Veritech Condor Fighter VF-5 (A,B)

(Version 2.0 - Last updated: 07/08/03)

Background and RPG Statistics by Kenneth Olson
Background Information derived from Robotech.com and Robotech Technical Files
Fighter Configuration pictures by Rtsurfer

BACKGROUND

The the VF-5 "Condor" was designed to fill the heavy attack / bomber role needed by the Robotech Expeditionary Force (REF).   Early in the down select process two designs came to the forefront.  The first was the more technologically advanced VF-X-7 "Beta" fighter, which could in addition to the heavy-attack role combine with the VF-6 "Alpha" fighter to provide additional fuel and maneuverability in spaceborne operations, and the more conservative and simpler VF-5 "Condor".   Although the Beta fighter was the more advanced mecha, the Condor was based largely on the VF-6 "Alpha" fighter and thus shared nearly 50% common components between the two fighters.  This proved to be an advantage to the VF-5 design team for when the first flight of the VF-5 "Condor" took place in 2019 nearly all of the components had been rigorously tested, whereas the VF-X-7 had developmental problems from the start.  Flight tests between the two vehicles began in late 2020 on the Robotech Factory and although initial tests went well for the Beta fighter, several well published accidents occurred during the Alpha-Beta linkup which showed that the technology on the Beta was not sufficiently mature enough to proceed beyond the experimental stage.  As expected, the REF decided to shelve the VF-X-7 project and arm its heavy assault units with the more mature VF-5 "Condor"

The Condor took place in every major assault during the Sentinel campaign and subsequent REF civil war; however, by 2030 the large numbers of -A models were forced into retirement because of the number of hours put on the airframe.  The VF-5B models entered into service in 2030 with upgraded armor and engines and immediately began to replace the older -A models, although 125 late model -A models were upgraded to the -B standard.  Several hundred VF-5B were sent to Earth during the REF's attempts to reinforce the Armies of the Southern Cross and during the first Earth reclamation missions.  In all total 534 VF-5B were produced on mecha production lines on Tirol and Karbarra from 2030 until produced ended with the introduction of the VF-12 "Beta" in 2040.  The remaining VF-5 Condor fighters were placed into strategic reserve on Tirol and remained there until 2055 when the remaining mothballed units were cannibalized.

RPG STATS

Vehicle Type:  VF-5 Single seat all-weather variable attack fighter

Class:  Variable Fighter/Bomber

Manufacturer:  Robotech Expeditionary Force mecha facilities on Earth, Tirol , and Karbarra
Crew:  One pilot wearing tactical life support system

Service History

VF-5A:  Served with the REF SPACY and in limited numbers with REF Marines from 2020 until gradually replaced with the introduction of the VF-5B model

VF-5B:  Served with the REF SPACY and in limited numbers with REF Marines from 2031 until replaced by the VFB-9A in 2040

MDC BY LOCATION:

NOTES:

1. Destroying the sensor suite will knockout long range communications (reduced to 60 miles/96 km range) and long range radar (reduce to 20 miles) and laser targeting (-1 to strike)
2. Destroying the rear thrusters will leave the mecha without means of propulsion in space or force the mecha to make an emergency landing in an planetary atmosphere (-4 to dodge while in fighter mode)
   
3. Depleting the MDC of the main body will destroy the mecha.

SPEEDS:

RUNNING, SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:

108 kph

LEAPING, SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:

50 ft (15 m) high or 70 ft (21 m) long without thrusters.

FLYING, SOLDIER CONFIGURATION:

VF-5A:  320 kph
VF-5B:  350 kph

VF-5A:  FLYING, FIGHTER CONFIGURATION:

Max level speed :  900 kph (Mach 0.73) at sea level / 1930 kph at 18,000 m (Mach 1.8)
Stall speed : 240 kph (VTOL rectification possible)
Initial climb rate : over 40,000m per minute with boosters
Service ceiling : 35 km (unboosted).  The Condor can boost itself into low orbit.

VF-5B:  FLYING, FIGHTER CONFIGURATION:

Max level speed : 950 kph (Mach 0.78) at sea level / 2230 kph at 18,000 m (Mach 2.1)
Stall speed : 225 kph (VTOL rectification possible)
Initial climb rate : over 40,000m per minute with boosters
Service ceiling : 35 km (unboosted).  The Condor can boost itself into low orbit.

DESIGNED G LIMITS:

+12.0/-6.5 (Computer overrides at 9.5g)

MAX ACCELERATION:  SPACE

VF-5A:  2.30 g

VF-5B:  2.54 g

VF-5A DELTA V:

8.2 kps with 6,000 kg of D₂0 or 17.1 kps with 8,000 kg stored in weapons bay

Drop Tanks mounted on hardpoints will provide an additional delta v of:

• 1300 liters - 1.6 kps
• 2310 liters - 2.8 kps
• 4000 liters - 4.7 kps

VF-5B DELTA V:

9.3 kps with 6,000 kg of D₂0 or 19.2 kps with 8,000 kg stored in weapons bay

Drop Tanks mounted on hardpoints will provide an additional delta v of:

• 1300 liters - 1.8 kps
• 2310 liters - 3.1 kps
• 4000 liters - 5.2 kps

 

STATISTICAL DATA:

HEIGHT

12.8 m (soldier)

4.1 m (fighter)

WIDTH:

6.3 m wingspan (soldier)

9.3 m (fighter)

LENGTH:

6.3 m (soldier)

16.8 m (fighter)

WEIGHT:

25,700 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 RRL-2P Miniaturized protoculture-cell energizer

VF-5A:  MAX ENGINE THRUST

[Main] 3 x Pratt & Whitney JG95A Fusion plasma-air/reaction mass intermix turbines.   Each engine is mounted in the leg with a max thrust of 118 kN (129 kN augmented) in the atmosphere or 118 kN using internal reaction mass in space (specific impulse of 4000 sec).

[Auxiliary] 9 x Turbo-Union ATF-380 miniaturized fusion plasma-air/reaction mass intermix ramjets.  Two engines are mounted on the upper rear in jet mode, two on each leg, and three in the lower fuselage.  Each engine is rated to 43.1 kN standard thrust, max overboost to 86.2 kN each

VF-5B:  MAX ENGINE THRUST

[Main] 3 x Pratt & Whitney JG95M Fusion plasma-air/reaction mass intermix turbines.   Each engine is mounted in the leg with a max thrust of 137 kN (157 kN augmented) in the atmosphere or 137 kN using internal reaction mass in space (specific impulse of 4500 sec).

[Auxiliary] 9 x Turbo-Union ATF-401 miniaturized fusion plasma-air/reaction mass intermix ramjets.  Two engines are mounted on the upper rear in jet mode, two on each leg, and three in the lower fuselage.  Each engine is rated to 46.9 kN standard thrust, max overboost to 91.1 kN each.

FUEL CAPACITY

32 standard canisters of protoculture
4 canisters devoted to the EU-12

6000 liters of D₂0 for reaction mass (standard), weapons bay can hold an additional 8,000 kg

COMPATIBLE FAST PACKS:

Condor armored thruster pack (RPG statistics forthcoming)

WEAPON/DEFENSIVE SYSTEMS:

1. EP-12 THREE-BARRELED 80MM PARTICLE GUN POD:  A EP-12 three barreled 80mm particle beam cannon is carried by the Condor in the right arm and is mounted underneath the main fuselage while in fighter mode.  Each barrel fires 4 MJ pulses at 200 rounds per minute out to an effective combat range of over 2,000 meters.  Each cannon is powered direcly from its own protoculture energizer with four canisters dedicated exclusively to the massive cannon.  The EP-12 is sufficiently powerful that only a couple of blasts are required to penetrate even the thickest armor and the weapon is capable of destroying most  Invid mecha with a single burst. 
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Mecha
   • RANGE: 2250 m
   • DAMAGE: 4D4 for each single blast, 1D4*10 for each short burst, 3D4*10 for each medium burst, or 5D4*10 for each full melee bursts
     
   • RATE OF FIRE: Single shots or bursts equal to the combined attacks of the pilot up to twenty short bursts or eight medium bursts per melee
   • PAYLOAD:  Effectively unlimited, powered directly from its own protoculture cell
     
   
   
2. 2 x MM-16 MULTI-MISSILE SYSTEM:  Two MM-16 missile launchers each with sixteen 190mm Hammerhead missiles are mounted in either leg of the Condor.  The launchers can fire in all modes and can carry any of the Hammerhead missile variants (-A,-B,-C, or -D).
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault/Defense
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-mecha
   • RANGE: 8.2 km
   • MAX SPEED:  Mach 3.0
   • DAMAGE:
     • High Explosive Armor Piercing (A,C):  1D4*10 MDC per missile
     • Plasma (B,D):  1D6*10 MDC per missile
   • RATE OF FIRE: One at a time or in volleys of two, four, eight, ten, or all twenty.
   • PAYLOAD:  16 missiles in each leg for a total of 32
     
   • NOTES:  HEAP critical strikes on 17-20, Mark -C and -D models are +5 to strike against Invid mecha
   
   
3. UNDERWING ORDNANCE:  Two hardpoints are mounted on either wing of the VF-5 "Condor".  Weapons can only be placed for spaceborne operations as the use of the hardpoints affects the aerodynamics of the mecha drastically in the atmospheric flight.  The Condor must expend all weapons on the hardpoints before transforming into battloid configurations.  Available payloads include, but are not limited to the following:
   • MEDIUM RANGE MISSILES: Eight medium range Diamondback missiles can be stored on an AMER (Articulating Multiple Ejection Rack) on each inner hardpoint and six on each outer hardpoint for a total of 14 missiles.
     • PRIMARY PURPOSE:  Assault/Defense
     • SECONDARY PURPOSE:  Anti-Mecha
     • MAX SPEED:  Mach 3.0 / Mach 6.0 (high speed)
     • RANGE:  65 km / 22 km (high speed)
     • DELTA-V:  2.0 kps
     • DAMAGE:  2D6*10 MDC per missile
     • RATE OF FIRE:  One at a time or in volleys or two, four, eight, or fourteen
     • PAYLOAD:  Eight missiles on inner hardpoint and six on the outer
     • NOTES:  +3 to strike, Statistics given for Diamondback Mk-B missile see missile readout for other options
   • LONG RANGE MISSILES: Each hardpoint can carry one standard long range missile (see Palladium Robotech RPG Books for statistics) or a single CBM-200 cluster missile. 
     • PRIMARY PURPOSE:  Assault/Defense
     • SECONDARY PURPOSE:  Anti-Mecha
     • MAX SPEED:  Mach 3.2
     • RANGE:  65 km
     • DELTA-V:  3.5 kps
     • DAMAGE:  200 bomblets each does 3D6 MDC, effective blast radius 100 meters
     • RATE OF FIRE:  One at a time
     • PAYLOAD:  One long range missile or CBM-200 per hardpoint
     • NOTES:  +3 to strike. To determine the number of cluster bombs going after a single target.  Divide the number of bomlets (200) by the total number of targets with the effective blast radius (100 m).  Consider that to be the number of bomblets that will attack each target in a random spread up to a maximum of twenty bomblets per mecha.
   • RF/IR JAMMER PODS:  Each hardpoint can carry up to one RF or one IR jamming pod used to divert guided missiles.  Only apply the bonuses to
     • PRIMARY PURPOSE:  Anti-Missile
     • RANGE:  5 km
     • NOTES:  Subtract -5 from the natural die roll of the missile attack (before missile bonuses applied) for dumb missiles (+2 to strike bonus or less), -3 from  standard missiles (+3 to strike), -1 from intelligent missiles (+4 to strike or greater).  Bonuses do not stack from multiple jammer pods. 
     • NOTES-2:  Bonuses do not stack from multiple jammer pods and only apply 
   • PROTOCULTURE FLARE PODS:  Each hardpoint can carry up to one Protoculture Flare pod.  Each Protoculture jammer produces waveforms in band to the Invid's protoculture sensors so great that it effectively blinds them to other inbound signals.
     • PRIMARY PURPOSE:  Anti-Invid Sensor
     • RANGE:  10 km
     • NOTES:  Although the Invid will know the direction and distance of the mecha carrying the Protoculture flare; however, the flare will blind the Invid from detecting any other targets within the 10 km effective range.
   • CHAFF AND FLARE DISPENSER PODS: Each pod can carry up to 30 chaff or 30 flares in addition to the onboard systems.
     • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-missile
     • RANGE:  100 m
     • RATE OF FIRE:  Up to 10 decoys per attack
     • PAYLOAD:  30 decoys per dispenser
     • NOTES:    In game play only chaff bundles will affect RF missiles and flares affect IR missiles.  The player must declare after the missile strike, without knowledge of the natural strike roll of the missile attack,  which type of decoy he/she is deploying.  For each effective decoy deployed subtract -3 from the natural die roll for dumb missiles (those with strike rolls +2 or less), -2 from the natural die from for standard missiles (+3 to strike), -1 from the natural die roll from intelligent missiles (+4 or greater to strike).  If the natural die roll, with out any strike bonuses added falls below +5 then the decoys are effective and the missile(s) will miss their intended target
   
   
4. WEAPONS BAY:  The Condor can carry a nominal load of 4,000 kg of ordnance; however up to 8,000 kg may be loaded thereby doubling the existing loading.  Instead of placing weapons in the bay, an internal fuel tank with up to 8,000 kg of additional D₂0 for reaction mass may be mounted internally.
   • LONG RANGE MISSILES:   The weapons bay can hold up to eight long range missiles of any type (see Palladium Robotech RPG Books for statistics).  Statistics are given for the Derringer Mk-D long-range missile.
     • PRIMARY PURPOSE:  Assault/Defense
     • SECONDARY PURPOSE:  Anti-ship
     • MAX SPEED:  Mach 3.0
     • RANGE:  130 km
     • DELTA-V:  5.0  kps
     • DAMAGE:  6D6*10 MDC
     • RATE OF FIRE:  One at a time or in volleys of two
     • PAYLOAD:  Standard load out of four long range missiles or up to a maximum of eight
     • NOTES:  +3 to strike
   • MEDIUM RANGE MISSILES:  The weapons bay can hold up to sixteen medium range missiles of any type (see Palladium Robotech Books for statistics).  Statistics are given for Diamondback Mk-B missile.
     • PRIMARY PURPOSE:  Assault/Defense
     • SECONDARY PURPOSE:  Anti-Mecha
     • MAX SPEED:  Mach 3.0 / Mach 6.0 (high speed)
     • RANGE:  65 km / 22 km (high speed)
     • DELTA-V:  2.0 kps
     • DAMAGE:  2D6*10 MDC per missile
     • RATE OF FIRE:  One at a time or in volleys or two, four, eight, or fourteen
     • PAYLOAD:  Eight missiles on inner hardpoint and six on the outer
     • NOTES:  +3 to strike, Statistics given for Diamondback Mk-B missile see missile readout for other option
   • GRAVITY BOMBS:  The weapons bay can hold up to 8,000 kg of gravity bombs instead of missiles.  Up to sixteen 250 kg laser guided high explosive (HE) bombs, eight 500 kg cluster bombs, or four 1,000 kg armor piercing (AP) laser guided bombs may be carried.
     • PRIMARY PURPOSE:  Assault/Defense
     • DAMAGE:  3D6*10 MDC for 250 kg HE,  1D4*10 MDC to everything within blast radius for the 500 kg Cluster Bomb, or 1D4*100 MDC for the AP bomb
     • BLAST RADIUS:  20 m for 250 kg HE, 50 m for 500 kg Cluster Bomb, and 10 meters for 1,000 kg AP
     • RATE OF FIRE:  One at a time or in volleys or two
     • PAYLOAD:  Sixteen 250 kg HE bombs, eight 500 kg cluster bombs, or four 1,000 kg armor piercing bombs
     • NOTES:  -5 to strike moving targets on the ground and can not be used to hit airborne platforms.
   
   
5. 2 x AN/ALE-55 CHAFF/FLARE DECOY DISPENSERS: Two chaff flare decoy dispensers are located in either leg of the Condor.  Each dispenser can hold up to 40 decoys apiece with the standard load out consisting of  50% chaff bundles and 50% flares.  The type and number of each decoy is triggered manually by the pilot.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-missile
   • RANGE:  100 m
   • RATE OF FIRE:  Up to 10 decoys per attack
   • PAYLOAD:  40 decoys per dispenser
   • NOTES:    In game play only chaff bundles will affect RF missiles and flares affect IR missiles.  The player must declare after the missile strike, without knowledge of the natural strike roll of the missile attack,  which type of decoy he/she is deploying.  For each effective decoy deployed subtract -3 from the natural die roll for dumb missiles (those with strike rolls +2 or less), -2 from the natural die from for standard missiles (+3 to strike), -1 from the natural die roll from intelligent missiles (+4 or greater to strike).  If the natural die roll, with out any strike bonuses added falls below +5 then the decoys are effective and the missile(s) will miss their intended target
   
   
6. HAND TO HAND COMBAT: If necessary, the Condor can engage in melee combat rather than use a weapon. The VF-5 can execute most typical hand to hand combat moves, such as punches, jump kicks, leap attacks, rolling with impacts, etc.

   DAMAGE:  

   • Punch in Battloid:  3D6
   • Punch in Guardian:  3D4
   • Kick: 3D6
   • Leap Kick: 6D6
   • Body Flip/Throw: 3D6
   • Body Block/Tackle: 3D6
   • Stomp: 3D4  (only effective against small objects)

STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR VF-5 "CONDOR":

• ACTIVE SENSOR JAMMER: Westinghouse ALQ-250(V) internal ECM providing broadband protection.  Estimated system effective radiative power 50 dBW
• AUTO-PILOT: The Condor is equipped with a computerized auto-pilot, allowing the pilot to relax or even sleep during long voyages. The auto- pilot can be programmed with a single destination or a complex flight plan involving multiple speeds, directions, and destinations. The onboard computer will alert the pilot when the fighter is near its destination, and can also be set to automatically signal when sensors detect objects near the mecha. The auto-pilot was designed with long intra-system space journeys in mind.
• CHAFF AND FLARE DISPENSERS AN/ALE-55: 40 chaff and 40 flares are stored in each of the lower legs
• COMBAT COMPUTER: The IBM-210 combat computer tracks and identifies specific enemy targets, and has a database of over 10,000 images stored in memory. The computer can identify and track up to 250 targets simultaneously. 
• EXTERNAL AUDIO PICKUP: Range: 300 ft (91.5 m). A sound amplification system that can pick up normal conversation up to 300 feet away.
• HEAT AND RADIATION SHIELDS: Special shielding prevents the penetration of life threatening head and radiation. A radiation detection and alarm system are linked with the shields and will sound an alarm if there is a rupture in the shields and what the levels of radiation are.
• HOMING SIGNAL: The VF-5  is equipped with a homing device that enables rescue teams to locate a disabled craft or ejected life pod. The range of the signal is 400 miles (640 km). Most REF ships and veritechs can locate and track a homing signal, and the onboard computers will automatically notify their pilots if such a signal is detected.
• INFRA-RED COUNTERMEASURES:  Westinghouse QRC-100 providing protection from IR guided missiles
• INFRA-RED WARNING RECEIVER:  OlDelft Infra-red Warning Receiver (IRWR) providing rear aspect coverage from IR guided missiles
• LASER RANGE FINDER / TARGETING SYSTEM:  Thomson LT-5 multi-frequency laser ranger and designator (Range 30 kilometers)
• LOUDSPEAKER: A loudspeaker system is built into the craft, which can be used to amplify the pilot's voice up to 100 decibels.
• OPTICS (INFRARED):  Phillips All-View multi-band camera system range 1000 meters.  This optical system projects a beam of infrared light that is invisible to the normal eye, but detectable by the mecha's sensors. The system allows the pilot to detect hidden/concealed objects by their IR reflectiveness. The beam will be visible to anyone with IR sensitive optics, however.
• OPTICS (NIGHTVISION): Phillips All-View multi-band camera system range 1000 meters.  A passive light image intensifier that emits no light of its own, but relies on ambient light which is electronically amplified to produce a visible picture.
• OPTICS (THERMAL IMAGER):  Phillips All-View multi-band camera system range 1000 meters. A passive optical heat sensor that detects infrared radiation projected by warm objects and converts that data into a false-color visible image. The system enables the pilot to see in the dark, in shadows, and through smoke, and also adds a +10% bonus to pilots using a tracking skill.
• RADIO/VIDEO COMMUNICATION: Long range, directional communications system with satellite relay capabilities. Range: 600 miles (960 km) or can be boosted indefinitely via satellite relay.
• RADAR (SHORT RANGE / FIRE CONTROL):  Hughes APG-113 X-band pulse-Doppler, providing spherical long-range detection and tracking of targets at all altitudes. (Range 150 km against a 0 dBsm "Invid sized" target)
• RADAR WARNING RECEIVER:  Marconi Radar Warning Receiver (RWR)
• SELF-DESTRUCT: To prevent capture of an advance variable fighter by the enemy, the pilot can activate the  VF-5 self-destruct system, which will cause the fighter to explode after a delay of up to 60 minutes (time is set by the pilot). The explosive damage is contained within a 20 foot (6 m) area and inflicts 1D6*10 M.D. to everything within the radius of the explosion. All internal systems are obliterated.  The pilot will be automatically ejected prior to the explosion unless the pilot overrides the ejection sequence.
  
• SMOKE DISPENSERS:  Enough smoke is stored for 30 second of continuous coverage.  After 2040, smoke was formulated to cover protoculture emissions, hence providing temporary protection for the Condor.
• STANDARD SURVIVAL KIT: All REF veritechs come equipped with a portable survival kit. Inside the small reinforced box is a medium-sized flashlight, two hand flares, one rocket flare, a compass, infrared distancing binoculars, a small mirror, a pocket knife, dehydrated and concentrated food (can be stretched into a five day supply for one person) and basic first aid items (aspirin, bandages, disinfectants, etc.)
• TACTICAL LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM: The VF-5 cockpit is pressurized, and also provides additional air feeds to the pilot's flight suit that provides him with pressurized breathing. The REF flight suit also contains an upper and lower g-suit that promotes blood circulation even during high-g turns, thus decreasing the possibility of pilot's blacking out in combat.
  

COMBAT BONUSES FOR VF-5 "CONDOR" FIGHTER TRAINING:

• 2 attacks per melee (plus those of the pilot)
• Add one additional action/attack at levels six and twelve
• +1 to strike
• +2 to parry
• +2 to dodge in solder and +4 in jet mode.
• +2 to roll with a punch or fall with an impact, reducing damage by half
• Critical strike same as pilot's hand-to-hand

COMBAT BONUSES FOR VF-5 "BASIC" FIGHTER TRAINING:

• 1 attacks per melee (plus those of the pilot)
  
• Add one additional action/attack at levels seven and thirteen
  
• +0 to strike
• +1 to parry
• +1 to dodge in solder and +3 in jet mode.
• +1 to roll with a punch or fall with an impact, reducing damage by half
• Critical strike same as pilot's hand-to-hand

Random Hit Locations

When there is an equal chance of hitting both sides from 1D6

• 1-3 hits the right side
• 4-6 hits the left

When there is a preferred side, roll 1D10

• 1-8 hits the preferred side
• 9-10 hits the opposite side
  

• Palladium Books:  The Sentinels VBF-1 Beta Fighter
  
• Robotech.com:  Veritech Beta VFB-9
• Robotech Technical Files:  VF-5 "Condor"