VIF-1 "HORNET"

(Version 1.00 - Last updated: 07/02/00)
Background and RPG Statistics by Kenneth Olson
Based on an original mecha design in Macross Perfect Memory

BACKGROUND

VIF-1 (Veritech Infantry Fighter) Hornet was developed in late 2005 in response to the UEG demands for a infantry mecha that could be used in civil defense as well as law enforcement rolls.  Sixteen months later, engineers revealed the preliminary design of the VIF-1 Hornet.  The Hornet was the first of the infantry mecha  which would cumulate with the development of the Southern Cross garland and hurgand types and the REF cyclone.  Unlike its later brethren, the Hornet was designed as a fully functional aerospace fighter.  Initially, the VIF-1 was designed such that the RDF Marines could fly into a particular environment and then transform into battloid mode all the while digging into defensive positions.   For civil defense operations, the Hornet was ideal. Small squadrons could be placed well outside of any city and in a few minutes they could reinforce any destroid units or form their own defensive perimeters within the town.  In addition to the military applications, UEG officials envisioned a use for the Hornet in law enforcement and disaster relief.

The first test flight of the VIF-1 took place in November 17, 2007.  Development of the conventional systems proceeded normally; however, the design and construction of a micronized protoculture generator proved far more difficult than engineers first thought.  Although, the first micronized generator was finally mounted on the VIF-1 the design proved difficult to construct in mass quantities.  Earth Defense forces would have to wait another 15 years until the technology advanced to the point that infantry sized mecha became commonly available.

Nevertheless, 14 units were supplied to the Robotech Defense Forces in early 2010.  They were promptly incorporated into the 29th Marine Division and subsequently used in South American against malcontent Zentraedi forces. The 29th division would use the VIF-1 to launch hit and run operations against large encampments of  Zentraedi.  Once the raid had run its course, the VIF was fast enough to out run all but the fastest Zentraedi units.  If the unit was damaged, the Hornet could easily use its small size to disappear in the jungle.

Although, the VIF-1 proved to be an excellent mecha, by 2014 only 4 remained in operational use.  Initially there was talk of ordering a replacements for VIF-1; however, with the development of the VF-10 Logan and the Southern Cross Garland and Hurgan, it was decided to retire the remaining units.  The remaining four operational units, and five non-functional VIF-1 were retired to the UEG boneyard facility outside of RDF Albuquerque base in 2016. 

Service History:

RPG STATS

Vehicle Type: VIF-1 "Hornet"
Class: Variable Fighter
Manufacturer: Robotech Defense Forces
Crew: One pilot wearing Tactical Life Support System.

MDC BY LOCATION:

Location

Logan
Nose Mounted GU-18 20
Arms (2) 30 each
Hands (2) 10 each
Legs (2) 50 each
Wings (2) 30 each
Tail Fins (4) 15 each
Pilots Compartment 75
* Main Body 100

 

NOTES:

  1. (*) Depleting the MDC of the main body will destroy the mecha.

SPEEDS:

RUNNING, SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:
50 kph
LEAPING, SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:
50 ft (15 m) high or 70 ft (21 m) long without thrusters.
FLYING, SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:
300 kph at sea level
Serice ceiling:  6000m
FLYING, FIGHTER CONFIGURATION:
Max level speed : 1500 kph at 10000m (Mach 1.5)
1100 kph at sea level (Mach 1.0)
Stall speed: 350 kph (VTOL rectification possible)
Initial climb rate:  27000m per minute
Service ceiling: 10 km (unboosted).

MAX ENGINE THRUST:

 

STATISTICAL DATA:

HEIGHT:
3.9m  in soldier configuration.
2.0m in fighter configuration.
WIDTH:
2.00m at shoulders in soldier
3.29m  with wings at maximum extension.
LENGTH:
4.29m in fighter configuration.
WEIGHT:
2,500 kg empty.
PHYSICAL STRENGTH:
Equal to a P.S. of 40
CARGO:
Small compartment underneath pilot's seat for personal belongings.
POWER PLANT:
1 x RRL-2P Miniaturized Protoculture-cell energizer
6 standard protoculuture cells
10 lit. D2O reactant for fusion engines.
Delta V:
20  kps 
COMPATIBLE FAST PACKS:
None

 

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

  1. COLT GU-18, 30MM GUN POD:  The GU-18 was designed to fire standard 32mm caseless ammunition in either semi or fully automatic fire.  The weapon has a cyclic rate of 200 rounds per minute, with 100 rounds stored internally
    • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault
    • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Missile
    • RANGE: Armor Piercing Spin Stablized Discarding Sabot (APSSDS) (1000 m), or 3937ft (900m) for all others.
    • DAMAGE: APSSDS 1D4 short burst, 2D4 medium burst, 3D6  full melee burst.   HEAP 1D6 short burst, 2D6 medium burst, 5D6 full melee burst.  Tracer rounds reduce damage by 25%.  Standard 2D4 short burst, 2D4+1  medium burst, or 4D6  full melee burst
    • RATE OF FIRE: Single shots or bursts equal to the combined attacks of the pilot.
    • PAYLOAD: 100 rounds of internal ammunition or 10 short bursts, 5 medium, or 2 full melee.
    • NOTES:  APSSDS crits on 18,19,20.  HEAP crits on 19,20.   Tracers add +2 to strike.

     

  2. 2 x HARDPOINTS:  Two hard points are on either wing.  Each hardpoint can mount one short range missile or 5 mini-missiles. 

    3.  

  3. HAND TO HAND COMBAT: If necessary, the Hornet can engage in melee combat rather than use a weapon. The Hornet 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:  2D4
    • Kick: 1D6
    • Leap Kick: 2D6
    • Body Flip/Throw: 1D4
    • Body Block/Tackle: 2D4
    • Stomp: 1D4. (only effective against small objects)

 

STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE VIF-1:

COMBAT BONUSES FOR VIF-1 FIGHTER TRAINING:

REFERENCES USED IN THIS DESIGN

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