QF-3000E

The following is by no-means meant to be all encompassing. The following are MRC specific MODIFICATIONS to stats that are preexisting. Note that the following should not be taken as canon. The following is an extrapolation and speculation from canon materials.

NORTHROM QF-3000E GHOST

BACKGROUND

The Northrom QF-3000E Ghost Fighter is an innovative design that used the latest in AI technology prior to the start of SWI, packaged in a transatmospheric lifting body fighter designed by Northrom; a company renowned for making heavy duty fighters and bombers. The QF-3000E is designed to operate in any and all environments and it includes guidance thrusters and control fins on its surface. It also features a rear ventral mounted arresting hook for Carrier landings.
The AI is situated in the reinforced forward dorsal cockpit bay, parked behind something that looks like a large single eye emerging from the surface of the fighter. The single eye is the primary sensor. The AI controls all of the fighter’s functions, and receives updates from its supervisor based either in a ground base or in UNS ship or fighter. The supervisor is able to monitor and direct numerous Ghost Fighters at once. The supervisor will transmit new mission parameters and orders or target data to the Ghost Fighter so long as they are within communications range. If the QF-3000E goes outside of communications range, it will attempt to get back into communication range with its supervisor, so long as this does not conflict with its mission orders.
Due to the ability to not endanger human life in combat, the Ghost fighter and its descendants (such as the Ghost X-9) are a favoured backup to the Variable Fighter as they are able to conduct missions that humans wouldn't or couldn't conduct. The QF-3000E is also cheaper to manufacture than a Variable Fighter, and the AI's can, with re-programming, be put into any Variable Fighter. Some tests in this area have been made (the QVF-1, and QVF-11 being the most notable) but they are normally only used for target practice. QF-3000E's were the favoured combat vehicle on the ARMD platforms, Apollo base, the L-5 space docks and Embaterion Transporter. The SDF-1 was initially deployed with a fleet of 120 QF-3000Es.
Post Space War 1, the QF-3000E programme was expanded upon to provide a stop-gap fighter force until VF-1s and properly trained pilots could be produced en masse. Once a sufficient number of VFs and trained pilots came into active service, the QF-3000E was retired from it’s role as main fighter of the UNS and was returned to its original role of conducting missions that humans wouldn’t or couldn’t perform.
During the colonization phase of the 2020s and 2030s, retired QF-3000E and newly manufactured models were sold to Colonies as a means of bolstering their VF defense forces or basing their space defenses entirely on unmanned aerospace fighters that could remain in orbit for months at a time. By the late 2030s, the UN largely stopped using the QF-3000E, opting for the lower cost Drone Fighter. However, due to the robust range that the QF-3000E possesses, it is still used for long-range, long-duration solar system type patrols that are unfeasible for pilots to perform. The Ghost X-9 fighter is expected to entirely replace the remaining QF-3000Es in the UN’s service by the early to mid-2050s.

RPG STATS

Vehicle Type QF-3000E Ghost: Standard version

Class: UN Spacy Unmanned All-Environ Fighter

'Manufacturer: Northrom

Crew: None, AI controlled

MDC BY LOCATION:

(1) Main Body (2) Engine (3) Reinforced AI cockpit Missile Bays/Thrusters (2) Forward Sensor

300 150 100 100 each 50

NOTES:

1. Depleting the MDC of the Main Body will destroy the fighter.
2. Destroying one thruster will reduce the flight speed of the fighter by 50%. Destroying both thrusters will render the Ghost immobile.
3. Destroying the Reinforced AI Cockpit will destroy the Artificial Intelligence controlling the fighter. The fighter will automatically shutdown.

STATISTICAL DATA:

LENGTH: 53 ft (16 m)

POWER PLANT: Thermonuclear Fusion Reactor

SPEEDS:

FLYING: Mach 4, with thrusters providing temporary speed of Mach 5.2 to pemit Ghost fighter to breach atmosphere to obtain orbit.

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

LARGE BORE LASER CANNONS: (6) Secured within large ports on the port and starboard sides of the Fighter are 6 Laser Cannons. The Cannons are firelinked together and fixed forward so the AI must line up the target to hit. The damage from the firelinked cannons enables them to destroy enemy mecha with single blasts against most mecha.

PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Aircraft RANGE: 4000 ft (1200 m)

DAMAGE: 1D4x10 M.D. (Per Cannon) 6D4x10 MD for firelinked cannon blasts. RATE OF FIRE: 4 times per melee. PAYLOAD: Effectively Unlimited.

SHORT RANGE MISSILE LAUNCHERS: (8) Located in the side mounted thrusters are 8 missile launchers (4 per side) which provide additional weaponry for the Ghost Fighter. The QF-3000E will normally keep the missiles for specific mission parameters so as to be efficient and conserve ammunition.

PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault MISSILE TYPE: Any Short-range missile RANGE: Varies with missile type

DAMAGE: Varies with missile type RATE OF FIRE: Volleys of 1-8 missiles, 4 volleys per melee PAYLOAD: 4 missiles per launcher, total of 32 missiles

STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE QF-3000E:

1. AI PILOT: The QF-3000E Ghost is piloted and controlled by an Artificial Intelligence which controls all of the fighters functions. It can be updated by a controller within communications range either from the ground or a ship, updating it with new target data or mission parameters. If the QF-3000E is outside of communications range it will continue with its present mission. If that mission has been completed the Ghost fighter will return immediately within communications range for further orders.
2. COMBAT COMPUTER: The Ghost Fighter is equipped with a combat computer that can store and analyze data during combat with hostile forces. Data collected by the combat computer is analyzed by the controlling AI and then matched to its mission parameters. The combat computer tracks and identifies specific enemy targets, and has a database of over 10,000 images stored in memory. The computer can identify and track up to 250 targets simultaneously.
3. HEAT AND RADIATION SHIELDS: Special shielding prevents the penetration of threatening heat and radiation. A radiation detection and alarm system are linked with the shields and will sound an alarm if there is a is a breach in the shields and what the levels of radiation are. The AI is also heavily shielded within its reinforced cockpit bay.
4. HOMING SIGNAL: The QF-3000E is equipped with a homing device that enables rescue teams to locate a disabled craft. The range of the signal is 400 miles (640 km). Most UN Spacy ships and variable fighters can locate and track homing signals, and the onboard computers will automatically notify their pilots if such a signal is detected.
5. LASER TARGETING SYSTEM: Range: 100 miles (160 km). Used for increased accuracy in the striking of enemy targets and is partly responsible for the mecha's strike bonus.
6. RADAR: 200 mile (321 km) range.
7. RADIO/VIDEO COMMUNICATION: Long range, directional communications system with satellite relay capabilities. Range: 600 miles (960 km) or can be boosted indefinitely via satellite relay.
8. SELF-DESTRUCT: To prevent capture of a fighter by the enemy, the AI can activate the QF-3000E's self-destruct system, which will cause the craft to explode after a delay of up to 60 minutes (time is set by the AI). The explosive damage is contained within a 20 foot (6 m) area and inflicts 1D6x10 M.D. to everything within the radius of the explosion. All internal systems are obliterated.
9. REINFORCED AI COCKPIT: The QF-3000E Ghost's AI cockpit bay is heavily reinforced to protect the AI from radiation and battle damage. It is also protected against the effects of an EMP pulse such as those produced by nuclear weapons.

COMBAT BONUSES FOR QF-3000E GHOST FIGHTER TRAINING:

QF-3000E GHOST FIGHTER COMBAT ATTRIBUTES

4 attacks per melee +2 to strike +4 to dodge +2 to roll with an impact, reducing damage by half.

Pilot QF-3000E 70% Weapon Systems 70% Read Sensory Instruments 65% Navigation: ALL 60% Radio: Basic 65%

REFERENCES USED IN THIS DESIGN

Macross TV Series

Macross 7 Trash

"Doe's All The Worlds' Mecha Guide:Northrom QF-3000E Ghost Fighter

Original stats are at the UNSDB