Vindicator Veritech 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 supplement the VF-4 "Lightning" as the primary close air support mecha for the REF marine divisions. By 2014 the VF-1 "Valkyrie" had been in service for 6 years and was beginning to show its age. 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 would be a redesigned and upgraded VF-1.

The VF-2A Vindicator was designed on a modified VF-1 airframe, with all new advanced avionics that were later used in the VF-6 "Alpha". 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 those on 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" some VF-2's from the Marines.

The Vindicator's armor and weapons further separates itself from the VF-6. The armor, like that on all of the newer REF veritechs, is a chobham composite designed to provide excellent protection from most light and medium anti-mecha weapons (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 Hammerhead 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. The Vindicator is also only able to mount gunpods in two locations; either centerline on the bottom of the aircraft, or centerline on the top of the aircraft. Many pilots tend to carry a gunpod on their ventral slot and a missile pod in the dorsal slot, although any combination of pods can be carried.

Production for the VF-2A started in 2015, but ceased after 575 units had been built in 2020. 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-2A Vindicator 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 Vindicators 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 2032, the Vindicator design was almost fifteen years 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 2034.

The mothballing of the Vindicators proved to be short lived. 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 VBF-9 fighters, 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 an additional 30% of protection. In addition, the older gun pods were replaced with an 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.

Service History:

• -2A: 575 units produced from 2015 until 2019. Served with the REF Marine Corp and in limited use with the REF Spacy from 2015 until all of the remaining 329 units were upgraded to the -2B model by 2027.
• -2B: Upgraded model served exclusively with the REF Marine Corp from 2025 until 2032. The remaining 175 units were upgraded to the 2V model by 2036.
• -2V: Served with the REF Marine Corps since the 2036 upgrade.

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:

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, BATTLOID CONFIGURATION:

80 mph (128 kmph)

LEAPING, BATTLOID CONFIGURATION:

100 ft (30 m) high or 300 ft (91.5 m) long without thrusters.

FLYING, BATTLOID CONFIGURATION:

(A,V) 400 mph (640 kph) (A,V) /

(B) 350 mph (560 kph) for (B)

FLYING, GUARDIAN 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 : 2508 MPH at 18000m (Mach 3.3) 

(B) 2128 MPH at 18000m (Mach 2.8)
760 MPH 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:

• 2 x Pratt & Whitney RT-650 [Main] Fusion plasma-air/reaction mass intermix turbines. (A,B) Max thrust, 180 kN ea.
• 2 x Pratt & Whitney RT-660 [Main] Fusion plasma-air/reaction mass intermix turbines. (V) Max thrust, 200 kN ea.
• 4 x Turbo-Union ATF 410 miniaturized fusion plasma-air/reaction mass intermix ramjets.  Two are mounted on the upper rear (jet mode), and two as VTOL thrusters on the lower fuselage in place of the traditional head-turret [Auxiliary]. Each engine is rated to 56.9 kN standard thrust, max overboost to 101.1 kN each.
  

STATISTICAL DATA:

HEIGHT:

12.7 m in battloid configuration.

9.0 m in guardian configuration.

3.8 m in fighter configuration.

WIDTH:

6.1 m at shoulders in battloid

14.8 m with wings at maximum extension in guardian and fighter configuration.

LENGTH:

7.3 m in battloid configuration.

11.3 m in guardian configuration.

15.2 m in fighter configuration.

WEIGHT:

24,000 kg empty.

PHYSICAL STRENGTH:

Equal to a Robotic 45

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. H2O propellant for fusion engines.

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 2038.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Mecha
   • RANGE: Armor Piercing Spin Stabilized Discarding Sabot (APSSDS) 5249 feet (1600 m), or 3937ft (1200m) for all others.
   • DAMAGE: APSSDS 6d6 short burst, 1D4*10+10 medium burst, 3D4*10+10 full melee burst.   HEAP 1D4*10 short burst, 2D4*10 medium burst, 4D4*10 full melee burst.  Tracer rounds reduce damage by 25%.  Standard 5d6 short burst, 1D4*10 medium burst, or 3D4*10 full melee burst
   • RATE OF FIRE: Single shots or bursts equal to the combined attacks of the pilot.
   • PAYLOAD: 600 rounds of internal ammunition or 60 short bursts, 30 medium, or 15 full melee. 
   • NOTES: APSSDS does x2 damage on a modified 18, 19, or 20; and x3 damage on a natural 20. Tracers add +2 to strike.
   
   

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. A destabilizer blast instantly brings down any standard mecha or doorway force fields for 4D6+20 minutes. Against hive force fields, there is an 80% chance of creating a 6D6 foot hole in the field for 4D6 minutes. Against magical or psionic force fields, such as the Perytonian powers Invisible Armor and Magic Barrier or similar powers from Rifts or Heroes Unlimited, there is only a 30% chance of disruption, and it only disrupts that manifestation of the ability. However, the power can be used or cast again on the next attack if its creator has the required uses/PPE/ISP left to do so.

   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-force Field
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Mecha
   • RANGE: 1800 m
   • DAMAGE: 1D6*10 for each single shot
   • RATE OF FIRE: Single shots equal to the combined attacks of the pilot up to eight times per melee.
   • PAYLOAD: Each protoculture cell can power up to 40 shots or draw directly from the main protoculture energizer for up to 4 shots per melee.

   

3. (Optional) GA-15 40MM REF GAUSS RIFLE: In 2035, research produced the GA-15 40mm REF Gauss Rifle. In all respects, the weapon was superior than the earlier GA-12. The GA-15 had 67% percent increased range and a 100% increase in damage. The weapon was even able to break through the armored exoskeleton of early model inorganics. However, the weapon was somewhat unwieldy to fire and pilots soon complained that the weapon was unable to track targets under 500m. As a result, the GA-15 was generally issued only during space combat and often the pilots would discard the weapon once the Invid entered into EU-13 range.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Mecha
   • RANGE: 10.0 km
   • DAMAGE: 2D4*10 for single shot
   • RATE OF FIRE: The GA-15 fires up to 60 rounds per minute. The pilot can fire as many single shots as his combined hand to hand attacks per melee.
   • PAYLOAD: 50 rounds stored internally.
   • NOTES: -4 to strike within 500m
   
   
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.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Mecha
   • RANGE: 1200 m
   • DAMAGE: 2D4 for each Single blast, 1D6*10 for each triple blast, 2D4*10 for each medium burst (up to six times per melee), or 4D4*10 for each full melee burst.
   • RATE OF FIRE: Single shots or bursts equal to the combined attacks of the pilot.
   • PAYLOAD: Conditionally unlimited.  The protoculture cell is estimated to have enough power for 3000 single shots, 1000 triple shots, 300 medium bursts, or 100 full melee bursts.
   
   
5. RRG MK-10 NOSE LASERS: Like the original VF-1 the Vindicator 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 be fired in fighter and guardian modes.  
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault/Defense
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-mecha
   • RANGE: 1 mile.
   • DAMAGE: 1D6*10 for each single shot.
   • RATE OF FIRE: Equal to the combine attacks of the pilot.
   • PAYLOAD: Unlimited
   
   
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.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault/Defense
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-mecha
   • RANGE: Varies
   • DAMAGE: Varies
   • RATE OF FIRE: One at a time or in volleys of two, four, eight, sixteen, thirty-two, or all 70
   • PAYLOAD:  12 Lower Arms, 10 Shoulders, 13 Lower Legs
   
   
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 of internal space.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault/Defense
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-mecha
   • RANGE: Varies
   • DAMAGE: Varies
   • RATE OF FIRE: One at a time or in volleys of two, four, eight, sixteen, thirty-two, sixy-four, or all 96.
   • PAYLOAD:  16 Lower Arms, 14 Shoulders, 18 Lower Legs.
   
   
8. (Optional) DD-16 MULTI-MISSILE POD: 16 Diamondback medium missiles can be stored in an optional launcher between the two arms in fighter mode, or on a shoulder in Battloid mode.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault/Defense
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-mecha
   • RANGE: Varies
   • DAMAGE: Varies
   • RATE OF FIRE: One at a time or in volleys of two, four, eight, or all sixteen.
   • PAYLOAD: 16 medium range missiles
   
   
9. (All) DDI-8 MEDIUM RANGE MISSILE SYSTEM: Eight Diamondback medium range missiles can be stored under the intakes.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault/Defense
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-mecha
   • RANGE: Varies 
   • DAMAGE: Varies (Typically 2D6*10)
   • RATE OF FIRE: One at a time or in volleys of two, three, four, six, or all eight
   • PAYLOAD: 4 in each intake for a total of 8 medium missiles.
   
   
10. BODY/WING HARD POINTS: Two fixed hard points are mounted on each wing for a total of four. Each hardpoint can carry 8 short range missiles, 4 medium range missiles or 2 long range missiles.
    NOTE: Due to the location of the hard points, ALL missiles must be fired or ejected before the Vindicator may convert into soldier mode. For this reason the hard point missiles are usually fired within the first few passes of an attack.


11. 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:
    
    • Punch in Battloid:  2D4*3
    • Punch in Guardian:  1D6*3
    • Kick: 2D6*3
    • Leap Kick: 3D6*3
    • Body Flip/Throw: 1D4*3
    • Body Block/Tackle: 2D6*3
    • Stomp: 1D4*3 . (only effective against small objects)

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

History

At the time, the VBF-9 "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 VBF-9 "Beta" by 2031. 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. 

Bonuses and Penalties:
Each FAST Pack provides the following bonuses and penalties when equipped unless otherwise noted in their individual descriptions:

• +1 bonus to dodge or +10% to control rolls in all modes while in space (outside of a planetary atmosphere) with the FAST Pack attached.
• Extra protection: whenever the fighter takes damage roll 1D6. On a result of 1-3 the FAST packs take damage before the VF's main body does. Alternatively, if the pilot makes a successful parry roll the FAST additions automatically take damage first.
  
• -1 penalty to dodge and -10% to control rolls while flying in a planetary atmosphere with the dorsal and leg mounted boosters attached.
• Explosive: FAST packs containing missiles will explode violently when its MDC is reduced below 0. If the computer is functioning it will automatically eject the damaged part. If it is not, the pilot has one melee action to eject the FAST module before it explodes. Modules that explode do 2D6x10 MD. Deduct damage first from the part covered by the FAST pack, and then any remaining damage from the main body of the VF.

Statistical Data:

1. NP-AR-01A Arm-Mounted Pods: These pods were originally designed to provide the Vindicator extra long range punch, extra armor protection for the upper main body was added as an afterthought. Each launcher carries 2 Brimstone missiles. Mounted between the arms in fighter mode (taking the place of the DD-16), they are mounted either on each shoulder or on the arms in Battloid mode.
   • MDC: 75 each
   • PRIMARY WEAPONRY:  Brimstone Missile Launcher
     • RANGE: Varies by missile
     • DAMAGE: Varies by missile
     • PAYLOAD:  2 Brimstone REF long range missiles
     • RATE OF FIRE: Individual fire only.

2. NP-AR-01B Arm-Mounted Pods: Each launcher carries 4 Hothead missiles.
   • MDC: 75 each
   • PRIMARY WEAPONRY:  Hothead Missile Launcher
     • RANGE: Varies by missile
     • DAMAGE: Varies by missile
     • PAYLOAD:  4 Hothead REF medium range missiles
     • RATE OF FIRE: Individual or volleys of 2.

3. NP-AR-01B Arm-Mounted Pods: Each launcher carries 8 Hammerhead missiles.
   • MDC: 75 each
   • PRIMARY WEAPONRY:  Hammerhead Missile Launcher
     • RANGE: Varies by missile
     • DAMAGE: Varies by missile
     • PAYLOAD:  8 Hammerhead REF short range missiles
     • RATE OF FIRE: Individual or volleys of 2.

4. NP-BP-10V Back-Mounted Pods: First produced in 2025 as an upgrade for the venerable NP-BP-01 booster used by the VF-1, the -10V was modified for use on the Vindicator. While the main engine and missile launcher were upgraded, vernier thrusters were removed to make it possible to mount the thrusters in place of the DD-16 missile pod. The -10V 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.
   • MDC: 170
   • MAIN ENGINE:  EF-2010 Fusion Turbine with a maximum thrust of 1400 kN
   • SPEED: +375 MPH each, a total of +1 Mach with both thrusters
   • PRIMARY WEAPONRY:  HMMP-04 Missile Launcher
     • RANGE: Varies by missile
     • DAMAGE: Varies by missile
     • PAYLOAD:  27 Hammerhead REF short range missiles
     • RATE OF FIRE: Individual or volleys of 2, 4, or 8.

5. NP-BP-02V Back-Mounted Pods: Designed shortly after the NP-BP-01 booster, the -02 model was never produced in great quantities.  The -02V model is identical in all regards to the -10V except that the HMMP-04 missile system was replaced with the RO-X24 particle beam cannon. The cannons proved difficult to manufacture in quantity and thus only the flight commanders and veritech aces were ever issued -02V for their mecha and then only one at a time. Fighters which mounted one -02V and one -10V FAST pack were called "Strike" Fighters to distinguish them from those which mounted two -10V FAST packs.
   • MDC: 150
   • MAIN ENGINE:  EF-2001 Fusion Turbine with a maximum thrust of 1180 kN
   • SPEED: +375 MPH each, a total of +1 Mach with both thrusters
   • PRIMARY WEAPONRY:  RO-X24 Particle Beam Cannon
     • RANGE: 2 kilometers
     • DAMAGE: 1D4*10 per cannon (two RO-X24 cannons can be mounted)
     • PAYLOAD:  Effectively unlimited
     • RATE OF FIRE: Up to seven times per melee per cannon.
     • NOTES:  +1 to strike

6. NP-FB-10 Leg-Mounted Pods: The NP-FB-10s are designed to provide the extra fuel needed by the NP-BP-* FAST pack boosters to operate for extended periods of time, and also include additional vernier jets for better maneuverability in space.
   • MDC: 50
   • Delta-V/Reaction Mass: Each tank boosts the cruise time by ½ hour without the NP-BP Boosters. With the boosters, cruise time is only extended by 1/4 hour.
   • WEAPONRY: None
   • SPECIAL:
     • CHAFF/FLARE DISPENSERS:
     • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Defense
     • RATE OF FIRE: Equal to pilot's combined number of attacks.
     • PAYLOAD: 20 chaff decoys and 20 flare decoys (40 total).

7. NP-FB-20 Leg-Mounted Pods: When the RDF upgraded its VF-1 Valkyrie fleet in 2020 the need for the original NP-FB-10 propellant tanks decreased due to advances in propulsion technology and fuel efficiency. But instead of eliminating the leg FAST packs they were redesigned to include missiles as well as fuel. The new NP-FB-20 FAST packs contain 20 Hammerhead missiles that are concealed by armor plates that flip up prior to launch.
   • MDC: 75
   • Delta-V/Reaction Mass: Each tank boosts the cruise time by ½ hour without the NP-BP Boosters. With the boosters, cruise time is only extended by 1/4 hour.
   • WEAPONRY: 20 Hammerhead short range missiles
   • RATE OF FIRE: Volleys of 1 to 20 (all) missiles.
   • SPECIAL:
     • CHAFF/FLARE DISPENSERS:
     • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Defense
     • RATE OF FIRE: Equal to pilot's combined number of attacks.
     • PAYLOAD: 20 chaff decoys and 20 flare decoys (40 total).

STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE VF-2:

• AUTO-PILOT: The VF-2 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.
• COMBAT COMPUTER: The 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. 
• ELECTRONICA RADAR WARNING RECEIVER (RWR) 
• OLDELFT INFRA-RED WARNING RECEIVER (IRWR) 
• WESTINGHOUSE ALQ-250(V) ACTIVE SENSOR JAMMER: Jams the guidance of smart missiles. Range: 5 km. Subtract -5 from the natural die roll of missile attacks (missile bonuses do not apply) 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).
• 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 escape pod of the VF-2 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.
• LASER TARGETING SYSTEM: Range: 100 miles (160 km). Used for increased accuracy in the striking of enemy targets and is partly responsible for the mecha's strike bonus.
• LOUDSPEAKER: A loudspeaker system is built into the craft, which can be used to amplify the pilot's voice up to 90 decibels.
• OPTICS: INFRARED: Range: 2000 feet (610 m). 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: Range: 2000 feet (610 m). 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: Range: 2000 feet (610 m). 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.
• RADAR: 100 mile range.
• 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.
• SELF-DESTRUCT: To prevent capture of an advance variable fighter by the enemy, the pilot can activate the VF-2 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 1D6x10 M.D. to everything within the radius of the explosion. All internal systems are obliterated. The escape pod will be automatically ejected prior to the explosion unless the pilot overrides the ejection sequence.
• 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-2 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.
• CHAFF AND FLARE DISPENSERS: 36 chaff and 36 flares are stored in each of the lower legs.
• SMOKE DISPENSERS
  

STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE VF-2V:

• RRG MK1 SHADOW: 4th-dimensional distortion field generator (downshifts and dampens protoculture radiation) emitting only weakly in these wavebands. NOTE: Once the mecha has lost three/fourths of its main body MDC, there is a 50% chance that the stealth system will fail every time the main body of the craft is hit. Once the stealth system has failed, it will not work again until repaired at a REF base.
• RRG MK2 EM-ABSORBING SKIN COVER: bly absorbing EM radiation from radio through ultra-violet wavelengths, and emitting only weakly in these bandwidths. Reduce radar acquisition by 75%.
• TEXAS INSTRUMENTS APG-137 SYNTHETIC APERTURE RADAR: 200 mile range.

COMBAT BONUSES FOR VINDICATOR COMBAT TRAINING:

• 2 attacks per melee (plus those of the pilot).
• Add one additional action/attack at levels six and eleven.
• +3 on initiative (V)
• +3 strike in Fighter, +4 in Guardian, +5 in Battloid
• +2 to parry
• +3 to dodge in Battloid, +4 in Guardian, +5 in jet mode.
• +3 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 VINDICATOR BASIC COMBAT TRAINING:

• 1 attacks per melee (plus those of the pilot).
• Add one additional action/attack at levels seven and thirteen
• +1 strike in Fighter, +2 in Guardian, +3 in Battloid
• +1 to parry
• +1 to dodge in Battloid, +2 guardian, +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

REFERENCES USED IN THIS DESIGN

• Robotech Technical Files: Veritech Alpha Fighter VAF-6
• Robotech Technical Files: VF-1 "Valkyrie"
• Palladium Books: "The Sentinels"