| Sketchley's Translations Main Index | Macross Portal |
| By AARON SKETCHLEY (aaronsketch@HOTdelete_thisMAIL.com) | Ver 1.0 2013.05.24 |
| Technology 01D: Variable Fighter |
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Illustrated by Tomotake Kinoshita
Caption: The VFs, which are patterned on endo-atmospheric fighter aircraft, also inherited the armaments of fighter aircraft and abundantly developed them. Missiles are representative of that, and have been improved in such ways as micronization and internalization, due to the trend of placing importance on the stealthiness of a VF.
Variable Fighter:
The Guided Weapons, "Missiles", Whose High-Performance Was Improved At The Same Time As The VFs
The typical VF armaments can be generally classified as gun pods, which are hand-held machine-guns, the so-called beam weapons, such as the laser machine-guns, and missiles, which are guided missiles. Above all else, new types and forms of missiles were produced accompanying the evolution of the VF, despite having followed in the footsteps of those for fighter aircraft. Missiles, which were rapidly advanced after World War II, had various pursuit and guidance systems adopted into them and were developed into diverse variations for fighter aircraft, such as anti-aircraft, anti-ground and anti-ship. Above all else, the anti-aircraft missiles that possess such functions as advanced manoeuvrability and pursuit abilities, where the greatest threat to fighter aircraft. However, missiles are not all-purpose armaments. The relative performance of missiles decreased with the advancement of deception devices, such as chaff and flare launchers, and stealth technologies that made it more difficult for radar to catch the target. In addition, the development of the VF, which was brought about by the fall of the ASS-1, worsened the relative performance of missiles.
VFs acquired active stealth abilities at the time of the earliest VF-0 and SV-51. The ASS/PS110, which was built into the VF-0, demonstrated ECM abilities (abilities that oppose electronic warfare)* that, when fully operating, rivalled the dedicated electronic warfare aircraft at the time, and made it difficult to be captured by the radar and radar warning devices that were built into fighter aircraft and by existing active/semi-active radar homing missiles. In other words, only the missiles that used guidance methods such as infrared, laser and TV were effective against VFs. It is one of the reasons why VFs perform visual level short range combat, which makes use of machine-guns, laser machine-guns, and infrared pursuing missiles. More than the possibility of the alien battle armaments having ECM functions equal to the VFs, into which the technology of the ASS-1 had been diverted, the development of anti-active stealth craft missiles was imperative. As a result, the medium range AMRAAM2 (AIM-200A), which has advanced ECCM functions (functions that oppose electronic countermeasures), was developed for the VF-0. Hereafter, the missiles for VFs would evolve at the same time as the VFs evolved.
* Translator's notes: the description of ECM in brackets () was added in the revised edition.
Extra Report: Warships Missiles
Even after the spread of long-range, large-output beam guns, represented by the heavy quantum reaction guns, missiles continued to be loaded aboard space warships. The reasons for this are such things as even at long ranges, where beams curve or are diffused, it's possible to interact with missiles, they are effective as means to project reaction weapons and Dimension Eaters, and they possess advanced multi-target responsive capabilities as ships are equipped with several launch mechanisms.
Caption: The SDF-1 Macross had vertical launch and pop-up style launchers.
Caption: As warship missiles could be easily increased in size, they excelled in range and warhead payload.
Caption: Multi-weapon bays, which could also be called armouries within the fuselage, were adopted from the VF-11, and their enlargement was achieved in the passive stealth valuing VF-17.
Caption: The internalized style of micro-missile launchers were used in the Super Parts for the VF-0. They were built into VF itself from the VF-5000.
Related Matter: Missiles And Launch Mechanisms For Unmanned Craft
Even though micro-missile launchers were optional equipment for VFs at first, there were internal types in the unmanned Ghost series at the time of the QF-2200 series craft in the earliest period. This was the same even in the prototype of the QF-4000: the Ghost X-9; the deployment of the QF-4000 themselves having spread after the 2040's.
Ghost X-9
29 High-Manoeuvrability Missiles were equipped internally in the lower part of the fuselage. The Exo-Atmospheric Super Parts also had internal missile launchers.
Caption: The launcher in the lower part of the fuselage is a type where the hatches slide to the left and right, and the missiles launch vertically. It seems that the mass-production specification QF-4000 also had a similar launcher.
QF-2200D-A
Thermonuclear reaction engines were not installed into the unmanned craft of the earliest period. Their noses were equipped with micro-missile launchers.
Caption: 5 general slit-style launchers were installed in the nose as launch ports. Multi-launch tubes were also installed in the lower part of the fuselage.
The Classification And Mounting Position Of Missiles For VFs
As the VFs evolved, VF missiles also made progress in attaining higher performance. Specifically, there are multipurpose missiles with vast available ranges that can be used for multiple missions, such as anti-air and anti-ground, VF reaction weapons that can destroy a warship in a single blow, micro-missiles that, coincident with their short range, a great number of which could be simultaneously launched, and so on. At first, these missiles were suspended under the main wings and fuselage, like conventional fighter aircraft. However, due to considerations for the balance of the variable mechanism and the aircraft's stealthiness, and the missiles themselves becoming smaller in size with higher performance, the number of cases increased where the missiles were loaded inside the fuselage or in enhancing equipment.
A Under the Main Wings
On top of the few space restrictions, it's possible to load several large missiles and missile pods. Missiles aren't often loaded under the main wings due to the circumstances of the transformation and to avoid a deterioration in stealthiness.
B Inside Enhancing Equipment
Micro-missiles are what are basically the types that are loaded inside enhancing equipment, such as Super Parts and Armoured Packs. Even more missiles might be installed on the outside of the enhancing equipment.
C Internal Micro-Missile Launchers
It is hard to degrade stealthiness with the internal micro-missile launchers. The micro-missiles launch from slit-shaped launch ports.
D Multi-Weapon Bays
The internal weapon armouries are mainly arranged in the side of the engine nacelles, and they don't harm stealthiness. They are fundamentally for missiles, and various types of missiles can be loaded into them.
E The Upper Surface Of The Airframe
Although it is rare, missiles and launchers might be installed on the surface of the airframe. Most of the missiles that are installed there are large models, such as those for mounting under the main wings.
F The Lower Surface Of The Airframe
Missiles and kinds of bombs are installed in the vast space under the airframe, just like they are under the main wings. However, because it is the standard mounting position of the gun pod, the lower surface of the airframe isn't often used for loading missiles.
Micro-Missiles
As short-range, small missiles, which are mainly used at eyesight-level short-ranges, there seems to be many that are heat source pursuing infrared guided and preset guided types. As a great number of missiles can be launched at the same time, their effectiveness is demonstrated in saturation attacks and attacking multiple targets simultaneously. As the missiles themselves are small, it's possible to say that one of their advantages is that a VF can be equipped with a large number of them.
Caption: The initial models, the VF-0's GH-30B and the SV-51's SA-19M, were infrared or infrared imaging guided types. Those guidance types were used by many VFs.
Large Missiles
Micro-missile pods, comparatively large long-range missiles, high-performance ECCM missiles and so on are often loaded under the main wings, in the multi-weapon bays and so on. A lot of the large missile models are greater than medium range, and their guidance systems jointly use such means as TV, infrared, and radar.
Caption: Such missiles as the VF-0's AMRAAM2, the VF-1's AMM-1 Arrow and the the VF-171EX's AAM-05D are representative medium-range anti-aircraft missiles for mounting under the main wings.
Reaction Weapons/Dimension Eaters
Having the largest class of power in the armaments for VFs, the reaction weapons and dimension eaters are mainly used as the warheads of the large anti-ship missiles. Although guidance performance doesn't seem to be necessary due to their great power, it's necessary for them to make pinpoint hits, as their power is restrained when compared with the ones that are loaded aboard warships.
Caption: The RMS-1 for the VF-1 and the ones for the VF-171 are famous. Although they are usually loaded on the main wings and in weapon bays, the VF-171EX is equipped with 4 AVM-11R on its right forearm.
Caption: The missiles always face forward, as even when they are on variable wings, the base of the pylons revolving.
Exposed Missile Models
When VFs are equipped with large missiles that cannot be stored inside pods, they are seen connected with pylons to such things as the main wings. Often, several missiles are loaded onto each pylon.
Caption: Large missiles, represented by reaction weapons, become external types when they are much larger than the limits of the weapon bay.
Multi-Tube Pod/Launcher Models
Multi-tube missile pods/launchers are often suspended on the main wings through pylons. They are mainly for micro-missiles, and as several are installed, it's possible to launch more than 10 missiles at the same time.
Caption: The VF-0 Special Attack Specification is loaded with 4 GH-28A and 2 HAIM-95A multi-tube missile pods.
Internally Loaded Missiles
The missiles that are stored inside the airframe are types that avoid a degradation in stealth performance. They also prevent a deterioration in manoeuvrability, centring on atmospheric manoeuvrability. It's possible to generally classify them into dedicated micro-missile launch mechanisms and multi-weapon bays that have a highly multi-purposefulness.
Caption: The VF-4 used semi-embedded missiles, and internal micro-missile launchers were adopted into the VF-5000.
Internally Loaded Micro-Missile Launchers
With the types that are loaded in micro-missile launch mechanisms inside the airframe, there are many aircraft with 2 to 4 internal launchers. Only the launch port is exposed on the outside of the fuselage, and they feature a limited impact on stealthiness. It's possible to exchange the launch mechanism for other armament packs.
Caption: They are often seen in the VF's of the General Galaxy Company, such as the VF-17 and VF-171 series craft, the VF-22S and the VF-27.
Multi-Weapon Bays
Ordinance magazines within the fuselage, which can store various missiles and armaments, are often installed in the sides of the engine nacelles. By releasing the bay's hatch, it becomes possible to launch the missiles.
Caption: Although micro-missiles are often loaded into them, pending the airframe, large missiles like reaction weapons can also be stowed inside the weapon bay.
Related Matter: Missiles Loaded Into Enhancement Equipment
Super Parts and Armoured Packs are VF enhancing equipment that augment the VF's firepower at the same time as having an eye on improving manoeuvrability and action time, or bullet resistance. The main shaft among these fire power augmentation plans are multiple missile launchers, and in many cases, the enhancement equipment was extended with micro-missile launchers and their affiliated equipment.
Caption: A lot of micro-missile firearms are installed into the entire body of the Armour Pack, which is a heavy armament and heavy armour enhancement equipment.
Right: Armoured Pack
The GBP-1S Armoured Pack for the VF-1. Micro-missile firearms, such as the GH-32 Grenade Crusher, are installed in the entire body, and although they are short range, the armour pack excels in its maximum instantaneous firepower.
Caption: The missile installation method is close to that of a Destroid, with missiles inside the additional armour of the shoulders, chest and legs.
Right: Super Parts
Enhancement equipment that mainly aims at extending a VF's manoeuvrability and action time in space. Internal micro-missile launchers are often installed into them. Bay style launchers have also been observed.
Caption: Micro-missile launchers close to that of the bay style are installed in the VF-25 Super Parts.
Caption: Due to the increases in sophistication of active stealth and ECM, VF combat became something close to that of the dogfights of their fellows, fighter aircraft. The increases became the cause of the spread of short-range missiles, which the Destroids were also extensively equipped with.
Destroid Missiles
Some of the Destroids, which were created as anti-alien humanoid weapons, are normally seen equipped with kinds of missiles. There are many cases, in particular the battle-use MBR (Main Battle Robot) and exo-atmospheric close-range defence-use SDR (Space Defence Robot), where Destroids are equipped with internal launching mechanisms with missiles close to those for the VF's Armour Pack. In addition, the Cheyenne series, which are anti-aircraft defence-use ADR (Anti-Air Defence Robot) are also equipped with missiles. The form of every launcher is the multi-shot style, and it wasn't unusual for the Destroids to be equipped with dozens of missiles.
For the MBR type, as their basic mission is ground-to-ground combat, they seem to be the models that are required to use missiles to attack targets with comparatively low manoeuvrability, or anti-ground missiles. The SDR and ADR types are often loaded with high-manoeuvrability missiles that are suitable for intercepting highly manoeuvrability targets, like the battle pods.
Caption: The HWR-00-MkII Monster was also equipped with 3-tube LSDN-20G Ground-to-Ground Missiles in the arms as support weapons.
MBR-04-MkVI Tomahawk
The Tomahawk is loaded with two 12-shot close-range self-guided rocket launchers, and a 6-shot anti-aircraft guided-missile option pack above the torso. The chest launchers are either the same shape as the Spartan's launchers, or the same model, and the equipment form is close to that of the Armoured Valkyrie's shoulder missile pods.
Caption: A lot of Tomahawk were operated in the "Daedalus Attack", and its effect was achieved by firing all of their missiles in one volley.
Right: 12-Shot Rapid-Fire Close-Range Self-Guided Rocket Launcher
A total of two launchers are built-into the left and right of the chest, and each launcher is filled with 12 guided rockets. They can also launch reaction weapons.
SDR-04-MkXII Phalanx
The Phalanx is the Destroid who's purpose is anti-aircraft defence in outer space. Unlike the Defender, which is equipped with machine guns even though it has the same anti-air mission, the Phalanx is equipped with missile turrets. It has a lot of missiles, with a total number of 44 short-range high-manoeuvrability missiles loaded into it. In order to secure the number of missiles that are loaded into the Phalanx, the entire arm has become the launcher.
Caption: Among the Destroids, they were loaded with the largest number of missiles, and in addition to taking an active part in the defence of the Macross, they were also deployed on land in the postwar period.
Right: 22-Shot Derringer Missile SHiM-SHM-10 Pod
Short-range high-manoeuvrable self-guided missile launchers are in the parts that are equivalent to arms. They were occasionally loaded with tear-gas bombs in order to suppress [people] running wild.