VF-1 Valkyrie
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| Stonewell/Bellcom VF-1 | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Image:VF-1J.jpg | ||
| Description | ||
| Role | All-regime air/space superiority variable/Veritech fighter and tactical combat battroid/battloid | |
| Crew | 1 | |
| First flight | February 2007 | |
| First space tests | June 2007 | |
| Entered service | November 2008 | |
| First operational deployment | 7 February 2009 | |
| Manufacturer | Stonewell/Bellcom, subcontracted to Shinnakasu (VF-1J) and Northrom (VF-1S) | |
| Dimensions, Fighter Mode | ||
| Length | 14.23 m | |
| Wingspan | 14.78 m fully extended | 8.25 m swept |
| Height | 3.84 m | |
| Wing sweep | 20° fully extended | 72° swept |
| Dimensions, GERWALK Mode | ||
| Length | 11.3 m | |
| Wingspan | same as in Fighter mode | |
| Height | 8.7 m | |
| Dimensions, Battroid Mode | ||
| Height | 12.68 m | |
| Width | 7.3 m | |
| Wingspan | same as in Fighter mode | |
| Length | 4 m | |
| Weights | ||
| Empty | 13,250 kg | |
| Loaded | 18,500 kg | |
| Maximum takeoff | 37,000 kg | |
| Powerplant | ||
| Engines | 2 Shinnakasu Heavy Industry/P&W/Roice FF-2001 thermonuclear turbine engines | |
| Thrust | 11,500 kgf (23,000 kgf in overboost) | 113 kN (226 kN) |
| Generation Power | 650 MW | |
| Performance | ||
| Maximum speed at 10,000 m | 2,880 km/h | Mach 2.71 |
| Maximum speed at 30,000+ m | 4,190 km/h | Mach 3.87 |
| Range | Unlimited in atmosphere | |
| G-Limit | +7 in space | |
| Armament | ||
| Guns | External 55 mm GU-11 gunpod with 200 rounds firing 1200 rounds per minute, mounted under central fuselage. RÖV-20 anti-aircraft laser cannon (one in VF-1A, two in VF-1J and VF-1D, four in VF-1S) firing 6000 pulses per minute, mounted on head turret under the nose. | |
| Missiles | Four pivoting hardpoints under the wings. Up to 12 AMM-1 multipurpose missiles (three on each hardpoint), 6 RMS-1 anti-ship reaction missiles (two on each outbound pylons and one on each inbound pylon), 12 Mk-82 conventional bombs (three on each hardpoint) and four UMM-7 micro missile pods carrying 15 HMM-01 micromissiles; or a combination of any of these. | |
In the fictional series Macross and Robotech, the first mass-produced variable fighter (Macross) or Veritech fighter (Robotech) is called the VF-1 Valkyrie. The VF-1 was initially designed by the legendary Japanese mecha designer Shoji Kawamori (with contributions by his Studio Nue partner Kazutaka Miyatake) in 1980-1982 to be the centerpiece mecha design of the anime series The Super Dimension Fortress Macross (1982-1983). Because of its strongly realistic design, the VF-1 is frequently cited as one of the greatest mecha designs of all time. The VF-1's official "popular name" is rarely used in Robotech, most often they are simply referred to as "Veritech Fighters" or "Veritechs." Many Robotech fans, however, refer to it as the Valkyrie, to distinguish it from other Veritech models.
The VF-1 is built in three main variants (along with several less frequently used variants): A standard soldier's fighter is the VF-1A, a team leader's fighter is the VF-1J and a Commander Air Group's fighter is the VF-1S. The three models differ slightly in engines, avionics, and armament; notably, the VF-1A has one laser on its head, the VF-1J has two, and the VF-1S has four.
The VF-1 was preceded into production by an aerodynamic proving version of its airframe, the VF-X. Unlike all later VF vehicles, the VF-X was strictly a jet aircraft, built to demonstrate that a jet fighter with the features necessary to convert to Battroid mode was aerodynamically feasible. After the VF-X's testing was finished, an advanced-concept prototype, the VF-0, was flight-tested from 2005 to 2007 and briefly served as an active-duty fighter from 2007 to the VF-1's rollout in late 2008, while the bugs were being worked out of the full-up VF-1 prototype (VF-X-1). The VF-1's combat debut was 7 February 2009, during the Battle of South Ataria Island, the first battle of Space War I.
In Robotech, the VF-0 did not exist; the non-transformable VF-X was followed by a version which had only fighter and guardian mode. Not until June 2007 was the final version of the YF-1, which could transform into battloid mode, released. It unofficially saw its first combat in early 2007, when test pilot Roy Fokker "borrowed" the first production-model aircraft - a VF-1S that would remain his mount for the rest of his life - to thwart an Anti-Unification plot to destroy the three primary symbols of UEG power (the Antarctica and Alaska Bases and the SDF-1 herself). Fokker succeeded, though not before a reflex missile had destroyed the Antarctica Base. Officially, the first combat of the VF-1 was, like Macross, 7 February 2009, during the Battle of Macross Island, the first battle of the First Robotech War.
Contents |
Modes
The VF-1 is different from modern fighter aircraft in that it can transform into three different configurations or modes for different combat environments, and can perform the task of more than one fighting vehicle: In Fighter mode it acts as a jet fighter; in GERWALK (or Guardian in Robotech) mode it acts as an VTOL unit; in Battroid mode it acts as an infantry fighting vehicle.
Fighter mode
 Fighter mode |
The VF-1's Fighter mode is its basic mode and is the typical mode employed when the craft is parked and is the primary mode used in high altitude aerial combat planetside.
In this mode, it resembles a swing-winged hybrid between the F-14 Tomcat and F/A-18 Hornet jet fighters. It's armed with 1, 2, or 4 (depending on model) Mauler RÖV-20 laser cannons mounted on a ventral turret, a GU-11 55 mm three-barreled gun pod holding 200 rounds, four underwing hardpoints holding up to twelve medium-range AMM-1 missiles, twelve MK-82 LDGB bombs, six RMS-1 large anti-ship reaction missiles or four UUM-7 micro-missile pods containing up to 15 Bifors HMM-01 "micro-missiles". Like most of the VF-1's nomenclature, the "GU" and "AMM" designations of its weapons are referential to US military designations (GPU for Gun Pod Unit and AIM for Air-launched Interceptor Missile).
The missiles were carried on multiple-ejector racks on the four wing hardpoints. Long-range anti-mecha missiles could be emplaced for fleet-defense roles, but in the target-rich environments the Valkyries faced, this was not typically done. In fact, based on enemy weapons loadouts the optimal solution appeared to be to emplace as many "micro-missiles" as possible. They could also carry large anti-ship missiles for destroying enemy capital ships.
In fighter mode, the VF-1 can reach a maximum speed of Mach 3.87 at high altitude (above 30,000 metres), and Mach 2.71 at medium altitude (10,000 metres). Its wings, similar to those of the F-14 Tomcat, sweep between 20 degrees back and 72 degrees back. Unlike the F-14, the wings can sweep 90 degrees back for storage, with the tail module folding up over the fighter's back. Although technically the VF-1 has an unlimited service ceiling and atmospheric range (since it can operate in space), the VF-1's internal tanks cannot carry enough propellant to achieve a stable orbit and needs the help of a booster pack to reach Low Earth Orbit.
GERWALK (Guardian) mode
 GERWALK mode |
In GERWALK (Ground Effective Reinforcement of Winged Armament with Locomotive Knee-joint) mode (called "Guardian Mode" in Robotech), the VF-1 looks like the nose and wings of a fighter plane stuck on "chicken walker" legs with two arms. The legs are formed by the aircraft's engines and intakes, bent down and forward. The arms are stored between the engines in fighter mode and fold out to the sides, reaching around from behind the legs. In GERWALK mode, the gun pod is held by the fighter's manipulator "hands" and acts in all respects as a very large automatic rifle. This mode is the intermediate one which was originally intended to simply allow the craft to land in a combat zone with a maximum of defensive ability. However, pilots soon realized that the mode's considerable maneuverability combined with its speed made it formidable in low level aerial combat as well as flanking maneuvers on the ground and took advantage of these characteristics for such situations. Pilots have the option to deploy the legs alone, leaving the arms in storage.
In GERWALK mode, the VF-1 has a maximum speed of 500km/h flying, 100km/h walking.
Battroid (Battloid) mode
 Battloid mode |
In Battroid mode (called "Battloid Mode" in Robotech), the VF-1 looks like a fighter airplane folded up to resemble a 12.7-meter-tall (42-foot-tall) human. The legs are now straight and bend in the normal direction; the sides of the nose now resemble a human chest and shoulders (where the arms attach), and the laser turret is now a head. While the mode has some limited flight ability, its primary purpose is for ground fighting which enabled Earth forces to fight the giant alien invaders on their own scale the military anticipated they would meet.
In Battroid mode, the VF-1 has a maximum airspeed of 220 km/h. Its maximum running speed is 160 km/h.
Variants
- VF-X - Fighter mode only, aerodynamic testing craft
- VF-X-1 - Advanced prototype, similar to production type.
- VF-1A (one head laser) Used by main line pilots. Produced by Stonewell/Bellcom and under license by several manufacturers including Shinnakasu and Northrom.
- VF-1B Updated Valkyrie (VF-1A with a VF-1S head and upgraded avionics; Macross only, also referred as the "half-S" upgrade)
- VF-1D (two head lasers) Two-seater with two camera systems primarily used for training, but can also be used in combat roles
- VF-1J (two head lasers) Used by team leader. Manufactured under license by Shinnakasu.
- VF-1R Updated Valkyrie (VF-1A with a three-laser head; Robotech only)
- VF-1S (four head lasers) Used by Commanders of Air Groups and squadron commanders. Manufactured under license by Northrom. In Robotech, a unit of this type was the first delivered fully-functional Veritech Fighter, dubbed "Skull One".
- VEFR-1 Unarmed two-seater Electronic Warfare and Reconnaissance variant, includes rotary radome, arm mounted electronic surveillance pod, retractable sensors in place of hands.
- VT-1 "Super Ostrich" Unarmed two-seater trainer variant, usually carries modified FAST Packs that carry extra propellant and no weapons. (Seen in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love?)
- VE-1 "Elintseeker" Unarmed two-seater electronic warfare variant. Includes rotary radome mounted on FAST Pack boosters, radio antennae on arm pods, and side scan radar on conformal leg pods. (Seen in Do you Remember Love?)
- VT-1C Unarmed civilian version. (Seen in Macross Dynamite 7)
- VF-1X A major upgrade for the Spacy in the 2020s which included new materials, avionics and powerplants (Macross only, seen in the VF-X games)
- The VF-1 can mount one of several different sets of jettissonable battle armor to improve its combat effectiveness.
- The most common of these are called FAST Packs and consist of additional "pads" on the arms carrying three missiles, conformal propellant tanks around the engines and a pair of heavy rocket boosters on its back mounting micro-missile launchers to give the fighter more speed and firepower. Under this mode, the aircraft was nicknamed the "Super Valkyrie". The later "Strike Valkyrie" carried the same features but replaced the right micro-missile launcher with a beam cannon. These were meant for space use only, as they are not aerodynamic and would hinder performance in an atmosphere.
- Another is the GBP-1S heavy armor system, resulting in the "Armored Valkyrie" wherein the Valkyrie is covered with heavy armor modules which also contain numerous short range missile launchers and a pair of assist thrusters. The bulk and weight of the armor modules limits it to Battroid mode only until they are discarded.
- A booster pack was developed to allow a VF-1 to enter satellite orbit without expending all of its internal fuel load once in orbit. Four very large boosters could be mounted and were expended on each use.
- Both Macross and Robotech each had a major upgrade to the VF-1 systems in the mid-teens: in Macross, the VF-1As were retrofit with VF-1S style heads, upgraded avionics and an improved "glass cockpit" and redesignated VF-1B; in Robotech, the VF-1A was retrofit with two standard laser cannon on either side of the head and the central laser cannon was replaced with an automated pulse cannon, the resultant upgrade was designated VF-1R. The VF-1R was in service from 2014 nearly until the departure of the SDF-3 in 2022. It was phased out and replaced by the VF/A-6A Alpha Veritech Fighter starting in 2018.
Successors
- In Macross, the VF-1 was succeeded in service by the VF-4 Lightning III. The switchover began in 2012, with the famed Skull Squadron which switched in time for the September launch of SDF-2 Megaroad-01. It ended in 2020, when the VF-4 officially announced as the main variable fighter for the UN Spacy (although VF-1s continued in use through the galaxy as a colony fighter and private fighters; as of 2045, roughly a fourth of the produced Valkyries were still in service). By 2040, the main combat Valkyrie was the VF-11 Thunderbolt, although it was nearing the end of its service in that illustrious position. At that time General Galaxy's YF-21 and Shinsei Industries YF-19 were in competition to fill the role.
- In Robotech, the VF-1 was succeeded in service by the VFA-6 Alpha. The switchover began in 2018 (it was delayed five years by the later end of the First Robotech War as compared to the First Space War, and the need to develop a successor to the failed YF-4 Lightning project) and was complete by the 2022 departure of SDF-3 Pioneer.
Trivia
- In one scene of the TV series, animation subcontractor Anime Friend mistakenly drew laser fire coming from two farings in the nose instead of the head lasers under the fuselage. These "nose lasers" were taken as canon by many non-Japanese fans. Acceptance of the error among non-Japanese fans spread when the Robotech RPG listed them as weapons. The fairings are actually for the infrared sensors and attachment points for the leg hip joints in Battroid mode.
- In another scene much like the one above, a VF-1A "Cannon Fodder" valkyrie was very shortly seen with two extra head lasers mounted on the sides (much like the VF-1J). While an animation mistake, Harmony Gold inserted it into Robotech canon as the YF-1R in the Robotech: Battlecry video game.
- The VF-1's design was strongly inspired by designer Kawamori's admiration for the variable-winged F-14 Tomcat jet fighter.
- The FAST Packs of the VF-1 and other variable fighters were inspired by the Conformal Fuel Tanks used on the F-15C, called FAST(Fuel And Sensor Tactical) packs.
- The VF-1's name comes from the US Air Force's cancelled Mach-3 XB-70 Valkyrie bomber.
- The "Orguss Valkyrie," whose existence is actually debated, is seen momentarily in two episodes. Its inclusion in the animation footage is an inside joke referring to the next project developed by Kazutaka Miyatake and Studio Nue, The Super Dimension Century Orguss. Kawamori himself was not involved with Orguss.
- The colors and insignia on the VF-1S Valkryies of Roy Fokker's "Skull Squadron" mirror those of the famous Naval Aviation fighter squadron the VF-84 Jolly Rogers.
See also
External links
For more information on Veritechs and the story of Robotech, please visit www.robotech.com