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VF-31A Kairos

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The VF-31A Kairos is a variable fighter featured in the Macross Δ television series. It is the mainstay fighter for Alpha, Beta and Gamma Flight for Chaos.

Development[]

Following the establishment of the New United Nations Government, new and better airframes were commissioned as concerns grew over the growing independence of long distance emmigrant fleets and distant colony worlds. The VF-31A Kairos was first developed by S.M.S.' Ouroboros Branch in cooperation with several other companies including Surya Aerospace and the LAI Corporation, and based on the high performance prototype YF-30 Chronos.[1] Research and design was provided by S.M.S. recruit Aisha Blanchette. Though superior in performance compared to the aging VF-171 Nightmare Plus fielded by the New United Nations Spacy, it proved inferior to the the Windermere Kingdom's Sv-262 Draken III.

The VF-31 uses a special Multipurpose Container Unit system derived from the YF-30, which is a jointed hardpoint system which allows the Kairos to easily swap and equip custom equipment or weapons loadouts for different missions - from missile pods and beam cannon turrets, to radome arrays and Fold projection speakers - which are then deployed on top of the craft's centerline in use. Unlike other optional equipment sets like Super Packs or Armored Packs, the Multipurpose Container Unit in Fighter mode recesses flush into the craft between the engines when not in use, preserving the VF-31's aerodynamic profile. Some versions were outfitted with an Inertia Store Converter and EG-01M/MP EX-Gear system, however, due to the rarity of pure Fold Quartz crystals, a cheaper to produce Fold Carbon is used instead. This results in a drop in performance compared to the YF-30, but at least equal or superior to the VF-25 Messiah.

The private group Chaos would later use the Kairos as a base to develop the Siegfried series for Delta Flight, outfitting it with a Fold Resonance System and rare Fold Quartz.

Armaments[]

Standard[]

  • ROV-127E 12.7mm Beam Machine gun x 1
  • AK/VF-M11 Assault Knife x 2
    • Can be reinforced with Pin-Point Barriers to enhance effectiveness.
    • The Assault Knives are each stored within the forearm's anti-projectile shields when not in use.
  • Howard LU-18A Beam Gun Pod x 1
    • Gun Pod can either be kept mounted on the multipurpose container unit as a turret gun, or wielded by the Kairos' hands.
  • LM-27s 27mm Rapid-fire Railgun Pod x 2
    • One on each forearm, can fold out when in use. In Fighter mode, the railguns are mounted under the wing roots to the side of the engines.
  • CIMM-3B Micro Missile x 36
    • Stored on micro missile bays behind the legs, with 18 missiles per leg.
  • Anti-Projectile Shield x 2
    • Reinforced hardened shield for defending against ranged and melee attacks.
    • Unlike previous variable fighters, the shields are directly integrated into the forearms, allowing either arm to defend.
  • VPB-S24 Pin Point Barrier System

Optional Armament[]

  • Underwing Hardpoints for Pylon-carried Ordnance x 4
    • One pylon mount on the each outer wing, and one on each inner wing.
    • The inner wing hardpoints are directly connected to the anti-projectile shield, allowing any ordnance mounted there to be wielded on the forearms in GERWALK and Battroid modes.

Optional Packs[]

Super Pack[]

  • CIMM-5A/A Micro Missile Launcher x 10
    • Mounted inside of Booster pods.
  • HMM-7C CIWS 15-Tube Proximity Micro Missile Pod x 2
    • 1 per side of the chest by the shoulders.
  • Bulletproof Shield x 2
    • Enhanced defensive shield installed on top of existing Anti-Projectile Shield for added protection.
    • Retains weapon pylon mounts for optional ordnance.

Armored Pack[]

  • 105mm ASAWB-M55 Twin Beam Turret x 1
    • Mounted in place of Multi-Mission Pack. Can be fired while detached.
  • 35mm 6-barrel Heavy Gatling Gun × 2
    • Attached to each forearm.
  • AMC-22 22-Tube Micro Missile Launcher Pod x 2
    • 1 on each side of the chest.
  • AMC-17 17-Tube Micro Missile Launcher Pod x 2
    • 1 on each side of the shoulder.
  • 40mm Beam Cannon x 2
    • 1 on each side of the chest below the 22-tube missile launchers
  • AMC-14 14-Tube Micro Missile Launcher Pod × 4
    • 2 on front of each Booster weapon pod.
  • AMC-12 12-Tube Micro Missile Launcher Pod × 10
    • 3 on front of each Booster weapon pod, 2 at the rear of each pod.
  • Anti-Ship Reaction Missile bay x 4
    • 2 bays per Booster weapon pod. Each bay can carry 3 anti-ship missiles, or 1 reaction missile.
  • AMC-34 34-Tube Micro Missile Launcher Pod x 4
    • 2 per leg armor.
  • AMC-16 16-Tube Micro Missile Launcher Pod x 4
    • 2 per leg armor.

Accommodation[]

One pilot with EGP-03/05 EX-Gear. EX-Gear functions as an ejection seat. Although normally a single seat-craft, the rear is equipped with an auxiliary seat. Auxiliary seat is hidden by a cover. At time of use, the cover is pulled and the auxiliary seat rises. Auxiliary seat is a normal ejection seat.

Optional Equipments[]

  • Super Pack
    • The VF-31A has its own set of Super equipment for enhanced performance in space combat in all modes. The Super Pack consists of additional armor attached to the chest (with micro missile launchers by the shoulders), hips, thighs, and legs, as well as two large shields with one on each arm. Enhanced mobility is provided by two large booster packs mounted on each wing, along with additional maneuvering thrusters on the leg armor.
  • Armored Pack

Variants[]

  • VF-31A (Arad Mölders Custom)
    • A custom VF-31A painted with Arad's personal emblem on its fuselage, this particular unit was deployed on an unknown planet and rescued Kaname Buccaneer from a rogue NUNS' Queadluun-Rhea.[2]
  • VF-31B Kairos
    • A mass produced variant.
  • VF-31AX Kairos Plus
    • An enhanced version used by Delta Flight equipped with next-generation technology and upgrades.
  • VF-31X
    • A next-generation enhanced upgrade of the VF-31 intended to mass-produce the features found on the Siegfrieds. Parts of these craft would be used in the creation of the VF-31AX.

History[]

A number of VF-31A were supplied to the military division of Chaos, and each unit's performance during actual battle operations doubled as evaluation tests. Several units supplied to Delta Flight for the Ragna branch were heavily customized for escort duties of the tactical music unit "Walküre", and came to be known as "Siegfried".

Gallery[]

Game[]

Macross Delta Scramble[]

Plamo[]

Toys[]

DX Chogokin[]

Production Remarks[]

The VF-31 and its variants were planned to adopt the same close-coupled delta wing as YF-30 Chronos, but it was ultimately dropped due to similarties with the Sv-262 Draken III and its double delta wing. Series organizers felt it would be too difficult for viewers to distinguish the main character's variable fighters, thus Delta Flight units adopted a forward-swept wing design. The original delta wing design would be reinstated for the Absolute Live!!!!! movie in the form of VF-31AX Kairos Plus upgrade.

The vertical tail is arranged inward in the middle of the forward wing (so the wings look like a "Δ" when viewed from the front). The main variable fighter type (Kairos) has a more close-coupled delta wing aircraft as it was originally intended by the series planners.

Other than the fighter's wings, the “folding of the nose”, “housing method of hands and legs”, “arm gun (mini gun pod)”, “large-sized canard ”, “division of the toes”, etc. have changed from the YF-30.

Notes & Trivia[]

  • In Macross Δ Scramble, the two Chaos original characters have custom-colored Kairos units: Hans has a red fighter while Fan uses a blue one. The light-blue unit is used by Mina Forte in one of the bonus missions from DLC Pack 2. Each color can be freely selected by the player in the Hangar.
    • Also in Delta Scramble, the VF-31A Siegfried test bed model is unlockable for Version 1.02, featuring the same base color as the original Kairos but also has an ita-design of Freyja Wion and Mikumo Guynemer on the main body.
  • The DX Chogokin VF-31A markings are based on existing unit in the Macross Delta TV Show.
    • The first version is based on a VF-31A unit called Alpha 03 with Hemera markings.
    • The 10th Anniversary version is based on a VF-31A unit called Delta 10 with Walkure Markings.

References[]

  1. ↑ Plastic model "Technique MCR13 VF-31A Kairos Fighter mode" Assembly Manual, 1/144 scale model, TOMYTEC, (2016)
  2. ↑ Macross Delta, Episode 21, Timestamp 08:45.


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