VF-4 "LIGHTNING" (VF-X-3,VF-X-4,A,B,D,G,S,T)

(Version 1.02 - Last updated: 02/17/01)

RPG Statistics by Kenneth Olson

Background Information derived from Robotech Technical Files

BACKGROUND

See Robotech Technical Files  - VF-4 "Lightning"

Service History:

RPG STATS

Vehicle Type: VF-4 Lightning

Class: Variable Fighter
Manufacturer: Earth Defense Forces, Armies of the Southern Cross, Robotech Expeditionary Forces.
Crew: One pilot wearing Tactical Life Support System.

MDC BY LOCATION:

NOTES:

1. * Destroying the head of the VF-4  will knock out the mecha's major sensor systems, including all of the optics systems (infrared, nightvision, thermal). Radar and communications will be unaffected.
2. ** Destruction of any shoulder mounted or leg mounted thrusters will reduce the maximum thrust by 25% in space and reduce the top speed by 40% in the atmosphere.  The VF-4 requires a minimum of two thrusters to remain aloft in a standard planetary atmosphere. 
3. ***Depleting the MDC of the main body will destroy the mecha.

SPEEDS:

RUNNING, SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:

70 kph (VF-X-3), 90 kph (VF-X-4),  128 kph for (A,B,G,S,T)

LEAPING, SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:

50 ft (15 m) high or 70 ft (21 m) long without thrusters.

FLYING, SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:

300 kph (VF-X-3), 350 kph (VF-X-4),  428 kph for (A,B,G,S,T)

FLYING, GERWALK/SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:

Mach One (670 mph/1072 kph) maximum speed limit in an Earth-like atmosphere. Can also hover in place indefinitely.

FLYING, FIGHTER CONFIGURATION:

Max level speed :  1500 kph (VF-X-3), 2100  kph (VF-X-4),  2465 kph for (A,B,S,T) 27000 kph (G) at 18000m
1100 kph at sea level (Mach 1.0)
Stall speed : 182 kph (VTOL rectification possible)
Initial climb rate : over 20000m per minute
Service ceiling : 26 km (unboosted).

MAX ENGINE THRUST:

• 2 x Two Nakajima/P&W/Rolls-Royce FF-2001D Fusion plasma-air/reaction mass intermix turbines. (VF-X-3, VF-X-4)  Max thrust 120 kN (unboosted) 250kN (boosted)
• 2 x Pratt & Whitney FF-2011-4 Fusion plasma-air/reaction mass intermix turbines. (A,B,S,T) Max thrust 140 kN (unboosted) 275kN (boosted)
• 2 x Pratt & Whitney FF-2025 Fusion plasma-air/reaction mass intermix turbines. (G) Max thrust 180 kN (unboosted) 365kN (boosted)
• 2 x Turbo-Union ATF 350 miniaturized fusion plasma-air/reaction mass intermix ramjets. Mounted on the upper rear (fighter mode), on the arm blocks [Reserve]. Each engine is rated to 38.4 kN standard thrust, max overboost to 77.3 kN each.
• 2 x P&W HMM-1A high-maneuverability vernier thrusters: mounted on the arm blocks
  

STATISTICAL DATA:

HEIGHT:

12.5m  in soldier configuration.

11.2m in gerwalk configuration.

3.7m in fighter configuration.

WIDTH:

7.4m at shoulders in soldier and gerwalk configuration.

7,40m  with wings at maximum extension.

LENGTH:

4.1m in soldier configuration.

14.1m in gerwalk configuration.

14.9m in fighter configuration.

WEIGHT:

14,000 kg empty.

PHYSICAL STRENGTH:

Equal to a P.S. of 60

CARGO:

Small compartment behind pilot's seat for personal belongings in addition to the cyclone storage compartment

POWER PLANT:

2 x RRL-2P Miniaturized Protoculture-cell energizer

16 standard canisters of Protoculture
1 dedicated canister for each EP-13/EU-13 gun pod
200 lit. D2O reactant for fusion engines.

Delta V:

50 kps for VF-X-3 and VF-X-4

70 kps for (VF-4 A,B,G,S,T) however two 25 kps tanks may be mounted on each hardpoint

 

COMPATIBLE FAST PACKS:

None

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

1. (VF-X-3) 2xHUGHES GU-11 55mm THREE BARRELED GUN POD (VF-X-3):  Two internal GU-11 were mounted in either shoulder.  The GU-11 were mounted in place of energy based weaponry because of their highly experimental nature.  Each cannon can fire up to 600 rounds per minute in any mode.  
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Mecha
   • RANGE: 1200m
   • DAMAGE: 3d6 for each short bursts, 6d6 for each medium, or 1d6*10 for a full melee bursts
   • RATE OF FIRE: Bursts equal to the combined attacks of the pilot.
   • PAYLOAD: 600 rounds stored internally, or 60 short bursts, 30 medium, or 15 full melee bursts.  Ammunition is mounted internally and must be reloaded at any RDF/REF base.

    

2. (VF-X-4, A,B,D,S,T) 2x EP-4 50MM SINGLE BARREL PARTICLE CANNON:   Two EP-4 particle beam cannons were mounted in either shoulder.  Each EP-4 is capable of firing 10 MJ bursts up to 20 times per minute, with power coming directly from the main protoculture generators.  The gun is powered directly from the main protoculture generators and as such the rate of fire is only limited by the recharge rate.  
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Mecha
   • RANGE: 2000 m
   • DAMAGE: 1D4*10 per single shot
   • RATE OF FIRE: Single shots equal to the combined attacks of the pilot up to 5 times per melee.
   • PAYLOAD: Effectively unlimited
    
3. (VF-4G) 2 x EP-13B1 THREE-BARRELED 80MM PARTICLE GUN POD: In later model VF-4 veritechs the standard EP-4 particle beam cannons were replaced with two extended range EP-13 80mm particle beam cannons.  Each EP-13B1 are similar to those found on the VAF-6, with the only major difference coming from the fact that additional focusing coils can be mounted internally thereby increasing the range over the standard model.  Each EP-13 can fire 170 rounds per minute in full automatic mode, also capable of firing all three barrels simultaneously in semiautomatic mode at approximately one shot per second.  This weapon fires 3.2 MJ pulses per barrel with its own dedicated protoculture cell.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Mecha
   • RANGE: 2200 m
   • DAMAGE: 2d4 for each Single blast, 1d6*10 for each triple blast, 2d4*10 for each medium burst (up to six times per melee), or 4d4*10 for each full melee burst.
   • RATE OF FIRE: Single shots or bursts equal to the combined attacks of the pilot.
   • PAYLOAD: Conditionally unlimited.  The protoculture cell is estimated to have enough power for 3000 single shots, 1000 triple shots, 300 long bursts, or 100 full melee bursts.

    

4. (VF-4G) 2 x EU-12 DESTABLIZER: In late 2038, the REF upgraded their remaining VF-4G models with two EU-12 destabilizers.  These models were used in the initial strikes against Invid fortified positions punching holes through protoplex barriers thereby allowing conventional weaponry to inflict damage.  Each EU-12 sub-nuclear particle beam gun can fire 15 MJ blasts up to 30 times/minute. The EU-12 draws power from its own dedicated protoculture canister, but can be fired using the veritech's own power.  Particles have specific, disrupting effect on force fields, and will short out a low power field completely, while high power fields may temporarily and locally cease to function.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-force Field
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Mecha
   • RANGE: 4000 feet (1200 m)
   • DAMAGE: 1D6x10 for each single shot
   • RATE OF FIRE: Single shots equal to the combined attacks of the pilot up to eight times per melee.
   • PAYLOAD: Conditionally unlimited.  Each protoculture cell can power up to 100 shots.

    

5. 6 x BODY/WING HARD POINTS: Two fixed hard points are mounted on each inner wing and one on each outer wing for a total of 6 outer hard points.   These hardpoints can be used to carry 15 hammerhead short range missiles, 5 medium range Diamondback missiles or 2 long range missiles.

 

6. HAND TO HAND COMBAT: If necessary, the Lightning can engage in melee combat rather than use a weapon. The VF-4  is extremely agile and can execute most typical hand to hand combat moves, such as punches, jump kicks, leap attacks, rolling with impacts, etc.

   DAMAGE:  

   • Punch in Battloid:  1D6*3
   • Punch in Guardian:  1D4*3
   • Kick: 1D6*3
   • Leap Kick: 2D6*3
   • Body Flip/Throw: 1D6*3
   • Body Block/Tackle: 1D6*3
   • Stomp: 1D4*3 . (only effective against small objects)
     

    

STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE VF-4:

• AUTO-PILOT: The VF-4 is equipped with a computerized auto-pilot, allowing the pilot to relax or even sleep during long voyages. The auto- pilot can be programmed with a single destination or a complex flight plan involving multiple speeds, directions, and destinations. The onboard computer will alert the pilot when the fighter is near its destination, and can also be set to automatically signal when sensors detect objects near the mecha. The auto-pilot was designed with long intra-system space journeys in mind.
• COMBAT COMPUTER: The combat computer tracks and identifies specific enemy targets, and has a database of over 10,000 images stored in memory. The computer can identify and track up to 250 targets simultaneously. 
• ELETTRONICA RADAR WARNING RECEIVER (RWR) 
• OLDELFT INFRA-RED WARNING RECEIVER (IRWR) 
• WESTINGHOUSE ALQ-250(V) ACTIVE SENSOR JAMMER: internal ECM 
• EXTERNAL AUDIO PICKUP: Range: 300 ft (91.5 m). A sound amplification system that can pick up normal conversation up to 300 feet away.
• HEAT AND RADIATION SHIELDS: Special shielding prevents the penetration of life threatening head and radiation. A radiation detection and alarm system are linked with the shields and will sound an alarm if there is a rupture in the shields and what the levels of radiation are.
• HOMING SIGNAL: The escape pod of the  VF-4  is equipped with a homing device that enables rescue teams to locate a disabled craft or ejected life pod. The range of the signal is 400 miles (640 km). Most RDF ships and veritechs can locate and track a homing signal, and the onboard computers will automatically notify their pilots if such a signal is detected.
• LASER TARGETING SYSTEM: Range: 100 miles (160 km). Used for increased accuracy in the striking of enemy targets and is partly responsible for the mecha's strike bonus.
• LOUDSPEAKER: A loudspeaker system is built into the craft, which can be used to amplify the pilot's voice up to 90 decibels.
• OPTICS: INFRARED: Range: 2000 feet (610 m). This optical system projects a beam of infrared light that is invisible to the normal eye, but detectable by the mecha's sensors. The system allows the pilot to detect hidden/concealed objects by their IR reflectiveness. The beam will be visible to anyone with IR sensitive optics, however.
• OPTICS: NIGHTVISION: Range: 2000 feet (610 m). A passive light image intensifier that emits no light of its own, but relies on ambient light which is electronically amplified to produce a visible picture.
• OPTICS: THERMAL IMAGER: Range: 2000 feet (610 m). A passive optical heat sensor that detects infrared radiation projected by warm objects and converts that data into a false-color visible image. The system enables the pilot to see in the dark, in shadows, and through smoke, and also adds a +10% bonus to pilots using a tracking skill.
• HUGHES APG-113 X-BAND RADAR: 100 mile range.
• RADIO/VIDEO COMMUNICATION: Long range, directional communications system with satellite relay capabilities. Range: 600 miles (960 km) or can be boosted indefinitely via satellite relay.
• SELF-DESTRUCT: To prevent capture of an advance variable fighter by the enemy, the pilot can activate the  VF-4 self-destruct system, which will cause the fighter to explode after a delay of up to 60 minutes (time is set by the pilot). The explosive damage is contained within a 20 foot (6 m) area and inflicts 1D6x10 M.D. to everything within the radius of the explosion. All internal systems are obliterated. The escape pod will be automatically ejected prior to the explosion unless the pilot overrides the ejection sequence.
• STANDARD SURVIVAL KIT: All RDF veritechs come equipped with a portable survival kit. Inside the small reinforced box is a medium-sized flashlight, two hand flares, one rocket flare, a compass, infrared distancing binoculars, a small mirror, a pocket knife, dehydrated and concentrated food (can be stretched into a five day supply for one person) and basic first aid items (aspirin, bandages, disinfectants, etc.)
• TACTICAL LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM: The VF-4 cockpit is pressurized, and also provides additional air feeds to the pilot's flight suit that provides him with pressurized breathing. The RDF flight suit also contains an upper and lower g-suit that promotes blood circulation even during high-g turns, thus decreasing the possibility of pilot's blacking out in combat.
• CHAFF AND FLARE DISPENSERS: 24 chaff and 24 flares are stored in the lower legs
  

STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE VF-4G:

• Texas Instruments: APG-137 Synthetic Aperture Radar (200 mile range)
• Zeiss Multi-Band optical digital cameras
• Thmoson radiation and motion sensors
• Hewlett Packard on board automatic data interpretation system

COMBAT BONUSES FOR VF-X-3 AND VF-X-4 FIGHTER TRAINING:

• 2 attacks per melee (plus those of the pilot)
• Add one additional action/attack at levels six and eleven
• +1 to strike 
• +2 to parry
• +2 to dodge in solder +4 in guardian, +6 in jet mode
• +3 to roll with a punch or fall with an impact, reducing damage by half
• Critical strike same as pilot's hand-to-hand

COMBAT BONUSES FOR VF-4 (A,B,D,S,T) FIGHTER TRAINING:

• 2 attacks per melee (plus those of the pilot).
• Add one additional action/attack at levels six and eleven
• +2 to strike 
• +2 to parry
• +2 to dodge in solder +4 in guardian, +6 in jet mode
• +3 to roll with a punch or fall with an impact, reducing damage by half.
• Critical strike same as pilot's hand-to-hand.
•  The VF-4 gives each pilot an additional +5% on piloting skill checks in atmosphere

COMBAT BONUSES FOR VF-4G FIGHTER TRAINING:

• 3 attacks per melee (plus those of the pilot).
• Add one additional action/attack at levels six and eleven
• +1 on initiative
• +3 to strike
• +3 to parry
• +2 to dodge in solder +4 in guardian, +6 in jet mode
• +3 to roll with a punch or fall with an impact, reducing damage by half.
• Critical strike same as pilot's hand-to-hand.
• Notes:  The VF-4G gives each pilot an additional +5% on piloting skill checks in atmosphere and +5% on read sensory instruments from advanced stereoscopic imaging.

REFERENCES USED IN THIS DESIGN

• Robotech Technical Files: VF-4 Lightning
• Macross Mecha Designs:  VF-4 Lightning
• Palladium Books:  "The Sentinels"

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