BACKGROUND
 VF-4
"Lightning"
RPG STATS
- Vehicle Type: VF-4 Lightning
- Class: Variable Fighter
Manufacturer: Earth Defense Forces, Armies of the Southern Cross,
Robotech Expeditionary Forces.
Crew: One pilot wearing Tactical Life Support System.
NOTES:
- * Destroying the head of the VF-4 will knock out the mecha's major sensor
systems, including all of the optics systems (infrared, nightvision, thermal).
Radar and communications will be unaffected.
- ** Destruction of any shoulder mounted or leg mounted thrusters will
reduce the maximum thrust by 25% in space and reduce the top speed by 40% in
the atmosphere. The VF-4 requires a minimum of two thrusters to remain aloft
in a standard planetary atmosphere.
- ***Depleting the MDC of the main body will destroy the mecha.
SPEEDS:
- RUNNING, SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:
- (VF-X-4 T), 128 kph
- LEAPING, SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:
- 50 ft (15 m) high or 70 ft (21 m) long without thrusters.
- FLYING, SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:
- (VF-X-4 T), 428 kph
- FLYING, GERWALK/SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:
- Mach One (670 mph/1072 kph) maximum speed limit in an Earth-like
atmosphere. Can also hover in place indefinitely.
- FLYING, FIGHTER CONFIGURATION:
- Max level speed : (VF-X-4 T), 2700 kph at 18000m
1100 kph at sea level (Mach 1.0)
Stall speed : 182 kph (VTOL rectification possible)
Initial climb rate : over 20000m per minute
Service ceiling : 26 km (unboosted).
MAX ENGINE THRUST:
- 2 x Two Nakajima/P&W/Rolls-Royce FF-2001D Fusion plasma-air/reaction
mass intermix turbines. (VF-X-4) Max thrust 120 kN (unboosted) 250kN
(boosted)
- 2 x Pratt & Whitney FF-2011-4 Fusion plasma-air/reaction mass
intermix turbines. (A,B,S,T) Max thrust 140 kN (unboosted) 275kN
(boosted)
- 2 x Pratt & Whitney FF-2025 Fusion plasma-air/reaction mass
intermix turbines. (G) Max thrust 180 kN (unboosted) 365kN (boosted)
- 2 x Turbo-Union ATF 350 miniaturized fusion plasma-air/reaction mass
intermix ramjets. Mounted on the upper rear (fighter mode), on the arm
blocks [Reserve]. Each engine is rated to 38.4 kN standard thrust, max
overboost to 77.3 kN each.
- 2 x P&W HMM-1A high-maneuverability vernier thrusters: mounted on
the arm blocks
STATISTICAL DATA:
- HEIGHT:
- 12.5m in soldier configuration.
- 11.2m in gerwalk configuration.
- 3.7m in fighter configuration.
- WIDTH:
- 7.4m at shoulders in soldier and gerwalk configuration.
- 7,40m with wings at maximum extension.
- LENGTH:
- 4.1m in soldier configuration.
- 14.1m in gerwalk configuration.
- 14.9m in fighter configuration.
- WEIGHT:
- 14,000 kg empty.
- PHYSICAL STRENGTH:
- Equal to a P.S. of 60
- CARGO:
- Small compartment behind pilot's seat for personal belongings in addition
to the cyclone storage compartment
- POWER PLANT:
- 2 x RRL-2P Miniaturized Protoculture-cell energizer
- 16 standard canisters of Protoculture
1 dedicated canister for each EP-13/EU-13 gun pod
200 lit. D2O reactant for fusion engines.
- Delta V:
- 70 kps for (VF-4 T) however two 25 kps tanks may be mounted on each
hardpoint
-
- COMPATIBLE FAST PACKS:
- NP-BP-01 FAST Packs
NP-BP-02 Beam Cannon FAST Packs
NR-BP-T1 FAST "Trainer" Packs
NR-BP-E2 FAST "Recon" Packs'
NP-BP-10 FAST Packs
WEAPON SYSTEMS:
- (VF-X-4T) 2x EP-4 50MM SINGLE BARREL PARTICLE CANNON: Two
EP-4 particle beam cannons were mounted in either shoulder. Each EP-4 is
capable of firing 10 MJ bursts up to 20 times per minute, with power coming
directly from the main protoculture generators. The gun is powered directly
from the main protoculture generators and as such the rate of fire is only
limited by the recharge rate.
- PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault
- SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Mecha
- RANGE: 2000 m
- DAMAGE: 1D4*10 per single shot
- RATE OF FIRE: Single shots equal to the combined attacks of the
pilot up to 5 times per melee.
- PAYLOAD: Effectively unlimited
- (VF-4G) 2 x EP-13B1 THREE-BARRELED 80MM PARTICLE GUN POD: In
later model VF-4 veritechs the standard EP-4 particle beam cannons were
replaced with two extended range EP-13 80mm particle beam cannons. Each
EP-13B1 are similar to those found on the VAF-6, with the only major
difference coming from the fact that additional focusing coils can be mounted
internally thereby increasing the range over the standard model. Each EP-13
can fire 170 rounds per minute in full automatic mode, also capable of firing
all three barrels simultaneously in semiautomatic mode at approximately one
shot per second. This weapon fires 3.2 MJ pulses per barrel with its own
dedicated protoculture cell.
- PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault
- SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Mecha
- RANGE: 2200 m
- DAMAGE: 2d4 for each Single blast, 1d6*10 for each triple blast,
2d4*10 for each medium burst (up to six times per melee), or 4d4*10 for each
full melee burst.
- RATE OF FIRE: Single shots or bursts equal to the combined
attacks of the pilot.
- PAYLOAD: Conditionally unlimited. The protoculture cell is
estimated to have enough power for 3000 single shots, 1000 triple shots, 300
long bursts, or 100 full melee bursts.
- (VF-4G) 2 x EU-12 DESTABLIZER: In late 2038, the REF
upgraded their remaining VF-4G models with two EU-12 destabilizers. These
models were used in the initial strikes against Invid fortified positions
punching holes through protoplex barriers thereby allowing conventional
weaponry to inflict damage. Each EU-12 sub-nuclear particle beam gun can fire
15 MJ blasts up to 30 times/minute. The EU-12 draws power from its own
dedicated protoculture canister, but can be fired using the veritech's own
power. Particles have specific, disrupting effect on force fields, and will
short out a low power field completely, while high power fields may
temporarily and locally cease to function.
- PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-force Field
- SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Mecha
- RANGE: 4000 feet (1200 m)
- DAMAGE: 1D6x10 for each single shot
- RATE OF FIRE: Single shots equal to the combined attacks of the
pilot up to eight times per melee.
- PAYLOAD: Conditionally unlimited. Each protoculture cell can
power up to 100 shots.
- 6 x BODY/WING HARD POINTS: Two fixed hard points are mounted on
each inner wing and one on each outer wing for a total of 6 outer hard points.
These hardpoints can be used to carry 15 hammerhead short range missiles, 5
medium range Diamondback missiles or 2 long range missiles.
- HAND TO HAND COMBAT: If necessary, the Lightning can engage in
melee combat rather than use a weapon. The VF-4 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:
- Punch in Battloid: 1D6*3
- Punch in Guardian: 1D4*3
- Kick: 1D6*3
- Leap Kick: 2D6*3
- Body Flip/Throw: 1D6*3
- Body Block/Tackle: 1D6*3
- Stomp: 1D4*3 . (only effective against small objects)
STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE VF-4:
- AUTO-PILOT: The VF-4 is equipped with a computerized auto-pilot,
allowing the pilot to relax or even sleep during long voyages. The auto- pilot
can be programmed with a single destination or a complex flight plan involving
multiple speeds, directions, and destinations. The onboard computer will alert
the pilot when the fighter is near its destination, and can also be set to
automatically signal when sensors detect objects near the mecha. The
auto-pilot was designed with long intra-system space journeys in mind.
- COMBAT COMPUTER: The combat computer tracks and identifies specific
enemy targets, and has a database of over 10,000 images stored in memory. The
computer can identify and track up to 250 targets simultaneously.
- ELETTRONICA RADAR WARNING RECEIVER (RWR)
- OLDELFT INFRA-RED WARNING RECEIVER (IRWR)
- WESTINGHOUSE ALQ-250(V) ACTIVE SENSOR JAMMER: internal
ECM
- EXTERNAL AUDIO PICKUP: Range: 300 ft (91.5 m). A sound
amplification system that can pick up normal conversation up to 300 feet away.
- HEAT AND RADIATION SHIELDS: Special shielding prevents the
penetration of life threatening head and radiation. A radiation detection and
alarm system are linked with the shields and will sound an alarm if there is a
rupture in the shields and what the levels of radiation are.
- HOMING SIGNAL: The escape pod of the VF-4 is equipped with a
homing device that enables rescue teams to locate a disabled craft or ejected
life pod. The range of the signal is 400 miles (640 km). Most RDF ships and
veritechs can locate and track a homing signal, and the onboard computers will
automatically notify their pilots if such a signal is detected.
- LASER TARGETING SYSTEM: Range: 100 miles (160 km). Used for
increased accuracy in the striking of enemy targets and is partly responsible
for the mecha's strike bonus.
- LOUDSPEAKER: A loudspeaker system is built into the craft, which
can be used to amplify the pilot's voice up to 90 decibels.
- OPTICS: INFRARED: Range: 2000 feet (610 m). This optical system
projects a beam of infrared light that is invisible to the normal eye, but
detectable by the mecha's sensors. The system allows the pilot to detect
hidden/concealed objects by their IR reflectiveness. The beam will be visible
to anyone with IR sensitive optics, however.
- OPTICS: NIGHTVISION: Range: 2000 feet (610 m). A passive light
image intensifier that emits no light of its own, but relies on ambient light
which is electronically amplified to produce a visible picture.
- OPTICS: THERMAL IMAGER: Range: 2000 feet (610 m). A passive optical
heat sensor that detects infrared radiation projected by warm objects and
converts that data into a false-color visible image. The system enables the
pilot to see in the dark, in shadows, and through smoke, and also adds a +10%
bonus to pilots using a tracking skill.
- HUGHES APG-113 X-BAND RADAR: 100 mile range.
- RADIO/VIDEO COMMUNICATION: Long range, directional communications
system with satellite relay capabilities. Range: 600 miles (960 km) or can be
boosted indefinitely via satellite relay.
- SELF-DESTRUCT: To prevent capture of an advance variable fighter by
the enemy, the pilot can activate the VF-4 self-destruct system, which will
cause the fighter to explode after a delay of up to 60 minutes (time is set by
the pilot). The explosive damage is contained within a 20 foot (6 m) area and
inflicts 1D6x10 M.D. to everything within the radius of the explosion. All
internal systems are obliterated. The escape pod will be automatically ejected
prior to the explosion unless the pilot overrides the ejection sequence.
- STANDARD SURVIVAL KIT: All RDF veritechs come equipped with a
portable survival kit. Inside the small reinforced box is a medium-sized
flashlight, two hand flares, one rocket flare, a compass, infrared distancing
binoculars, a small mirror, a pocket knife, dehydrated and concentrated food
(can be stretched into a 10 day supply for one person) and basic first aid
items (aspirin, bandages, disinfectants, etc.)
- TACTICAL LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM: The VF-4 cockpit is pressurized, and
also provides additional air feeds to the pilot's flight suit that provides
him with pressurized breathing. The RDF flight suit also contains an upper and
lower g-suit that promotes blood circulation even during high-g turns, thus
decreasing the possibility of pilot's blacking out in combat.
- CHAFF AND FLARE DISPENSERS: 24 chaff and 24 flares are
stored in the lower legs
-
STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE VF-4G:
- Texas Instruments: APG-137 Synthetic Aperture Radar (200 mile range)
- Zeiss Multi-Band optical digital cameras
- Thmoson radiation and motion sensors
- Hewlett Packard on board automatic data interpretation system
 REFERENCES
USED IN THIS DESIGN
- Robotech Technical Files: VF-4 Lightning
- Macross Mecha Designs: VF-4 Lightning
- Palladium Books: "The Sentinels"
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