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| By AARON SKETCHLEY (aaronsketch@HOTdelete_thisMAIL.com) | Ver 1.2 2013.03.29 |
| Mechanic: Zero UN 03A: VF-0D Phoenix |
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VF-0D Phoenix: a derivative of the VF-0 with enhanced attack abilities
Aircraft Explanation
This VF-0D is In the experimental Variable Fighter (VF) VF-0 Phoenix series. It is a specification developed for attack abilities that exceeds those of the VF-0A (A model) and VF-0S (S model). This aircraft was designed with strengthened electronic warfare abilities, payload increases and high-manoeuvrability dogfighting abilities that are more than those of the A model. The VF-0D uses a characteristic structure, the cross-coupled delta (compound delta wing), which is a combination of canards and a clipped delta wing. As a result, the airframe characteristics are greatly changed from the swing-wing type A model, and it has an improvement in payload and cruising range. Compared to the A and S models, the D model is a strong airframe that has the character of an attack craft. In addition, the D model that has had a blue-based colouring applied to it is known as the craft that Kudou Shin and Edgar Lasalle boarded.
Main Pilots: Kudou Shin, Edgar LaSalle
Data *data is for when it's in fighter form
Length: 18.69 m
Weight: 16,805 kg
Engine: EGF-127 Turbofan Jet Kai x2 (main engines), Shinnakasu ARR-2 Rocket Motor x3 (auxiliary engines)
Maximum Speed: Mach 2.62+ (at 10,000 m)
Cruising Range: 2,400 km (when equipped with the dorsal conformal tank standard equipment)
Climbing Limit: 26,500 m
Armament:
- Fixed Armament: Mauler Co. made Laser Machine-Gun x1
- Standard Armament: 35 mm Gatling Gun Pod (Howard GPU-9), AMRAAM2 Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (Raytheon-Bifors AIM-200AI/ALH Guided) (maximum of 12 can be loaded), 8-tube All-Purpose Micro-Missile Launcher (GH-28A), Other
Development Genealogical Chart: VF-0A > VF-0D
Size Comparison: VF-1J, VF-0D
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Standard Equipment
The standard armaments of the D model are the same as the other VF-0, with the head laser machine gun and 35 mm Gatling gun pod used as the standard ones. However, the D model has a maximum payload increase of about 20% more than that of the A and S models, and it excelled in its armament loading ability. For that reason, there were many cases where the VF-0D was also equipped with the GH-28A 8-tube all-purpose micro-missile launcher.
Caption: There were concerns that the VF-0 would stall and crash because of the large recoil of the GPU-9 Gun Pod, the same main armament as the A and S models.
Caption: The D model has 1 head laser machine gun, the same as the A model, and it was used even in the underwater battle with the Octos.
Caption: Shin's craft firing missiles mounted onto the underside of the wings. It is equipped with standard air-to-air missiles.
Cockpit
The D model became a two-seater at the insistence of the Unified Forces because it has enhanced attack and electronic warfare abilities. The Unified Forces had said that it was impossible for a single-seater to manifest satisfactory performance. However, the development team hypothesized that it was possible for even the single-seater to have satisfactory performance by equipping it with an integrated flight, attack and navigation assisting AI after the VF-0 was mass-produced.
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Fighter Mode
One of the concepts of the D model is that it has high manoeuvrability in low-speed areas when in Fighter form. For that reason, this aircraft limits the wing-surface loading by adopting the large clipped-delta wing area, which realized a large improvement in manoeuvrability in the subsonic speed region. In addition, while it's maximum speed is slightly inferior to that of the A and S models, the D model surpasses them in climbing capabilities and cruising range. As the D model has surplus capacity within the airframe, it also excels in cruising range, as it's fuel-fraction is near 25% (the A and S models are under 20%).
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Right: When in GERWALK, the main wings can be swept back about 10 degrees more than when cruising in Fighter.
Battroid Mode
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Caption: Shin's craft fought underwater in "Silent Mode", which operated using only the electric power in the capacitors.
Related Matter: the relationship between the A and S models
The D model was developed as a competitor to the A model, and at the time that they were invested into combat, 18 two-seater and 6 single-seater had been produced. Also, it's said that the single-seater was tested as the VF-0C (C model) due to the request of the Marine Corps, who were worried about the deterioration of their existing craft.
VF-0S
The S model was an improved aircraft with a higher (material) quality than the A model, and 4 seem to have been produced. When compared to the D model, such things as the S model's performance and relationship are approximately the same as the A model.
Caption: Although the S model has only slightly higher performance than the A model, it proved its worth when combined with excellent pilots.
VF-0A
The craft that is generally known as the the VF-0; it's said that a total of 30 were produced. Contrary to the aforementioned C model, it's said that a two-seater B model was made for trial purposes.
Caption: Although the VF-0A was forced to fight hard by the SV-51 in combat, in the end, the style of the A model became the main lines of all VFs.