VF-11B Super Thunderbolt

Model number: VF-11B
Code name: Thunderbolt
Unit type: mass production variable fighter
Manufacturer: Shinsei Industry
Operator(s): U.N. Spacy; civilians
Rollout: AD 2028
First deployment: AD 2030
Accommodation: pilot only, in standard canopy-style cockpit
Dimensions: overall height 12.92 meters (Battroid mode), overall height 3.49 meters (Fighter mode); overall length 15.51 meters (Fighter mode); wingspan 11.2 meters (Fighter mode)
Weight: empty 11.2 metric tons; max gross unknown
Armor materials: SWAG energy conversion armor
Powerplant: 2 x Shinsei Industry/P&W/Roice FF-2025G thermonuclear reaction turbine engine, power output rating unknown
Propulsion: 2 x 28,500 kg (2 x 279.69 kN); 2 x vertical two-dimensional vectored exhaust nozzle; 2 x dorsal auxiliary thruster pod; many x P&W HMM-5B high maneuverability vernier thruster; 2 x NP-SP-09 Super parts booster unit thruster
Performance: Fighter mode: maximum level atmospheric speed at 10,000 meters: Mach 3.5+, maximum level atmospheric speed at 30,000+ meters: Mach 8.2
Thrust-to-weight ratio: empty 6.33
Equipment and design features: sensors, range unknown; 2 x NP-SF-09 propellant tank, mounted on engines
Fixed armaments: fixed rear anti-aircraft pulse laser gun, mounted on head; standard external multipurpose 6-barrel 30mm Gatling gun pod, features anti-armor bayonet, stored under main body in Fighter mode, hand-carried in Battroid and GERWALK modes; standard bulletproof shield, mounted on left forearm
Optional fixed armaments: 8 x Hughes HMMM-Mk.6 micro-missile launcher, mounted on Super parts; 2 x chaff/flare dispenser, mounted on Super parts
Optional hand armaments: none

The VF-11B Super Thunderbolt was the Super parts equipped version of the standard VF-11B. The VF-11B placed a focus on atmospheric maneuverability, which came at the cost of onboard missiles. Its dedicated Super parts, similar to the FAST Pack of earlier generations, added several micro-missile launchers, chaff/flare dispensers and two booster units. Thanks to the extra firepower and thrust, the Super parts became the default configuration for the VF-11B in space operations. The design of the Super parts were improved for the VF-11C Super Thunderbolt.

Pilot(s): Isamu Alva Dyson, Aegis Focker, Ray Lovelock, Stephan, Kinryu
First appearance: Macross Plus
Original mechanical designer: Shoji Kawamori

Gun pod

Rear view (Battroid mode)

Rear view (Fighter mode)