VF-0

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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."

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.