QF-2200D-B Ghost

QF-2200D-B Ghost
QF-2200D-B Ghost
Unit Type
Unmanned Aerospace Stealth Fighter
Real World
OVA	Macross Zero
Mechanical Designer	Shōji Kawamori
Profile
Developed Into	QF-3000E Ghost
Variants	QF-2200D-A Ghost
First Seen	Macross Zero
era	AD 2008
Operator	United Nations Military

The QF-2200D-B Ghost is an unmanned reconnaissance fighter that appears in the Macross Zero OVA.

Development

A predecessor to the QF-3000E Ghost unmanned aerospace fighter, the QF-2200D Ghost is a small, lightweight, high-maneuverability unmanned reconnaissance fighter. The violent chaos in the early stages of the Unification Wars found the U.N. Forces lacking skilled pilots and so following mass production in 2002 the QF-2200D was deployed to the frontlines in large quantities. Since the craft was almost without any OverTechnology, it is designed and produced with existing technology suitable for mass production for a relatively low manufacturing cost.

Technology & Combat Characteristics

The QF-2200D is primarily developed to conduct high-speed, armed reconnaissance at relatively low altitudes. It possesses superior stealth, small lightweight construction and an unusually powerful engine that imposes difficulty for detection nets attempting to track it. The Ghost’s lack of a pilot allows for a maximum instantaneous maneuverability of 25G. The exceptional performance of the QF-2200D is such that it became noted for its fighting strength over main fighter craft for close-in combat situations. The autonomous AI that controls the craft can be supplemented by remote control from the ground or orbiting satellite. The existing materials of the Ghost make it difficult to maintain both heat resistance and stealth at higher speeds. This limits the maximum speed because the ratio of maximum speed to engine thrust is low.

The QF-2200D series includes numerous variant models, ranging from a low-speed, long-range reconnaissance model mounted with a low-fuel-consuming turbofan jet to a high-speed, high-altitude reconnaissance model mounted with a turbofan/ramjet. One of the more notable models is the QF-2200D-A long-distance reconnaissance variant with added sensor system upon the dorsal nose. Another notable model is the QF-2200D-B variant equipped with a high-thrust turbofan jet (unsuitable for such a small lightweight craft) that was modified for use as a booster upon the VF-0A Phoenix "Angel" special attack/assault specification. The CVN-99 Asuka II's maintenance crewmembers initially intended to only use the QF-2200D-B engine, but due to limited time, they converted almost the entire vehicle as a booster. QF-2200D-A Ghost and QF-2200D-B Ghost fighters were deployed aboard the CVN-99 Asuka II during the events surrounding the island of Mayan in 2008.

Armaments

• Micro-missile launchers x 5

External Links

• QF-2200D-A Ghost on Macross2