The VF-22 Sturmvogel II is a Variable Fighter (VF) first featured in game Macross Digital Mission VF-X and Macross VF-X2. Then it appears in television series Macross Δ. Known pilots are Wilbur Garland and Wright Immelman.
Development[]
With the lost of YF-21 during the "Sharon Apple Incident", it dealt a disastrous blow to General Galaxy and their effort to win UN Spacy's Project Super Nova, project to search the best candidate for their next generation Advanced Variable Fighter (AVF) model. But the YF-21 impressive active stealth capabilities and missile payload was acknowledged by UN Spacy, which they decided to adopt it as VF-22 Sturmvogel.[1] These unit were officially adopted per A.D 2042 as the replacement for VF-17 Nightmare series. The earliest recorded production of the VF-22 series is the commander variant called VF-22S Sturmvogel II, and two of these unit was produced and field tested by 37th Long Distance Colony Fleet.[2]
Technology & Combat Characteristics[]
The VF-22 is a streamlined version of YF-21. Its overall look is near identical to its predecessor, but its control system, cockpit canopy, head unit and ventral hull was modified for mass production purposes. Since the VF-22 is based on YF-21, it was equipped with a simplified version of the Brain Direct Image (BDI) system, which a special system which allow its pilot to control the VF via thoughts alone.[2] Despite its benefit the original BDI system was too costly, complicated and unreliable for mass production, therefore the said system was simplified. The simplified BDI system operates as a sub-system for control of weapons, chaff, and smoke to assist when high G-Force air-combat maneuvers are required. Its cockpit interior was overhauled to standard stick-type control system, in order to accommodate regular pilot in it.[2]
In terms of external appearance not much part of the VF-22 changed, but the most prominent part is the canopy, head unit and ventral hull. The canopy section was redesigned to have better visibility for the pilot, especially in Fighter or Gerwalk mode.[2] Then its head was simplified to twin sensor type, instead of the YF-21 five sensor type head, making it akin to something like VF-4 Lightning III's head in terms of design. Lastly the ventral hull, which now was specifically designed to mount the Gunpod internally, and additional retractable internal storage bay to store various weapons, from micro missiles, to reaction warheads.[2]
Thanks to this modifications, the overall VF-22 performance is comparable to the YF-21.[3] The internal storage for Gunpod also maximize its overall stealth capabilities, especially in Fighter Mode. Despite its impressive performance, VF-22 is still an expensive VF to produce. Its high performance also requires its pilot have certain necessary skills, such as strong physical prowess and advanced piloting skills.[2]
Armaments[]
Guns
- 1 x Erlikon AAB-7 Anti-Aircraft Beam Cannon
- A single barrel anti-aircraft weapon that shoot laser projectile, mounted front dorsal section in Fighter/GERWALK mode, becomes head turret in Battroid mode. This particular weapon is unique to VF-22 series, as it may look like a regular blade antenna, but its was actually a weapon, that had wide angle of attack.
- 2 x Howard BP-14D Gunpod
- A caseless stealth type Gunpod that can be stored inside the VF-22's leg storage bay, or deployed as Gunpod mode in GERWALK or Battroid mode. These Gunpods are used by both the standard weapon for the VF-22 or the S variant.
- 2 x Hughes/GE GV-17L
- A caseless stealth type Gunpod that can be stored inside the VF-22's leg storage bay, or deployed as Gunpod mode in GERWALK or Battroid mode.
- 2 x Mauler REB-22 internal converging energy cannons
- An two way barrel compact energy cannon mounted underneath VF-22's tail stabilizer, and lower arm when it transform to Gerwalk or Battroid mode.
Bombs & Missiles
- Micro Missiles
- A micro missile type of weapon that had high explosive power. The VF-22 can be equipped with either the BMM-24 Micro-Missile Cluster, or the Bifors BML-02S Micro Missiles. These weapon mounted in center dorsal section to sides of engine nacelles and center ventral section to the rear of nacelles. These missiles can be launched from 3 x Stonewell-Royce B-6 Standard Internal Pallets, mounted throughout VF-22's fuselage.
Protective System
- 2 x Arm Shield
- An anti projectile equipment served as VF-22's defensive equipment, it is mounted on the lower forearm of each hand unit, and in fighter mode it become the tail stabilizer unit. To maximize its defensive power, the shield also protected by Pin-Point Barrier System.
Special Equipment & Features[]
- Howard PBS-03F Pin-Point Barrier System
- 1 x Fold Booster
- A single-use Fold Booster that can be mounted on the VF-22's upper hull.
- 1 x Dimension Eater bomb
- The VF-22 can be equipped with a single Dimension Eater bomb, mounted on its ventral fuselage.[4]
Variants[]
- VF-22S Sturmvogel II
- VF-22 Sturmvogel II (VF-X Valhalla III Custom)
- A customized version of VF-22 used by UN Spacy special operations unit, the VF-X Valhalla III. This unit was painted in dark blue and yellow accents color scheme, similar with the YF-21 unit 2 livery.
- VF-22 Sturmvogel II (VF-X Ravens Custom)
- A customized version of VF-22 used by UN Spacy special operations unit, the VF-X Valhalla III. This unit was painted in aquamarine blue and white accents.
- VF-22 Sturmvogel II (Wilbur Garland Custom)
- A customized VF-22 equipped with a Jamming System piloted by Wilbur Garland, and was deployed during Vindirance assault on Macross City.[5]
- VF-22 Sturmvogel II (NUNS Specifications)
- A modernized VF-22 with state of the art technology, such as the EX-Gear system, and painted in two tone grey livery.[6] This unit used by NUNS during the Windermere Independence War in 2060.[7][4] Known pilot for this unit are Wright Immelman and Arad Mölders.
- VF-22HG Schwalbe Zwei
History[]
In A.D 2047 a VF-22 was assigned to UN Spacy special operations unit the VF-X Valhalla III. This unit was deployed during Operation Orpherus to rescue the idol group Milky Dolls, after they got captured by Zentradi Remnants fleet.[8]
Later In A.D 2050 several VF-22 were assigned to U.N Spacy special operations unit the VF-X Ravens, and one of the unit piloted by Aegis Focker. During the Vindirance assault on Earth, a customized VF-22 was piloted by Wilbur Garland defending Latence's controlled SDF-1 Macross in Macross City. During the battle Walbur's unit manage to destroy Gilliam Angreat's VF-19A Excalibur, but was subsequently destroyed by Aegis Focker's VF-19A.[9]
In A.D 2060, during the Windermere Independence War, a VF-22 were deployed by New United Nations Spacy's (NUNS) 77th Air Wing.[7] This unit piloted by Wright Immelman to carry out NUNS' Dimensional Bomb attack against the Protoculture Ruin, but missed its objective due Wright's sabotage.[4][10] After that the Windermere Kingdom would recover, repair and displayed this unit in their Darwent Royal Castle.[6] However in A.D 2067, this unit was restored by Berger Stone to its original specifications, except the removed leg unit, in order to fit the stranded Walkures on Windermere IV. Later this unit was used as distraction by Arad Mölders during an operation to liberate the remaining Walkures that had been captured. Unfortunately it was forced to be abandoned, due to the damage it sustained, and the lack of leg unit forced Arad to crash landed it in order to recover his VF-31S Siegfried.[11]
Gallery[]
Linearts[]
_Fighter_CG.jpg "VF-22S (NUNS) Fighter CG.jpg (149 KB)")
_Fighter_Front.jpg "VF-22S (NUNS) Fighter Front.jpg (151 KB)")
_Fighter_Bottom_1.jpg "VF-22S (NUNS) Fighter Bottom 1.jpg (138 KB)")
Animation[]
Macross Δ[]
Manga[]
Macross Delta: White Knight of the Black Wing[]
Illustrations & Artworks[]
Notes & Trivia[]
- Production wise, the VF-22 came much later after the introduction ofVF-22S in Macross 7 TV series.
- The VF-22 bears a strong resemblance to the real life YF-23 in terms of overall appearance and stealth capabilities.
- The VF-22 name refers to the WWII German ME 262 Jet Fighter, both the VF-22 and ME 262 are named in German "Sturmvogel" which means Stormbird in English.
- The VF-X Valhalla III's VF-22 depicted inconsistently in the game.
- In the game cutscene, game cover and promotional pictures, itt was shown with blue and yellow color scheme
- Whereas in game, it was depicted with aquamarine blue with white accents, similiar with the one used by VF-X Ravens.
- In Macross Ultimate Frontier, the 3d model of VF-22 & 22S Fighter mode are slightly modified YF-21 model.
- Wilbur Garland's VF-22 share the same 3D model with VF-X Raven's VF-22, due to the game limitations.
- The VF-22 that appears in Macross Delta TV Series is inconsistently depicted.
- As shown in Macross Delta episode 15: Parting Resolution simply referred as VF-22 instead of the S variant.
- This also supported in the supplementary book such as "Macross Variable Fighter Designer's Note" on page 271, simply referred it as "VF-22シュトゥルムフォーゲルⅡ (ライト・インメルマン機)" or VF-22 Sturmvogel II (Wright Immelman's Use).
- However as shown in Hidetaka Tenjin Artistry of Macross Volume 2 page 100, it is designated as VF-22S Sturmvogel II.
- There is so far no confirmation which variant it was supposed to be, but judging by its role in the story it should have been a VF-22S instead of the standard VF-22.
- As shown in Macross Delta episode 15: Parting Resolution simply referred as VF-22 instead of the S variant.
References[]
- ↑ Macross Chronicle New Edition, Macross Dynamite 7 Mechanic Sheet, UN Spacy 2A, Pg 01.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Macross Chronicle New Edition, Macross 7 Mechanic Sheet, UN Spacy 5A, Pg 02.
- ↑ Macross Chronicle New Edition, Macross Dynamite 7 Mechanic Sheet, UN Spacy 2A, Pg 02.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Macross Delta Episode 17: Scatter on Stage
- ↑ Macross VF-X2 Official Visual Guide book, Pg 73.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Macross Δ, Episode 23 Scarred Requiem.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Macross Δ Episode 15 Parting Resolution.
- ↑ Macross Digital Mission VF-X.
- ↑ Macross VF-X2, Mission 11A: My Fair Lady.
- ↑ Macross Delta: White Knight of the Black Wing, Vol 2, Ch 9, Pg 86-87.
- ↑ Macross Dynamite 7, Episode 4.
External links[]
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