NORTHROM QF-3000E GHOST

RPG Stats by Daniel Henwood (dhenwood@hotmail.com)
Design layout adapted from DAVE DEITRICH (deitrich@mcs.net)
Background info provided by the MACROSS ONLINE COMPENDIUM

BACKGROUND

The Ghost's AI is situated in the reinforced forward dorsal cockpit bay, looking something like a large single eye emerging from the surface of the fighter. This is in fact the primary sensor, the AI is behind this in its armoured cocoon protected against damage. The AI controls all of the fighters functions, and recieves updates from its supervisor based either on a groundside base, or UN Spacy ship. The Supervisor is able to supervise and direct numerous Ghost Fighters at once. The supervisor will transmit new mission parameters and orders, or target data to the Ghost Fighter/s so long as they are within communicatins range. If the QF-3000E goes outside of communications range it will attempt to get back into comms range with its supervisor so long as this does not conflict with its mission parameters/orders.

Due to the ability to not endanger human life in combat, the Ghost fighter, and its descendants (such as the X-9 Ghost of Macross Plus) are a favoured backup to the Variable Fighter as they are able to conduct missions that humans wouldn't or couldn't. They are also cheaper to manufacture than Variable Fighters, and the AI's can with re-programming potentially be put into Variable Fighters. Some tests in this area have been made (the QVF-1, and QVF-11 being the most notable) but they are normally only used for target practice. QF-3000E's however were the favoured combat vehicle on board the ARMD plaforms as 270 were stationed onboard, as opposed to the 78 SF-3A Lancer II Space Fighters, and the SDF-1 had 120 of these AI controlled fighters. Colony worlds unable to obtain pilots good enough for piloting VF's or unable to afford many Variable Fighters would commonly bolster their defences with AI Controlled QF-3000E Ghost Fighters.

RPG STATS

Vehicle Types:

• QF-3000E Ghost: Standard version

MDC BY LOCATION:

(1) Main Body                                     300
(2) Engine                                        150
(3) Reinforced AI cockpit                         100
    Missile Bays/Thrusters (2)                    100 each
    Forward Sensor                                 50

NOTES:

1. Depleting the MDC of the Main Body will destroy the fighter.
2. Destroying one thruster will reduce the flight speed of the fighter by 50%. Destroying both thrusters will render the Ghost immobile.
3. Destroying the Reinforced AI Cockpit will destroy the Artificial Intelligence controlling the fighter. The fighter will automatically shutdown.

SPEEDS:

FLYING:

Mach 4, with thrusters providing temporary speed of Mach 5.2 to pemit Ghost fighter to breach atmosphere to obtain orbit.

STATISTICAL DATA:

LENGTH:

53 ft (16 m)

POWER PLANT:

Thermonuclear Fusion Reactor

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

1. LARGE BORE LASER CANNONS: (6) Secured within large ports on the port and starboard sides of the Fighter are 6 Laser Cannons. The Cannons are firelinked together and fixed forward so the AI must line up the target to hit. The damage from the firelinked cannons enables them to destroy enemy mecha with single blasts against most mecha.'
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Aircraft
   • RANGE: 4000 ft (1200 m)
   • DAMAGE: 1D4x10 M.D. (Per Cannon) 6D4x10 MD for firelined cannon blasts.
   • RATE OF FIRE: 4 times per melee.
   • PAYLOAD: Effectively Unlimited.

2. SHORT RANGE MISSILE LAUNCHERS: (8) Located in the side mounted thrusters are 8 missile launchers (4 per side) which provide additional weaponary for the Ghost Fighter. The QF-3000E will normally keep the missiles for specific mission parameters so as to be efficient and conserve ammunition.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault
   • MISSILE TYPE: Any Short range missile
   • RANGE: Varies with missile type
   • DAMAGE: Varies with missile type
   • RATE OF FIRE: Volleys of 1-8 missiles, 4 volleys per melee
   • PAYLOAD: 4 missiles per launcher, total of 32 missiles

STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE QF-3000E:

• AI PILOT: The QF-3A Ghost is piloted and controlled by an Artificial Intelligence which controls all of the fighters functions. It can be updated by a controller within communications range either from the ground or a ship, updating it with new target data or mission parameters. If the QF-3000E is outside of communications range it will continue with its present mission. If that mission has been completed the Ghost fighter will return immediately within communications range for further orders.
• COMBAT COMPUTER: The Ghost Fighter is equipped with a combat computer that can store and analyse data during combat with hostile forces. Data collected by the combat computer is analysed by the controlling AI and then matched to its mission parameters. 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.
• HEAT AND RADIATION SHIELDS: Special shielding prevents the penetration of threatening heat and radiation. A radiation detection and alarm system are linked with the shields and will sound an alarm if there is a is a breach in the shields and what the levels of radiation are. The AI is also heavily shielded within its reinforced cockpit bay.
• HOMING SIGNAL: The QF-3000E is equipped with a homing device that enables rescue teams to locate a disabled craft. The range of the signal is 400 miles (640 km). Most UN Spacy ships and variable fighters can locate and track homing signals, 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.
• RADAR: 200 mile (321 km) 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 a fighter by the enemy, the AI can activate the QF-3000E's self-destruct system, which will cause the craft to explode after a delay of up to 60 minutes (time is set by the AI). 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.
• REINFORCED AI COCKPIT: The QF-3000E Ghost's AI cockpit bay is heavily reinforced to protect the AI from radiation and battle damage. It is also protected against the effects of an EMP pulse such as those produced by nuclear weapons.

COMBAT BONUSES FOR QF-3000E GHOST FIGHTER TRAINING:

QF-3000E GHOST FIGHTER COMBAT ATTRIBUTES

• 4 attacks per melee
• +2 to strike
• +4 to dodge
• +2 to roll with an impact, reducing damage by half.
• Pilot QF-3000E 70%
• Weapon Systems 70%
• Read Sensory Instruments 65%
• Navigation: ALL 60%
• Radio: Basic 65%

REFERENCES USED IN THIS DESIGN

• Macross TV Series
• "Doe's All The Worlds' Mecha Guide: Northrom QF-3000E Ghost Fighter