Stonewell Bellcom VF-4 LIGHTNING III
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This work is largely the authors own interpretation based on information from the Macross compendium, pre-existing stats, game-play and the authors translations of pertinent materials. See the references section(s) for details. The author advises the reader to confirm with his or her GM which stats are used in the reader’s game.
Contents
Stonewell Bellcom VF-4 LIGHTNING III
- AKA: (The) Arrow
BACKGROUND
The VF-4 Lightning III was developed by Stonewell Bellcom in late 2009, and was promoted as the "next generation" variable fighter for the UN Armed Forces by the company. The VF-4 is faster, more maneuverable and can generate more thrust than the standard VF-1 Valkyrie, and is armed with two powerful beam cannons. Early models of the VF-4, designated VF-X-4, were produced on Earth for testing purposes in 2010 just as Space War One started to increase in magnitude. The VF-X-4 prototypes were heavily based on the VF-1 Valkyrie design with 35% of the VF-X-4's components being directly taken from the VF-1 Valkyrie, including the entire nose and forward fuselage section.
Unfortunately, almost all of the initial VF-X-4 were destroyed along with Stonewell Bellcom during the Zentraedi attack on Earth during 2010. The design itself would have also died in the attack if it weren't for a team of Stonewell Bellcom technicians who were stationed on the SDF-1 Macross when the final attack came, working on maintenance upgrades for the Macross' VF-1 Valkyrie. Rallying under Dr. H. Takachihoff, one of the original designers of the VF-1, the technicians re-founded Stonewell Bellcom after the Macross landed on Earth and continued design work on the VF-4. More VF-X-4 were constructed and tested by a number of UN Spacy pilots, including Skull Team leader Hikaru Ichijyo. In 2012, the final design for the VF-4 Lightning III was completed and mass production of the new fighter began.
The first VF-4 squadrons were issued to the Skull and Iron Chiefs Squadrons, which accompanied the Megaroad-01 on her colonization mission in late 2012. After Megaroad-01 left, production of the VF-4 continued. In 2020, the VF-4 Lightning III officially replaced the VF-1 Valkyrie as the main tactical fighter of the UN Spacy and the UN Marines. A grand total of 8,245 VF-4 were produced for the UN Spacy between 2012 and 2030.
When the VF-4 design was replaced in the later half of the 2020s by the VF-5000 as the main fighter for the UN Spacy, units were sold to Colony Defense Forces. Significant number of VF-4 have been retained in the UN Armed Forces in the roles of trainers and aggressors fighters. In addition to a rather large proportion remaining in active duty positions around the fleet, as the VF-4 had, and arguably still has the best ground-launch space-interception capability of all VFs produced to date. The UN Marines retained the VF-4 as its fighter of choice well after the rest of the UN Armed Forces converted their main tactical fighters to the VF-5000 and VF-11.
With the changing nature of hostilities in the galaxy and the decision to proceed at a very slower rate of conversion from the VF-11 to the VF-19, the VF-4 has seen its service life extended. In order to maintain the VF-4 fighters ability to compete with other, relatively newer designs in the fleet, an upgrade programme was implemented in the mid-2040s on the remaining VF-4 in active service in the fleet. The programme included new engines, avionics and the inclusion of an anti-aircraft laser. This upgrade, called the VF-4G, has extended the life span of the VF-4 considerably.
RPG STATS
Vehicle Type: VF-4 "Lightning III"
VARIANTS:
- VF-X-4: Trial-produced variable fighter built using 35% VF-1 Valkyrie parts, including the nose and forward fuselage section.
- VF-4A – Production model for the UNS.
- VF-4B – Production model for the UNMC. (Features slightly larger fuel tanks for increased trans-atmospheric operations.)¹
- VF-4C – 2 seat trainer version.¹
- VF-4D – Colony Defense Force variation (slight reduction in intra-system auto-pilot capabilities.)¹
- VF-4E – Mid-2030’s avionics upgrade to keep the VF-4 up-to-date with advancements in VF technology.¹
- VF-4F – Mid-2030’s upgrade of the avionics to keep the Colony Defense Force variation up-to-date.¹
- VF-4G - Production version in service in 2047 with engines replaced and upgraded for increased thrust, upgrading the head with an anti-aircraft laser and advances in avionics.
- ¹ Speculation. However, given the available information, the theory of the various models is valid. The order may not be.
Class: Tactical Variable Fighter
Manufacturer: Stonewell Bellcom and Shinnakasu Industries
Crew: One pilot wearing Tactical Life Support System
Customer: UN Spacy and UN Marines.
Design Features: Blended wing body, VG wing; VTOL capability; single-axis thrust vectoring; option of air/space booster pack and weaponry system, or FAST Pack air/space booster and weaponry system.
MDC BY LOCATION:
| Location | MDC | |
|---|---|---|
|
|
NOTES:
- ¹ Destroying the head of the VF will knock out the mecha's major sensor systems, including all of the optics systems (infrared, nightvision, thermal). Radar and communications will be unaffected.
- ²VF-4G ONLY!
- ³ Destroying the shoulders/engine nacelles will severely reduce the VF-4's propellant fuel supply. In addition, with the loss of one or both engine nacelles, the VF-4’s rocket thrusters will no longer be an option for transatmospheric flight.
- ºº Destroying the legs/thrusters will severely damage the VF-4's engines. Destruction of either leg will reduce speeds by 50%. However, if the engine nacelles are undamaged, the pilot has the option of using them to maintain propulltion. However, this is not recommended as the thrusters are best used for straight line flight. If both main engines and one of the engine nacelles are destroyed, the Lightning will have insufficient thrust to remain airborne and must land. If all four engines are destroyed the variable fighter will lose main power and the pilot will have to make a controlled crash attempt (or be sent adrift on its last heading if in space powered only by the maneuvering rockets.)
- º¹ Destruction of the main body will completely destroy the mecha.
- º² The listed 150 MDC is only in battroid mode and/or when the blast shield is lowered over the cockpit. Otherwise, 50 MDC for the canopy and 100 MDC for the remainder of the cockpit. Requires a called shot to hit the canopy.
- º³ Optional. Not standard issue during it’s initial deployment.
SPEEDS:
FLYING IN AN ATMOSPHERE:
- Mach 3.02+ (3,237 Kmph) max speed at 10,000 meters or less above sea level. Mach 5.15+ (5,221 Kmph) max speed at 10,000-30,000 meters above sea level. The VF-4G is Mach 3.25+ max speed at 10,000 meters or less above sea level. Mach 5.33+ max speed at 10,000-30,000 meters above sea level.
- The VF-4 is fully transatmospheric and can attain orbital velocity above an Earth-type planet under its own power. (This is achieved either via using the rocket thrusters or main engines. The rocket thrusters have a superior fuel consumption rate, however they are best suited for single vector flight at high velocity. The main engines are capable of transatmospheric flight, however they will burn through virtually all of the VF-4’s fuel load to reach orbit over an Earth sized planet. Thereafter, the VF-4 is ineffective for fuel-consumption heavy combat maneuvers. The VF-4 should proceed to a refueling station as soon as possible.
STATISTICAL DATA:
HEIGHT:
- 13.76 m in battroid mode.
- 7.34 m in GERWALK mode.
- 3.72 m in fighter mode.
WIDTH:
- 5.0 m in battroid mode.
- 14.28 m in GERWALK or fighter configuration (max wingspan).
LENGTH:
- 4.48 m in battroid mode.
- 8.58 m in GERWALK mode.
- 14.92 m in fighter mode.
WEIGHT:
- 13,950 kg
PHYSICAL STRENGTH:
- Equal to a P.S. of 50
CARGO:
- Small compartment behind pilot's seat for personal belongings.
POWER PLANT:
- Two 14000 kg class Shinnakasu/P&W/Roice FF-2011 thermonuclear turbine engines with two-dimensional exhaust nozzles. Several Pratt & Whitney HMM-1A high-maneuverability vernier thrusters at key locations along the VF-4's hull for added mobility.
- The VF-4G has 165,00 kg class Shinnakasu/P&W/Roice FF-2011(+) thermonuclear turbine engines with two-dimensional exhaust nozzles.
COMPATIBLE FAST PACKS:
- Technically none. However, if warranted, the VF-4 can have any dorsal FAST packs mounted. However, the VF-4 cannot transform until they have been ejected.
WEAPON SYSTEMS:
1. LARGE-CALIBER HIGH-POWERED BEAM CANNONS
The main weapon of the VF-4 Lightning III is a pair of high-power beam cannons mounted on the engine nacelles of the aircraft. The cannons can be fired together or individually, and are fed directly from the power generated by the FF-2011 engines. The cannons are slightly adjustable and can be aimed to fire anywhere in a 30º arc in front of the aircraft. In GERWALK and battroid modes the beam cannons are mounted on the backs of the VF’s forearms, and can be fired in any direction the arms are pointing.
- PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault
- SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Aircraft
- RANGE: 1,200 m
- DAMAGE: 1D8x10 M.D. (Per Cannon)
- RATE OF FIRE: Equal to the pilot's combined number of attacks. Cannons may be fired separately or linked together (both blasts count as one attack.
- PAYLOAD: Effectively Unlimited.
2. CONFORMALLY MOUNTED MEDIUM-RANGE MISSLES
The VF-4 is also equipped with twelve fixed hard points for missile loads and other ordinance. The twelve hardpoints are mounted on and under the main body. These hardpoints can be used to hold a variety of different ordinance types.
- MEDIUM-RANGE MISSILES
- Primary Purpose: Anti-aircraft/spacecraft
- Secondary Purpose: heavy assault
- Missile Types: UN Armed Forces Medium-Range Missiles
- Rate of Fire: One to twelve (all) missiles.
- Payload: One per hardpoint, 12 maximum.
3. (Optional) GU-11 55mm MULTIPURPOSE GUN POD
Due to limited resources, the VF-4 wasn’t originally envisioned to carry a gun pod. It was deemed that the arm/nacelle mounted beam cannons were more then sufficient to deal with the main foe of the UNS during the VF-4’s development and initial deployment: the Zentraedi. However, as time changed, so did the required armaments. Later era VF-4 load-outs, especially in colony defense forces, see the GU-11 or other more modern gun pods, as standard issue. The VF-4 can carry one or two GU-11 Gun Pods, identical to the ones used by the original VF-1 Valkyries. However, the gun pods are mounted on wing hardpoints when not being held in the mecha's hands. When mounted each GU-11 takes up one hard point on a wing, reducing the number of missiles the Lightning can carry. Note that the GU-11 is mechanically preset to fire in burst of either 10 or 25 rounds, or until the pilot releases the trigger or the magazine is emptied.
- PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault/Defense
- RANGE: 1,200 m
- DAMAGE: 1D6 per round. 10 round burst, single target – 1D6X10 MD. 25 round burst, single target – 2D6X10 MD. Note, for bursts using greater then 25 rounds, increase the damage by a scale of 1D6X10 per 10 rounds OR refer to the modern weapons rules for machineguns.
- The Gun Pod can be used for sprays: 10 round spray – 1D6 MD, affects 1d4 targets. 25 round burst spray – 1D6 MD, affects 2d4 targets with a 50% chance of hitting bystanders. Longer duration sprays (up to limits of the magazine): 2D4 MD, affects 4d4 targets. Chance of hitting bystanders is 70%.
- RATE OF FIRE: Equal to the pilot's combined number of attacks. Note that firing of the GU-11 isn't limited to only 10, 25 or 200 rounds. Any variation can be fired (it is recommended to stick to multiples of 10 for ease of damage resolution.)
- PAYLOAD: 200 rounds. Note: The GU-11 CANNOT be reloaded in the field.
4. WING HARD POINTS
The VF-4 is also equipped with four fixed hard points for missile loads and other ordinance. Two hardpoints are mounted on each wing of the aircraft. These hardpoints can be used to hold a variety of different ordinance types, including long, medium, short range missiles, medium-range high-maneuverability (MRHM) missiles (after 2040), UUM-7 Micro-missile pods, RMS-1 reaction missiles and even MK-82 LDGB conventional bombs. Usually only long-range or medium range missiles are used.
5. CHAFF/FLARE DISPENSERS
Available in all modes. When used, they fire off a burst of chaff and/or flare to counter any incoming missiles. The burst of chaff and/or flares give a bonus of +3 to Dodge against the missiles.
- VFs carry a total of 10 bursts of chaff/flares.
6. MAULER RÖV-20 ANTI-AIRCRAFT LASER CANNON
Mounted on the head when in battroid mode, or located on the upper fuselage when in GERWALK and fighter modes. In battroid, the laser has a 360º horizontal rotation and a 90º vertical arc of fire. In jet and GERWALK modes, the RÖV-20 is limited to firing only on targets either directly behind or overhead of the VF-4.
- PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault
- SECONDARY PURPOSE: Defense
- RANGE: 2000 feet (600 m)
- DAMAGE: VF-4G (only): 1D4x10+5 MD.
- RATE OF FIRE: Effectively Unlimited.
- PAYLOAD: Effectively Unlimited.
7. HAND TO HAND COMBAT
If necessary, the pilot of the VF-4 can engage in melee combat rather than use a weapon. The Lightning 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: 6D6 M.D. (counts as two attacks)
- Tear or Pry with Hands: 1D6 M.D. + additional ripping and frame damages.
- Kick: 4D6 M.D.
- Leap Kick: 2D6x10 M.D.
- Body Flip/Throw: 2D6 M.D.
- Body Block/Tackle: 1D6 M.D.
- Stomp: 1D6x10 M.D. (only effective against small objects) Note that for some objects, they will be instantly destroyed.
STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE VF-4 LIGHTNING III:
- AUTO-PILOT: All VF-11c (and some VF-11d) have enhanced navigational equipment – more free time for the pilot in the cockpit!
- COMBAT COMPUTER W/HUD DISPLAYS: VF-41a through f are Era ii. The VF-4g is era iii.
- EJECTOR SEAT(s): VF-4a through f are are era ii. VF-4g is era iii.
- EXTERNAL AUDIO PICKUP
- HEAT AND RADIATION SHIELDS
- LASER TARGETING SYSTEM
- LOUDSPEAKER
- OPTICS: INFRARED
- OPTICS: NIGHTVISION
- OPTICS: THERMAL IMAGER
- RADAR
- RADIO/VIDEO COMMUNICATION Era ii.
- SELF-DESTRUCT
- STANDARD SURVIVAL KIT: Era iii.
- TACTICAL LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM
COMBAT BONUSES FOR VF-4 LIGHTNING III VF TRAINING:
BASIC VF-4 LIGHTNING III VF COMBAT TRAINING
Basic training for non-pilot military personnel.
- Basic training for non-pilot military personnel.
- 1 attack per melee (plus those of the pilot).
- Add one additional action/attack at levels three, nine, and fifteen.
- +1 to strike.
- +1 to parry
- +1 to dodge in battroid mode, +2 in GERWALK, +4 in jet mode.
- +1 to roll with a punch or move with an impact, reducing damage by half.
- -5 tilt dodge.
- No leap kick.
- 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.
ADVANCED VF-4 LIGHTNING III VF COMBAT TRAINING
Advanced training for pilots specializing in the VF-4 Lightning III.
- 3 attacks per melee (plus those of the pilot).
- Add one additional action/attack at levels three, six, eleven, and fifteen.
- +1 on initiative.
- +3 to strike.
- +3 to parry
- +3 to dodge in battroid mode, +5 in GERWALK, +7 in jet mode.
- -5 to tilt dodge.
- +3 to roll with a punch or move with an impact, reducing damage by half.
- 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.
Increases for the VF-4G:
- +1 initiative
- +1 parry
- +1 dodge
- +1 roll
REFERENCES USED IN THIS DESIGN
Palladium Books Game Engine and MDC Rules
Design layout adapted from DAVE DEITRICH ([email protected])
Macross Flashback 2012: Pg. 20, 25, 32, 33, 54-56
Macross: Flashback 2012
Macross VF-X Missions
The Macross Compendium VF-4 listing
Based off of the VF-4 Lightning III stats at Steelfalcon.
