XF-15 MAVERICK SHADOWDRONE
AI EQUIPPED ADVANCED GAMMA FIGHTER
Version 1.0 - Saturday, October 4, 2003

Based on an original mecha design by Derran Tyler & Marty Bowles
RPG Stats by Derran Tyler

BACKGROUND

The XF-15 was designed at the end of the Chaos/Hive War in an effort to produce a variable fighter which would combine the speed and maneuverability of the XF-14 and XF-18 Alpha-class Veritechs with the armor and firepower of the XB-29 and XB-31 Beta-class Veritechs. An additional criteria placed on designers was that the new Gamma-class fighter must be able to drop from orbit, enter into combat, and then have the capability to rendezvous with orbiting NDI starships from geosynchronus orbit. A final criteria that was added in at the end was that the XF-15 would utilize the 4th generation Hyperion-C AI computers utilized by both Alpha and Beta series of mecha.

The XF-15, codenamed "Maverick", mounts two GP-452-11 impulse engines providing the highest thrust to weight ratio of any previously designed Veritech engine. Each engine is capable of driving the XF-15 at similar speeds to the XF-14 superiority fighter in an atmosphere. However, like its elder cousins, the Gamma is at its best when in space - where it can make efficient usage of its inertial nullifiers.

The weapons systems placed on the XF-15 are the most advanced to date; the mecha mounts an impressive arsenal of 120 missiles, twin-barrel disruptor cannon, pulse lasers, Falcon MRMs, and head pulse lasers.

For the purposes of defense, the XF-15 is heavily armored with neutronium-crystalline alloy which not only provides immunity from all small arms fire and most medium caliber mecha weaponry, but the crystalline component renders laser weapons almost useless and plasma weapons do half their usual damage on average. Only direct hits from heavy anti-mecha weaponry have any real chance of penetrating in to the internal structure for a kill. Also, the Gamma is the first NDI Spacy Veritech to equip a barrier shield generator without utilizing in-field modifications. The field generator is always operational unless turned off by the pilot, but it is invisible until an external force is exerted upon it. Every 15 seconds, the generators provide enough power to fully reenergize the shield.

In addition to its impressive armor, weaponry, and engines, the Gamma possesses the latest in stealth technology. The Gamma mounts a SF-24 cloaking device which is capable of downshifting and absorbing EM radiation.. The emissions, is therefore suppressed and downshifted so that they now appear out of band from enemy EM sensors. In addition, the entire unit is covered with a fourth generation radar absorbing material which strongly absorbs electromagnetic radiation and thereby providing a passive system if the cloaking device should fail. A new, low-observable GG-214-Cd X-band hyperpulse Doppler radar was added to the unit. The system consists of six conformal antenna on the nose, body, wings, and tail, thereby further reducing the passive radar cross section.

Class: Unmanned Advanced Space Superiority Fighter
Manufacturer: Phoenix Corporation (Aerospace Division)

Crew: None. The Maverick is controlled via an advanced AI system.

II. Type:

• XF-15A: All-weather, aerospace combat mecha; three-form Veritech drone.

Crew: None. The Tempest is controlled via an advanced AI system.

SPEEDS:

STATISTICAL DATA:

 

	Fighter	Guardian	Battloid
Total Length :	12.24m	10.24m	-
Total Depth :	-	-	6.32m
Total Height :	5.22m	6.32m	11.04m
Total Breadth :	-	5.8m	5.8m
Total Wingspan :	9.84m	-	-
Total Dry Weight:	20.22 tons (metric) (XF-15A)
	20.46 tons (metric) (XF-15B)

PHYSICAL STRENGTH:

Can lift up to 60 tons in solider configuration

 

 

POWER PLANT:

• GP-452-11 ion impluse engines x 2
• 4 x Turbo-Union ATF 401 [Auxiliary] miniaturized fusion plasma-air/reaction mass intermix turbines. Two are mounted on the upper rear (jet mode), and two as VTOL thrusters on the lower fuselage. Each engine is rated to 76.9 kN standard thrust, max overboost to 141.1 kN each.
• Assorted small reaction thrusters and gyroscopes for all-environment maneuvers, attitude adjustment, and stability.

 

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

1. PHOENIX ARMS TRC-20 "BANSHEE" PULSE CANNONS (4): An electromagnetic weapon - sends rapid pulses of exceptionally strong interphased electromagnetic energy resulting in a tremendously powerful blast that forces its way through any known shield technology and produces a dramatic shearing effect which quickly destroys the target ship's materials - named for the fact that in an atmosphere, the pulse creates an atmospheric disturbance similar to a quasi-human scream at 180 dB.
• PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-aircraft
• SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-missile/defensive
• RANGE: 4000 feet (1200 m) in an atmosphere.
• RATE OF FIRE: fires in rapid pulses of 4.
• PAYLOAD: Effectively Unlimited.
2. MM-120 MULTIPLE-MISSILE SYSTEM: Similar to the old Bifors multi-missile launchers used on the VF-25, the MM-120 retains the same electronic systems but with a faster rate of fire. A total of 120 short range missiles are included in the ventral launcher of the fighter, giving the XF-15 powerful short-range combat capability.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-mecha
   • MISSILE TYPES: Phoenix Arms' ARM-20 "Hammerhead" Short-Range Universal Dogfight Missile (variable warhead, usually HE or plasma-incendiary)
   • RANGE: Varies. Typically 1 to 8 miles.
   • RATE OF FIRE: One at a time or in volleys of two, four, eight, sixteen, etc.
   • PAYLOAD: A maximum capacity of 120
3. DU-01n PARTICLE DISRUPTOR RIFLE (1): The DU-01 is a sub-nuclear particle beam gun can fire up to 30 times/minute. The gun pod draws power from its own dedicated energy canister, but can by fired using the plane's own power, and is stored in fighter mode between the upper reserve engine/missile pylons. The particles have a specific, disrupting effect on force fields, and will short out a low power field completely, while high power fields may temporarily and locally cease to function. Against physical targets, the bolts of particle energy shatter molecular bonds upon impact, dealing a great deal of damage. The Gamma's disruptor rifle is larger than the rifles utilized by smaller Alpha series mecha in that it mounts two barrels that can effectively double the power output of the original.
• PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault
• SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-mecha
• RANGE: 1.6 km in an atmosphere.
• RATE OF FIRE: 30 times/minute
• PAYLOAD: Effectively Unlimited.
4. FALCON WING-SHEATH MISSILE SYSTEM: Three heavily-shielded medium-range missile launchers are built into each wing. The launchers are flush with each wing, which reduces drag and protects the missiles from attack until launched. Each missile launcher can hold four missiles, but the missile is fully shielded and does not need to be launched before the drone can convert to solider mode.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault
   • MISSILE TYPE: Phoenix Arms ARM-22 "Diamondback" Medium-Range Missile or Phoenix Arms ARM-24 "Bolter" Medium-Range Missile
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-mecha
   • RANGE: Typically 60-120 miles
   • RATE OF FIRE: One at a time or in volleys of two, four, six, eight, ten, or twelve (all).
   • PAYLOAD: 4 missiles per unit, for a total of 12 missiles
5. LA-7 PULSE CANNON (4): Four LA-7 pulse cannons are mounted on top of the head. The laser is capable of firing eight interphased bursts every second. The LA-7 has three modes of operation: manual, autonomous anti-missile, or autonomous anti-mecha.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault/Defense
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-missile
   • RANGE: 1000 m (in an atmosphere)
   • RATE OF FIRE: Eight bursts every second.
6. FUNNELS (8): The mecha is equipped with a set of remote weapons known as 'funnels.' These high-speed drones are equipped with AI computer systems similar to the Hyperion-C, though they are completely suboordinate to the Veritech's computer. These funnels are equipped with a high-powered particle beam cannon that can fire a powerful discharge every second and can also can generate a omni-direction barrier for up to sixty seconds. Every funnel contains a mini-fusion reactor that can perform for 10 minutes without recharging. Each funnel is stored near the MM-80 launchers.
   

    

STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE XF-15:

• ANTIGRAVITY PROPULSION SYSTEM: All Confederate Veritech mecha are equipped with an anti-gravity propulsion system that assists the engines in allowing the mecha to reach orbit even on planets with extreme gravitational forces. The system is good for vertical ascent/descent only and can lift the ship at speeds of up to 1,320 feet (400 m) per minute. The system will function so long as the main engines can supply energy to it.
• ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) COMBAT COMPUTER: The Veritech drone is equipped with the NDI's most advanced mecha AI combat computer for fighters, HYPERION-C, which allows the drone to operate autonomously during missions without input from human controllers. The AI computer is smart enough to devise new strategies and use subterfuge to win battles if unexpected events happen or of the odds turn against the drone. In addition, the computer learns to anticipate and counter enemy maneuvers during combat. Each Tempest is linked to its other counterparts, i.e., what one fighter drone knows, they all know. The computer also includes a scaled-down version of Oracle Interface's Achilles' Targeting Unit, which allows the fighter to fight structural weak points in enemy armor and focus its attacks on those points.
• ACTIVE SENSOR JAMMER: The mecha mounts the Oracle VRL-422(C) active sensor jammer which can jam nearly all forms of electronic detection.
• ARMOR: The armor on the Alpha series fighters is a new development in low-mass composite materials Andrium™ plating that became the standard for all NDI Veritech mecha after its application to the VF-28S Scorpion. Aside from the superb protection provided against projectiles, missiles, and other kinetic-impact weapons, this armor is also resistant to plasma globes (annihilation discs), lasers, and to a lesser extent, particle guns, owing to the fact that the armor can flake off and evaporate in layers under fire from such high-energy weapons, taking much of the weapon's energy and coverting it to the latent heat of sublination in the armor. The armor stops all small arms and heavy infantry weapons fire, provides good to excellent resistance to light mounted-weaponry, and poor to good resistance to medium mecha-mounted weaponry.
• BARRIER SHIELDS: Previously, all NDI Veritech mecha were slightly more vulnerable than enemy counterparts due to their lack of force field technologies. With the inclusion of a barrier shield on the brand-new XF-15 Gamma Fighters, the NDI Procurement Dept. decided to include barrier shields on all newly produced mecha and work to install these shielding systems on all pre-existing mecha. The force fields surround the mecha in a powerful shield that can deflect any and all manners of physical and energy attacks, but can be depleted during an attack. Given time, a shield will recharge to full strength. In field tests, the shield can sustain operations after a significant barrage of attacks from an enemy mecha.
• CHAFF AND FLARE DISPENSERS AN/ALE-55: 30 chaff and 30 flares are stored in each of the lower legs.
• DAMPER FIELD GENERATOR: A by-product of antigravity (repulsor) technology, the damper field has been heralded as the best defense against scalar electrogravitational pulse weaponry, which are notorious for their ability to destroy ammunition, electronics, and organic lifeforms. While scalar EM waves penetrate conventional shielding because they can travel wherever gravity can go, the damper field uses a low-power antigravity field that negates the force of gravity and consequently provides an effective shielding system against scalar EM weapons systems.
• DEADEYE OPTICAL SENSOR CLUSTER: High-Resolution sensor clusters that allow high-resolution optics across the electromagnetic spectrum from infrared to ultraviolet wavelengths
• ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION SHIELDS: Being a fully automated weapon, most enemies will resort to using EMP weapons to render the weapon useless. However, the electronic systems of the fighter have been shielded from electromagnetic pulse weapons using internal layers of mercurite to prevent harmful radiation from harming vital equipment.
• ENERGY-RESISTANT MERCURITE COATING: Using the highly resistant material known as mercurite, this coating scrambles laser tracking and effectively HALVES all energy weapon damage. Some weaker weapons will even bounce off the mercurite coating.
• EM ABSORBING SKIN COVER: The Veritech is covered with an EM-absorbing skin cover, strongly absorbing EM radiation from radio through ultra-violet wavelengths and emitting only weakly in these wavebands.
• TACHYON COMMUNICATIONS: Long-range, directional communications system. The communications systems of NDI variable fighters are proprietary; only other friendly systems can decipher the radio's encoded transmissions.
• TACHYON TARGETING SYSTEM: Range: 100 miles (160 km). Used for increased accuracy in the striking of enemy targets and is partly responsible for the drone's increased accuracy.
• NI-02 INERTIAL NULLIFICATION SYSTEM: The NI-02 INS is an upgraded version of the original inertial nullifier, which allows the Tempest to perform incredible feats of agility, capable of outmaneuvering or matching any enemy starfighter known.
• RADAR: Oracle GHX-42G X-Band spherical pulse-Doppler, providing long-range detection of all targets at all altitudes. Equipped with special 'stealthy' and passive modes.
• RADIO COMMUNICATIONS: Wide-band and directional radio and video telecast capabilities. Range is 750 miles or can be boosted indefinitely via satellite relay. The communications systems of NDI variable fighters are proprietary; that is that only other friendly systems can decipher the radio's encoded transmissions.
• SELF-DESTRUCT: To prevent capture of the drone by the enemy, the mecha is equipped with a self-destruct system. Inside the Tempest rests a 200 KT fusion bomb that is only activated during the self-destruct sequence. Not only is the Tempest completely obliterated, but it can cause significant damage to everything around it when it detonates.
• SF-24 PHANTOM CLOAKING DEVICE: Like its predecessors, the mecha is designed for maximum stealth, which allows it to strike deep into the heart of enemy forces before being detected by most forms of enemy electronic detection. The device renders the mecha invisible to all but the most advanced of electronic detection, and even then, the radar cross-section of the mecha will often throw off enemy sensors to the point that it is not considered a threat. With a new improvement, the SF-24 can also bend light around the mecha, rendering it invisible to light-based detection systems as well, such as optical and laser tracking. The SF-24, like its SF-10 predecessor, features three modes of operation. ON, which is the default setting allows the cloaking device to operate normally; OFF, in which the device is shut off and the mecha is detectable by all forms of detection; and SAFETY, in which the device emits a "4th dimensional blip", which is detectable by other NDI mecha's collision warning systems. The SAFETY mode is used for close formations where mecha proximity could potentially cause disastrous collisions.
• SMOKE SCREEN SYSTEM: The mecha can emit a thick cloud of smoke from its rear to create immediate cover. The smoke screen system can discharge a maximum of four bursts before needing to replace smoke canister. Each burst will cover a 60 ft area.

ADDENDUM: THE VF-SERIES FOLD BOOSTER

While the VF series mecha are capable of reaching high speeds in space, their range was effectively limited due to the simple fact that they still needed a mobile base of operations (usually Whirlwind, Sierra, or Ramses carriers). While the concept of carrier-based mecha remains an integral part of the Spacy combat strategy, the need to increase the operational range of the fleet's Veritech interjected the need for an optional fold booster upgrade that could be fitted to any current NDI mecha in service.

The booster took the form of a FAST (Fuel And Sensor Tactical) pack that could fit easily on the rear of the mecha in fighter mode. The pack was unoperational until activated by the pilot, at which time it drew energy from the mecha's internal reactor to power the fold capacitors. At which time, the fold booster's internal navigation computer downloaded jump coordinates from the nearest NDI Spacy ship, or could draw from 20 pre-determined jump points stored inside its own memory banks. The theoretical range of the fold booster is unlimited, but folds of more than 30 light-years have been deemed 'risky' at best by the NDI High Command. Like most other fold drives, the fold booster is capable of travel at 1 light-year per 6 minutes, which allows for extremely fast travel through hyperspace.

The booster can be jettisoned after the desired fold point has been reached and re-dock with the mecha after the mission has been completed. Initially, these boosters were developed solely for special forces units such as Striker, however nearly every front-line carrier and warship has enough fold boosters in inventory to outfit about 10% of their mecha with these devices if needed.

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