YF-29 Durandal

Model number: YF-29
Code name: Durandal
Unit type: variable fighter
Manufacturer(s): Shinsei Industry; L.A.I.; Macross Frontier Arsenal Original Development
Operator: SMS (Strategic Military Services)
Rollout: AD 2058
First deployment: AD 2059
Accommodation: pilot, in canopy-style cockpit using EX-Gear system; auxiliary seat for passenger
Dimensions: overall height 3.88 meters (Fighter mode); overall length 18.73 meters (Fighter mode); wingspan 14.15 meters (Fighter mode)
Weight: empty 11.92 metric tons; max gross unknown
Armor materials: SWAG energy conversion armor
Powerplant: 2 x Shinsei Industry/P&W/RR FF-3001/FC1 Stage II thermonuclear reaction turbine engine, power output rating unknown; 2 x Shinsei Industry/L.A.I./RR FF-3003J/FC1 Stage II thermonuclear reaction turbine engine, power output rating unknown
Propulsion: 2 x 2,105 kN (maximum thrust in space), 2 x 1,470 kN (maximum thrust in space); many x high maneuverability vernier thruster
Performance: Fighter mode: maximum level atmospheric speed at 10,000 meters: Mach 5.5+; maximum airframe design load: 32.5G
Thrust-to-weight ratio: empty 61.14
Equipment and design features: sensors, range unknown; capable of unassisted orbital velocity in an Earth-class planet; ISC (Inertia Store Converter); fold wave projector system; fold wave system; fold quartz amplifier; active stealth system; chaff/flare dispenser; linear actuators; pinpoint barrier system; optional Super Pack with 2 x SLE-7A chemical rocket booster
Fixed armaments: Howard/L.A.I. HPB-01A heavy quantum beam gun pod, stored under main body in Fighter mode, hand-carried in Battroid and GERWALK modes; 2 x Remington ES-25A high-speed machine gun, mounted on head; TW2-MDE/M25 twin MDE beam cannon, retractable, mounted in rear dorsal section; heavy armored shield, mounted on left arm; Ka-Bar OTEC AK/VF-M9 assault knife, stored under shield, hand-carried in use; 12 x Bifors MBL-02S micro-missile launcher, 100 missiles total, mounted on engine and armament pods
Optional fixed armaments: 2 x fold wave projector/micro-missile launcher, mounted on Super Pack
Optional hand armaments: none

Following the Gallia 4 incident in 2048, development secretly began on an anti-Vajra variable fighter that would exceed the capabilities of the YF-24. Developed alongside the VF-25 Messiah, the anti-Vajra unit was completed as the YF-29 Durandal. Compared to the VF-25, the YF-29 mounted four engines and had improved aerodynamics over the VF-25 because it relied on internal weapons rather than bulky external equipment like Super/Armored Packs. However, data from the VF-25/TW1 Tornado Messiah contributed to the development of the YF-29. The YF-29’s capabilities were more advanced than contemporary fighters due to its use of fold quartz extracted from Vajra corpses. The fold quartz was integrated into systems like energy conversion armor and fold wave projectors. Highly purified fold quartz known as the “Philosopher’s Stone” provided an inexhaustible supply of energy for the YF-29, and this power was harnessed by a fold wave system featuring four fold wave devices. The YF-29 was capable of using fold waves to obstruct Vajra fold networks and jam their communications.

The YF-29’s armaments included a heavy quantum beam gun pod, a pair of high-speed machine guns, a twin MDE (Micro Dimension Eater) beam cannon, a heavy armored shield, an assault knife, a pinpoint barrier system and 12 micro-missile launchers (with a total of 100 missiles). The YF-29 could also mount a Super Pack with high output fold projectors, two micro-missile launchers and additional armor. In 2059, the Macross Frontier emigration fleet secured enough fold quartz to quickly manufacture one YF-29 unit using VF-25 parts. The completed YF-29 was assigned to SMS pilot Alto Saotome and served as his personal unit for the final battle against the Vajra. NUNS also utilized a variant model, the YF-29B Perceval. In 2068, a blue YF-29 was piloted by legendary Space War I ace Maximilian Jenius, who retired from the military and joined the private military company Xaos.

Pilot(s): Alto Saotome, Ozma Lee, Isamu Alva Dyson, Maximilian Jenius
First appearance: Macross Frontier (movies)
Original mechanical designer: Shoji Kawamori

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