The UF-14 is a more conventional fighter, mainly used in atmosphere. In space,
it is slower and not as tough, and thus is used mainly for scouting activities.
The UF-14's armament is a single accelerated autocannon, fairly strong, but no
match for Zentraedi weapons or the GU-11.
The first variable configuration fighter, or Veritech, the VF-1A was developed from 2000-2009.
Coupling Robotechnology with traditional styling, the Valkyrie bears a close resemblance to the
ancient F-14 Tomcat. Armed with a tri-barrelled 55mm GU-11 autocannon, the VF-1A is a formidable foe.
An advanced version of the standard Valkyrie, the VF-1AS boasts extra speed, maneuverability, and armor.
Large boosters on the top of the fighter not only add speed, but also contain missile launchers. The
added firepower on the Super make it a great fighter for use in almost any attack.
The AVF-1J is really just a standard VF-1J in Battloid mode with an added equipment package. The
armored system includes additional armor plating, dozens of ready-to-launch missiles, and a set of boosters
to compensate for the weight of the armor. Even with the boosters, though, the Armored's speed is drastically
lower than that of the standard Valkyrie, as well as it maneuverability.
The VFX-6 is the new experimental Veritech fighter currently undergoing trials by the RDF. The VFX-6 was turned down
by the new Armies of the Southern Cross (ASC), with the ASC instead going with the new laser-armed Logan fighter. However,
the VFX-6 is much more maneuverable, powerful, and stronger; its main drawback is its increased cost and build time. The
current experimental VFX-6 is armed only with a single new-generation GU-XX autocannon, firing 35mm transuranic slugs
at even higher velocities than the GU-11.
Historical note: The VFX-6 eventually became the VAF-6 series Alpha fighter, after several advancements in Robotech materials were made.
The Aggressor is heavily based on the Guardian-mode Veritech, and the similarities are easy to spot. The Aggressor
has two Guardian-style legs which give it manueverability equal to that of a Veritech, and two rear engines give
moderate forward thrust. However, the Aggressor is non-transformable, and thus loses many of the higher qualities
of the Veritechs. The Aggressor is currently still in experimental stages and is available for both city support
and deep-space testing.
The IAF-6 is an experimental interceptor developed to produce a cheaper alternative to the Veritechs
for simple patrols and small dogfights. It includes a new type of propulsion system, similar to the VF-1A's,
but with more directional controls. The IAF-6 is also trans-atmospheric, meaning it can survive both
with and without atmosphere. Also, booster pods can be attached which give the Wraith enough speed to escape
Earth's gravity and enter space. The new, more expensive booster-fitted version is currently being tested extensively in
space with the Epsilon cruisers.
The Lancer II space cannon is an unmanned fighter used exclusively in space by the A.R.M.D. platforms.
The Lancer II's armament consists of two heavy autocannons which fire large plasma shells. Although the
rate of fire is slow, the shells are tremendously powerful. However, it is hard for the guns to track and
hit small, fast-moving targets. Therefore, the space cannons are better suited to attack larger craft, such
as Zentraedi shuttles and cruisers.
The Ghost is another unmanned fighter, like the Lancer II. However, the Ghost is more suited to
fighter combat than large-scale assaults. Armed with six autocannons, the QF-3000E is truly devestating
against lightly armored Zentraedi pods. Like the Zentraedi fighters, the QF-3000 relies on its speed
and small size to survive. The latter, though, means that the Ghost can sustain little damage.
The Cat's-Eye is the standard RDF reconnassiance craft. Loaded with high-tech radar systems, imaging systems,
and other complex sensors, the Cat's-Eye is a greatly valued asset, since it allows the dectection of incoming
enemy craft well before they arrive. However, the Cat's-Eye is completely defenseless and relatively weak. A
standard escort is composed of either two VF-1A or four QF-3000E fighters.
The Searcher series of space vehicles includes the SSFV-1H, SSFV-1RC, and the SSFV-1S. All share
many characteristics, including the same basic chassis and drive system. What differentiates between
the models is their onboard equipment components. The SSFV-1H contains equipment which breaks down space
debris into usable materials. The SSFV-1RC is used for more delicate tasks, being able to repair practically
everything. This is due to finer control interfaces and higher-quality servomotors. The SSFV-1S can be
used to salvage and capture enemy ships, due to a more powerful set of grappling arms.
The new fighter support craft is one of the most valued ships, being able to refuel, rearm, and repair
figters in the field. The support craft houses several Robotech fabrication units and repair facilities
as well as a large stock of protoculture energy. It has eight landing pads, which allow for rapid refueling
of entire squardrons. However, the support craft is fairly slow and completely unarmed, leaving it open
to small raiding-type attacks. Because of this, fighter support craft are normally escorted by anywhere
from 5 to 25 QF-3000E Ghost unmanned fighters.
The RSC is simply a Fighter Support Craft modified to accept and process various resources.
The Thunderer-class missile cruiser is the main heavy assault craft of the RDF. Firing Thor missiles, the Thunderer
easily destroys almost all Zentraedi cruisers. It has a special, minature Robotech Prefab facility built-in to
produce Thor missiles. The Thunderer carries enough material to provide a virtually unlimited payload.
However, the launchers have a very long reload time, leaving the platform completely unarmed for a short time.
Also, the Thunderer has no AA weapons, and so is always escorted by a flight of Valkyries.
The Delta is the predecessor to the REF's DTTS-12 Horizont shuttle, and the resemblance is unmistakable. Armed with a
large, stationary PBC emplacement, the Delta can prove to be quite powerful against most Zentraedi vessels. Two
heavy plasma cannons are mounted alongside the Delta, giving it a better volume of fire and a defense against smaller
vessels. The Delta-class cruisers are used exclusively in space, overseen by Epsilon-class command cruisers. The Delta
is also small enough to be easily fabricated by Epsilon cruisers, and thus is becoming one of the most common RDF cruisers.
The A.R.M.D. is the RDF's 'aircraft carrier' for space. It provides housing, equipment, and prefab
facilities for fighter craft. Because of its weaker armaments, it is usually protected by a large flight of
Veritechs and Lancer IIs or an Oberth Destroyer.
The Oberth is the standard RDF space cruiser, armed with 4 fairly large laser cannons and three aft-mounted
vertical launch missile systems. The Oberth is a well-rounded ship, with moderate speed, armor, and weapons
capabilities. However, large numbers of small fighters still pose a threat to the Oberth, since it
has no AA systems other than its three heavy, slow-firing missile launchers. Therefore, the destroyer
is usually escorted by 3 flights of VF-1A or QF-3000E fighters. The Oberth is also small enough to be
produced by deep-space Epsilon cruisers, adding to the modularity of the RDF fleets.
The Epsilon-class cruiser is a cross between a Daedelus-class Supercarrier and an A.R.M.D. platform. Although
much larger than a Daedelus, it still closely resembles the supercarrier. In fact, the Epsilon is so
large that it can build and house a single A.R.M.D. platform. The Epsilon is also heavily armed, having
two heavy lasers (which are quite comparable to Zentraedi guns), two A.R.M.D.-size medium lasers, and four heavy
missile launchers. However, the Epsilon has no space for AA guns (all deck space is devoted to fighter
launch catapults), so it always is accompianed by a squadron of Veritech fighters.