Technical Files Homepage

I. Dimensions:

(Standard)

(VF-17K)

II. Type:

• Design: Lockheed Martin Corporation
• Builders: Lockheed Martin Corporation
• (VF-17B, -17G, -17J) : One man all weather aerospace combat mecha, 3 form stealth veritech fighter. Mass produced version.
• (VF-17S) : One man all weather aerospace combat mecha, 3 form stealth veritech fighter. Squadron leader version.
• (VF-17D) : Two seat trainer with operational capabilities, 3 form stealth veritech trainer.
• (VF-17E) : Two seat electronic intelligence recon mecha, 3 form stealth veritech.
• (VF-17K) : One man all weather aerospace combat mecha, 3 form sound warfare stealth veritech.
• (VF-17R) : Two seat Wild Weasel aerial defense suppression mecha, 3 form stealth veritech.

III. Service History:

• VF-17B: Served with RDF Space Marines, Space Navy, and Special Space Services from 2052 until being replaced by -17G.
• VF-17D: Served with RDF Space Marines, Space Navy, and Special Space Services from 2052 and is still in service.
• VF-17E: Served with RDF Space Marines, Space Navy, and Special Space Services from 2056 and is still in service.
• VF-17G: Served with RDF Space Marines, Space Navy, and Special Space Services from 2056 until being replaced by -17J.
• VF-17J: Served with RDF Space Marines, Space Navy, and Special Space Services from 2061 and is still in service.
• VF-17K: Served with RDF Special Space Services from 2064 and is still in service.
• VF-17R: Served with RDF Space Marines, Space Navy, and Special Space Services from 2057 and is still in service.
• VF-17S: Served with RDF Space Marines, Space Navy, and Special Space Services from 2052 and is still in service.

IV. Propulsion:

• Engines:

(VF-17B, -17D)

• 2 x Nakajima FF-2035B fusion turbines each rated at 55,000 kg (539 kN) of thrust, capable of generating 635 MW of power.  The engines generate 24,220 PS during ground combat.
• 6 x Rolls Royce HMM-7 high thrust vernier thrusters, 2 mounted in on the center dorsal in fighter mode and on the upper back of the veritech in battloid mode, 4 more mounted in pairs on the back of each leg.  Each thruster is rated at 701.3 kg/sec (6.9 kN/sec).
• 31 x Pratt&Whitney LHP07 low-thrust vernier thrusters beneath multipurpose hook/handles, distributed around the aircraft; 3 mounted on the dorsal and ventral sides of the nose, 3 on either tail, 1 on the center dorsal, and 3 on the ventral and dorsal surface of each wing. Each thruster is rated at 133 kg/sec (1.3 kN/sec).

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

• 2 x Nakajima FF-2035C fusion turbines each rated at 58,400 kg (572 kN) of thrust, capable of generating 650 MW of power.  The engines generate 24,510 PS during ground combat.
• 6 x Rolls Royce HMM-8 high thrust vernier thrusters, 2 mounted in on the center dorsal in fighter mode and on the upper back of the veritech in battloid mode, 4 more mounted in pairs on the back of each leg.  Each thruster is rated at 720.8 kg/sec (7.1 kN/sec).
• 31 x Pratt&Whitney LHP07 low-thrust vernier thrusters beneath multipurpose hook/handles, distributed around the aircraft; 3 mounted on the dorsal and ventral sides of the nose, 3 on either tail, 1 on the center dorsal, and 3 on the ventral and dorsal surface of each wing. Each thruster is rated at 133 kg/sec (1.3 kN/sec).

(VF-17J, -17S)

• 2 x Nakajima FF-2035A fusion turbines each rated at 60,000 kg (592 kN) of thrust, capable of generating 665 MW of power.  The engines generate 24,630 PS during ground combat.
• 6 x Rolls Royce HMM-10 high thrust vernier thrusters, 2 mounted in on the center dorsal in fighter mode and on the upper back of the veritech in battloid mode, 4 more mounted in pairs on the back of each leg.  Each thruster is rated at 749.3 kg/sec (7.3 kN/sec).
• 31 x Pratt&Whitney LHP09 low-thrust vernier thrusters beneath multipurpose hook/handles, distributed around the aircraft; 3 mounted on the dorsal and ventral sides of the nose, 3 on either tail, 1 on the center dorsal, and 3 on the ventral and dorsal surface of each wing. Each thruster is rated at 153 kg/sec (1.5 kN/sec).

(VF-17K)

• 2 x Nakajima FF-2035J fusion turbines each rated at 59,500 kg (583 kN) of thrust, capable of generating 660 MW of power.  The engines generate 24,575 PS during ground combat.
• 6 x Rolls Royce HMM-10 high thrust vernier thrusters, 2 mounted in on the center dorsal in fighter mode and on the upper back of the veritech in battloid mode, 4 more mounted in pairs on the back of each leg.  Each thruster is rated at 749.3 kg/sec (7.3 kN/sec).
• 31 x Pratt&Whitney LHP09 low-thrust vernier thrusters beneath multipurpose hook/handles, distributed around the aircraft; 3 mounted on the dorsal and ventral sides of the nose, 3 on either tail, 1 on the center dorsal, and 3 on the ventral and dorsal surface of each wing. Each thruster is rated at 153 kg/sec (1.5 kN/sec).

• Auxilliary Powerplant:

• General Electric APU-150 thermonuclear fusion reaction auxiliary power generators (one redundant), each capable of producing 650 MW, using the aircraft's stored fuel, with an emergency reserve of 10 lt D₂O/Li solution.

• Fuel Capacity:

• 4,500 lt 70/30 D₂O/Li solution as reactant for fusion engines in fuel tanks inside the wings.

V. Performance:

VI. Electronics

Radar tracking:

(VF-17B, -17D)

• Phillips AN/APG-173 X-Band, spherical pulse-Doppler, providing long-range detection and tracking of targets at all altitudes.
• Westinghouse AN/APX-16 IFF friend or foe interrogator.

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

• Hughes AN/APG-181 X-Band, spherical pulse-Doppler, providing long-range detection and tracking of targets at all altitudes.
• Westinghouse AN/APX-20 IFF friend or foe interrogator.

(VF-17K)

• Hughes AN/APG-192 X-Band, spherical pulse-Doppler, providing long-range detection and tracking of targets at all altitudes.
• Westinghouse AN/APX-23 IFF friend or foe interrogator.

(VF-17E)

• Westinghouse AN/APY-17 X-Band, spherical pulse-Doppler, providing long-range detection and tracking of targets at all altitudes.
• Westinghouse AN/APX-20 IFF friend or foe interrogator.
• Westinghouse AN/APS-243 surveillance radar with rotary radome, mounted to FAST pack boosters or plane's fuselage HF, VHF, and VLF coantennas

Optical tracking:

(VF-17B, -17D)

• (Head/Turret) Kodak AN/DOS-4000 multi-band digital camera, for medium range, traversable, UV, infrared imaging and optical band detection and tracking.
• General Electric AN/LT-8 multi-frequency laser designator and ranger.

(VF-17E, -17G, -17J, -17R,  -17S)

• (Head/Turret) Kodak AN/DOS-4500 multi-band digital camera system, for medium range, traversable, UV, infrared imaging and optical band detection and tracking.
• General Electric AN/LT-8 multi-frequency laser designator and ranger.

(VF-17K)

• (Head/Turret) Phillips AN/DOS-5700 multi-band digital camera system, for medium range, traversable, UV, infrared imaging and optical band detection and tracking.
• Thomson AN/LT-12 multi-frequency laser designator and ranger.

Tactical Electronic Warfare System (TEWS):

• Loral AN/ALR-26 Radar Warning Receiver (RWR)
• Loral AN/AIR-15 Infra-red Warning Receiver (IRWR)
• General Electric AN/ALQ-279(V) internal countermeasures system
• Tracor AN/ALE-16 Chaff/Flare Dispensers    
• Westinghouse AN/AMJ-6 Active Missile Jammers
• Multiple VHF and UHF antennas\
• Bose Loudspeakers producing sound up to 90 decibels.
• Hughes PPBS-02 Pin-Point Barrier System: The VF-17 is equipped with a mecha-scale pinpoint barrier system for defense. The system can generate a single pinpoint barrier that can be moved anywhere on the mecha and used as a shield against incoming attacks.

(VF-17J, -17S)

• Hughes PPBS-03 Pin-Point Barrier System: The VF-17 is equipped with a mecha-scale pinpoint barrier system for defense. The system can generate a single pinpoint barrier that can be moved anywhere on the mecha and used as a shield against incoming attacks.

(VF-17E)

• Additional: Westinghouse AN/ALQ-288 (V) multi-channel wide-band radar detector/jammer
• Westinghouse AN/QRC-131 Infra-red Counter Measures (IRCM)
• Thomson AN/ASD-72 signal detector/receiver

(VF-17K)

• Loral AN/ALR-48 Radar Warning Receiver (RWR)
• Loral AN/AIR-34 Infra-red Warning Receiver (IRWR)
• General Electric AN/ALQ-306 (V) internal countermeasures system
• Tracor AN/ALE-16 Chaff/Flare Dispensers    
• Westinghouse AN/AMJ-12 Active Missile Jammers
• Multiple VHF and UHF antennas
• Sony holographic projectors. Can be used to produce simple images and 'dazzle' enemy pilots with bright lights
• RRG Sound Energy System SES-01: the VF-17K is equipped with the revolutionary Sound Energy System (SES) developed by Dr. Chiba of UES Germany's science team. The SES allows the pilot to of the VF to focus their spiritia powers and use it for attack and defense.
• Bose Loudspeakers producing sound up to 150 decibels.
• Hughes PPBS-04 Pin-Point Barrier System: The VF-17K is equipped with a new mecha-scale pinpoint barrier system for defense. The system can generate a single pinpoint barrier that can be moved anywhere on the mecha and used as a shield against incoming attacks.

(VF-17R)

• Additional: 2 x Kowalczyk AN/ALQ-272 multi-spectrum jammer in gunpod bays.
• Head sensors are supplemented with
• Marconi Spyeye MkII broad-spectrum radiation scanners.
• General Electric AN/ALQ-286 active laser jamming systems.
• Westinghouse AN/QRC-130 Infra-red Counter Measures (IRCM)
• Thomson AN/ASD-72 signal detector/receiver
• Special hardware and software for more effective battle management against active defenses. This especially increases the effectiveness of any mounted anti-radiation missiles, compared to ARM missiles mounted on a standard version, because the Battle Management System will automatically prioritize threats and lock on to them with the appropriate missile selection. This information is routinely shared with all friendly crafts' computers, warning the other pilots of possible threats to their aircraft, and the data-link allows other aircraft to serve as the launch platforms for additional AR missiles.

(VF-17D)

• Additional: Lasers on head is replaced by a Marconi Spyeye MkII broad spectrum radiation sensors.
• IBM-2500 onboard data interpretation system

VII. Armament:

(VF-17D, -17E)

• No armament standard. Dummy munitions are often carried on the VF-17D, but these craft are almost never used for combat.

Cannons:

(VF-17B, -17G)

• 2 x Oerlikon AAL-7 anti-aircraft pulse laser: The VF-17 mounts pulse lasers for use in air combat skirmishes and for defensive purposes. The VF-17B and -17G mount two lasers on the head of the mecha in battloid mode, and located in the forward dorsal section of the main body pointed rearward in fighter and guardian modes. Each pulse delivers 4.2 MJ at 120 times per minute.
• 2 x Mauser REB-20 fixed laser cannons: Two small-bore laser cannons are mounted on both sides of the cockpit in a fixed-forward position. These lasers can be fired in any mode, but cannot be moved and must be aimed by moving the body of the mecha. The lasers may each fire 8 MJ every three seconds at a range of up to 2 km.
• 2 x Mauser REB-22C fixed dual port laser cannons: Each arm of the Nightmare has a medium-bore laser mounted internally that runs the length of the arm. This laser is slightly unusual because it has two exit ports for the beam instead of the normal one, meaning that the laser can fire out the front or the rear of the arm at any time (but not both). These lasers can be used in any mode and can be fired in front or in back of the mecha. The arm must be moved in order to aim the laser concealed within. The lasers may each fire 6 MJ every second at a range of up to 4 km.

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

• 2 or 4 x Oerlikon AAL-7 anti-aircraft pulse laser: The VF-17 mounts pulse lasers for use in air combat skirmishes and for defensive purposes. The VF-17J and -17R mount two and the VF-17S has 4 lasers on the head of the mecha in battloid mode, and located in the forward dorsal section of the main body pointed rearward in fighter and guardian modes. Each pulse delivers 4.2 MJ at 120 times per minute.
• 2 x Mauser REB-26 fixed laser cannons: Two small-bore laser cannons are mounted on both sides of the cockpit in a fixed-forward position. These lasers can be fired in any mode, but cannot be moved and must be aimed by moving the body of the mecha. The lasers may each fire 13 MJ of power every two seconds at a range of up to 8 km.
• 2 x Mauser REB-28C fixed dual Port Laser Cannons: Each arm of the Nightmare has a medium-bore laser mounted internally that runs the length of the arm. This laser is slightly unusual because it has two exit ports for the beam instead of the normal one, meaning that the laser can fire out the front or the rear of the arm at any time (but not both). These lasers can be used in any mode and can be fired in front or in back of the mecha. The arm must be moved in order to aim the laser concealed within. The lasers may each fire 9 MJ of energy every three seconds at a range of 5 km.

One leg storage bay can carry:

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

• 1 x Hughes GU-27 seven barrel 35mm stealth gatling gunpod: The main weapon of the VF-17 is a concealed handheld gunpod that can be used in fighter or battloid mode. The gunpod is stored in a collapsed form in a concealed port on the right leg of the mecha when in fighter and guardian mode, fires out of a special port near the top of the leg. When the veritech goes to battloid mode, the gun can be ejected into the veritech's right hand, where it automatically unfolds and is ready for action. The gun can be re-collapsed and replaced in the port when the VF-17 returns to fighter or guardian mode. Due to the mecha's configuration, the gun pod cannot be used in guardian mode as the exit barrel aims up at the main body, which would cause the VF-17 to shoot itself in this mode. Like other gunpods this uses a magazines each holding a supply of 600 rounds with an additional magazine stored in the of the left leg internal port.
• and/or 1 x RRD HLM-01 heavy laser module: This weapon is an alternative to the VF-17's standard gun pod developed by researchers aboard the colony ship UES Germany in 2064. It consists of a long tube which contains a heavy laser and a high-density capacitor that fits on the gun pod in place of an ammo magazine. This one-shot weapon fires a beam which is powerful enough cut through the main body of most mecha on a single hit. The module can fire a 150 MJ pulse up to 20 km once every ten seconds.  However, there are several disadvantages to the weapon. First off, the weapon is good only for two shots, after which the internal capacitor is completely drained. Second, in order to carry this module it must be stored in the VF-17's left leg, a spot that normally stores a spare Magazine for the Nightmare's gunpod. This effectively halves the ammo capacity of the VF-17, and greatly reduces its combat endurance. Still, many pilots feel that the tradeoff is worth it since the heavy laser gives them the ability to take out command mecha or even small spaceships in a single shot.
• or a number of dedicated military cargoes including, but not limited to any type of gun pod (except the XS-06), various sensor and jamming pods, and cargo containers.

(VF-17K)

• 1 x RRD SGU-03 120mm single-barrel speaker gun pod: The VF-17K is armed with a very unusual gun pod as a main weapon. Instead of firing standard shells, the gun pod instead fires large- caliber autocannon shells that each contain a high-definition speaker and radio receiver. The shells are armor-piercing and can usually penetrate even the toughest armor, but once embedded in armor plate the speaker pods transmit sound waves into the mecha's body, filling the pilot's cockpit with loud rock music. In addition to their use as a distraction, the speaker pods have been known to cause spiritia reactions in the minds of brainwashed Varauta pilots, occasionally permitting them to defect to the RDF. Due to the large size of the speaker pods only a limited amount can be carried in the VF-17K's gun pod. One spare magazine containing twelve speaker pods is mounted on the inside of the mecha's shield. Switching magazines can only be done in Guardian or Battloid mode.

Missile launchers:

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

• 4 x Shoulder mounted internal missile pallets: The VF-17 series mounts two pairs of internal pallets capable of carrying a wide variety of missiles to suit most of the VF-17s mission profiles.  The pallets are located in pairs near the wing root behind the cockpit in fighter mode, and on the shoulders in Guardian and Battloid modes.  The most commonly used loadout is 16 AIM-80 Hawk or AIM-90 Pegasus air-to-air missiles.  When armed, the pallet doors open allowing the missiles to fire.  The available launcher payloads for each pallet include:
  • 4 x AIM-80 Hawk short range air-to-air missiles.
  • or 4 x AIM-90 Pegasus short range air-to-air missiles.
  • or 1 x MPM-15 Rapier medium range multi-purpose missiles.
  • or 1 x MPM-25 Saber medium range multi-purpose missiles.
• 2 x Leg mounted internal missile pallets: The VF-17 series mounts a pair of leg internal pallets as its primary missile launchers under its fuselage in fighter mode and in the legs in guardian and battloid mode.  These pallets usually contain the larger missiles utilized by the VF-17 including the RMS-5 or any type of gravity bomb.  When armed the pallet doors open up allowing the missiles or bombs to be launched.  The doors are designed for minimal intrusion on the stealth construction of the VF-17 so as not to give away its position. The available launcher payloads for each pallet include:
  • 1 x AGM-27 Thunderbolt long range air-to-ground missile.
  • or 1 x AGM-34 Claymore long range air-to-ground missile.
  • or 1 x AGM-40 Murasame long range air-to-ground missile.
  • or 2 x AGM-20 Lightning medium range air-to-ground missiles.
  • or 2 x AGM-46 Katana medium range air-to-ground missiles.
  • or 6 x AGM-23 Hailstorm short range air-to-ground missiles.
  • or 6 x AGM-41 Nodachi short range air-to-ground missiles.
  • or 1 x MPM-17 Scimitar long range multi-purpose missiles.
  • or 1 x MPM-26 Sledgehammer long range multi-purpose missiles.
  • or 2 x MPM-15 Rapier medium range multi-purpose missiles.
  • or 2 x MPM-25 Saber medium range multi-purpose missiles.
  • or 6 x MPM-20 Pike short range multi-purpose missiles.
  • or 6 x MPM-24 Broadsword short range multi-purpose missiles.
  • or 2 x AGM-33 Banshee high speed anti-radiation missile (HARM).
  • or 2 x AGM-47 Siren high speed anti-radiation missile (HARM).
  • or 1 x RMS-5 Armageddon long range nuclear cruise missiles. 
  • or 1 x 1,000 lt reactant/fuel tank. Can store 70/30 D₂O/Li solution.

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

Other Military Cargoes available include:

• APS-243: A Westinghouse rotary radar dish with associated electronics and active/passive listening modes. It is mounted on the NR-NP-E17 booster pack or to the Valkyrie's fuselage. It is used by the ELINT version of the Nightmare, the VF-17E. Can be jettisoned if necessary.
• HMMP-10: An armored missile launcher carrying short range MPM-20 Pike missiles, the bay doors open when firing allowing all eleven missiles to be fired in one volley.  Mounted on NP-FP-17.
• SES-01: A revolutionary system which amplifies and projects Spiritia energy, allowing the pilot to use his or her Spiritia powers in combat.  In addition the system mounts 2 SEC-01 Sound Energy Converters, 2 SAA-01 Sound Aura Amplification Systems, and 2 Bose 150 decibel speakers. Mounts to NP-SES-17 booster pack.
• NP-BP-17: This is a hull-conformal FAWT (Fuel and Weapons Tactical) booster that attaches to the back of the VF-17.  Its main engines are a pair of General Electric +EF-2035 52,100 kg (511 kN) reaction thrusters and is equipped with three Rolls Royce HMM-7 vernier thrusters.  The PBC-21 single-barreled particle beam cannon is mounted to the front of this booster.  It also contains a probe-and-drogue retractable refueling tube mounted on the upper outboard corner of their NP-BP-17.  Teamed up with the NP-FB-17, HMMP-10, and PBC-12 systems, it forms the SSP-17 (Super Space Pack) weapons/armor/thruster suite.
• NR-NP-E17: This is a derivative of the NP-BP-01. A hull conformal FAST booster that attaches to the back of a Super VF-17E. Its main engine and vernier thrusters are the same as in the NP-BP-01. The APS-243 radar is mounted to a pair of these boosters, at their centers. Also, the Westinghouse AN/FCI-10 Fold Communications Interception system is installed on the starboard side booster and the Westinghouse AN/FSS-10 Hyperspace fold sensor mounted on the port side booster. Together with the NR-FS-E3 units, it forms the SSPE-17 ELINT FAST Pack System.
• NP-BP-T17: This is a hull-conformal FAST (Fuel and Sensors Tactical) booster that attaches to the back of the VF-17D.  Its main engines are a pair of General Electric +EF-2035 52,100 kg (511 kN) reaction thrusters and is equipped with three Rolls Royce HMM-7 vernier thrusters.  This unit cannot accept any weapons systems. Instead, it contains an additional 800 lt of reactant. Comes with an additional booster that attaches on top of the backpack. Together with the NR-FB-T17 units, it forms the SSPT-17 armor/fuel/thruster suite.
• NP-SES-17: This large SES (Sound Energy System) booster that attaches to the back of a VF-17K veritech.  Its main engines are a pair of Its main engine is a Nakajima +EF-2060 and is equipped with four Rolls Royce HMM-10 vernier thrusters.  The Chiba SES-01 Sound Energy System is mounted on this booster.
• NP-FB-17: This is a set of thrusters and armor that attaches to the Super VF-17's engine nacelle and facilitates maneuvering in space. It is equipped with a CTB-17 conformal fuel tank (1500 lt of reactant) and has four LHP07 and two HMM-7 vernier thrusters.  The HMMP-10 missile launch tube is mounted in the middle of this booster.  Additionally the pod contains a Tracor AN/ALE-16 chaff/flare launcher with 30 flares and 15 chaffs.
• NR-FS-E17: A derivative of the NP-FB-17; a set of thrusters and armor that attaches to the VF-17E's leg and facilitates maneuvering in space. It is equipped with a CTB-17 conformal fuel tank (1500 lt of reactant) and has four LHP07 and two HMM-7 vernier thrusters and side-surveillance radar.
• NR-FB-T17: A derivative of the NP-FB-17; a set of thrusters and armor that attaches to the VF-17D's engine nacelle and facilitates maneuvering in space. It is equipped with a CTB-17 conformal fuel tank (1500 lt of reactant) and has four LHP07 and two HMM-8 vernier thrusters.
• PBC-21: Single barreled Krupp particle beam cannon, fires 25 MJ of energy up to 60 times per minute. Mounted on the NP-BP-17 booster pack.
• RRG Mk3 Fold Booster Drive: A large cylindrical body that contains a hyperspace fold generator with a range of approx. 30 light years and enough energy to perform two hyperspace folds.

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

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

(VF-17)

(VF-11K)

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.

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