Veritech Vindicator Fighter VF-2 (A,B,V)

(Version 1.03 - Last updated: 08/14/01)
Concept and Background by Kenneth Olson
Background Information derived from Robotech Technical Files

                                        

BACKGROUND

The VF-2 Vindicator was designed to replace the VF-4 "Lightning" as the primary close air support mecha for the REF marine divisions.  By 2017 the VF-4 "Lightning" had been in service for 6 years and was beginning to show its age against the much newer VF-6 "alpha" fighters.  The Marine Aviation Wing clamored the REF high command for a new close air support variable fighter using the latest Robotechnology. Military engineers felt that the cheapest design which would meet the marines needs was an upscale version of the VF-6 "alpha", which by 2017 was entering final flight testing.  

The VF-2A Vindicator was designed on an airframe 30% larger than the standard VF-6. Two massive Pratt and Whitney RT-650 were mounted in either leg providing 180 kN of thrust and two secondary Turbo Union ATF-410 are mounted in the arms.  Although, the engines themselves produce 40% more thrust than the VF-6, the vindicator is not nearly as maneuverable and many alpha pilots claim that piloting a Vindicator is just like piloting an alpha in a viscous material.  However, the VF-2 is able to distance itself against the alpha in straight line flight with a top end speed of mach 3.3 at 18000m.  

The flight control and cockpit control systems are similar to that found on the VF-1 "Valkyrie" and VF-4 "Lightning".  This was done to minimize the amount of training necessary for Marine pilots to qualify themselves in the VF-2; however, the side effect was the many of the veterans of the First Robotech War found themselves more comfortable in the VF-2 than VF-6.  Several of the older pilots in other services were able to convince the high command to let them "borrow" VF-2 from the Marines.

The Vindciator's armor and weapons further separates itself from the VF-6.  The armor like all of the newer REF veritechs is a chobham composite designed to provide excellent protection for most light and medium anti-mecha systems (up to 55mm cannons) and fair protection for anything but direct strikes from heavy weaponry (120mm cannons).  Engineers estimated that the VF-2A has almost 50% greater armor than the standard VF-6 "alpha".  In addition to the armor, the VF-2A has a MM-70 multi-missile system designed to fire standard RDF short range missiles instead of the newer Hammer head short range missiles.  Engineers pressed for time were unable to mate the fire control systems used on the VF-2 with the newer missile designs.  

Production for the VF-2A started in 2019, but ceased after 575 units had been built in 2022.  The REF high command decided that the expeditionary force would launch with the weapons and warships that they had on hand.  As a result, the REF marines would continue to use the VF-4 lightning for an additional 10 years.  The production lines at that point switched over to the VF-6 fighter for use in the Armies of the Southern Cross.

VF-2A units were thrown into the conflict with the Invid immediately after the REF defolded over Tirol.  Marine air wings flying VF-2A's were some of the first units to come into conflict with Invid Inorganics which were guarding several strategic areas around Tirol.  After the recapture of Tirol, the remaining Vindicators were divided up into 20 fighter wings and scattered throughout the Sentinel and REF force structure.  Generally, every Marine Division had at least 2 Vindicator fighter wings to provide close air support.  Throughout the early portion of the Sentinel Campaign, the Vindicator proved to be an extremely durable unit suffering one of the lowest causality rates of all the VF mecha types.   

In 2027, the -B variant of the Vindicator was introduced.  Providing a substantial upgrade in the armor over the arms and legs of the VF-2 and an improvement in the firing control system; pilots were quick to adopt the newer model.  By 2030 all 374 remaining Vindicators had been upgraded.   Perhaps the most radical upgrade to the -B model was to the Vinicators weapon systems.  The MM-70 missile system which was designed to fire older model RDF short range missiles was replaced with the MM-96 multi-missile system.  The MM-96 is similar in all aspects to the MM-60 found on the Alpha; however, the larger frame of the Vindicator allowed 36 additional hammerhead missiles to be stored internally.  The single problem with the newer variant, was that the engines were not upgraded to handle the increased mass and as a result the top end speed in all modes suffered.  Perhaps the biggest improvement over the VF-2A, was that the VF-2B could mount many of the older FAST pack spaceborne boosters and hence increase its combat performance in space substantially. (See Below)

By 2037, the Vindicator design was almost two decades old and was beginning to show its wear.  Many in the REF Marines wished that the Block B models could be upgraded to a newer Block C with upgraded engines to regain some of the maneuverability and lost speed..  However, all the proposals were rejected by the REF Plenipotentiary council because of the high cost of the upgrade.  The entire fleet of Vindicators were placed in reserve on Tirol in 2037.

The mothballing of the Vindicators proved to be short lived, however.  Six months later the first experimental protoculture cloaking devices were built by the Robotech Research Groups.  These first cloaking devices were so bulky that only the Vindicators had sufficient internal space to accommodate all of the new systems.  Instead of modifying the production VF-6 and VF-12 fighter, REF high command wanted shadow fighters as soon as possible and decided to reactivate and modify most of the mothballed VF-2B fleet with the new systems.   

The new and final variant thus created was the -V model.  In addition to the MK-1 Shadow cloaking device the VF-2V was coated with a radar absorbing material which reduced the fighter's radar cross section (see notes below).  Two P&W RT-660 fusion turbines were added to replace the venerable RF-650 models which were originally installed with the VF-2A models twenty years earlier.  Upgraded armor was placed over the main body, arms, and legs providing and additional 30% of protection.    In addition, the older gun pods were replaced with a EU-12 destablizer.  The EU-12 can fire 15 MJ bursts of particle energy.  Part of the EU-12 targeting system includes a spectral analyzer which then "tune" the high energy electrons such that they will disrupt the force field that the Vindicator is firing at.  The system works against all force fields, including Robotech Masters, Zentraedi, and Invid.

175 Vindicators were upgraded to the 'V' model and they were immediately distributed throughout the fleet in squadrons of 12 with two or three 'B' models for spare parts.   The Vindicators were thus the first shadow fighters to combat the Invid and as such they were highly prized and jealously guarded by the REF marines.  The units proved themselves invaluable to the REF.  Assault squadrons of Vindicators would open up the exterior shield of Invid hives either to allow bombardment from space or ground assaults from the planet.  However, the role of the Vindicator changed upon the introduction of the VF-9S "shadow-alpha" and VF-12S "shadow-beta" by 2043.  VF-2Vs were no longer the supreme assault mecha and were relegated to opening breaches in the hive for marine divisions.  Some 100 VF-2Vs were present for the final assault on Earth at the end of the Third Robotech War.  Although, they managed to break holes into the outer protoplex barrier surrounding Reflex point, all were believed to have been destroyed in the initial assaults before the main fleet gathered above Earth.

Service History:

RPG STATS

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

 

MDC BY LOCATION:

Location VF-2A  VF-2B VF-2V 
*Head 70 70 70
Hands (2) 40 40 40
Forearm / Missile Pods (2) 80 120 140
Shoulder / Missile Pods 100 100 120
Upper Legs (2) 100 100 125
Lower Legs (2) 150 150 175
**Main Body 400 425 425
Pilots Compartment 200 200 200
Wings (2) 150 150 150
Tails (2) 50 50 50
EU-13 / GU-13 75 75 75
Destablizer - - 100

 

NOTES:

  1. *Destroying the sensor head of the VF-2 will knock out many of  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:
80 mph (128 kmph)
LEAPING, SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:
100 ft (30 m) high or 300 ft (91.5 m) long without thrusters.
FLYING, SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:
(A,V) 400 mph 640 kph (A,V) /
(B) 350 mph 560 kph for (B)
FLYING, GERWALK CONFIGURATION:
Mach One (670 mph/1072 kph) maximum speed limit in an Earth-like atmosphere. Can also hover in place indefinitely.
FLYING, FIGHTER CONFIGURATION:
(A,V) Max level speed : 3537 kph at 18000m (Mach 3.3) 
(B) 3000 kph at 18000m (Mach 2.8)
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:

STATISTICAL DATA:

HEIGHT:
14.0m in battloid configuration.
9.0m in guardian configuration.
6.7m in fighter configuration.
WIDTH:
6.1m at shoulders in battloid
14.0m with wings at maximum extension in guardian and fighter configuration.
LENGTH:
7.32 m in battloid configuration.
14.3 m in guardian configuration.
15.7 m in fighter configuration.
WEIGHT:
24,000 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 RTPS-4P Miniaturized Protoculture-cell energizer
32 standard canisters of Protoculture
1 dedicated canister for each EP-13/EU-13 gun pod
400 lit. D2O reactant for fusion engines.
DELTA V:
100 kps for however two 35 kps tanks may be mounted on each hard point
COMPATIBLE FAST PACKS:
See Below

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

  1. GU-111 65MM THREE-BARRELED SMOOTHBORE ROTARY: firing 700 rounds per minute, 600 round capacity stored internally.  The GU-111 is an upgraded version of the GU-11 used during the First Robotech War.  The GU-111 was the standard weapon for the VF-2 until the introduction of the EU-12 destablizer in 2040. 

     

  2. EU-12 DESTABLIZER (VF-2V): sub-nuclear particle beam gun with output of 15 MJ, can fire up to 30 times/minute.  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.

  3. (Optional) GA-15 40MM REF GAUSS RIFLE:  See entry for GA-15

     

  4. (Optional) EP-13 THREE-BARRELED 80MM PARTICLE GUN POD: 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 and capacitor banks in the 'clip'.  This weapon, built into an external shell identical to that of the GU-13, was  developed in 2032 by the REF, but did not see wide use until 2037.  Some pilots preferred the newer EP-13 over the standard GU-111 and had their combat engineers redesign the weapon so that the larger VF-2 could use the EP-13.  

     

  5. RRG MK-10 NOSE LASERS: Like the original VF-1 the Alpha fighter has two nose lasers on either side of the pilot's compartment.  Each laser can fire 7 MJ bursts of laser energy up to 60 times per minute.  The lasers are powered directly by the main protoculture generators and may only be fired in fighter mode.  

     

  6. MM-70 MULTI-MISSILE SYSTEM (VF-2A): The original missile armament for the VF-2 included  70 onboard RDF short range missiles.  This system was replaced in later models with the more advanced MM-96 system which used the standard REF Hammerheads.   .

     

  7. MM-96 MULTI-MISSILE SYSTEM (VF-2B,2V):  The VF-2V has upgraded its standard MM-70 multi-missile system which uses standard RDF short range missiles to the MM-96 which uses more compact REF hammerhead short range missiles.  As a result, an additional 26 missiles are stored internally in virtually the same amount on internal space.

     

  8. (Optional) MM-16 MULTI-MISSILE SYSTEM: 16 hammerhead missiles can be stored in an optional launcher between the two arms in fighter mode.  Theses missiles must be fired before the Vindicator can transform

     

  9. (All) DDI-8 MEDIUM RANGE MISSILE SYSTEM: Eight 260mm x 1.2m Diamondback medium range missiles can be stored under the intakes.

     

  10. BODY/WING HARD POINTS: Four 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.
  11.  

  12. HAND TO HAND COMBAT: If necessary, the Vindicator 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:  

 

FAST PACKS FOR VF-2 (B,V):

History

The VF-2B was upgraded to allow the addition of FAST packs for use in spaceborne applications.  Although the FAST packs would would hinder atmospheric maneuverability, in space they transformed the VF-2B into a deadly foe providing additional combat capability as well as providing additional fuel for deep space operations.  

At the time, the VF-12 "Beta" was still in development and thus the VF-2B became highly prized by the REF SPACY lacking at the time a long range combat veritech.  Although, the Marines were hesitant to release any of their prized Vindicators, six REF SPACY squadrons were formed.  These squadrons would act independently of the main fleet often scouting ahead of the main combat forces into asteroid belts or small moons.  These six squadrons had some of the highest kill rates for the entire REF fighter force.  Despite the success with the VF-2 Vindicator, they were all upgraded to the newer VF-12 "Beta" by 2039.  After which point, only the REF marine fighter wings would fly the VF-2.  Although, the VF-2V could also operate with FAST packs, they rarely did so.  This was mainly due to the fact that they were operating primary in their original role of ground support and did not need to operate in space. 

 

Statistical Data:

 

  1. (Standard) NP-BP-10: First produced in 2025 as an upgrade for the venerable NP-BP-01 booster, the -10 in its outward appearance looks similar to its predecessor.  However, both the main engine and missile launchers have been substantially upgraded.  The -10 mounts a single HMMP-04 missile launcher with an internal payload of 27 Hammerhead REF short range missiles, an increase of 15 missiles over the older HMMP-02 system.  Likewise the main fusion turbine has been upgraded to the EF-2020 model producing a maximum thrust of 1400 kN.

  2. (Optional) NP-BP-01: First produced in 2011 for the VF-1, the NP-BP-01 booster became standard FAST pack for all VF-1 spaceborne operations throughout the end of the First Robotech War. Although, outclassed by later models, a number of NP-BP-01 were taken by the REF for use on older VF-1 and VF-4 fighters.  If necessary, the VF-2 can mount the older system instead of the newer, and preferred, -10 model.  

  3. (Optional) NP-BP-02: Designed shortly after the NP-BP-01 booster, the -02 model was never produced in great quantities.  The -02 model is identical in all regards to the -01 except that the HMMP-02 missile system was replaced with two Ro-X24 particle beam cannons.  The cannons proved difficult to manufacture in quantity and thus only the flight commanders and veritech aces were ever issued -02 for their mecha and then only one at a time.  VF-1 fighters which mounted a one -02 and one -01 FAST pack were called "Strike" valkyries to distinguish them from those which mounted two -02 FAST packs (or "Super" valkyries).  Most of the remaining -02 models were brought with the REF into deep space and can be mounted on the VF-2.

 

STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE VF-2:

STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE VF-2V:


COMBAT BONUSES FOR VINDICATOR COMBAT TRAINING:

 

COMBAT BONUSES FOR VINDICATOR BASIC COMBAT TRAINING:


Random Hit Locations

When there is an equal chance of hitting both sides from 1d6

When there is a preferred side, roll 1d10

Vindicator Fighter

FRONT

BACK

SIDES

TOP

BOTTOM

Head (Main Body) 01-03 - 01-02 - 01-04
Hands (Forearms) - 01-03 - - -
Forearms (Shoulders) 04-09 04-30 03-20 01-20 -
Shoulders (Main Body) 10-35 31-35 21-35 21-30 -
Upper Legs (Main Body) 36-45 36-40 36-45 - 05-14
Lower Legs (Upper Legs) 46-50 41-60 46-60 - 15-34
Wings (Main Body) 51-55 61-65 61-65 31-55 35-59
Tail (Main Body) 56-60 66-70 66-75 56-59 -
Main Body 61-70 71-85 76-80 60-75 60-75
Pilot's Compartment 71-95 86-95 81-95 76-00 76-95
Gun Pod (Hands) 96-00 96-00 96-00 - 96-00

 

Vindicator Guardian

FRONT

BACK

SIDES

TOP

BOTTOM

Head (Main Body) 01 01-03 01-03 - 01-05
Hands (Forearms) 02-05 - 04-08 01-02 06-09
Forearms (Shoulders) 06-14 04-19 09-25 03-12 10-25
Shoulders (Main Body) 15-21 20-30 26-38 13-22 26-35
Upper Legs (Main Body) 22-30 31-40 39-42 23-27 36-40
Lower Legs (Upper Legs) 31-45 41-61 43-60 28-31 41-65
Wings (Main Body) 46-50 62-68 61-70 32-33 66-69
Tail (Main Body) - - - - -
Main Body 51-75 69-89 71-75 34-70 70-79
Pilot's Compartment 76-95 90-95 76-95 71-95 80-95
Gun Pod (Hands) 96-00 96-00 96-00 96-00 96-00

 

Vindicator Battloid

FRONT

BACK

SIDES

TOP

BOTTOM

Head (Main Body) 01-04 01-04 01-04 01-14 -
Hands (Forearms) 05-08 05-08 05-08 15-20 01-05
Forearms (Shoulders) 09-20 09-20 09-23 21-29 06-20
Shoulders (Main Body) 21-27 21-27 24-37 30-39 21-23
Upper Legs (Main Body) 28-35 28-35 38-42 - 24-27
Lower Legs (Upper Legs) 36-61 36-61 43-63 40-44 28-65
Wings (Main Body) - 62-72 64-68 45-47 66-69
Tail (Main Body) - - - - -
Main Body 62-92 73-85 69-93 48-91 70-84
Pilot's Compartment 93-94 86-96 94-94 92-95 85-91
Gun Pod (Hands) 95-00 97-00 95-00 96-00 92-00

REFERENCES USED IN THIS DESIGN

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