VF-0

In the "Macross Zero" anime science fiction series, the VF-0 Phoenix variable fighter was an advanced prototype for the VF-1 Valkyrie which served as a flight test unit and later in 2008 as a front-line fighter, before the Valkyrie's mass production in November 2008. In most respects, the VF-0 resembled the VF-1, although its legs were longer because the EGF-127 conventional turbofan engines used by the fighter were larger and bulkier than the VF-1's FF-2001 thermonuclear engines. Numerous fine details also differ, such as head designs. The VF-0D's wings are very different, replacing the variable sweep wings with a canard-delta configuration; although this would perform well, it would ultimately not be adopted for the production series VF-1.

The VF-0's maximum speed is Mach 2.74 at 11,000 meters MSL altitude, using variable intake slats to slow the inrushing air to subsonic velocity, rather than a single variable intake ramp. Because it uses conventional turbofan engines and not thermonuclear turbines like the later VF-1, the VF-0 is not a true spacecraft (although it can operate for short periods of time underwater).

The VF-0's armament was virtually identical to the VF-1's (although the VF-1S's laser armament was bumped up from two to four barrels), but slightly older in design: A 35 mm gun pod (GPU-9) in place of the VF-1's 55 mm GU-11, and AIM-200 AMRAAM IIs (a development of the AIM-120 AMRAAM) air to air missiles in place of the VF-1's AMM-1s.

Several VF-0s, under the command of Roy Focker, deployed from the aircraft carrier "Asuka II" (CVN-99). Many were destroyed in combat in the South Pacific against Anti-U.N. forces piloting Sukhoi SV-51 variable fighters in early 2008.

The VF-0 was succeeded in service by the "VF-1 Valkyrie" in late 2008/early 2009. After Space War I, the idea of an inexpensive atmospheric-use Valkyrie was resurrected with the VF-3000 Star Crusader and VF-5000 "Star Mirage."

Variants

*VF-0A - standard version, single seat, single head laser
*VF-0B - two-seat version of the VF-0A
*VF-0D - improved two-seat version with canards, new wing design
*VF-0S - single seat version for commanders, two head lasers

Rushed production Variable Fighter.

The VF-0 is similar to a VF-1 Valkyrie without the thermonuclear engines. At that time the UN had to counter the new variable fighter from the Anti-UN faction, the SV-51. Since the VF-1's powerplants were not ready to be mass produced at the time, UN Spacy officials gave the go ahead to produce a conventionally powered VF in limited numbers to bridge the need.

The Zero had similar performance as the VF-1, with the exception of range, speed (Mach 2.74 vs. Mach 3.87 for the thermonuclear-powered VF-1) and maintained space flight. Its longer engine nacelles/legs accommodate the longer, conventionally powered turbofans. The engines were rather touchy, as they were running hotter than designed and thus ended up being prone to failure.

Only a few were ever produced, estimated to be less than 50 examples. The VF-0 and the events at Mayan Island have been unpublicized for five decades or more.

Background

Mechanical designer Shoji Kawamori says he initially planned the main vehicle of "Macross Zero" to be closer in lineage to conventional fighters such as the F-14 Tomcat. He later opted for the finalized VF-0 design which was closer to later variable fighters in the "Macross" setting (aside from the relatively conventional engines).

The F-14 Tomcat also appears in the beginning of "Macross Zero", which gives viewers a chance to compare designs, and to understand the design limitations of 'simple' combat jets in comparison with far more advanced variable jet-fighter mecha.

External links

* [http://macross.anime.net/wiki/VF-0_Phoenix VF-0] at the [http://macross.anime.net/ Macross Compendium]
* [http://www.macrossnexus.com/ Macross Nexus]