VF-11D Thunderbolt “Jamming Bird”

Model number: VF-11D
Code name: Thunderbolt “Jamming Bird”
Unit type: limited production custom variable fighter
Manufacturer(s): Shinsei Industry; Macross 7 Project M Special Technologies Group
Operator: U.N. Spacy
Rollout: AD 2028
First deployment: November AD 2045
Accommodation: pilot and passenger, in standard canopy-style cockpit
Dimensions: overall height 12.92 meters (Battroid mode), overall height 3.49 meters (Fighter mode); overall length 16.02 meters (Fighter mode); wingspan 11.2 meters (Fighter mode)
Weight: empty 11.2 metric tons (with Super parts); max gross unknown
Armor materials: SWAG energy conversion armor
Powerplant: 2 x Shinsei Industry/P&W/Roice FF-2025S thermonuclear reaction turbine engine, power output rating unknown
Propulsion: 2 x 31,700 kg (2 x 310.98 kN); 2 x vertical two-dimensional vectored exhaust nozzle; 2 x dorsal auxiliary thruster pod; many x P&W HMM-7 high maneuverability vernier thruster
Performance: Fighter mode: maximum level atmospheric speed at 10,000 meters: Mach 2.8+
Thrust-to-weight ratio: unknown
Equipment and design features: sensors, range unknown; optional Super Parts unit; sound energy system, mounted on Super Parts; sound energy converter system; pinpoint barrier system
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
Optional fixed armaments: 6 x micro-missile launcher, mounted on Super Parts; 2 x chaff/flare dispenser, mounted on Super Parts
Optional hand armaments: none

After initially expressing doubt at the power of Basara Nekki’s singing, the U.N. Spacy forces on the Macross 7 fleet ultimately created Sound Force, an independent civilian unit comprised of Basara and his Fire Bomber bandmates. However, the military also created the Jamming Birds, a hybrid unit that paired U.N. Spacy pilots with civilian singers selected through a scouting process. The Jamming Birds unit utilized customized two-seater VF-11D Thunderbolts, which unlike the Sound Force units were fully armed with a gun pod, head laser gun, micro-missiles and a pinpoint barrier system. The VF-11D’s Super Parts also incorporated sound boosters that worked in connection with the sound energy converter system to allow music to have an effect on the brainwashed enemy Varauta soldiers. The Jamming Birds initially exhibited poor performance due to the civilian singers having no combat experience, but additional training allowed them to become more effective. One year after the end of the Protodeviln War, the Jamming Birds unit was still active.

Pilot(s): Bobby Lacoste, Ripple Chitose, Randy, Gamlin Kizaki
First appearance: Macross 7
Original mechanical designer: Shoji Kawamori

Cockpit

Rear view (Battroid mode)

Underside view (Fighter mode)