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Designation:

VF-17 Nightmare Veritech Fighter (-17B, -17D, -17E, -17G, -17J, -17K, -17R, -17S)

I. Dimensions:

(Standard)

Fighter Mode Guardian Mode Battloid Mode
Length : 15.63 meters 12.85 meters -
Depth : - - 3.91 meters
Height : 5.37 meters 9.49 meters 15.18 meters
Breadth :

-

4.7 meters 6.45 meters
Wingspan : 24.22 meters 24.22 meters

-

Dry Weight : 11.9 metric tons
Operational Weight :
*= Wings at full extension
**= loadout

(VF-17K)

  Fighter Mode Guardian Mode Battloid Mode
Length : 15.63 meters 12.85 meters

-

Depth : - - 3.91 meters
Height : 5.37 meters 9.49 meters 15.65 meters
Breadth :

-

4.7 meters 6.45 meters
Wingspan : 24.22 meters 24.22 meters

-

Dry Weight : 12.2 metric tons
Operational Weight :
*= Wings at full extension
**= loadout

II. Type:

III. Service History:

IV. Propulsion:

(VF-17B, -17D)

(VF-17G, -17E, -17R )

(VF-17J, -17S)

(VF-17K)

V. Performance:

A. Fighter Mode:
VF-17B, -17D VF-17G, -17E, -17R VF-17J, -17S VF-17K
Maximum speed (@ 18km) : 22512 kph
(Mach 21)
22985 kph
(Mach 21.4)
23015 kph
(Mach 21.5)
23000 kph
(Mach 21.4)
                          (@ sea level) : 4288 kph
(Mach 4.0)
4502 kph
(Mach 4.2)
4824 kph
(Mach 4.5)
4609 kph
(Mach 4.3)
Stall speed : 153 kph
Initial climb rate : 42,500 meters per minute 43,000 meters per minute 43,500 meters per minute 42,000 meters per minute
Unboosted service ceiling :  None, transatmospheric
                  
B. Guardian Mode:
VF-17B, -17D VF-17G, -17E, -17R VF-17J, -17S VF-17K
Maximum speed (@ 10m) :   710 kph 756 kph 810 kph 771 kph
Service ceiling : 27000 meters 30000 meters 35000 meters 35000 meters
                       
C. Battloid Mode:
VF-17B, -17D VF-17G, -17E, -17R VF-17J, -17S VF-17K
Maximum flying speed (@ 10m) :  480 kph 520 kph 550 kph 527 kph
Maximum running speed :  164 kph 172 kph 184 kph 177 kph
Service ceiling : 7000 meters 8000 meters 8500 meters 8000 meters
                 
D. General:
VF-17B, -17D VF-17G, -17E, -17R VF-17J, -17S VF-17K
Delta-v(*) :        
Acceleration(*) :        
* = Assuming typical operational weight

VI. Electronics

Radar tracking:

(VF-17B, -17D)

(VF-17G, -17J, -17R, -17S)

(VF-17K)

(VF-17E)

Optical tracking:

(VF-17B, -17D)

(VF-17E, -17G, -17J, -17R,  -17S)

(VF-17K)

Tactical Electronic Warfare System (TEWS):

(VF-17J, -17S)

(VF-17E)

(VF-17K)

(VF-17R)

(VF-17D)

VII. Armament:

(VF-17D, -17E)

Cannons:

(VF-17B, -17G)

(VF-17J, -17R, -17S)

One leg storage bay can carry:

(VF-17B, -17E, -17G, -17J, -17S)

(VF-17K)

Missile launchers:

(VF-17B, -17E, -17G, -17R)

NOTE: The weapons bays can also carry recon and cargo pods and other weapons than the above.

Other Military Cargoes available include:

The Super and Strike versions have the following Booster/Armor configurations:

    Center Back
Craft Right Leg Right Back Left Back Left Leg
Super VF-17 NP-FB-17
HMMP-10
NP-BP-11
PBC-21
NP-BP-11
PBC-21
NP-FB-17
HMMP-10
Super VF-17 (D) NP-FB-T17 NP-BP-T17 NP-BP-T17 NP-FB-T17
VF-17E (typical)  

APS-243

 
VF-17E (max) NP-FS-E17

APS-243

NP-FS-E17
Super VF-17 (E) NP-FS-E17 NR-NP-E17 NR-NP-E17 NP-FS-E17

APS-243

VF-17 Sound Force (K)

---------------------NP-SES-17---------------------

The most common payloads for various mission profile are as follows:

(VF-17)

  Shoulder
Missile Pallet
Shoulder
Missile Pallet
Leg
Missile Pallet
Leg
Storage Bay
Leg
Storage Bay
Leg
Missile Pallet
Shoulder
Missile Pallet
Shoulder
Missile Pallet
Space Superiority I: AIM-80 x 4 AIM-80 x 4 MPM-17 x 1 Mag for GU-27 x 1 GU-27 x 1 MPM-17 x 1 AIM-80 x 4 AIM-80 x 4
Space Superiority II: AIM-90 x 4 AIM-90 x 4 MPM-26 x 1 Mag for GU-27 x 1 GU-27 x 1 MPM-26 x 1 AIM-90 x 4 AIM-90 x 4
Space Superiority III: MPM-15 x 1 AIM-80 x 4 MPM-17 x 1 Mag for GU-27 x 1 GU-27 x 1 MPM-17 x 1 AIM-80 x 4 MPM-15 x 1
Space Superiority IV: MPM-25 x 1 AIM-90 x 4 MPM-26 x 1 Mag for GU-27 x 1 GU-27 x 1 MPM-26 x 1 AIM-90 x 4 MPM-25 x 1
Space Superiority V: AIM-90 x 4 AIM-90 x 4 MPM-26 x 1 HLM-01 x 1 GU-27 x 1 MPM-26 x 1 AIM-90 x 4 AIM-90 x 4
Space Superiority VI: MPM-25 x 1 AIM-90 x 4 MPM-26 x 1 HLM-01 x 1 GU-27 x 1 MPM-26 x 1 AIM-90 x 4 MPM-25 x 1
Space SEAD I:       Mag for GU-27 x 1 GU-27 x 1      
Space SEAD II:       Mag for GU-27 x 1 GU-27 x 1      
Space SEAD III:       Mag for GU-27 x 1 GU-27 x 1      
Space SEAD IV:       Mag for GU-27 x 1 GU-27 x 1      
Space SEAD V:       Mag for GU-27 x 1 GU-27 x 1      
Space SEAD VI:       HLM-01 x 1 GU-27 x 1      
Space SEAD VII:       HLM-01 x 1 GU-27 x 1      
Space ELINT I:       Mag for GU-27 x 1 GU-27 x 1      
Space ELINT II:       Mag for GU-27 x 1 GU-27 x 1      
Reconnaissance I:       Mag for GU-27 x 1 GU-27 x 1      
Reconnaissance II:       Mag for GU-27 x 1 GU-27 x 1      
Reconnaissance III:       Mag for GU-27 x 1 GU-27 x 1      
Anti-Starship I:       Mag for GU-27 x 1 GU-27 x 1      
Anti-Starship II:       Mag for GU-27 x 1 GU-27 x 1      
Anti-Starship III:       Mag for GU-27 x 1 GU-27 x 1      
Anti-Starship IV:       Mag for GU-27 x 1 GU-27 x 1      
Anti-Starship V:       Mag for GU-27 x 1 GU-27 x 1      
Anti-Starship VI:       HLM-01 x 1 GU-27 x 1      
Anti-Starship VII:       HLM-01 x 1 GU-27 x 1      
Anti-Starship VIII:       HLM-01 x 1 GU-27 x 1      
Anti-Starship IX:       HLM-01 x 1 GU-27 x 1      
Anti-Starship X:       HLM-01 x 1 GU-27 x 1      

(VF-11K)

  Shoulder
Missile Pallet
Shoulder
Missile Pallet
Leg
Missile Pallet
Leg
Weapon Bay
Leg
Weapon Bay
Internal Leg
Missile Pallet
Shoulder
Missile Pallet
Engine Nacelle
Missile Pallet
Sound Warfare I:       Mag for SGU-03 x 1 SGU-03 x 1      

VIII. Armor:

The armor on the VF-17 is a low-mass lunarium tungsten composite plating that is the standard for most Terran veritech fighters. Aside from the good protection provided against projectiles, missiles, and other kinetic weapons, this armor is also resistant to plasma globes (annihilation discs), lasers, and fair against, particle guns too, owing to the fact that the armor can flake off and evaporate in layers under fire from such high-energy weapons, taking much of the weapon's energy and converting it into the latent heat of sublimation in the armor. The armor stops all small arms fire, and has good resistance to all weapons commonly mounted on combat mecha.

The armor on the VF-17K fighter is composed of lunarium and titanium mix similar to that used on the VF-19. Aside from the excellent protection provided against projectiles, missiles, and other kinetic weapons, this armor is also resistant to plasma globes (annihilation discs), lasers, and to a adequate extent, particle guns, owing to the fact that the armor can flake off and evaporate in layers under fire from such high-energy weapons, taking much of the weapon's energy and converting it into the latent heat of sublimation in the armor. The armor stops all small arms fire, and has excellent resistance to all weapons commonly mounted on combat mecha.

The Nightmare provides full protection from nuclear, biological, and chemical hazards, using an overpressure cockpit environment activated by radiation and hazardous chemical sensors, or manually when biological warfare conditions are anticipated. The internal consumables supplies can provide atmosphere for one day maximum.

IX. Development:

In the years following the re-unification several companies made independent attempts to develop new veritech fighter technologies to gain government attention for future projects. The new VF-11 Thunderbolt was an excellent fighter but it lacked one characteristic that the VAF-6S Shadow Fighter had, stealth. Therefore Lockheed-Martin, manufactures of the original stealth fighter stepped forward to develop stealth technology for a new generation of veritech fighter, thus the VF-17 Nightmare was born.

The VF-17 Nightmare is most at home in space. With two main engines delivering over 500 kN each and 12 vernier thrusters, the mecha can reach speeds and maneuvering levels far superior to those possible by VF-11 Thunderbolts with space boosters. However, the performance of the mecha greatly decreases in an Earth-type atmosphere. Although the engines on the Nightmare are designed with optional air intake systems for atmospheric use, the design of the Nightmare's body is not streamlined and creates a lot of drag at high speeds. It is worth noting that the dual-use nature of the engines does allow the VF-17 to achieve orbit above an Earth-style planet on its own; something a VF-11 Thunderbolt cannot accomplish without assistance.

The VF-17 mounts a wide variety of weapons setting the common trend for the next generation of veritech fighters. The fighter carries three pairs of lasers mounted on the head, nose, and arms of the craft. An interesting feature seen on this craft is the inclusion of a pair of dual port lasers that can fire either forward or backwards increasing the versatility of the weapon. While this feature is not often used, it does come in handy. The VF-17 also has two pairs of internal missile launchers which carry the primary air to air weaponry of the craft. These missile launchers mounted in the shoulders in battloid mode and just behind the cockpit in fighter mode. Also the underside of the fighter contains two internal weapons bays used for carrying either general purpose or air to ground weaponry including the RMS-5 Armageddon nuclear cruise missile. Also this craft was the first to mount the new miniaturized version of the pin-point barrier defense system. This system is like the ones installed on capital ships only many times smaller and offers much less protection.  Like the VF-11, the VF-17 can also use FAWT packs, however due the nature of its design and its stealth capacity, the VF-17 can not use most types of FAST packs. The VF-17 uses specially designed FAST packs that allow it to maintain its stealth profile. These FAWT packs carry a very impressive array of armament including a pair of particle beam cannons and a pair of missile launchers. The VF-17 can use the new external fold booster as well.

First tested as 2051 merely an experimental test bed for advanced stealth possibilities that later lead to the development of the VF-22, the VF-17 performed so well that the RDF Space Navy decided to proceed with procurement of the unit as a space attack craft to serve alongside the VF-11 in place of the VA-3 as the VA-3 was not well suited to the Space Navy's needs. After two years of development problems due to the unique nature of the design, the first set of VF-17B and -17S were delivered. In 2056 the RDF Space Navy received the first upgraded versions of the VF-17, the -17G and -17E. The VF-17G featured newer, more powerful engines as well as upgraded electronics and field conversion kits were issued to the thousands in service. The VF-17E was designed to replace the more expensive ELINT Legioss combination which was vastly outdated. The VF-17E featured vastly superior radar and detection capability as well as excellent jamming equipment making it a force to be feared when trying to rely on sensors. The VF-17E can also use the new FAST packs which carry additional sensors and radar equipment much like the original VE-1 Elintseeker. In 2057 the VF-17R was development to serve as the premier wild weasel platform for both the RDF Space Marines and Space Navy and did so quite effectively. The VF-17R has an improved battle management computer to better coordinate weapon launching and tasking. It also features a more improved jamming capability along with radar detection gear. The VF-17J was developed in 2061 and replaced the -17G and while it looked the same externally, internally it was a different machine. Newer engines were added increasing the thrust even more and newer weapon systems were an improvement over the old ones with more power and faster re-fire rates. As such field kits were issued to convert the -17G into the -17J along with new kits for the -17S improving its weapons package.

During the Fourth Robotech War the VF-17 saw service in the role it was designed for, surgical strikes deep behind enemy lines with minimal escort.  The design of the craft proved faithful to its pilots and saw a very low loss rate, however this was only true when it had the element of surprise.  Against naval vessels, the VF-17 proved less than satisfactory often simply because of the number of mecha defending a large ships such as a Marduk Flagship.  The VF-17 however did not perform this mission much as it was usually left to the more powerful VA-14 Falcon. The VF-17E served excellently even in the heat of battle allowing pilots the benefit of close airborne early warning and threat vectoring very close to the front lines.  The VF-17E could even defend itself quite well in the environment of space.  Like its brothers, the VF-17R also saw much service in the role it was created for, SEAD.  Many Marduk ships were left helpless thanks to the VF-17R and its HARM loadouts.   However the VF-17 series did suffer in an atmosphere as it lost a great deal of agility once it entered the atmosphere.  As such it was primarily used in space only.

Plans to replace the VF-17 are in place and the first once are to be phased out of service beginning in 2075.


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Layout adapted from Robotech Reference Guide

Content by Jeffrey R. Spillner, Ron Ferrara, Charles Jesse Casimir
Copyright © 1998-2001 Jeffrey R. Spillner,  Ron Ferrara, Charles Jesse Casimir 

Page Last Updated on January 21, 2001 @ 01:00 GMT