VF-2 "JOTUN"

(Version 1.01 - Last updated: 11/12/00)
RPG Translation and Background by Kenneth Olson Kenneth Olson
Pictures by Robert Morgenstern
Background Information derived from Robotech Technical Files
                                             

BACKGROUND

After several months of fighting the Zentraedi, Robotech weapons specialists on board the SDF-1 came to the realization that the VF-1, although an extremely maneuverable mecha, was not nearly armed nor armored enough to survive conflicts with the more numerous Zentraedi forces.  The first attempt to upgrade the basic VF-1 design (or the armored variant) functioned as promised however the additional armor and missile load severely decreased mobility.  The Robotech Research group decided in early 2010 to create more advanced design which would retain the weaponry and armor advantage of the initial armored Veritech while maintaining the maneuverability of the standard VF-1.  

Two competing groups of engineers endeavored to create the upgrade to the classic VF-1.  The first mecha, and ultimately the more successful, was the VF-1 "Super".  The "Super" variant of the VF-1 enhanced its space combat capability through the mounting of  additional missile packs, thrusters and armor.  The second design was the VF-2 "Jotun" Assault Valkyrie.  This design tried to improve the basic VF through a more radical means.  The basic internal structure was keep; however, some 10 tons of armor was added.  Two NP-FP-01 fuel and thruster packs were built in as part of the basic structure.  On the right arm an anti-projectile shield was added.  A carbine version of the PB-11, normally mounted on the RDF Excalibur, was placed on top of the shield to replace the venerable GU-11 55mm gun pod. 

Although, the total internal missile payload of the VF-2 was less than the super VF (36 for the VF-2 verse 38 for the super), the number of missiles was still a vast improvement over the standard VF-1.  Two hip mounted MM-3 missiles were added.  Each launcher was capable of rotating 180 degrees providing the VF-2 protection from the rear when in battloid mode.  Two NP-AR-02 missile launchers were added under each arm.  These launchers had an increased payload of six missiles per launcher verses the NP-AR-01 found on the super VF with only three.  In order to offset the massive increase in weight a  NP-BP-01C booster/missile launcher was taken from the super valkyrie design and added to the rear providing  additional maneuverability along with sixteen short range missiles.

Although, the Jotun was more powerfully armed and armored, the super valkyrie had superior mobility.  In addition, upgrades could convert a standard VF-1 to a "Super" in less than an hour.  Whereas, conversion of an older VF-1 to a Jotun required at a minimum a major rebuild.  Another disadvantage for the VF-2 was that the Jotun was optimized for space based operations which would limit its effectiveness combating the malcontent Zentraedi later in the First Robotech War; whereas the VF-1 "super" could be reconverted into the standard model and used in atmospheric operations.

The VF-2 proved to be extremely adept in space combat.  Some 10 units were built before the Zentraedi Assault on the Earth in July 2012.  They were assigned mainly as defensive units guarding the SDF-1 and allied ships while the more numerous and maneuverable VF-1 supers were sent out with Reflex weaponry to knock out Zentreaedi ships and large groups of mecha.  The VF-2 groups took heavy casualties during the battle often outnumbered 50 to 1.  Only three of the original ten VF-2s survived the battle.  In the five years preceding the end of the First Robotech War 150 VF-2 were produced.  These units were placed on board the surviving ARMD space platforms protecting the earth from any space born threats.  The remaining units were subsequently mothballed once the VBF-1 "Beta" fighter was developed and none are believed to have been included in the REF inventory once they left the Terran system.

Service History:

 

RPG STATS

Vehicle Type: VF-2 Jotun
Class: Variable Assault Fighter
Manufacturer: Robotech Defense Forces
Crew: One pilot wearing Tactical Life Support System.

MDC BY LOCATION:

Location Jotun
Head Lasers  25
* Head 75
Hands (2) 30
Arms (2) 100
Shoulders (2) 75
PB-11  50
Arm Shield  200
Legs/Engine Thrusters (2) 200
** Main Body 300
Reinforced Pilots Compartment 200
Retractable Utility Arms (3) 3
Wings (2) 100
GU-11 100

NOTES:

  1. * Destroying the sensor head of the Jotun 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:
160 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 1.0
note:  The VF-2 was used exclusively in space born operations

MAX ENGINE THRUST:

STATISTICAL DATA:

HEIGHT:
15.4m  in soldier configuration.
10.8 m in gerwalk configuration.
5.0 m in fighter configuration.
WIDTH:
8.6m at shoulders in soldier and gerwalk configuration.
14.8m  with wings at maximum extension.
LENGTH:
5.0m in soldier configuration.
11.3m in gerwalk configuration.
14.0m in fighter configuration.
WEIGHT:
25,000 kg empty.
PHYSICAL STRENGTH:
Equal to a P.S. of 60
CARGO:
Small compartment behind pilot's seat for personal belongings
POWER PLANT:
2 x RRL-2 miniaturized protoculuture-cell energizer providing 800 MW of total power
Delta V:
150  kps
COMPATIBLE FAST PACKS:
None

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

  1. MAUSER PBC-11C CARBINE PARTICLE BEAM CANNON :  The VF-2 GU-11 was replaced with a carbine version of the PB-11 found on the RDF Excaliber.  The weapon is able to fire 15 MJ bursts up to 30 times per minute at a range of 5 kilometers. 

     

  2. MAUSER RoV-20 LASER CANNON:   The standard RoV-20 head laser was kept for the VF-2; however, all models have only a single weapon mounted on the top of the head.  This was done to keep the total power requirements low enough that only a moderate increase in power from the protoculture energizer was needed over the standard VF-1

     

  3. HMMP-02 MISSILE LAUNCHER:  A single HMMP-02 missile system from the super veritech was added to the rear of the mecha.  Only a single system was included because of the difficulties that arose when the additional armor and the 

     

  4. 2x NP-AR-02:  Mounted on either arm are two modified versions of the NP-AR-01 found on the super veritech.  Each launcher can hold 6 short range missiles instead of the standard three found on the super veritech

     

  5. 2 x MM-3 MULTIMISSILE SYSTEM:  Mounted on either ship are two MM-3 missile systems.  Each launcher can rotate 180 degrees.  This allows the VF-2 to fire missiles towards the rear in battloid mode if necessary.

  6. BODY/WING HARD POINTS: Two fixed hard points are mounted on each wing.   These hardpoints can be used to carry 15 short range missiles, 5 medium range missiles or 2 long range missiles.

    7.  

  7. HAND TO HAND COMBAT: If necessary, the Jotun can engage in melee combat rather than use a weapon. The VF-2 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 JOTUN:

COMBAT BONUSES FOR JOTUN TRAINING:

REFERENCES USED IN THIS DESIGN

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