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By AARON SKETCHLEY (aaronsketch@HOTdelete_thisMAIL.com) Ver 2.2 2016.02.10

Official Setting information is in darkgreen. Extended Universe information is in steelblue.

VE-1 ELINT Seeker

BACKGROUND

The VE-1 is a one or two-seater space early-warning control (AWACS) craft, manufactured by licensee Shinnakasu Heavy Industry and Bifors, and is the direct successor of the VF-1G [VEFR-1 Electronic Warfare Valkyrie]. It is one of the reconnaissance devices that was deployed after the great war. Intelligence gathering is carried out with composite detection equipment, such as the internal sensors and cameras installed in the lower part of the nose radome. The VE-1 can operate equipment for various enemy search operations and it's exterior differs depending on the period and the operation. In 2012, in addition to fleet conforming early-warning missions and such things as reconnaissance electronic warfare, the VE-1 was also used for such things as the central control craft of the Ghost series unmanned fighters. The VE-1, represented by the rotodome unit, became the "eyes" of such things as fleets and bases as an airborne warning and control system craft because of it's strengthened enemy search abilities.
The VT-1 along with the VE-1 ELINT Seeker, are the two-seater specification types in the VF-1 series. A number of improvements are seen in crew survivability in space in the VT-1 and VE-1 over the VF-1D, which was the model-conversion trainer in the initial period of the VF-1's deployment and had the same two-seater type nose block. Specifically, the cockpit specifications have changed to 3MCCS-2, which was able to enhance the capacity of such things as the emergency power supply and oxygen tank by about 15%. The first generation VT-1 and VE-1 that were produced by the Block 6 order in mid-2009 are the first VF-1 to have adopted this new cockpit specification.
Though the design of the airframe itself follows that of the VT-1 Ostrich, before the First Interstellar War the VE-1 was the only Valkyrie that had the wiring system necessary to drive the enemy search electronics. After the war, because the production number of both the VE-1 and VT-1 by themselves is small, the production lines are assumed to be roughly in-common. So they were both produced with specifications that they can be operated as an electronic warfare craft.
As a direct combat strength is rarely needed in the roles the VE-1 is assigned to, it is known to have been kept in use without model updates to newly produced craft. Also, because there are a lot of skilled rear-seat operators, the VE-1 was found to be more useful than newly produced craft combined with newcomers in reconnaissance missions, and there are a lot of carriers with a force that mixes 1 or 2 VE-1 into a surveillance squadron composed of VF-4. As demands for a modernization improvement were submitted by units that possessed prewar airframes, an update that corresponds to the P model which was based on the "Sleipnir Plan" was applied to a total of 12 craft. It is said that about half of the VE-1 in active service in 2030 include this update.
The VE-1 ELINT Seeker isn't merely an EWACS craft by such things as its avionics and program modifications. It has enhanced abilities as an electronic warfare and control craft. In the later half of the 2020's, the two-seater type VE-1 is not only the original airborne early warning craft, but the breadth of its all-purposefulness is shown again in it being assigned to such roles as attack craft, reconnaissance craft and forward control craft. As of 2030, the VE-1 is used as a forward control craft. Because the forward control craft observes while separated from the progress of the battle (however at a closer position than the mother-ship), it is the craft that plays the role of sending pertinent instructions to friendly craft in its area. A special qualified person (a forward air controller) who can carry out such things as target designation, command control, and judge the effectiveness of attacks boards the craft in the rear seat.
The VE-1 assigned to such roles as attack craft and forward air control craft had their vertical stabilizers exchanged for normal sized ones. When the airframes received remodelling to an attack craft specification, such things as the head turret, main wings and tails were exchanged for A model equipment (corresponding to Block 12).
122* VT-1 were produced in total; 60 in Block 6 (mid 2008), 40 in Block 10 (mid 2010) and 22 in Block 13 (2012).

*Not including VT-1 that were produced after the mass-production of the VF-1 ceases in 2013.


Vehicle Type: All-regime Early Warning and Electronic Warfare Variable Fighter and tactical combat Battroid
Class: Variable Vehicles
Crew: one or two seater, with crew in Marty & Beck Mk-7 Kai zero/zero ejection seats.
Manufacturer: Shinnakasu Heavy Industry and Bifors
Government: Unified Government

Customer: Unified Space Air Force and Space Forces

Variants:


MDC BY LOCATION:

Location MDC Location MDC
Head
Arms (2)
Hands (2)
Legs & Thrusters (2)
(1) Main Body
(2) Pilot Compartment/Escape Pod
Main Wings (2)
Tails (2)
60
90 each
30 each
180 each
340
200
100 each
45 each
Radome
Camera Pod
GU-11 Gun Pod
(3) NR-BP-E2 Rocket Booster Packs (2)
(3)(4) Tail unit booster
(3) NR-FS-E3 & CTB-04 Leg Packs (2)
(3) NR-SR-E3 & NR-SL-E3 Arm Pods (2)
100
85
100
100 each
45
125 each
50 each


SPEEDS:

Battroid: GERWALK: Fighter:
  • RUNNING: 160 kmph
  • LEAPING: 9 m high or 15.2 m long without thrusters
  • FLYING: 500 kmph
  • RUNNING: 100 kmph
  • FLYING: 500 kmph
  • FLYING: Mach 2.71+ at 10,000 m, Mach 3.87 at 30,000 and higher above sea level (fighter mode); +20% to maximum speed (with FAST packs).
  • MAXIMUM RATE OF ASCENT: 15,000 m/minute
  • CEILING: satellite orbit (when using a booster)

  • All Modes:
  • CRUISING RANGE: virtually unlimited within an atmosphere The VE-1 is able to reach the edge of space over an Earth-sized planet. However, it burns through almost all of its fuel load in the process. Thereafter, the VE-1 is ineffective for combat maneuvers and it should proceed to a refueling station as soon as possible.
  • VTOL CAPABILITY: in GERWALK and battroid modes. Max hovering time using 13,000 kg x2 thrust: 70 seconds; using 11,500 kg x2 thrust: 420 seconds.
  • G limit: +7 (in space)
  • OPERATIONAL UNDERWATER DEPTH: 100 m (Battroid & GERWALK modes).
  • OPTIONAL: Atmospheric-escape Booster system with enough fuel for one trip to orbit. Must be ejected once used.


    STATISTICAL DATA:

    HEIGHT: WIDTH: LENGTH:
  • Battroid: 12.68 m
  • GERWALK: 8.7 m
  • Fighter: 3.84 m [2.85 m], 5.5 m with FAST pack system
  • Battroid: 7.3 m
  • GERWALK & Fighter: 14.78 m
    (wings at maximum extension)
  • Battroid: 4 m
  • GERWALK: 11.3 m
  • Fighter: 14.78 m; 13.9 m (with FAST Pack system); 18.9 m (with atmospheric-escape booster system)

  • EMPTY MASS: 13,250 kg; 19,200 kg (with FAST Pack system)
    STANDARD T-O MASS: 18,500 kg; 45,000 kg (with FAST Pack system)
    MAX T-O MASS: 37,000 kg; 72,000 kg (with FAST Pack system)
    Max propellant capacity: 11,000 kg (FAST Pack system)
    Standard operational mass: 37,100 kg
    Standard liftoff mass: 120,500 kg (with atmospheric-escape booster system)

    PHYSICAL STRENGTH: equal to a PS of 50.
    CARGO: small compartment behind pilot's seat for personal belongings.

    POWER PLANT: two Shinnakasu Heavy Industry/P&W/Royce FF-2001 thermonuclear reaction turbine engines, each rated at 11,500 kg class (23,000 kg in over boost) and 650 MW in generation power. Single-axis thrust vectoring and rectangular underfuselage air intakes with retractable shutter in battroid mode or space use.
    Engines generate 17,680 PS during ground combat, or 956 PS/t with standard take-off mass.

    Three liquid rocket boosters, each rated at 8,520 kg, in GERWALK and Battroid modes.
    Option of an atmospheric-escape booster system with four 22,500 kg conventional rocket engines, or Shinnakasu Heavy Industry FAST Pack space booster system with two P&H+EF-2001 120,000 kg conventional rocket engines (for 150 seconds at maximum thrust.)


    DEFENSIVE SYSTEMS

    1. ACTIVE STEALTH: the VE-1 is equipped with the initial active stealth mechanism. Refer to Active Stealth Systems - 1st Generation for details.
    2. ENERGY CONVERSION ARMOUR: the VE-1 incorporates Overtechnology using AWAG/RA 105 SWAG energy converting armour system, the VE-1 can employ surplus power to triple the fighter mode's armour strength in battroid mode. Optional rule: consider the VF's main body as the strengthened armour, and divide it by 3 for the fighter mode's armour strenth.
    3. IDECM (Integrated Defensive Electronic CounterMeasures): refer to IDECM for details.
    1. RETRACTABLE EC (Electronic Countermeasures) ANTENNA: refer to AN/ALQ-131(V) for details.
    2. COUNTERMEASURE DISPENSERS: a combined chaff, flare and smoke discharger useable in all modes. Refer to Chaff/Flare/Smoke Discharger System for details.
    4. HEAT AND RADIATION SHIELDS: refer to Heat And Radiation Shields for details.
    5. EJECTOR SEAT/S w/ ANTI-G MECHANISM & HOMING SIGNAL: refer to Ejector Seat, Transponder and Survival Kit for details.
    1. SEAT ANGLE AND VITAL POINT STIMULATION: refer to Anti-G Mechanism: Seat Angle and Vital Point Stimulation for details.
    2. CANOPY WITH RETRACTABLE SHIELD: for battroid mode use.
    6. SELF-DESTRUCT: to prevent capture of a vehicle by the enemy, the pilot can activate the self-destruct system, which will cause the fighter to explode and obliterate all internal systems.


    ARMAMENTS

    NOTE: The VE-1 normally carries no armament.

    1a. ENHANCED HEAD-MOUNTED HYBRID SENSOR/TV CAMERA SYSTEM

    The standard hybrid sensor/TV camera system mounted in the head turret in battroid mode has been replaced with an enhanced system. Unless otherwise noted, refer to Avionics for details.

    1b. MAULER ROV-20 ANTI-AIRCRAFT LASER GUN:

    When VE-1 receive remodelling to an attack craft specification, the head turret is exchanged for A model equipment (corresponding to Block 12). One fixed laser gun firing 6,000 pulses per minute. The gun is mounted on the head turret in battroid mode with a 360° horizontal and a 90° vertical arc of fire. In fighter and GERWALK modes, it is mounted under the nose pointed and fixed forward with a -90° vertical arc of fire. The head can be deployed for a 270° horizontal arc of fire.


    2a. GCU-M1 CAMERA POD:

    The camera pod is the standard issue for the VF-1 ELINT Seeker. The large camera pod has a super long range filming function, the equal of any reconnaissance craft. The camera pod has an extremely high anti-[electro-magnetic] pulse ability, and the internal data can surely be protected, even from the point-blank explosion of a reaction shell.

    The pod itself is protected by an energy conversion armour shell, and even though the pod is usually operated by an energy supply from the Valkyrie, in an emergency it can develop the armour for 180 seconds from an internal battery. While covering such things such as guerrilla and Zentraadi attacks, this energy conversion armour developing pod can also get out of crises where it is struck, because it is extremely solid.

    The camera pod provides capability for the ELINT Seeker to conduct a variety of reconnaissance tasking, including mapping, pre- and post-strike bomb damage assessment, standoff oblique photography and ship surveillance. Thecamera pod also enhances upon the optical systems mounted in the head turret. Unless otherwise noted, refer to Avionics for details.

    2b. GU-11 55mm TRI-BARREL GUN POD:

    The GU-11 gun pod is used when VE-1 receive remodelling to an attack craft specification. With a rate of fire of 1,200 rounds per minute, the gun pod can expend its entire magazine within seconds.


    3. Wing Hard Points (4)

    Even though forward control craft are assumed to be conducting themselves in a dominant position that is difficult to be attacked directly, they carry armaments for self-defence, such as micro-missile pods. There are 2 pivoting hardpoints on the underside of each main wing, for a total of 4. The VE-1 can mount a combination of missiles or missiles and missile-launchers.
    All hardpoints are capable of mounting most former United States/NATO standard aviation weaponry. Refer to Missiles FCS 10's for further details, and Missiles & FCS Basics for alternatives.

    Note: the wings can be deployed in battroid mode, allowing hardpoint ordinance to be used.


    4. HAND TO HAND COMBAT

    If necessary, the pilot of the VE-1 can engage in melee combat rather than use a weapon. The VE-1 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: 4D6 M.D.
  • "Booster" Punch: 1D4x10 M.D. (counts as two attacks)
  • Tear or Pry with Hands: 1D6 M.D. + additional ripping and frame damage.
  • Kick: 4D6 M.D.
  • Leap Kick: 2D6x10 M.D. (counts as two attacks)
  • Body Flip/Throw: 2D6 M.D.
  • Body Block/Tackle: 2D6 M.D.
  • Stomp: 1D6x10 M.D. (only effective against small objects. Some may be instantly destroyed.)

  • OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT (SUPER PARTS)

    The VE-1 is equipped with an exclusive FAST pack for outer space use with an increased propellant capacity. Normally equipped with Shinnakasu Heavy IndustryNR-BP-E3 Rocket Booster Packs equipped with Early Warning and Electronic Warfare equipment with enlarged propellant tanks and no missile pods, NR-FS-E3 conformal tanks, and NR-SR-E3 (right) and NR-SL-E3 (left) arm-mounted containers with no micro-missiles; with Bifors cooperating in the development of the electronics equipment.

    These FAST packs are usually only used in space and suffer full penalties when used in an atmosphere due to their lack of aerodynamics.

    1. NR-BP-E3 DORSAL BOOSTER PODS:

    The VE-1's main enemy search unit is the rotodome which is installed in the dorsal NR-BP-E3 Booster Packs, and has an APS-201 radar built into it. The pods contain six vernier engines for enhanced mobility in space. A rotary radome is mounted above the packs attached directly to the tail section. The telemetry can be transmitted to high-ranking operations centres such as mother-ships. The radome can be jettisoned if necessary.


    2. NR-SR-E3/NR-SL-E3 FAST ARM CONTAINER UNITS

    The NR-SR-E3 (right) and NR-SL-E3 (left) arm-mounted containers are equipped with various kinds of HF, VHF and VLF communications relay antenna, and are used for communication with high-ranking operations centres such as mother-ships.
      1. COMMUNICATION RELAY ANTENNA
      Various kinds of HF, VHF and VLF antenna.
    • RANGE - Communication: 3,000 km (initial 1,200 km). Communication can be boosted indefinitely via satellite relay.
    • RANGE - ECM & ECCM: effectively doubles the base range (E.g.: 350 km becomes 700 km).
      2. ECM & ECCM CONTAINERS
      A maximum of two (2) devices per arm. Optional ECM devices:
    • AN/ALQ-167 EW Training Pods
    • ALQ-192 Communication Jamming Device
    • Additional Frequency Band Pod: can be mounted internally or on the wing hardpoints.
    • ALQ-199 Tactical Noise Jamming Device
    • ALQ-200 Multi-Band Track Breaker
    • AN/ALQ-218 Tactical Jamming Receiver


    3. NR-FS-E3 LEG PACKS and CTB-04 CONFORMAL PROPELLANT TANKS:

    Provide the extra fuel and coolant needed by the NR-BP-E3 FAST pack boosters to operate for extended periods of time. They included additional vernier jets for better maneuverability in space and side surveillance radar systems.


    4. OTHER FAST PACKS

    Other packs are possible, but they are reserved for the specialized VF-1 Valkyrie that the were developed for. See the VF-1 Valkyrie stats for more combat FAST pack options.


    AVIONICS

    Unless otherwise noted, refer to Avionics for details.
  • AOA DETECTOR
  • EXTERNAL AUDIO PICKUP
  • RADIO/VIDEO COMMUNICATION: Range: 960 km.
    • IFF/UHF DATALINK ANTENNA
    • RETRACTABLE EC (Electronic Countermeasures) ANTENNA
    • TACAN (Tactical Air Navigation Antenna)/UHF ANTENNA
    • UHF ANTENNA
    • VHF ANTENNA

    Head turret:
    In addition to the following, it contains the laser gun aiming system and guide laser oscillator mechanism.
  • AUXILLARY RADAR (VF-1S only): RANGE: 32+ km, 15 m to 8,100 m.
  • LASER TARGETING SYSTEM: RANGE: 12,192 m (vertical).
  • OPTICS - HYBRID SENSOR/TV CAMERA SYSTEM
  • OPTICS - REAR PERISCOPE

    Forearms:
  • HYBRID SENSORS
  • Nosecone:
  • AWG-20 RADAR: See AWG-20 for details.
    • RANGE: active: 370 km search range, 280 km lock-on fighter sized vehicles.
    • HEIGHT: 24,385 m to small moving targets near or on the ground not obscured by foliage.
    • TWS: 24 targets, engage up to 6 at the same time; ACM: 18 targets.
    Note: VF-1 produced or modified in the 20's may be equipped with an APG-997.
  • BALANCE CONTROLLER
  • FCS (Fire Control System): the VF-1's FCS is an all regimes type weapon control system. It has only limited air-to-ground capabilities.
  • INERTIAL NAVIGATION SYSTEM (AUTOPILOT)

    Sensor Blisters:
    Originally reverse thrusters on the early period VF-1.
  • LASER MARKER & LASER SPOT TRACKER
  • OPTICS - FIXED INFRARED SENSOR and MULTI-BAND OPTICAL SENSOR
  • OPTICS - TACS (Tactical Airborne Camera System)

    Wings:
  • WINGTIP DETECTION SYSTEM: detects the proximity of objects; whether they be other VFs in formation flying, or the walls of a hanger. Range: 25 m.

  • OTHER SYSTEMS

    Unless otherwise noted, refer to Other Systems for details.


    COMBAT BONUSES FOR VF-1 VALKYRIE TRAINING

    If the VE-1 Valkyrie has FAST packs, they provide the following bonuses:
    BASIC COMBAT TRAINING for non-pilot military personnel
    • +1 attack per melee (plus those of the pilot). +1 additional attack at levels 3, 9, and 15.
    • +0 initiative
    • +1 to strike.
    • +1 to parry
    • +1 to dodge in battroid mode, +2 in GERWALK, +4 in fighter mode.
    • +1 to roll with a punch or fall with an impact, reducing damage by half.
    • Tilt Dodge Modifier (applied to the regular dodge bonus for the mode the VF is in): -5.
    • 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 lose initiative and one attack that melee round.
    ADVANCED COMBAT TRAINING for military pilots and mecha specialists.
    • +3 attacks per melee (plus those of the pilot). +1 additional attack at levels 3, 6, 11, and 15.
    • +1 initiative
    • +2 to strike
    • +3 to parry
    • +2 to dodge in battroid mode, +3 in GERWALK, +5 in fighter mode.
    • +3 to roll with a punch or fall with an impact, reducing damage by half.
    • Tilt Dodge Modifier (applied to the regular dodge bonus for the mode the VF is in): -5.
    • 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
  • Palladium Books Game Engine and MDC Rules
  • Macross Chronicle
  • Variable Fighter Master File: VF-1 Valkyrie
  • Variable Fighter Master File: VF-1 Valkyrie Space Wings
  • The Macross Compendium VF-1 article

  • © Aaron Sketchley
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