SV-51α

Model number: SV-51α
Code name: N/A
Unit type: limited production variable fighter
Manufacturer(s): Sukhoi; Israel Aircraft Industries; Dornier
Operator: Anti-United Nations
Rollout: September AD 2008
First deployment: September AD 2008
Accommodation: pilot only, in standard canopy-style cockpit
Dimensions: overall length 22.77 meters (Fighter mode)
Weight: empty 17.8 metric tons; max gross weight unknown
Armor materials: SW-51 SWAG energy conversion armor
Powerplant: 2 x Aviadgatel D-30F6X turbofan jet engine, power output rating unknown
Propulsion: 2 x 102.5 kN, 2 x 204.7 kN (afterburner); high-maneuverability jet boosters, use Klimov RD-35A/R composite engines
Performance: Fighter mode: maximum level atmospheric speed at 11,000 meters: Mach 2.81; cruising range 1,910 km (with micro-missile launcher/auxiliary tank composite pods); surface ceiling 22,500 meters
Thrust-to-weight ratio: empty 2.34
Equipment and design features: SPO-15C 360° passive radar warning receiver system; RP-51 active stealth system; APP-60 chaff and flare dispenser system
Fixed armaments: Gsh-231 12.7mm mini-gun, mounted on left intake; Gsh-371 55mm gun pod, mounts 120 rounds, stored under main body in Fighter mode, hand-carried in Battroid and GERWALK modes
Optional fixed armaments: 18 x Turopov SA-19M I/IR-guided micro-missile, mounted on underwing hardpoint; 2 x R-33D Amos+ medium-range maneuvering missile, mounted on underwing hardpoint; 2 x “Daisy Cutter” air blast bomb, mounted on underwing hardpoint
Optional hand armaments: none

The SV-51α was a variable fighter developed by Sukhoi/Israel Aircraft Industries/Dornier using stolen OverTechnology and used by the Anti-U.N. The SV-51α was the first combat-use variable fighter in history, predating U.N. Spacy’s VF-0 Phoenix and VF-1 Valkyrie. Similar to the VF-0 series, the SV-51α used overtuned conventional jet engines rather than the thermonuclear reaction engines developed for the VF-1. Like U.N. Spacy’s variable fighters, the SV-51α could transform between Battroid, Fighter and GERWALK modes. The SV-51α featured an active stealth system that was more advanced than the VF-0’s. Due to the lack of thermonuclear engines, the SV-51α’s operational time was limited due to its high level of fuel consumption, and the craft was usually transported to its destination rather than cruising there on its own. The SV-51α’s armaments included a gun pod, a minigun and hardpoints for mounting micro-missiles. The SV-51α could also carry the “Daisy Cutter” air blast bomb. A total of 32 units were produced, and the SV-51α’s existence was revealed to the world in September 2008 when the Anti-U.N. competed with U.N. Spacy for control of the AFOS Protoculture relic on the South Pacific island of Mayan. However, the Bird Human Incident, and the existence of the SV-51α itself, were classified as military secrets for nearly 50 years. The declassification of the conflict and revelation of the SV-51α’s existence led to the creation of the movie Bird Human in 2059 aboard the Macross Frontier emigrant fleet.

First appearance: Macross Zero
Original mechanical designer: Shoji Kawamori

N/A