Northrop Grumman/Stonewell/Shinsei VF-0

PROGRAM: Trial production model and testbed for advanced jet engines and Overtechnology designed for future variable fighters. Deployed for actual combat and functional testing when delivery of VF-1 Valkyrie variable fighter's thermonuclear reaction engines were delayed. Flown over the South Pacific Ocean island of Mayan during a secret program one to two years before Space War I.

The development for the augmentative weapon packs used by the VF-0 series was advanced mainly by Shinnakasu Heavy Industry, but it was not done in time for the Anti-"Bird Man" battle. Therefore, the carrier Asuka's maintenance crewmembers hurriedly put together the available parts aboard for the VF-0 "Raid," a specification called the "Angel" version afterwards, probably due to the final form. One each of the S type and A type were modified to this specification. Even the augmentative weapon packs manufactured by Shinnakasu as well as the later experimental equipment used by the VF-1 had only been trial-produced in a number of sets and a number of patterns. (Except for one conformal missile/fuel tank installed on each engine nacelle, the other parts in the augmentative weapon "Super Pack" were not yet completed.) This special attack/assault specification was used only once in the battle at the island of Mayan.

For the flight characteristics and other such data of the VF-0 plus QF-2200A, they even conducted tentative virtual simulations, produced flight data, and inputed them into the air combat maneuver computer. However, because the air flows of the VF-0's main wing and Ghost's main wing interacted in complex ways at high speed and high angles of attack, there were many unknown segments of data, and the self-learning air combat maneuver computer could only conduct data acquisition, analysis, and correction during actual flight.

The VF-0 special attack/assault specification was equipped with many missile weaponry, but expending them altered the weight balance greatly, not to mention predicting the Battroid mode's motions was difficult. So in actual conditions, the pilot's abilities were relied upon.

The VF series is poor at generating lift with the wing surfaces in Battroid mode, so far greater power compared to conventional fighters was necessary to hover and maneuver on engine thrust alone. The VF-0's weight when using the Ghost as a booster (not including missile launchers and other equipment) increased by approximately 35%, but the total thrust of the engines of the VF-0+Ghost increased less than 20% at normal thrust and increased 90% with afterburners.

VARIANTS:
VF-0A: UN Spacy general-issue single-seater version. One head-turret-mounted Mauler laser cannon. An estimated 24 single-seater, 4 two-seater, and 2 two-seater armed reconnaissance units manufactured.
VF-0B: UN Spacy two-seater version of the A type. One head-turret-mounted Mauler laser cannon.
VF-0D: UN Spacy two-seater version designed and manufactured by Northrop Grumman/Stonewell/Bellcom for enhanced attack and electronic warfare capabilities. Increased air combat maneuverability and 20% greater payload as well as improved electronic warfare capabilities. Shares largely the same nose block, dorsal block, and Battroid-mode leg section/enginge block. High-maneuverability canard and clipped delta wing with dogtooth edge and large wing area. One head-turret-mounted laser cannon.
VF-0S: UN Spacy commander version. Two head-turret-mounted Mauler laser cannons. The integrated control system's limiters that are installed on the VF-0A are removed by default. An estimated 4 units manufactured.

CUSTOMERS: U.N.

DESIGN FEATURES: 3-mode variable transformation system into Fighter, GERWALK, and Battroid modes. Capable of underwater operations in silent mode for up to several minutes.

STRUCTURE: Space metal materials are used for the composition of the fuselage's frame, but titanium/carbon composite is used for the outer skin. Due to AWAG/RA 105 SWAG energy converting armor which uses Overtechnology, the VF-0 can employ surplus power to triple the Fighter mode's armor strength in Battroid mode. (Future variable fighters will incorporate similar technology.)

POWER PLANT: Two EGF-127 custom overtuned conventional turbofan jet engines, each rated at 91.08 kN and 148.9 kN with afterburning. (Future variable fighters will incorporate thermonuclear reaction engines that are under development.) Due to its less efficient engines, the VF-0 has considerably shorter range, more delicate handling, and longer airframe compared to the VF-1. (Engine nacelles are comparatively longer to accommodate the earlier engine design.) Rectangular underfuselage air intake with semi-retractable slit-style shutter in Battroid mode or space use. Three Shinnakasu ARR-2 maneuvering rocket motors in GERWALK and Battroid modes. Standard auxillary conformal fuel drop tanks on dorsal main body in Fighter mode and on chest and dorsal sections in Battroid mode. Option of reactive armor parts or one regular external atmospheric combat super parts (micro-missile launcher/conformal fuel tank FAST Pack with twenty-four Raytheon Erlikon GH-30B I/IR-guided micro-missiles each) mounted on both leg/engine nacelle. One QF-2200A Ghost unmanned fighter (the focus of a modification known as the special attack/assault specification) acting as a booster on the craft's dorsal surface, rated in combination with VF-0's retuned engines for 305.65 kN and 602.55 kN with afterburning.*

ACCOMMODATION: Pilot only. VF-0D has two seats. Canopy with retractable shield for Battroid mode use; side-stick controller and multi-position throttle lever/stick. Two rear (back) mirrors.

AVIONICS: HUD. One AN/ALE 55 flare and chaff dispenser system. AN/ALQ 220A IDECM. ASS/PS 110 active stealth system. AWAG/RA 105 SWAG energy converting armor system, other equipment.

ARMAMENT: One (VF-OA/D) or two (VF-0S) fixed Mauler laser cannons. One standard Howard GPU-9 35 mm gatling gun pod with 550 rounds (AHEAD rounds available). Maximum of twelve standard Raytheon Bifors AIM-200A AMRAAM 2 I/ALH-guided medium-range air-to-air missiles on three-missile racks, four GH-28A 8-tube general-purpose micro missile (capable of firing 3 volleys) launchers, two HAIM-95A medium-range maneuverability missile launcher pods originally used in attack craft equipment (special attack/assault specification), or a combination of the above mounted on four underwing variable pylon hard points or on two augmentative pylons welded to the conformal fuel tanks of craft's dorsal surface (special attack/assault specification). Option of reactive armor parts or one regular external atmospheric combat super parts (micro-missile launcher/conformal fuel tank FAST Pack with twenty-four Raytheon Erlikon GH-30B I/IR-guided micro-missiles each) mounted on both leg/engine nacelle. The super part is also capable of storing spare magazine for the gun pod. One QF-2200A Ghost unmanned fighter equipped with five micro-missile launchers on the craft's dorsal surface (the focus of a modification known as the special attack/assault specification). Maximum payload of the VF-0D variant is 20% greater than the VF-0A/S variants. Capable of mounting most former United States/NATO standard aviation weaponry.

DIMENSIONS, EXTERNAL:
Fighter mode:

Length overall:

18.69 m

MASSES AND LOADINGS:

Mass empty:	16191 kg
VF-0D	16805 kg

PERFORMANCE:
Fighter mode:

Max speed: VF-0A/S, at 11000 m	Mach 2.74
VF-0D, at 11000 m	Mach 2.62
Cruising Range: VF-0A/S, with standard dorsal conformal tanks	2075 km
VF-0D, with standard dorsal conformal tanks	2400 km
VF-0, with QF-2000A (when used with continuous afterburning for high-speed air combat manuevers)	1100 km
Service Ceiling: VF-0A/S	25000 m
VF-0D	26500 m
Operational underwater depth limit:	20 m