VF/A-4 SUPER LIGHTNING III
VARIABLE FIGHTER

RPG Stats by Steel Viper ([email protected])

Background info provided by the MACROSS ONLINE COMPENDIUM

BACKGROUND

Unfortunately, almost all of the initial VF-X-4s were destroyed along with Stonewell Bellcom during the Zentraedi attack on Earth during 2010. The design itself would have also died in the attack if it weren't for a team of Stonewell Bellcom technicians who were stationed on the SDF-1 Macross when the final attack came, working on maintenance upgrades for the Macross' VF-1 Valkyries. Rallying under Dr. H. Takachihoff, one of the original designers of the VF-1, the technicians refounded Stonewell Bellcom after the Macross landed on Earth and continued work on the VF-4. More VF-X-4s were constructed and tested by a number of UN Spacy pilots, including Skull Team leader Hikaru Ichijyo. In 2012 the final design for the VF-4 Lightning III was completed and mass production of the new fighter began.

The first VF-4 squadrons were issued to the Skull and Iron Chiefs Squadrons, which accompanied the SDF-2 Megaroad-01 on her colonization mission in late 2012. After the Megaroad left production of the VF-4s continued, and in 2020 the Lightning III officially replaced the VF-1 Valkyrie as the main tactical fighter of the UN Spacy. The VF-4 design was itself replaced in 2030 by the VF-11 Thunderbolt. A grand total of 8,245 VF-4s were produced for the UN Spacy between 2012 and 2030.

During the time between 2029 and 2032, the UN reserve forces, as well as guard forces positioned at nearly every colony that didn’t have a dedicated Spacy base, found them selves with out dated VF-1 and VF-4 variable fighter’s, while the UN Main forces were upgrading to more advanced design’s.  Not wanting to leave their reservist out of the UN wide upgrades, the UN launched a program to develop upgrade packages for several of the older VF’s such as the VF-1, VF-4, and the VF-14.  One of the products of these projects was the VF/A-4 Super Lightning III.

The first prototype upgrade to the VF/A-4 was completed in late 2029.  With almost no bugs to work out, the VF/A-4 quickly entered service and the upgrade process began.  Do to the significantly larger number’s of VF-4’s still in service, it took till late 2033 to finish all the upgrades to the fleet of existing VF-4.

Though no match for the far newer and more advanced VF-11, the VF/A-4 was able to hold it’s own against such newer designs as the VF-14.  With the advances made in VF technology, the VF/A-4 was able to have more energy weapons, more armor, and more ordinance without any sacrifice in performance.  Quite the contrary, the VF/A-4 easily outperforms the VF-4 upon which it is based.

Of all the VF/A-4’s known to have been built, at least 50 are still in service with colony garrisons and other reserve military units. (History current as of 2057 AD)
 

RPG STATS

MDC BY LOCATION:

(1) Head                                    75
    Hands (2)                               50 each
    Arms/Beam Cannons (2)                  125 each
(2) Shoulders/Engine Nacelles (2)          175 each
(2) Legs/Main Thrusters (2)                225 each
(3) Main Body                              325
    Canard Forward Wings (2)                30 each
    Main Wings (2)                         125 each
    Tails (4)                               50 each
    Reinforced Pilot's Cockpit             175
    LU-5 Gun Pod (1 or 2)                  100 each
(4) Arm Shield(Optional)                   150

1. Destroying the head of the VF 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. Destroying the shoulders/engine nacelles or the legs/thrusters will severely damage the VF/A-4's engines. Destruction of either shoulder will reduce maximum speeds by 20%, and destruction of either leg will reduce speeds by 30%. If three of the four engines are destroyed the Lightning will have insufficient thrust to remain airborne and must land. If all four engines are destroyed the variable fighter will lose power and crash.
3. Destruction of the main body will completely destroy the mecha.
4. This is a non-regenerating arm shield.  The arm shield may mount up to four additional magazines for the GU-14 gun pods.

SPEEDS:

RUNING IN BATTLOID MODE:

The VF/A-4 can attain a top speed of 80mph while running.

FLYING IN AN ATMOSPHERE:

Mach 4.22+ (2828mph/ kph) max speed at 10,000 meters or less above sea level. Mach 6.35+ (4255mph/ kph) max speed at 10,000-30,000 meters above sea level. The VF/A-4 is fully transatmospheric and can attain orbital velocity above an Earth-type planet under its own power.

MAX ENGINE THRUST:

12,600 kg x2 from main engines. 6,400 kg x2 from secondary thrusters.

STATISTICAL DATA:

HEIGHT:

45.5 ft (13.76 m) in soldier mode.

24.3 ft (7.34 m) in gerwalk mode.

12.3 ft (3.72 m) in fighter mode.

WIDTH:

16.5 ft (5.00 m) in soldier mode.

47.1 ft (14.28 m) in gerwalk or fighter configuration (max wingspan).

LENGTH:

14.8 ft (4.48 m) in soldier mode.

28.3 ft (8.58 m) in gerwalk mode.

49.2 ft (14.92 m) in fighter mode.

WEIGHT:

15,330 kg (16.9 tons)

PHYSICAL STRENGTH:

Equal to a P.S. of 60

CARGO:

Small compartment behind pilot's seat for personal belongings.

POWER PLANT:

Two Shinnakasu/Pratt & Whitney/Rolls Royce FF-2201 thermonuclear turbine engines. Several Pratt & Whitney HMM-1A high-maneuverability vernier thrusters at key locations along the VF/A-4's hull for added mobility.

COMPATIBLE FAST PACKS:

Dorsal: NP-BP-01, NP-BP-02, NR-BP-T1, NR-BP-E2, NP-BP-10

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

1. LARGE-CALIBER HIGH POWERED BEAM CANNONS: The main weapon of the VF/A-4 Lightning III is a pair of high-power beam cannons mounted on the engine nacelles of the aircraft. The cannons can be fired together or individually, and are fed directly from the power generated by the new FF-2201 engines. The cannons are slightly adjustable and can be aimed to fire anywhere in a 30 degree arc in front of the aircraft. In gerwalk and soldier modes the beam cannons are mounted on the backs of the mecha's arms, and can be fired in any direction the arms are pointing.
• PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault
• SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Aircraft
• RANGE: 4000 feet (1200 m)
• DAMAGE: 1D6x10 M.D. per blast, 2D6x10 M.D. per pulse
• RATE OF FIRE: Equal to the pilot's combined number of attacks. Cannons may be fired separately or linked together (both blasts count as one attack.
• PAYLOAD: Effectively Unlimited.
2. QUAD LIGHT LASER CANNONS: These are standard light nose lasers, similar to those mounted in the VF-1 Valkyrie.  They are primarily used for the anti-aircraft purpose, though they serve as light anti-armor weapons just as nicely.
• PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-Aircraft
• SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Armor
• RANGE: 4000 feet (1200 m)
• DAMAGE: 3D4 each, 1D4x10+10 for all four fired at once
• RATE OF FIRE: Equal to the pilot's combined number of attacks.
• PAYLOAD: Effectively Unlimited.

 
3. BODY/WING HARD POINTS: The VF/A-4 is also equipped with six fixed hard points for missile loads and other ordinance. One hard point is mounted on each wing of the aircraft and four are mounted under the main body. These hard points can be used to hold a variety of different ordinance types, including long or medium range missiles. One long range or 3 medium range missiles can be mounted per hard point. Usually long range missiles are used.
• LONG RANGE MISSILES
• Primary Purpose: Heavy Assault
• Secondary Purpose: Anti-Spacecraft
• Missile Types: Any type of UN Spacy Long Range Missile can be used.
• Range: Varies with missile type.
• Damage: Varies with missile type.
• Rate of Fire: One to six (all) missiles.
• Payload: One per hardpoint; 6 maximum.
• MEDIUM RANGE MISSILES
• Primary Purpose: Assault
• Secondary Purpose: Anti-Mecha
• Missile Types: Any type of UN Spacy Medium Range Missile can be used.
• Range: Varies with missile type.
• Damage: Varies with missile type.
• Rate of Fire: 1-3 missiles per hardpoint.
• Payload: Three per hardpoint; up to 18 maximum.
• SHORT RANGE MISSILES
• Primary Purpose: Assault
• Secondary Purpose: Anti-Mecha
• Missile Types: Any type of UN Spacy Short Range Missile can be used.
• Range: Varies with missile type.
• Damage: Varies with missile type.
• Rate of Fire: 1-5 missiles per hard point.
• Payload: Five per hard point; up to 30 maximum.
• MINI MISSILES
• Primary Purpose: Anti-Mecha
• Secondary Purpose: Anti-Mecha
• Missile Types: Any type of UN Spacy Mini Missile can be used.
• Range: Varies with missile type.
• Damage: Varies with missile type.
• Rate of Fire: 1-5 missiles per hard point.
• Payload: 15 per hard point; up to 90 maximum.
4. WING TIP HARD POINTS: Both wing tips on the VF/A-4 are equipped with an LRM hard point.
• LONG RANGE MISSILES
• Primary Purpose: Heavy Assault
• Secondary Purpose: Anti-Spacecraft
• Missile Types: Any type of UN Spacy Long Range Missile can be used.
• Range: Varies with missile type.
• Damage: Varies with missile type.
• Rate of Fire: One or both missiles.
• Payload: One per hard point; 2 maximum.
5. LU-5 LASER GUN POD: The LU-5 gun pod is a medium laser rifle. These gun pods mount to the sides of the engines, allowing space for more ordinance.  It uses charged capacitors for clips.
• PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault
• SECONDARY PURPOSE: Defense
• RANGE: 6000 feet 
• DAMAGE: 1D4x10 M.D. per blast.
• RATE OF FIRE: Equal to the number of combined attacks of the pilot.
• PAYLOAD: 100 shots per charged capacitor. One spare capacitor is stored in each leg of the mecha.
6. HAND TO HAND COMBAT: If necessary, the pilot of the VF/A-4 can engage in melee combat rather than use a weapon. The Lightning 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:

• Restrained Punch: 1D4 M.D.
• Full Strength Punch: 2D4 M.D.
• "Booster" Punch: 3D4 M.D. (counts as two attacks)
• Tear or Pry with Hands: 1D4 M.D.
• Kick: 1D6 M.D.
• Leap Kick: 2D6 M.D.
• Body Flip/Throw: 1D4 M.D.
• Body Block/Tackle: 1D6 M.D.
• Stomp: 1D6 M.D. (only effective against small objects)

STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE VF/A-4:

• AUTO-PILOT: The VF/A-4 is equipped with a computerized auto-pilot, allowing the pilot to relax or even sleep during long voyages. The auto- pilot can be programmed with a single destination or a complex flight plan involving multiple speeds, directions, and destinations. The onboard computer will alert the pilot when the fighter is near its destination, and can also be set to automatically signal when sensors detect objects near the mecha. The auto-pilot was designed with long intra-system space journeys in mind.
• COMBAT COMPUTER W/HUD DISPLAYS: The VF/A-4 is equipped with a combat computer that can store and analyze data during combat with hostile forces. Data readouts and stats can be displayed either on the cockpit's HUD display or on the dashboard monitors of the aircraft. The combat computer tracks and identifies specific enemy targets, and has a database of over 1,000 images stored in memory. The computer can identify and track up to 75 targets simultaneously.
• EXTERNAL AUDIO PICKUP: Range: 300 ft (91.5 m). A sound amplification system that can pick up normal conversation up to 300 feet away.
• HEAT AND RADIATION SHIELDS: Special shielding prevents the penetration of life threatening heat and radiation. A radiation detection and alarm system are linked with the shields and will sound an alarm if there is a rupture in the shields and what the levels of radiation are.
• HOMING SIGNAL: The VF/A-4 is equipped with a homing device that enables rescue teams to locate a disabled craft or ejected life pod. The range of the signal is 300 miles (480 km). Most UN Spacy ships and variable fighters can locate and track homing signals, and the onboard computers will automatically notify their pilots if such a signal is detected.
• LASER TARGETING SYSTEM: Range: 100 miles (160 km). Used for increased accuracy in the striking of enemy targets and is partly responsible for the mecha's strike bonus.
• LOUDSPEAKER: A loudspeaker system is built into the craft, which can be used to amplify the pilot's voice up to 90 decibels.
• OPTICS: INFRARED: Range: 2000 feet (610 m). This optical system projects a beam of infrared light that is invisible to the normal eye, but detectable by the mecha's sensors. The system allows the pilot to detect hidden/concealed objects by their IR reflectiveness. The beam will be visible to anyone with IR sensitive optics, however.
• OPTICS: NIGHTVISION: Range: 2000 feet (610 m). A passive light image intensifier that emits no light of its own, but relies on ambient light which is electronically amplified to produce a visible picture.
• OPTICS: THERMAL IMAGER: Range: 2000 feet (610 m). A passive optical heat sensor that detects infrared radiation projected by warm objects and converts that data into a false-color visible image. The system enables the pilot to see in the dark, in shadows, and through smoke, and also adds a +10% bonus to pilots using a tracking skill.
• RADAR: 200 mile (321 km) range.
• RADIO/VIDEO COMMUNICATION: Long range, directional communications system with satellite relay capabilities. Range: 600 miles (960 km) or can be boosted indefinitely via satellite relay.
• SELF-DESTRUCT: To prevent capture of a variable fighter by the enemy, the pilot can activate the VF/A-4's self-destruct system, which will cause the fighter to explode after a delay of up to 60 minutes (time is set by the pilot). The explosive damage is contained within a 20 foot (6 m) area and inflicts 1D6x10 M.D. to everything within the radius of the explosion. All internal systems are obliterated.
• STANDARD SURVIVAL KIT: All UN Spacy VFs come equipped with a portable survival kit. Inside the small reinforced box is a medium-sized flashlight, two hand flares, one rocket flare, a compass, infrared distancing binoculars, a small mirror, a pocket knife, dehydrated and concentrated food (can be stretched into a five day supply for one person) and basic first aid items (aspirin, bandages, disinfectants, etc.)
• TACTICAL LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM: The VF/A-4's cockpit is pressurized, and also provides additional air feeds to the pilot's flight suit that provides him with pressurized breathing. The UN Spacy flight suit also contains an upper and lower g-suit that promotes blood circulation even during high-g turns, thus decreasing the possibility of pilot blacking out in combat.

COMBAT BONUSES FOR LIGHTNING III VARIABLE FIGHTER TRAINING:

BASIC VARIABLE FIGHTER COMBAT TRAINING

• Basic training for non-pilot military personnel.
• 1 attack per melee (plus those of the pilot).
• Add one additional action/attack at levels three, nine, and fifteen.
• +1 to strike.
• +1 to parry
• +1 to dodge in soldier mode, +2 in gerwalk, +4 in jet mode.
• +1 to roll with a punch or move with an impact, reducing damage by half.
• No leap dodge.
• No leap kick.
• Critical strike same as pilot's hand-to-hand.
• Body block/tackle/ram - 1D6 M.D. plus a 50% chance of knocking an opponent down, causing him to loose initiative and one attack that melee round.

• Advanced training for military pilots and mecha specialists.
• 3 attacks per melee (plus those of the pilot).
• Add one additional action/attack at levels three, six, eleven, and fifteen.
• +1 on initiative.
• +3 to strike.
• +3 to parry
• +3 to dodge in solder mode, +5 in gerwalk, +7 in jet mode.
• +3 to roll with a punch or move with an impact, reducing damage by half.
• Critical strike same as pilot's hand-to-hand.
• Body block/tackle/ram - 1D6 M.D. plus a 50% chance of knocking an opponent down, causing him to loose initiative and one attack that melee round.

REFERENCES USED IN THIS DESIGN

• "Doe's All The Worlds' Mecha Guide: Stonewell Bellcom VF-4 Lightning III Entry"
• Mediax Mook 53: Macross Digital Mission VF-X
• Macross Flashback 2012
• MECHA PRESS Issue #7, "History of the Variable Fighter", by Dominique Durocher