VF-11C Thunderbolt

Model number: VF-11C
Code name: Thunderbolt
Unit type: mass production variable fighter
Manufacturer: Shinsei Industry
Operator(s): U.N. Spacy; SMS
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 9.0 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
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; optional Super Parts unit; optional Aerospace Super Parts unit; optional Protect Armor system; optional radome
Fixed armaments: fixed rear anti-aircraft pulse laser gun, mounted on head; standard external multipurpose 6-barrel 30mm Gatling gun pod, stored under main body in Fighter mode, hand-carried in Battroid and GERWALK modes; standard bulletproof shield, mounted on left forearm; 2 x internal weapon bay, carries large missile, mounted on legs
Optional hand armaments: none

The VF-11C Thunderbolt was a mass production third generation variable fighter manufactured by Shinsei Industry for U.N. Spacy. Starting in 2040, existing VF-11B units were upgraded to the VF-11C configuration, which featured updated avionics. The VF-11C’s armaments were mostly the same as the VF-11B, with the exceptions of the anti-armor bayonet being removed from the gun pod and the addition of leg weapon bays with large missiles. The VF-11C could equip a variety of optional equipment, including the Protect Armor system, as well as space and aerospace versions of the Super Parts. In 2045, the VF-11C served as the main variable fighter of the Macross 7 emigrant fleet, which encountered the Protodeviln-controlled Varauta army. With war breaking out, the VF-11C proved inadequate against the Varauta’s advanced Fz-109A Elgersoln and its ability to sap Spiritia from pilots, leaving them in a comatose state. The VF-11C remained in service with the Macross 7 fleet after the Protodeviln War ended in 2046.

Pilot(s): Gamlin Kizaki, Irane Hayakawa
First appearance: Macross 7
Original mechanical designer: Shoji Kawamori

Gatling gun pod

Hand

Leg