General Galaxy/Messer VF-14 Vampire

PROGRAMME: Development began in 2025 from the Stonewell Bellcom VF-4 Lightning III with the incorporation of Zentradi technology in addition to OTM. First flight in 2027. Mass production began in 2028. Entered active service around 2030 and carried as the main fighter on colonization, survey, and other fleets at its peak. Continues to be produced under license at colonies and elsewhere.

CUSTOMERS: UNS.

DESIGN FEATURES: High maneuverability in space.

POWER PLANT: Two Shinnakasu-Daimler FF-2770D engines. P&W-Daimler HMM-5C high-maneuverability vernier thrusters.

ACCOMMODATION: Armored cover rotates 90 degrees over canopy in Battroid mode

Debut: Macross 7 P*L*U*S 7 "Spiritia Dreaming"
Other appearances: Macross M3
Designer: Shoji Kawamori
Design inspiration: General Galaxy/Messer-Varauta Fz-109 Elgerzorene, initial designs for Elger Zorene Fz-109A and Sturm Zorene Fz-109G (Knights in the Sky/Military History of the Knighthood in the Sky), Stonewell Bellcom VF-4 Lightning III, Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird
Note: Shoji Kawamori initially developed the Zorene series in 1990 for the Holy Zaibach Empire variable air attack craft of Knights in the Sky (later Military History of the Knighthood in the Sky), the parallel world project that eventually became The Vision of Escaflowne. Kawamori then extrapolated backwards from his and his partner Kazutake Miyatake's finalized Elgerzorene design for Macross 7 to create a rough VF-14 concept used in the Macross 7 P*L*U*S 7 segment "Spiritia Dreaming." Kawamori finalized the VF-14 design for Macross M3. Several aircraft similar to the VF-14 appear in Macross Plus Movie Edition, but Kawamori has not identified them.