VF-X-24 "GHOST" VERITECH FIGHTER

(Version 1.00 - Last updated: 12/12/01)
Concept and Background by Kenneth Olson
Based on an original mecha design published in Macross Design Works

BACKGROUND

At the conclusion of the First Robotech War, the United Earth Government ordered a top down review of the Robotech Defense Forces. At the minimum, a new variable aerospace superiority veritech would have to be designed for the Robotech Expeditionary Forces. By 2014 two main competitors had worked themselves to the forefront, an upgraded version of the VF-4 "Lightning" and newer VF-6 "Alpha" fighter. Boeing Aerospace had also submitted a design for consideration, the VF-X-24 or "Ghost" fighter.

The VF-X-24 was designed from the ground up as a second generation variable fighter. Armored with the most advanced Chobham armor available at the time, the VF-X-24 was immune to all small arms and light anti-mecha weaponry. Only weapons of 55mm or greater posed a serious threat of penetrating the armor and inflicting damage to internal systems.  To further increase the defensive protection of the mecha, two anti-projectile arm shields are available in battloid mode.

The VF-X-24 was designed to fight the Robotech Masters. The craft makes use of passive and active radar reduction techniques. The Ghost was designed to have a median all aspect RCS of less than 0 dBsm through extensive use of radar absorbing materials. In addition, the Ghost possesses a RRG mk1 EM absorbing field which reduces the radar cross section to minus 20 dBsm through the use of active radar lessening techniques.  In addition to the passive systems designed to defeat enemy systems, the Ghost was outfitted with the most advanced sensor package available.  Along with the standard package of RWR, IRWR, chaff, flares, and ALQ-250 sensor jammers, the Ghost possesses a Hughes APG-110 X band pulse-Doppler radar capable of long range detection and tracking of targets at all altitudes.

Although not possessing the heaviest weaponry and relaying on stealth to defeat enemies, the Ghost nevertheless does possess considerable firepower.  The VF-X-24 has two internal MLT-4 missile launchers located under the main fuselage.   Each launcher can hold up to four medium range stiletto missiles which can fire in fighter or guardian mode; however, the launchers are blocked by the structure of the mecha in battloid mode.  The unit has two Mauser LX-24 laser cannons located in mounts on either side of the side.  Each laser is an upgraded version of the cannons placed on the VF-1 "Valkyrie" and can fire 7 MJ pulses up to 40 times per minute.  In addition to the internal systems, the Ghost has four hardpoints mounted under the main fuselage capable of mounting either missiles, conventional bombs, or a single gun pod.

The first Ghost fighter was delivered to the RDF in January 2019. However, by this time the REF had made its preference for the VF-6 clear. As a result only 30 craft were completed with the final unit delivered later that same year. The decision to use the VF-6 was most fortunate for the REF as the Invid do not make much use of all the sensors for which the Ghost was designed to defeat. In addition, the relative lack of weaponry would have placed the Ghost at a sever disadvantage compared to the VF-6 alpha.

If the Robotech Masters had not invaded Earth in 2029, the history of the VF-X-24 would have been over. However, the remaining 20 operational craft were brought back into service in 2029 and formed into the 215th Fighter Squadron out of RDF Albuquerque base and dubbed the "Ghost Riders". During the final two years of the 2nd Robotech War the 215th racked up an impressive 25 to 1 kill ratio often destroying whole compliments of bioroids before they could even respond with counter fire. The unit was disbanded in July 2030 for lack of replacement aircraft. All the remaining units are believed to have been destroyed when the Invid invaded Earth and obliterated RDF Albuquerque base.

RPG STATS

Vehicle Type: VF-X-24
Class: Variable Fighter
Manufacturer: Boeing Aerospace
Crew: One, pilot  wearing Tactical Life Support System
Service History:
VF-X-24: RDF from 2019-2025 and from 2029-2030

MDC BY LOCATION:

Location

Ghost

Head Lasers (2) 25 each
Head Sensor Probe 35
* Head 75
Hands (2) 30 each
Arms (2) 125 each
Arm Shields / Tail Fins (2) 150 each
Legs (2) 200 each
Engine Thrusters (4) 50 each
** Main Body 250
Reinforced Pilots Compartment 200
Retractable Utility Arms (2) 3 each
Wings (2) 150 each
Forward Canards (2) 25 each
Tails (2) 150 each
GU-20 100

 

NOTES:

  1. * Destroying the head of the Ghost 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. ** Depleting the MDC of the main body will destroy the mecha.

SPEEDS:

RUNNING, SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:
150 kph
LEAPING, SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:
50 ft (15 m) high or 70 ft (21 m) long without thrusters.
FLYING, SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:
300 kph 
FLYING, GERWALK/SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:
Mach One (670 mph/1072 kmph) maximum speed limit in an Earth-like atmosphere. Can also hover in place indefinitely.
FLYING, FIGHTER CONFIGURATION:
Max level speed at sea level : Mach 1.5
Max level speed at 10km:  Mach 4.5
Max level speed at 30+ km:  9500 kph
Stall speed : 150 kph (VTOL rectification possible)
Initial climb rate : over 35000m per minute
Service ceiling:  Ghost can enter into low orbit

MAX ENGINE THRUST:

STATISTICAL DATA:

HEIGHT:
13.0 m  in soldier configuration.
9.2 m in gerwalk configuration.
4.1 m in fighter configuration.
WIDTH:
8.1 m at shoulders in soldier and gerwalk configuration.
14.1 m  with wings at maximum extension.
LENGTH:
14.1 m in gerwalk configuration.
16.1 m in fighter configuration.
WEIGHT:
17,100 kg empty.
PHYSICAL STRENGTH:
Equal to a P.S. of 60
CARGO:
Small compartment behind pilot's and weapon officer's seat for personal belongings
POWER PLANT:
Two RT-5E miniaturized protoculture-cell energizers providing a total of 800 MW total power
DELTA V:
100  kps
COMPATIBLE FAST PACKS
None
 

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

  1. 2 x MLT-4 INTERNAL MEDIUM RANGE MISSILE LAUNCHERS:  Two internal MLT-4 missile launchers are located in the main body.  By placing the missiles inside the unit, the radar cross section is Each launcher is capable of holding four medium range missiles, typically Stiletto medium range missiles, internally.  The missiles can only be fired while the mecha is in fighter or guardian mode and the launcher bay doors are obstructed while in batteloid. 

     

  2. 2 x MAUSER LX-24 HEAD LASERS: Two developmental Mauser LX-24 lasers are mounted on the head.  These head lasers were designed to be the primary weapon of the Ghost fighter and hence replace the standard gun pods found on earlier vertiech designs.  Each head laser can fire 7 MJ pulses of energy up to 40 times per minute.  The lasers are capable of firing in all modes, although only in guardian and battloid can they traverse 360 degrees in azimuth.

     

  3. (Optional) 4 x BODY/WING HARD POINTS: Although not recommended as the Ghost is capable of mounting weapons on four hard points, one on each wing and two under the main boy.  The addition of weaponry on the hardpoints, however, degrades the passive radar protection that the design of the Ghost fighter provides and hence is not recommended.  Each hard point can mount up to 1000 kg of weaponry. 

     

  4. HAND TO HAND COMBAT: If necessary, the Ghost can engage in melee combat rather than use a weapon. The VF-X-24  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:  

 

STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE GHOST:


COMBAT BONUSES FOR GHOST TRAINING:


REFERENCES USED IN THIS DESIGN

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