VF-9 "RAPTOR-II"

(Version 1.00 - Last updated: 11/12/00)
Background and RPG Statistics by Kenneth Olson
Background Information derived from Robotech Technical Files

BACKGROUND

After the end of the First Robotech War and the beginning of the rearmament period leading up to the Sentinels campaigns, RDF designers came out with a plethora of new designs for any conceivable enemy.  As early as 2015, the newly formed Robotech Expeditionary Force decided that the new generation of Robotech fighters for the upcoming trip to the home world of the Robotech Masters was needed.  Design teams from the Tokyo Robotech Research facility designed and produced a radical new veritech fighter to replace the VF-4 Lighting.  The new fighter would be armed with the latest weaponry and armored using the more advanced Chobam designs.

The fighter mode of the VF-9 outwardly was taken from the experimental X-29.  Two new Nakajima/P&W/Rolls-Royce FX-2005 fusion turbines were added to replace the venerable FF-2001.  These engines produced 25% more thrust than the earlier models at three-quarters the weight.  The aging Hughes AWG-20 X-band pulse-Doppler radar was replaced with a new Westinghouse APS-150 X-band pulse Doppler AWG-30 model providing 50% greater detection range.  

The incredible maneuverability and the upgraded weaponry and armor of the VF-9 made the Raptor a formidable opponent.  The armor was upgraded to the Chobam laminar mounted on the VBF-9 and VAF-6 series of veritech fighters.  The missile complement was kept from the older VF series; however, the new GU-111 65mm rotary cannon was added for additional firepower.  The GU-111 is mounted underneath in fighter mode and on the right arm in guardian and battloid mode.  Two LA-5 lasers were mounted on the shoulders to allow the the APS-150 to be positioned on the head.   Each LA-5 is capable of firing 6 MJ bursts every 2 seconds.  Although, the LA-5s  are available in any mode they are rarely used in battloid configuration because of the awkward positioning.  However, on a few experimental units the lasers were controlled by the weapons computer to provide automatic anti-missile protection.   Two 50mm EP-5 particle beam cannons are mounted on both arms.  Each EP-5 is capable of firing 20 MJ bursts up to 20 times per minute and are capable of firing in every mode.  

The first production model was rolled out in July of 2017 and under went flight testing at the RDF New Albuquerque base.  The Raptor proved to be a superior unit to the VAF-6 in the atmosphere; albeit somewhat under gunned in comparison to the VAF-6 and the VBF-9.  The REF high command was sufficiently  impressed to order 250 units produced for use in REF marine divisions.  Raptors would be dropped from orbit to provide air support for marine destroid units along with the more venerable VF-4.  Through out the Sentinel campaign the VF-9 proved to be a superior atmospheric unit capable of out maneuvering the Invid Armored Scouts.  The REF high command would have liked to produce additional units; however, priorities were placed on VAF-6 and VBF-9 starship construction.  As a results, by the time of the final assault on Opterra only 107 VF-9s were available for the final assault.  Most of these units were rendered inoperative during the assault and they were not replaced as the REF marines began to receive VAF-6 alpha fighters to replace the VF-9.  Only a single squadron of 15 VF-9s were used to supplement REF force during the campaign to liberate the Earth from the Invid Regis.

RPG STATS

Vehicle Type: VF-9 Raptor
Class: Variable Fighter
Manufacturer: Robotech Defense Forces
Crew: One pilot wearing Tactical Life Support System.

MDC BY LOCATION:

Location Raptor
Small Head Lasers (2) 25
Head Sensor Probe (1) 35
* Head 125
Hands (2) 30
Arms (2) 125
Legs/Engine Thrusters 225
** Main Body 300
Reinforced Pilots Compartment 200
Retractable Utility Arms 3
Wings (2) 125
Tails (2) 50
GU-111 100

 

NOTES:

  1. * Destroying the  head of the Raptor will knock out the mecha's major sensor systems, including all of the optics systems (infrared, nightvision, thermal), and the APS-150 Radar System. 
  2. ** Depleting the MDC of the main body will destroy the mecha.

SPEEDS:

RUNNING, SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:
140 kph
LEAPING, SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:
50 ft (15 m) high or 70 ft (21 m) long without thrusters.
FLYING, SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:
350 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 1.6
Max level speed at 10km:  Mach 5.0
Max level speed at 30+ km:  Mach 8.0
Stall speed : 150 kph (VTOL rectification possible)
Initial climb rate : over 35000m per minute
Service ceiling : 40 km (unboosted).

MAX ENGINE THRUST:

STATISTICAL DATA:

HEIGHT:
17.7m  in soldier configuration.
12.3m in gerwalk configuration.
6.5m in fighter configuration.
WIDTH:
10.1m at shoulders in soldier and gerwalk configuration.
14.8m  with wings at maximum extension.
LENGTH:
5.5m in soldier configuration.
12.3m in gerwalk configuration.
15.1m in fighter configuration.
WEIGHT:
27,200 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:
Two Tirolian mecha protoculture-generators RT-5d providing a total of 800 MW
Delta V:
100  kps
COMPATIBLE FAST PACKS:
None

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

GU111.jpg (20668 bytes)

  1. GU-111 65MM THREE-BARRELED SMOOTHBORE ROTARY: firing 700 rounds per minute, 600 round capacity stored internally.

     

  2. EP-5 50MM SINGLE BARREL PARTICLE CANNON: Two EP-5 particle beam cannons are mounted in either arm. The EP-5 is capable of firing 20 MJ bursts up to 20 times per minute, with power coming directly from the main protoculture generators.  The EP-5 was met to be a replacement for the aging GU-11 gun pod and as such performed well.  The EP-5 is an upgraded version of the EP-4 found on the VF-4 "Lightning".  The gun is powered directly from the main protoculture generators and as such the rate of fire is only limited by the recharge rate.  In fighter and gerwalk mode the EP-5 are mounted foward, while in battloid mode the weapons are mounted in the arms.

     

  3. LA-5 LASERS: The standard head lasers found on the VF-1 were moved to the right arm to allow the APS-150 X-band pulse Doppler sensor on the head.  Each LA-5 laser cannon is capable of firing 6 MJ shots every two seconds.  On some experimental units, the LA-5 were modified to allow the combat computer to automatically fire at incoming missile volleys.  However, this modification was not implemented in the standard unit because of the perceive fear that the computer would accidentally hit friendly units in the process of destroying any incoming missiles.  

    stiletto.jpg (7191 bytes)

  4. 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.
  5.  

  6. HAND TO HAND COMBAT: If necessary, the Raptor can engage in melee combat rather than use a weapon. The VF-9 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 RAPTOR:


COMBAT BONUSES FOR RAPTOR TRAINING:


REFERENCES USED IN THIS DESIGN

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