VF-17D Nightmare

Model number: VF-17D
Code name: Nightmare
Unit type: mass production special operations variable fighter
Manufacturer: Shinsei Industry
Operator(s): U.N. Spacy; civilians
Rollout: AD 2035
First deployment: AD 2035
Accommodation: pilot only, in standard canopy-style cockpit
Dimensions: overall height 15.18 meters (Heavy Battroid mode), overall height 3.68 meters (Fighter mode); overall length 15.63 meters (Fighter mode); wingspan 14.18 meters (Fighter mode)
Weight: empty 11.85 metric tons; max gross unknown
Armor materials: SWAG energy conversion armor; strengthened Heavy Battroid armor
Powerplant: 2 x Shinsei Industry/P&W/Roice FF-2100X thermonuclear reaction turbine engine, power output rating unknown
Propulsion: 2 x 55,000 kg (2 x 539.55 kN); 2 x horizontal two-dimensional vectored exhaust nozzle; 2 x dorsal auxiliary thruster pod; 30+ x P&W HMM-6B high maneuverability vernier thruster
Performance: Fighter mode: maximum level atmospheric speed at 10,000 meters: Mach 4.0+, maximum level atmospheric speed at 30,000+ meters: Mach 21+
Thrust-to-weight ratio: empty 9.28
Equipment and design features: sensors, range unknown; optional Super Parts unit; optional radar radome; optional fold booster
Fixed armaments: 2 x fixed anti-aircraft laser gun turret, mounted on head; MC-17A multipurpose 7-barrel 40mm Gatling gun pod, can mount optional beam adapter, stored in lower leg, hand-carried in Heavy Battroid and mode; 2 x fixed medium-bore laser gun, mounted on dorsal section; 2 x internal micro-missile launcher
Optional hand armaments: Spiritia absorption pod (Macross 7 fleet only)

The VF-17D Nightmare was a special operations fighter manufactured by General Galaxy. Development on the VF-17 began in 2026, but the first flight did not occur until nine years later. Compared to other variable fighters of the time, the VF-17 utilized a delta wing design and stealth features, including internally stored weapons. The VF-17’s armaments included anti-aircraft laser guns, small-bore laser guns, medium-bore laser beam guns, a Gatling gun pod and micro-missile launchers. The VF-17 could mount multiple types of equipment, including Super Parts, radomes, fold boosters and other weapons. Following its adoption by U.N. Spacy, the VF-17 was widely deployed to long-distance emigration fleets like the Macross 7. In 2046, General Galaxy overhauled the VF-17 design into the VF-171 Nightmare Plus, a general purpose mass production unit that replaced the VF-11 Thunderbolt. In April 2047, Zolan Patrol officer Liza Hoyly commandeered a stolen U.N. Spacy VF-17D that was being sold on the black market by a smuggler in deep space. Using a fold booster, Liza was able to escape from the smuggler’s asteroid base and fold back to planet Zola.

Pilot(s): Gamlin Kizaki, Docker, Dick, Morry, Kinryu, Physica S. Fulcrum, Milia Fallyna Jenius, Liza Hoyly, Aegis Focker, Timoshie Daldanton, Syun Tohma, Suzie Newtlet
First appearance: Macross 7
Original mechanical designer: Shoji Kawamori

Foot

Hand

MC-17A 40mm Gatling gun pod

Rear view (Battroid mode)

Rear view (Fighter mode)

Rear view (Fighter mode, equipped with fold booster)

Rear view (GERWALK mode)