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By AARON SKETCHLEY (aaronsketch@HOTdelete_thisMAIL.com) Ver 1.5 2020.03.13
Official Setting information is in darkgreen. Extended Universe information is in steelblue.

VF-17 Nightmare

BACKGROUND

The VF-17 Nightmare is a special operations Variable Fighter developed by General Galaxy. It was developed as pinpoint attacks on enemy positions was considered to be a difficult task for the current main fighter at the time, the VF-11 Thunderbolt. The VF-17, with standard equipment, even exceeds the combat ability of a VF-11 with Super parts and with various equipment. In addition, as stealth performance was considered important for deployment and active stealth technology had not been developed enough to be applicaple in a practical way to be introduced to the airframe, its external form uses a stealth polyhedron composition. To maintain its stealthy nature, armaments are internalized. The VF-17 has an enlarged body reserved for payload. It has strengthened armor in Battroid equal to that of an Armored Valkyrie (forearm armor is used instead of a shield). In Battroid, the VF-17 has a high dog-fighting capability (the design utilized the development of the knowledge of large-sized units obtained from the VF-14 Vampire). Improvements to Macross 7's Diamond Force units increased output by 20%, and application to other VFs within the fleet were planned. The VF-17 has a conventional digital flight control system. It also has a minimal inclusion of atmospheric control surfaces, as this fighter is primarily designed for space use. There are vertical inward-canted tail surfaces mounted on the lower arm/weapons nacelles. Development of the VF-17 began in 2026. The first flight of the VF-17 was in 2035. Mass Production of the VF-17 began in 2037. Total number of units produced is 718.

RPG STATS

Vehicle Type: Unified Space Forces special operations Variable Fighter and Heavy Battroid
Class: Variable Vehicles
Crew: pilot only; VF-17T and VF-17T Kai have two seats
Manufacturer: General Galaxy
Government: Unified Government

Customer: Unified Space Forces

Design Features: variable-geometry-sweep (VG) wing with sawtooth delta wing standard cruising configuration; forward underwing surface blends with forward fuselage; vertical T-O and landing (VTOL); high maneuverability vernier thrusters in clusters of three strategically placed for maximum maneuverability in space; two-dimensional horizontal thrust vectoring with two independently pivoting exhaust nozzles; pressurized canopy with four individually framed flat-plate windows, including single-piece windscreen. Retractable tricycle undercarriage. Two steerable nosewheels retract rearward into nose and twin coupled mainwheels rearward into fuselage.

Variants:

MDC BY LOCATION:

Location MDC Location MDC
Head Lasers (2 in 17D, 4 in 17S)
(1) Head
Hands (2)
Arms (2)
Shoulders (2)
Legs & Thrusters (2)
25 each
70
40 each
120 each
120 each
240 each
(2) Main Body
Main Wings (2)
Gun Pod
Pilot Compartment/Escape Pod
(3) Dorsal Super Packs (2)
(3) Ventral Super Packs (2)
Optional Radome
350
150 each
120
200
170 each
125 each
80

SPEEDS:

RUNNING, BATTROID: 160 kmph
LEAPING, BATTROID: 9 m high or 15.2 m long without thrusters.

FLYING, FIGHTER: Mach 4.0+ at 10,000 m. Mach 21+ at 30,000 m.
Minimum T-O/Landing run: 0 m (VTOL capable)

The VF-17 is capable of achieving orbit over an Earth-class planet without additional rocket assistance.
Maximum rate of ascent: 42,500 m/minute (VF-17T is 42,000 m/minute).
G limits: +33.5 to -18.0.

NOTE: Super Parts: +20% to maximum speed when flying in a straight line. In addition, unlike the reactant powered thermonuclear engines of Variable Fighters, Super and FAST Packs have a limited fuel reserve. It is up to one’s GM to determine if and when the fuel runs out during the game.

STATISTICAL DATA:

HEIGHT:
Battroid (w/o laser cannons): 15.18 m (VF-17D, 15.82 m VF-17S, 15.65m VF-17T)
GERWALK: under investigation
Fighter: 3.68 m

WIDTH:
Battroid: under investigation
GERWALK & Fighter: 14.18 m (VF-17T is 18.06 m) with wings at maximum extension

LENGTH:
Battroid: under investigation
GERWALK: under investigation
Fighter: 15.63 m (VF-17T is 16.13 m)

MASS: 11,850 kg x2 (VF-17D, VF-17S. 12, 200 kg x2 VF-17T custom)

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

POWER PLANT: two 55,000 kg (maximum thrust in outer space) Shinnakasu Heavy Industry/P&W/Roice FF-2100X thermonuclear turbine engines in VF-17D. Two 59,500 kg class (maximum thrust in outer space) Shinnakasu Heavy Industry/P&W/Roice FF-2100X Custom thermonuclear turbine engines installed in VF-17S and VF-17T Custom. Over 30 P&W HMM-6B (HMM-6D in VF-17T Custom) high-maneuverability vernier thrusters in cluster of three mounted on upper and lower wing tips, vertical stabilizers, both starboard and port side of upper and lower surfaces of the nose, and other strategic points.

DEFENSIVE SYSTEMS

Note: Refer to the VF-11 Thunderbolt for stats unless otherwise noted herein:

1. STEALTH CONSTRUCTION

The VF-17 is designed with special materials and angled surfaces in order to help decrease its radar reflection, thus making it ideal for recon and surgical strike missions. These features provide a constant +2 to initiative rolls made during combat by the VF-17. As this is a PASSIVE stealth system, the +2 initiative bonus will continue so long as the VF is functioning.

2. 2nd GENERATION ACTIVE STEALTH SYSTEM

3. ESCAPE POD

Homing signal range is 640 km.

4. INTERNAL MULTIPURPOSE CHAFF/FLARE DISCHARGER SYSTEM

5. HEAT AND RADIATION SHIELDS

6. SELF-DESTRUCT

7. SWAG ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEM

OFFENSIVE SYSTEMS

1. ANTI-AIRCRAFT LASER GUN TURRET (2 or 4):

The lasers (2 on the VF-17D, 4 on the VF-17S) are mounted on the head in Battroid and in the central dorsal section of the main body, pointed rearward, in Fighter and GERWALK modes. Unlike the head laser mounted on the VF-11, these lasers can be turned to point in front of, above, or behind the mecha in Fighter and GERWALK modes. However, the head cannot be turned in these modes.

2. FIXED SMALL-BORE LASER GUNS (2):

Mounted on both sides of the cockpit in a fixed-forward position. These lasers can be fired in any mode, but cannot be moved and must be aimed by moving the body of the Valkyrie.

3. FIXED MEDIUM-BORE, DUAL PORT LASER CANNONS:

Each with two opposite-facing barrels (one retractable and traversable) are mounted in front of the vertical stabilizers in Fighter and High-Speed Battle Form, or in the forearm sections in GERWALK and Battroid.

4a. GENERAL GALAXY MC-17A 40mm MULTIPURPOSE SEVEN-BARRELLED STEALTH GATLING GUN POD:

With retractable handle and fore grip, folding stock, muzzle sensors, and strap. It is mounted with an exit port and stealth cover in the lower main fuselage in all modes or ejectible from the lower leg section into manipulator in Battroid and GERWALK (one spare gun pod magazine or one gunpod beam adaptor stored in lower main fuselage in Fighter, or in opposite lower leg section in Battroid).

4b. LARGE OUTPUT BEAM GUN:

The upper part of the barrel of the MC-17A is the magazine, which can be exchanged to a special-use module which enables it to be used exclusively as a large output beam gun.

5. INTERNAL MISSILE LAUNCHERS (4):

Micro-missile launchers with two exit ports each in main fuselage near the wing leading root in Fighter, or in shoulder section in Battroid (the internal standard equipment capable of being exchanged for other weapon packs). Any type of micro-missile may be use, but HMM-18 General Purpose Micro Missiles are standard. The missiles may be fired in any mode.

6. INTERNAL WEAPON BAYS (2):

  • approx. 1.25x bigger than those in the VF-11, etc.
    • (ref: "Probably because of the difference in the airframe concept, the size when in battroid has also increased from the VF-11's 12 m class to the 15 m class." Great Mechanics.DX 9)
    The armaments are in internal weapon bays, in order to improve the VF-17's stealthiness. The weapon bays are in the lower extremities of both legs. They can be customized for different mission objectives and carry a variety of different payloads. Any type of internal pallet may be use, but the B-7 Standard Internal Pallet are standard. The leg weapon bays can be used in all modes.

    7. WING HARD POINTS (6)

    The VF-17 is an airframe that was designed with the assumption that it would be for missions that are difficult for the VF-11 to accomplish. For that reason, stealthiness is valued, and its structure was devised for improved stealthiness, by such things as equipment [armaments] being stored within weapon bays. As a result of that stealthiness, its performance as a VF is not sacrificed, due to its next generation high-powered engines. Moreover, its firepower is also high as it's only being made for point attacks. Due to that, armaments are loaded onto the wing hard points only when stealthiness isn't a requirement of the mission, and especially when undertaking heavy point attacks.

    The VF-17 Nightmare has 3 hardpoints per wing, for a total of 6. The standard combat loadout for the VF-17 is as follows. For alternatives, refer to the Hardpoint and Missile Details. It is possible to have the same type of munition on all hardpoints.

    Note: the Ventral Super Packs cover the inner hardpoints (C & D) and middle hardpoints (B & E). When the Ventral Super Packs are mounted, the VF-17 usually carries only AAM-01S Medium Missiles or RMS-4 Reaction Missiles.

    8. HAND TO HAND COMBAT

    If necessary, the pilot of the VF-17 Nightmare can engage in melee combat rather than use a weapon. The VF-17 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:

    OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT (FAST PACKS & SUPER PARTS)

    This special equipment hardpoint is available for mounting additional mission specific equipment. The VF-17 Nightmare can mount only one (1) of the following:

    RADOME

    The radome is located on the dorsal side in Fighter and GERWALK. In Battroid, the radome is mounted on the back. The radome can be jettisoned if necessary.
    The telemetry from the radome can be transmitted to a command ship for further analysis.

    COMPATIBLE SUPER PACKS

    The VF-17 has the option of mounting Transatmospheric Super Parts; a pair of propellant tank and booster units mounted on the dorsal section, and a pair of conformal propellant tanks mounted on either side of the fuselage in Fighter or on the lower leg in GERWALK and Battroid. The dorsal Super Packs contain two pulse laser guns. The ventral Super Packs contain two different micro missile launchers, each. The Super Packs have been designed with the same passive stealth construction techniques as the VF-17 itself, and they do not interfere with the Nightmare's stealth bonuses when worn. The Super Parks were first produced in 2040, and are not available earlier except in prototype forms (which may or may not have similar capabilities, GM's discretion.)

    1A. DORSAL SUPER PACK PULSE LASER GUN

    1Bi. VENTRAL SUPER PACK MULTI~MISSILE LAUNCHER

    Any type of micro missile may be use, but HMM-18 General Purpose Micro Missiles are standard. The missiles may be fired in any mode.

    1Bii. VENTRAL SUPER PACK PORTED MISSILE LAUNCHER

    Any type of micro missile may be use, but HMM-18 General Purpose Micro Missiles are standard. The missiles may be fired in any mode.

    SENSOR SYSTEMS

    Note: Refer to the VF-11 Thunderbolt for stats unless otherwise noted herein:

    OTHER STANDARD EQUIPMENT

    Note: Refer to the VF-11 Thunderbolt for stats unless otherwise noted herein:

    COMBAT BONUSES FOR VF-17 NIGHTMARE TRAINING

    BASIC VARIABLE FIGHTER COMBAT TRAINING

    Basic training for non-pilot military personnel.

    ADVANCED VF-17 NIGHTMARE COMBAT TRAINING

    Advanced training for pilots specializing in the VF-17 Nightmare.

    REFERENCES
  • Palladium Books Game Engine and MDC Rules
  • Based on the Steelfalcon General Galaxy VF-17 Nightmar stats
  • Macross Compendium VF-Nightmare article
  • Macross 7
  • TIA: Macross 7 Animation Materials: Pages 122-127
  • TIAS: Macross Plus: Pages 51, 74-75, 96
  • TIAS: Macross 7: Pages 35, 38-39
  • Shoji Kawamori's Macross Design Works: Pages 109-117
  • Kawamori Shoji's Design Works: Pages 60-62
  • Macross Digital Mission VF-X
  • Macross Digital Mission VF-X Flight Manual: Pages 30-31, 81, 90-91
  • Macross VF-X2
  • Macross VF-X2 Official Visual Guide Book: Pages 25
  • Macross VF-X2 Game and Navigation File: Pages 20-21

    • © Aaron Sketchley
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