YF-21

From Macross Compendium

General Galaxy YF-21 (SUPER NOVA AVF)

Program

  • Type: UNAF/Spacy prototype main advanced variable fighter.
  • Equipment Type: Variable Vehicles
  • Manufacturer: General Galaxy
  • Government: U.N.
  • Customers: UNAF (primary), UNS

UNAF/UNS requirement for Project Super Nova Advanced Variable Fighter (AVF)'s Shinsei Industry VF-11 Thunderbolt replacement incorporating pin-point barrier system and external fold booster for a variety of mission roles; UNAF selection announced of demonstration/validation phase contractors: Shinsei Industry YF-19 and General Galaxy YF-21; each produced two prototypes and a ground-based avionics testbed; YF-19 demonstrator prototype No.1 rollout July 2039.

First flight of the YF-19 demonstrator prototype No. 1 September 2039; first flight of YF-21 prototype No. 2 with brainwave [direct] control system interface (BDS) and brain direct image system (BDI) (No. 1 was outfitted with conventional control system) at New Edwards Test Flight Center at Eden January 2040 by General Galaxy company test pilot Guld Goa Bowman; due to testing-related casualties, seven different test pilots were assigned to fly the YF-19 prototypes in turn; Bowman experienced temporary loss of control of YF-21 prototype No. 2 during first fire control system test January 2040; UNAF's Project Super Nova director Colonel Millard Johnson determined later that month that the pilot may have a neurochemical imbalance because of his Zentradi-Human genetic background, but decided to suppress the findings and retain the pilot; combat simulation and fire control testing of the second prototypes of both fighters continued.

Project Super Nova development halted under orders from UN government after development of the Ghost X-9 unmanned fighter ended February 2040. After project cancellation, UN Spacy First Lieutenant Isamu Alva Dyson (with Shinsei Industry's YF-19 development staffer Yang Neumann) launched the YF-19 prototype No. 2 with a FAST Pack system and the prototype fold booster towards Earth without authorization 2040 March. Colonel Johnson ordered Bowman to pursue Lieutenant Dyson in the YF-21 prototype No. 2 with a FAST Pack system and an identical fold booster. Irreparable damage of YF-21 prototype No. 2 with loss of pilot in subsequent battle with Ghost X-9 unmanned fighter over Macross City during the Sharon Apple Incident. YF-19 announced by UNAF as winning design 2041.

A clear distinction with existing models was attempted in the conception of the BDI, "unification of pilot and airframe", but control might be lost since this system was extremely delicate when the mind feedback fails. In addition, although the problematic BDI system and the high production costs were issues and was defeated in the competition, its performance was highly praised. In 2042, a small number were deployed as the special operations unit VF-22 Sturmvogel II. One of the characteristics of the YF-21 was an overemphasis on mobility performance. General Galaxy took the challenge, with an adventurous spirit, in the new area of next generation all-regime fighters (AVF) with the BDI system and OTM application to variable-wing aircraft.

Design Features

Implementation of Zentradi technology (due to the implementation of a revised version of the Quimeliquola Quaedluun-Rau battle suit's special inertia vector control system, the YF-21 has a similar silhouette to the battle suit in Battroid mode); low observables stealth configuration and construction; stealth/agility trade-off decided by design team; two flight configuration modes (cruise and high speed) achieved via varying the cant of the wing and tail surfaces; supersonic cruise and maneuvering in region of Mach 5+ below the stratosphere; sufficient thrust for attaining orbital velocity over a Earth-class planet; vertical T-O and landing (VTOL); brainwave control system (BDS); brain direct image system (BDI); fighter-carried pin-point barrier system (PPV), due to engine output restrictions, pin-point barrier system can only be used in Battroid mode; trapezoidal combined variable-cant tail stabilizing surfaces; active stealth system; three-dimensional thrust vectoring with three independently pivoting exhaust nozzle flaps on each engine; transformation mechanism factors into high performance as shown in simulated combat against the YF-19; option of external fold booster and/or FAST Pack weapon system. VFs have traditional arranged the main engines in the legs in Battroid mode, but the YF-21 arranged the engine block in the main body with independent legs. In other words, the legs and arms are dead weight to the YF-21 in fighter mode. By removing the unnecessary parts, the weight decreases and the limiter-release mode performance is able to reach the fuselage design limits. In limiter-release mode, the YF-21 demonstrates high manueverability combat performance which exceeds other VFs. However, this mode is accompanied by dangerous G-forces which exceed the limits of the human body. Since stealth nature was important, enlargement by additional equipment was not desirable so conformity and miniaturization were attempted.

  • Landing Gear: Retractable tricycle undercarriage. One steerable nose wheel and two main wheels.

Flying Controls

Brainwave control system (BDS), inertia vector control system improved upon and derived from Zentradi battle suit Quimeliquola Queadluun-Rau for high performance. Conventional digital flight control system for emergency use. Outward-canted combined tail slab stabilizers/ruddervators. Two ventral fins below and to the sides of the air intakes. Variable camber wing.

Structure

Composite materials (based upon OTM theories) which are capable of increasing or decreasing the wing cross section and area with feedback from the pilot's brainwaves significantly improves manueverability. Due to the high cost and problems in the construction of the main wing's complex structure, this technology is not intended for mass production.

Powerplant

  • Two 41,200 kg [x g] class (maximum instantaneous thrust in atmosphere; 65,200 kg [x g] class in space) Shinnakasu Industry/P&W/Roice FF-2450B thermonuclear engines. In atmosphere, the engines use air as coolant/propellant, but due to problems of cooling efficiency (caused by exceeding output and melting the core) the maximum thrust is limited to 40% to 60% of thrust in space.
  • Two trapezoidal air intakes with retractable shutters for Battroid mode or space use and four dorsal overflow outlets.
  • Three-dimensional independent turning exhaust nozzle vanes, for enhanced V/STOL performance and maneuverability.
  • Soles of the feet contain nozzles for VTOL for Battroid and GERWALK modes.
  • Four dorsal sub-nozzles above main exhaust nozzles. Two banks of pivoting underfuselage slits acting as main nozzles for VTOL hovering in GERWALK mode.
  • P&W HMM-6J high-maneuverability vernier thrusters.
  • Special equipment hard point station for Shinnakasu Industry/OTEC FBF-1000A external prototype fighter fold booster (currently not certified for performing beyond an one-way limit of 20 light years) on special pylons.

Accommodation

Pilot only in General Galaxy/Marty & Beck specially-developed g-endurance zero/zero ejection seat and wearing Tactical Life Support System with upper and lower g-suits and pressure breathing. YF-21 No. 2 is equipped with completely shielded, presurized cockpit with minimal external view maintained by overhead spherical canopy and two side panels in cockpit hatch; brainwave control system (BCS); conventional digital flight control system with side-stick controller and manual override for emergency use (located under main display console at the front of the cockpit). (YF-21 No. 1 is equipped with a conventional cockpit, canopy, and flight control system.) The helmet serves as the brainwave-perception system which is the input terminal of the BDI system.

Avionics

Side-stick controller, imaging monitor screens. Active stealth system. Six multi-mode sensors, one on the top, one on the bottom, and four on the sides of the nose. Five sensor units (one hybrid to the rear) mounted on head turret. YF-21 No. 2 is equipped with brain direct image system (BDI) and thought pickup communications.

Armament

  • Fixed Erlikon AAB-7(.5) super-minature anti-aircraft laser turret mounted rearward on forward dorsal fuselage in Fighter and GERWALK modes or on head turret in Battroid mode.
  • Two semi-fixed Mauler REB-22 laser beam guns with forward and rearward barrels mounted underneath tail stabilizers in Fighter mode or in the lower arm section in GERWALK and Fighter modes.
  • Fixed Howard PBS-03F fighter-carried pin-point barrier system for use in GERWALK and Battroid modes.
  • Two Fighter-mode tail stabilizers act as shields in GERWALK and Battroid modes in concert with barrier system.
  • Four internal Bifors BML-02S YF-21-exclusive all-regime rapid-fire micro-missile launchers with exit ports on the forward dorsal section to the sides of the engine nacelles.
  • Two external Howard/General GV-17L new standard cartridge-less gatling gun pods each with retractable grip and retractable stealth cover, and/or four FAST Pack micro-missile launcher pods mounted below fuselage and to the rear of fuselage in Fighter mode or on leg storage bay cover panels (or in manipulators for gun pods) and lower arms in GERWALK and Battroid modes.
  • Four hard point weapon stations on arms and hip panels (or tail assembly and underside of the airframe in fighter mode) for FAST packs, each capable of equipping 4,000 kg.

Dimensions, External

Fighter mode:

  • Wing span: 15.36m
  • Length overall: 19.62m
  • Height overall: 4.04m

Masses and Loadings

  • Mass empty: 9550 kg
  • Max T-O mass:
    • in atmosphere: 39207 kg
    • in space with fold booster: 48305 kg

Performance

Fighter Mode

  • Cruising speed
    • standard in atmosphere at 10000 m: Mach 1.75
  • Max Cruising speed
    • standard in atmosphere at 10000/22000 m: Mach 5.06+ [Mach 5.06]
    • at 30,000+ m: Mach 21+ [Mach 24+ (8.1 km/s)]
  • Ceiling : Unlimited (Capable of launching into satellite orbit over an Earth-class planet)
  • Maximum rate of climb at S/L: 61500 m/min
  • Combat action radius (in atmosphere): Nearly unlimited
  • g limits: +32.5/-17.2

GERWALK mode

  • Minimum T-O/Landing run: 0 m (VTOL capable)

(Note: This data originated from planet Eden and needed adjustment because of differences with Earth's atmospheric system and gravitational force.)

Appendices

Appearances

  • Debut: Macross Plus

Background

Related Links

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