VF-1 Valkyrie

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^ Registry Number: | (Various) | ^ Base Hull: | Stonewell-Bellcom Aerospace VF-1 Valkyrie | ^ Drive Type: | Acceleration Drive (Fusion Turbine Thruster x2) | ^ | FAST Pack: 2x additional Fusion turbine | ^ Drive Rating: | Standard Accel: 10g, Maximum 15g | ^ | FAST Pack Standard: 20g, Maximum 30g | ^ Owner of Record: | Greenwood Security Services, LTD | ^ | Roughriders, Inc. | ^ | Various others | ^ Purpose: | Interceptor | ^ Crew: | 1 Pilot | ^ Status: | Active | ^ Armaments: | One, two, or four small-caliber Pulse Lasers | ^ | One 3-barrel 55mm GU-11 gatling pod | ^ | Six underwing hardpoints | ^ | With FAST Pack: 40 GPM-12 "Stiletto" short-range missiles |

VF-1 Valkyrie

One of the most visually stunning and recognizable mecha designs in anime history, the VF-1 was a natural choice for Stonewell-Bellcom Aerospace's first project. With the F-14 Tomcat (the VF-1's visual design inspiration) consigned to the boneyard by the US Navy, salvaging the airframes seemed a logical starting point. 40 Tomcats were salvaged before interference from Iranian agents caused American security to crack down, closing off SBA's access to additional units.

The manufacturing process, like most Fennish production during that period, involved a thorough bath of Handwavium in conjunction with constant replays of the various Macross anime, games, and soundtracks in the manufacturing bays. The transformation took between five and eight days per unit, with SBA's technicians able to work on up to six at a time.

The resultant fighter was fast, maneuverable, and versatile, its armor capable of standing up to many of the weapons commonly in use at the time and its quirks typically limited to a requirement for a soundtrack to be playing in the cockpit during combat.

Stonewell-Bellcom was able to hand-build a number of additional units during the Boskone War. The only other party using them was the Roughriders, who provided BAT technicians to assist in the construction. After the war ended the VF-1 was superseded in GSS and Roughrider service by the VF-4. Black Aeronaut Technologies compiled the accumulated expertise and offered to license production of the Valkyrie for sale on the Fennish civilian and military market.

Models

• VF-1H: The initial handwavium-derived model. Only 40 of these were built. Officially considered a sub-variant of the VF-1A.
• VF-1J: The standard fighter deployed by GSS and Roughriders, with two head/turret mounted lasers and fittings to accept FAST packs.
• VF-1J FAST: Fuel Armor Sensor Tactical packs were designed to increase the flight and combat endurance and capacity of the VF-1J. Initial plans had been passed around but were not finalized until after the heavy losses of the initial phases of the Boskone War. The FAST augmentation packs add maneuver verniers, sensor equipment, life support and fuel stores, and two four-tube mini-missile launchers with five Stiletto missiles per tube. Additional armor is fitted over the fusion turbines and the arms, allowing them to be used to block incoming fire from light weapons.
• VF-1J FAST STRIKE: Either or both of the FAST pack's missile pods can be removed and replaced by other weapon mounts. The most common is a dual turbolaser mount powered by the fighter's fusion turbines. This is generally used only when mission requirements dictate because the massive power requirements of the turbolaser are a heavy drain on the fighter's fuel supply.
• VF-1S: Almost identical to the VF-1J, the VF-1S is fitted with four pulse lasers in the turret mount and improved communications and sensory electronics. It is typically piloted by squadron commanders or members of elite units.
• VF-1S FAST and FAST STRIKE: Like the VF-1J, the -1S can be fitted with FAST augmentation packs.
• VF-1L: The -1L is a purpose-built EWAR model. It has the two-man cockpit of the -1D and -1E models, except the second seat has no flight controls. Instead, it has a suite of controls for its sophisticated electronics warfare package, tailored explicitly towards illuminating stealthed units, blinding enemy units, and spoofing radar ghosts of itself or other friendlies. Rather than a laser turret, the -1L instead has high-power antennas that are used for it's illumination and blinding. The antennas are powerful enough to overpower even HARM-based tracking systems.
• VF-1L FAST RECON: Building off the electronic warfare capability of the -1L model, these specially fitted FAST packs carry far more passive sensors that their cousins, and additionally extend the range and survivability of a Veritech on a recon mission. Depending on mission requirements the -1L can also carry standard FAST and FAST STRIKE packs but this is considered a "special missions only" package.
• VF-1A: With only a single turret laser and lacking attachment points for the FAST packs, the VF-1A is the standard export model to legitimate military customers. (While the FAST pack attachment points and software are not provided, they are easy enough to customize after purchase.) Customers include the United States Navy, British Royal Navy, Great Justice, Space Patrol, and several independent factions.
• VF-1C: The -1C is designed specifically for the civilian market. While completely unarmed (the turret laser replaced by a communications antenna), it is still capable of wielding a compatible gun pod in Battroid or Gerwalk mode, and the underwing hardpoints are still present (intended for additional fuel, life support, cargo, or other mission augmentation packs). This is a popular sale item and a major profit item for Black Aeronaut Technologies and, by way of licensing fees, Stonewell-Bellcom.
• VT-1D: Identical to the VF-1J except for the extended cockpit and airframe, and expanded life-support and fuel stores. The VT-1D has a two-seat cockpit intended for training use, but can also be used for critical courier missions or passenger transport.
• VT-1E: Effectively a VF-1C with the extended frame and dual cockpit of the VT-1D, the VT-1E is just as popular as its single-seater companion on the civilian market.

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