MACROSS 7
MECHA
VF-11 THUNDERBOLT
JAMMING BIRDS VARIANT
The following data details only changes made to the VF-11D Valkyrie. See the listing for the VF-11 Valkyrie for standard craft specifications.
STATISTICS
Classification: Custom Tactical Variable Fighter
Manufacturer: Shinsei Industries/Three Star Industries/Macross 7 Special Technologies Group
Crew: One pilot, one passenger
Weight: 11200 kg
Coloring: Blue and white
PILOTS
Jamming Birds
GRAPHICS
fighter mode
battroid mode
BACKGROUND
After the formation of the Jamming Birds, Three Star Industries produced a new variation of the VF-11D Two-Seater Thunderbolt for the group. The new variable fighter was named the VF-11D "Jamming Bird" variant and combined the benefits of new SES technology with a proven military aircraft design.
Based on the two-seater version of the Thunderbolt, the VF-11D Custom holds a military pilot and a Jamming Birds singer. In addition to the SES systems, the Jamming Bird variant has a greater emphasis on defensive measures, with increased armor around the chest and main fuselage, and a pinpoint barrier system identical to the one used on the VF-19 Excalibur. The VF-11D Custom comes standard with modified FAST Super Booster Units, which provide additional thrust and space for the SES systems. Like standard FAST systems, these thrusters can be ejected if damaged, but this will render the Sound Energy System inoperable. Although the Jamming Bird variant has greater thrust than a standard VF-11, the increased drag of the extra armor and FAST packs lowers the overall speed of the variable fighter in an atmosphere. In an effort to compensate for this, the VF-11D was given longer canard wings and more thrusters to increase maneuverability.
The Jamming Bird variant was never mass-produced as intended during the war. Only 20 craft were produced by Three Star Industries, and only one squad of six fighters was actually used by the Macross 7 forces. However the designs for the fighter were transmitted to UN Spacy headquarters and then in turn relayed to all colinization fleets and UN bases in the galaxy. Therefore it is quite possible that the Jamming Birds will become a standard of UN Spacy forces everywhere.
ENGINES
- Two Shinsei Industries/Pratt & Whitney/Rolls Royce FF-2025S thermonuclear turbine engines
- Several additional Pratt & Whitney HMM-7 high-maneuverability vernier thrusters for additional mobility are mounted at key positions along the mecha's hull
- Additional super booster units are standard issue for the VF-11D Custom
HOWARD PBS-03F PIN-POINT BARRIER SYSTEM
The VF-11D is equipped with the mecha-scale pinpoint barrier defense system used by the VF-17 and the VF-19. The system can generate a single pinpoint barrier that can be moved anywhere on the mecha and used as a shield against incoming attacks.
PASSENGER SUPPORT BUBBLE
In addition to the pilot, the VF-11D Custom is designed to provide support for the Jamming Birds singer. The passenger wears a custom- fitted life support suit (not as good as a pilot's flight suit, but provides air for up to 12 hours in a vaccuum. In addition, the passenger sits in a life support bubble that provides a final level of protection in case of damage to the cockpit. The passenger in the support bubble has sole control over the Sound Energy System. However, the passenger has no auxiliary flight controls and no way to control the VF if the pilot is incapacitated. If the pilot's lifesigns are terminated the combat computer is programmed to automatically eject the passenger support bubble, which can then be recovered by friendly forces.
STEREO LOUDSPEAKERS
Two loudspeakers are built into the chest of the mecha, which can be used to amplify the pilot's voice up to 300 decibels. The loudspeaker is normally used to project music during combat.
WEAPONS SYSTEMS
- ANTI-AIRCRAFT PULSE LASER: The VF-11 mounts a single pulse laser for use in air combat skirmishes and for defensive purposes. The laser is mounted on the head of the mecha in soldier mode, and is located in the central dorsal section of the main body pointed rearward in fighter and gerwalk modes. The laser can only fire to the REAR of the fighter in these modes; it cannot be turned to fire along another arc.
· PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-aircraft
· SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-missile/defensive
· RANGE: 4000 feet (1200 m)
· RATE OF FIRE: The laser can be fired in rapid pulses up to 4 blasts per round
· PAYLOAD: Effectively Unlimited - MULTIPURPOSE GUN POD: Like the standard VF-11, the Jamming Bird Custom uses a gun pod similar to the old GU-11 used by the VF-1 Valkyries. Since the VF-11D is not intended to engage the enemy in close combat, the gun pod is typically NOT equipped with the mecha-sized bayonet featured on other VF-11 Thunderbolts.
· PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault
· SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-mecha
· RANGE: 4000 feet (1200 m)
· RATE OF FIRE: Equal to the number of combined attacks of the pilot
· PAYLOAD: 400 rounds per clip equals 40 short bursts, 20 long bursts, or 10 full melee bursts. Two spare clips are stored behind the anti-projectile shield - MISSILE LAUNCHER PODS (4): The FAST super boosters for the VF-11D Custom contain 4 rapid-fire missile launcher units (2 per booster unit). Each unit contains 10 short-range missiles, for a total of 40 SRMs. Each launcher can fire 2 missiles per melee round, so a volley of up to 8 missiles can be fired in a single melee. Armor-piercing SRMs are standard issue, but others can be mounted if desired.
· PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault
· MISSILE TYPES: Any type of standard UN Spacy Short Range Missile
· RANGE: Varies with missile type; typically 5 miles (8 km)
· RATE OF FIRE: Volleys of 1, 2, 4, or 8 missiles
· PAYLOAD: 10 missiles per launcher; 40 total - CHAFF/FLARE DISPENSERS: The external propellant tanks for the super boosters also contain one chaff and one flare dispenser each, which are mounted on the legs of the mecha. The chaff decoys confuse radar images to divert radar-guided missiles, while the flare decoys provide a brilliant infrared images to try and draw heat seeking missiles away from the mecha.