The following material is an adaptation of mecha from MACROSS M3, an Dreamcast game sequel to the original Japanese MACROSS TV series (which became Robotech in the U.S.) Please feel free to use, copy, and distribute it as you see fit. All I ask is that you give proper credit to the author and do not claim that it is your own work. Comments and suggestions are welcome.

VF-9 CUTLASS
LIGHT VARIABLE FIGHTER

RPG Stats by DANIEL HENWOOD
Based upon RPG Stats by MARK MCALISTER
Background info provided by the MACROSS ONLINE COMPENDIUM

BACKGROUND

The VF-9 Cutlass was General Galaxy's first assignment for the UN Armed Forces. Under their chief project advisor Algus Selzaa, development on the VF-9 Cutlass began in 2018. After three years of development the first flight of the VF-9 took place in 2021, with mass production beginning  in 2023, and ending in 2029. The original concept for the VF-9 was as an inexpensive light variable fighter, for use on colony worlds with low budgets.  However Captain Milia Jenius of the Dancing Skulls Squadron, and a test pilot¸ was so impressed with its high manouverability and speed that she recommended it as a Special Forces Fighter.

The VF-9 Cutlass was only replaced as the UN Armed Forces choice of Special Forces fighter  in the late 2030's by the VF-17 Nightmare. However many VF-9's can be found in Colony World defence forces, and with private VF collectors. The VF-9 was a huge success for General Galaxy and has made them a lot of money which they have wisely plowed into more variable fighter designs, such as the YF-21/VF-22 Sturmvogel.

RPG STATS

Vehicle Type: VF-9 Cutlass
Class: Light Variable Fighter
Manufacturer: General Galaxy
Crew: One pilot wearing Tactical Life Support System

MDC BY LOCATION: 

(1) Head                                    75
    Hands (2)                               50 each
    Arms/Beam Cannons (2)                  100 each
(2) Shoulders/Engine Nacelles (2)          150 each
(2) Legs/Main Thrusters (2)                200 each
(3) Main Body                              275
    Canard Forward Wings (2)                25 each
    Main Wings (2)                         100 each
    Tails (4)                               50 each
    Reinforced Pilot's Cockpit             150
    GU-12 Gun Pod                          100 each

NOTES:

  1. Destroying the head of the VF will knock out the mecha's major sensor systems, including all of the optics systems (infrared, nightvision, thermal). Radar and communications will be unaffected.
  2. Destroying the shoulders/engine nacelles or the legs/thrusters will severely damage the VF-9's engines. Destruction of either shoulder will reduce maximum speeds by 20%, and destruction of either leg will reduce speeds by 30%. If three of the four engines are destroyed the Lightning will have insufficient thrust to remain airborne and must land. If all four engines are destroyed the variable fighter will lose power and crash.
  3. Destruction of the main body will completely destroy the mecha.

SPEEDS:

FLYING IN AN ATMOSPHERE:
Mach 4 (2680 mph/4288 kmph) max speed at 10,000-30,000 meters above sea level. Mach 19+ max speed at 30,000+ meters above sea level. The Cutlass is capable of achieving orbit over an Earth-class planet without additional rocket assistance.
MAX ENGINE THRUST:
45,000 kg x 2

STATISTICAL DATA:

HEIGHT:
49 ft in soldier mode.
LENGTH:
45 ft in fighter mode.

PHYSICAL STRENGTH:
Equal to a P.S. of 50
CARGO:
Small compartment behind pilot's seat for personal belongings.
POWER PLANT:
Two Shinnakasu-Daimler FF-2650 engines. P&W-Daimler HMM-5D high-manueverability vernier thrusters at key locations along the VF-9's hull for added mobility.

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

  1. LARGE-CALIBER HIGH POWERED BEAM CANNONS (2): The VF-9 Cutlass' main weapons are a pair of high-power beam cannons mounted in the engine nacelles of the fighter. The cannons can be fired together or individually. The cannons are fixed forward, In battloid mode the beam cannons are mounted on the VF's  back and are capable of firing forward, although this is not the best position for them.

  2. ANTI-AIRCRAFT LASERS (2): Similar to the earlier VF-1J,the VF-9 sports twin anti-aircraft lasers for close in defence. In battloid mode however the lasers re stored on the right shoulder like the VF-3000 Crusader.  The lasers power is weak compared to its other weapons and they are normally used as a last choice weapon or for anti-missile work.

  3. GU-12 55mm MULTIPURPOSE GUN POD: For additional close-range combat capability, the VF-9 carries a GU-12 Gunpod, an upgraded version of the GU-11 GunPod. Unlike the GU-11 Gunpod,the GU-12 utilises clips of ammunition rather than pre-loaded ammo. This gives it a lower ammo count that the older GU-11 but as the Cutlass is capable of carrying spare clips, the VF-9's GU-12 Gunpod essentially gives more ammunition. One spare GU-12 clip is stored in each leg of the VF-9.

  4. BODY/WING HARD POINTS: The VF-9 is also equipped with six fixed hard points for missile loads and other ordinance. One hardpoint is mounted on each wing of the aircraft and four are mounted under the main body. These hardpoints can be used to hold a variety of different ordinance types, including long or medium range missiles. One long range or 3 medium range missiles can be mounted per hardpoint. Usually long range missiles are used.

  5. HAND TO HAND COMBAT: If necessary, the pilot of the VF-9 can engage in melee combat rather than use a weapon. The Cutlass is incredibly agile and can execute most typical hand to hand combat moves, such as punches, jump kicks, leap attacks, rolling with impacts, etc.

    DAMAGE:

STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE VF-9:

COMBAT BONUSES FOR VF-9 CUTLASS VARIABLE FIGHTER TRAINING:

BASIC VARIABLE FIGHTER COMBAT TRAINING

ADVANCED CUTLASS COMBAT TRAINING

REFERENCES USED IN THIS DESIGN