Stonewell Bellcom VF-4 Lightning III

GOVERNMENT: UNITED NATIONS GOVERNMENT

MANUFACTURER: STONEWELL BELLCOM

STONEWELL BELLCOM VF-4 LIGHTNING III

COMMENT:
TYPE: UNS/UNS Marines main variable fighter.

PROGRAMME: VF-X-4 underwent testing by various pilots including Hikaru Ichijyo.
Mass production of operational VF-4 started 2012 February. Deployment began on SDF-2 Megaroad-01 in VF-1 Skull and SVF-184 Iron Chiefs Squadrons 2012 September. From 2020 on, main variable fighter of UN Forces, replacing VF-1 Valkyrie. Production ceased in 2022 and VF-4 Lightning III replaced as main variable fighter of UN Forces by VF-11 Thunderbolt in 2030. Total number produced: 8245.

VARIANTS:
VF-X-4: Trial-produced variable fighter built using 35% VF-1 Valkyrie parts, including the nose and forward fuselage section.
VF-4G: Production version in service in 2047 with engines replaced and upgraded for increased thrust.

CUSTOMERS: UNS, UNS Marines

DESIGN FEATURES: Wing-mounted engines, inward-canted vertical stabilizers, canard forward wings, nose-mounted ventral fin, two large beam cannons.

LANDING GEAR: Retractable tricycle undercarriage. Two steerable nosewheels retract inward into nose and twin coupled mainwheels inward into fuselage.

POWER PLANT: Two 14000 kg [x g] class Shinnakasu/P&W/Roice FF-2011 thermonuclear turbine engines. The VF-4G has 16500 kg [x g] class Shinnakasu/P&W/Roice FF-2011(+) thermonuclear turbine engines. Two-dimensional exhaust nozzles. P&W HMM-1A high-maneuverability vernier thrusters.

AVIONICS: Hybrid sensor unit stored in central dorsal section in Fighter and GERWALK modes or mounted in head turret unit in Battroid mode.

ARMAMENT: Two large beam cannons mounted in arm blocks above engine nacelles in Fighter mode or in lower arms in GERWALK and Battroid modes. Six long-range missiles semi-recessed on engine nacelles and underfuselage in Fighter Mode or on underfuselage, lower arms, and legs in GERWALK and Battroid modes. Underwing pylons for missiles.

DIMENSIONS, EXTERNAL:
Fighter mode:

Wing span:	14.28 m
Length overall:	14.92 m
Height overall:	3.72 m

MASSES AND LOADINGS:

Mass empty:

13950 kg

PERFORMANCE:
Fighter mode:

Max level speed: at 10000 m	Mach 3.02
VF-4G, at 10000 m	Mach 3.25
at 30000+ m	Mach 5.15
VF-4G, at 30000+ m	Mach 5.33