The following material is an adaptation of mecha from MACROSS PLUS and MACROSS 7, both sequels to the original Japanese MACROSS TV series (which became Robotech in the U.S.) The specifications are based on the work of Dave Deitrich, and his Macross Mecha Designs web site. Please feel free to use, copy, and distribute it as you see fit. Comments and suggestions are welcome.

VF-11J RAIDEN THUNDERBOLT
Variable Fighter

Original Stats by SHADE INFINITY ([email protected])
Derived from RPG Stats by DAVE DEITRICH ([email protected])
Background info provided by the MACROSS ONLINE COMPENDIUM

BACKGROUND

During the early phases of the Hasha-class prototype's construction, one of the mid-level designers inquired about the VF complement the Hasha was to carry. Informed that it was to consist of VF-11Bs and -Cs, the designer, one Eiji Matsuzaki, asked about an upgrade program for them, pointing out that a prototype like the Hasha should have better guards than the aging Thunderbolt. The project chiefs discussed this briefly, then contacted their superiors, who, in turn, had to contact their superiors. Eventually, Matsuzaki's supervisor handed him a directive to upgrade the VF-11 design for the Hasha project, with full authorization to license the original VF-11 design from Shinsei Industry if needed. Matsuzaki, who had already developed a few ideas on how to improve the Thunderbolt, eagerly accepted, and set about gathering a project team, and moving into negotiations with Shinsei to license the design. Six months later, Matsuzaki and his team presented the VF-11J Raiden to Nova Trinary. 

The Raiden differs from the Thunderbolts in several important areas. Primarily, the old internal pallets of the Thunderbolt were removed, and replaced with a newer multi-function plug that supports a larger and more diverse number of units, so that the VF-11J's weaponry could be customized for the upcoming mission, or according to the pilot's whim. Several pods have already been designed for the new plug, including missile launchers of different sizes and capacity, extra gunpod ammo of different types, from armor-piercing, to small HE rounds, to the newly produced Pyround incendiary rounds. Other pods included secondary sensors, jamming pods, and small mines. A beam weapon pod is in development, with researchers trying to overcome the high energy demands that pod has. Recent tests show one shot shutting down the attached fusion engine lifted from a VF-11C. Needless to say, this is very early in the design process. 

The Raiden also has an improved sensor suite over the -B type, one roughly equivalent to the VF-19As, and a pair of 56500 kg [x g] class Shinsei Industry/P&W/Royce FF-2200S engines lifted from the VF-19A. Matsuzaki was unable to get the plans for the mecha scale PPB, so the armor remains the same as the VF-11C. Matsuzaki was also unable to gain the plans for the Protect Armor, but the Raiden retains the hardpoints for it, should the plans ever become available. 

RPG STATS

Vehicle Types:

Class: Aerospace Superiority Variable Fighter
Manufacturer: Shinsei Industry/Nova Trinary Corporation
Crew: 1 Pilot wearing Tactical Life Support System with upper and lower g-suits and pressure breathing

MDC BY LOCATION: 

    Head Laser                                     30
(1) Head                                           75
    Hands (2)                                      50 each
    Arms (2)                                      100 each
    Legs & Thrusters (2)                          200 each
(2) Main Body                                     300
    Canard Forward Wings (2)                       30 each
    Main Wings (2)                                120 each
    Tails (2)                                      50 each
    Multipurpose Gun Pod                          100
    Anti-Projectile Shield                        150
    Reinforced Pilot Compartment/Escape Pod       150

NOTES:

  1. Destroying the head of the fighter will knock out the mecha's major sensor systems, including all of the optics systems (infrared, nightvision, thermal). Radar and communications will be unaffected.
  2. Depleting the MDC of the main body will destroy the mecha. The pilot and cockpit section/escape pod will be automatically ejected from the doomed mecha before it explodes by the mecha's main computer.

SPEEDS:

RUNNING, Battloid CONFIGURATION:
120 mph (192 kmph)
LEAPING, SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:
50 ft (15 m) high or 70 ft (21 m) long without thrusters.
FLYING, GERWALK/SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:
Mach One (670 mph/1072 kmph) maximum speed limit in an Earth-like atmosphere. Can also hover in place indefinitely.
FLYING, FIGHTER CONFIGURATION:
Mach 3.5+ (2345 mph/3572 kmph) max speed at 10,000 meters or less above sea level. Mach 5+ (3350 mph/5360 kmph) max speed at 10,000-30,000 meters above sea level. Mach 25+ (16,750 mph/26,800 kmph) max speed at 30,000+ meters above sea level. Cruising speed is usually Mach 2.0 (1340 mph/2144 kmph). The VF-11J is capable of achieving orbital velocity over an Earth-class planet without additional rocket assistance. Maximum rate of ascent is 68,000 meters/minute. Structural G limits are +35.5 to -19.5 Earth gravities.
 

STATISTICAL DATA:

HEIGHT:
41.34 ft (12.92 m) in soldier configuration.
22.05 ft (6.89 m) in gerwalk configuration.
15.39 ft (4.81 m) in fighter configuration.
WIDTH:
17.46 ft (5.45 m) at shoulders in soldier configuration.
35.84 ft (11.20 m) in gerwalk or fighter configuration with wings at maximum extension.
LENGTH:
11.17 ft (3.49 m) in soldier configuration.
28.54 ft (8.92 m) in gerwalk configuration.
49.63 ft (15.51 m) in fighter configuration.
WEIGHT:
9 metric tons dry, 12.5 metric tons fully loaded. Additional of outboard missiles, FAST booster packs, gun pods, and appliqué armor further increases this weight.
 
PHYSICAL STRENGTH:
Equal to a P.S. of 60
POWER PLANT: 
Two 56500 kg [x g] class Shinsei Industry/P&W/Royce FF-2200s thermonuclear turbine engines in VF-11J. Two rhomboid under-fuselage air intakes with retractable shutters for Battroid mode or space use. Two two- dimensional convergent/divergent vectored exhaust nozzles, for enhanced V/STOL performance and maneuverability. Two dorsal auxiliary thruster pods. P&W HMM-5B high-maneuverability vernier thrusters. Four special equipment hard point stations for external space Shinsei Industry FAST Pack units (two NP- SP-09 booster units with four booster nozzles mounted on dorsal fuselage, two NP-SF-09 propellant tank units mounted on engine section in Fighter mode and on lower-leg section in GERWALK and Battroid mode, and numerous vernier thrusters). The FAST Pack boosters' exhaust nozzles, originally funnel-shaped, were redesigned recently in a more rectangular shape. The two NP-SP-09 booster units are replaced by the booster units of the Protect Armor, which can be mounted in conjunction with the other FAST Pack units.
CARGO:
The VF-11J has a small compartment behind the pilot's seat, which normally contains a first aid kit, a survival kit, and a small handgun or SMG.
COMPATIBLE FAST PACKS:
Dorsal: NP-BP-01, NP-BP-02, NR-BP-T1, NR-BP-E2, NP-BP-10, NP-BP-11, NP-BP-12, NR-BP-E7, NR-BP-19, NR-BP-19-SES
Arm: NP-AR-01, NP-AU-T1
Leg: NP-FB-11, NP-FB-19

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

  1. ANTI-AIRCRAFT PULSE LASER: The VF-11 mounts a single pulse laser for use in air combat skirmishes and for defensive purposes. The laser is mounted on the head of the mecha in soldier mode, and is located in the central dorsal section of the main body pointed rearward in fighter and gerwalk modes. The laser can only fire to the REAR of the fighter in these modes; it cannot be turned to fire along another arc.

     

  2. MULTIPURPOSE GU-13 GUN POD W/ANTI-ARMOR BAYONET: A gun pod similar to the old GU-11 used by the VF-1 Valkyries, this is the primary weapon of the VF-11. The new gun pod also features a mecha-sized bayonet mounted on the front of the weapon, for use in close combat with mechanized opponents.

     

  3. INTERNAL LEG-MOUNTED WEAPONS BAYS: Each leg of the VF-11J contains an enclosed bay which can be customized for different mission objectives and carry a variety of equipment, including (but not limited to), micro-missile launchers, long-range missile launchers, gunpod magazines, secondary sensor suites, ECM pods, and mine dispensers. A beam cannon weapon pod is known to be in development. In order to carry different types of equipment, the bays must be refitted at a UN Spacy base prior to loading.

     

  4. HAND TO HAND COMBAT: If necessary, the pilot of the VF-11J can engage in melee combat rather than use a weapon. The variable fighter is extremely agile and can execute most typical hand to hand combat moves, such as punches, jump kicks, leap attacks, rolling with impacts, etc.

    DAMAGE:

    STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE VF-11J:

    COMBAT BONUSES FOR MECHA COMBAT TRAINING:

    BASIC VARIABLE FIGHTER COMBAT TRAINING

    ADVANCED VF-11J "RAIDEN" THUNDERBOLT COMBAT TRAINING

    REFERENCES USED IN THIS DESIGN

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