GOVERNMENT: UNITED NATIONS
MANUFACTURER: SHINSEI INDUSTRY
SHINSEI INDUSTRY VF-5000
COMMENT:
TYPE: General-purpose lightweight air superiority variable fighter.
PROGRAMME: Shinnakasu Heavy Industry and Stonewell Bellcom began their joint project of a general-purpose lightweight air superiority fighter designed for comparatively low mass production cost and simple maintenance in 2011. The design was based on the VF-1 Valkyrie's design with research on Zentradi technology. When the aerospace development divisions of both companies merged to form Shinsei Industry in 2012, the VF-5000 became the new company's first development project and mass-produced fighter. The fighter was mainly designed as a general-purpose lightweight support and air superiority fighter, and its roles expanded to include aggressor and trainer assignments after mass production ended. First flight 2018.
Mass production of VF-5000 started 2020. Assumed the United Nations Forces' main fighter designation from the VF-4 (due to its lower costs) beginning in the later half of the 2020s until the VF-11 Thunderbolt's introduction. Mass production ends in 2029.
VARIANTS:
VF-5000B: Single-seat version in UN Spacy service
VF-5000G: Single-seat version used by planet Zola's Galactic Whale patrol unit
VF-5000T-G: Dual-seat version used by planet Zola's Galactic Whale patrol unit
CUSTOMERS: UNS, planet Zola's Galactic Whale unit
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.
FLYING CONTROLS: One-section ailerons and flaps occupy almost entire wing trailing-edge; leading-edge slats; conventional rudders in outward-canted vertical tail surfaces; two-dimensional vectored thrust nozzles operate in lieu of conventional elevators and horizontal stabilizers; P&W HMM-3A high-thrust vernier thrusters; one ventral fin under each engine nacelle.
LANDING GEAR: Retractable tricycle undercarriage.
POWER PLANT: Two Shinsei/P&W/Roice FF-2015RB thermonuclear reaction turbine engines, each rated at 12500 kg. Two-dimensional exhaust nozzles, for enhanced V/STOL performance and maneuverability. Rectangular underfuselage air intake with retractable cover in Battroid mode or space use. P&W HMM-3A high-thrust vernier thrusters. Option of standard atmospheric-escape ramjet booster pack system with dorsal-mounted ramjet/rocket hybrid engine with propellant tank, two leg/engine-pod-mounted conformal propellant tanks, and numerous vernier thrusters; or air/space FAST Pack system with two dorsal-mounted jet/rocket hybrid engines, two leg/engine-pod-mounted conformal propellant tanks, and numerous vernier thrusters in two dorsal-mounted and two leg/engine-pod-mounted systems.
ACCOMMODATION: Pilot only in seat reclined 30 degrees. VF-5000T-G has two seats. Pressurized one-piece upward-hinged canopy with retractable shield for Battroid mode and atmospheric reentry use.
AVIONICS: HUD (displayed on canopy as in later VF-1 Valkyries); head sensor.
ARMAMENT: Fixed rear anti-aircraft pulse laser cannon, mounted above dorsal section in Fighter and GERWALK mode or on head turret in Battroid mode. Standard external multi-purpose gun pod or shock gun pod mounted under central fuselage in Fighter mode or in manipulator in GERWALK and Battroid modes. Micro missile launchers mounted in centre ventral section and in engine nacelle section in Fighter mode or in forearm and lower leg sections in GERWALK and Battroid modes.
Option of aerospace booster pack system with micro-missile launcher pods (mounted on engine nacelle section in Fighter mode or on lower leg sections in GERWALK and Battroid mode), and micro-missile launcher pod with shock ordnance mounted on dorsal section; or Super FAST Pack system with micro-missile launcher pods with upper exit ports for the fighter's own launchers and a lower exit ports for the pods's launchers (mounted on engine nacelle section in Fighter mode or on lower leg sections in GERWALK and Battroid mode), and micro-missile launcher pod mounted on central dorsal section.
DIMENSIONS, EXTERNAL:
Fighter mode:
| 14.03 m |
| 8300 kg |
| Max level speed: at 10000 m | Mach 2.85 |
| Mach 4.73+ |