F203 Dragon II

Model number: F203
Code name: Dragon II
Unit type: air superiority fighter
Manufacturer: McNell Douglar
Operator: U.N. forces
Rollout: August AD 2001
First deployment: AD 2003
Accommodation: pilot only, in canopy-style cockpit
Dimensions: overall length 17.3 meters
Weight: standard takeoff mass 18.8 metric tons
Armor materials: unknown
Powerplant: 2 x conventional turbojet engine, power output rating unknown
Propulsion: unknown
Performance: unknown
Equipment and design features: sensors, range unknown
Fixed armaments: 2 x 30mm Gatling cannon, mounted on wings; 6 x guided self-homing missile, 3 mounted per wing

The F203 Dragon II was a jet fighter manufactured by McNell Douglar for use by the U.N. forces. First deployed in 2003, the Dragon II implemented OverTechnology and was faster and more maneuverable than older designs still in service, such as the F-14A+2 Tomcat. Ventral jets allowed it to perform verticals and landings (VTOL). The Dragon’s armaments included two 30mm Gatling cannons and six self-homing missiles mounted under the wings. The Dragon served as the main fighter of the U.N. forces during the Unification Wars, and by 2009 was replaced with the new variable VF-1 Valkyrie.

Pilot: Roy Focker
First appearance: Super Dimension Fortress Macross
Original mechanical designer: Shoji Kawamori

Rear view