- FAST STRIKE packs replace the missiles with a heavy gun of some sort, typically a Republic Arms turbolaser. This is used only when tactical necessities dictate, as the power requirements of the cannon are a heavy drain on the Valkyrie's reactor.
- FAST RECON packs add a large quantity of sensor and electronics, specifically designed to be used with the VF-1L's ELINT equipment. They can be utilized on other models but will lose effectiveness without the EWAR Valkyrie's specialized systems.
- FAST CARGO packs provide additional stowage for inert cargo of any sort. A variant simply fills the space with additional fuel storage for extra-long flights.
Most combat deployments utilize a pair of Standard packs. STRIKE packs are almost universally deployed singly, in combination with a Standard pack. Rumors of "Special Operations" units flying VF-1L's with one RECON and one STRIKE pack are completely without foundation. No evidence of such a unit exists.
Operators
Notable Craft
- Saber One (VF-1H) was the personal fighter of Chris Marsden, who commanded VFS-101 at the Battle of Serenity. The fighter took critical damage during the battle including the loss of one fusion turbine, leading to a very rough emergency landing. After staggering from the plane, he returned to the Convention and took part in the ground fighting there.
- Mercury (VT-1E, hull number 001) was presented to former astronaut and US Senator John Glenn, in memory of Marsden's grandfather.
- Macross One was another presentation model. VF-1C hull 001 was presented to original Macross mecha designer, Shoji Kawamori.
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