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VF-1J Equipped with GBP-1S System
VF-1J Equipped with GBP-1S System (detailed)
VF-1J GBP-1S with White Head Unit Sensor
GU-11 55mm Gatling Gun Pod
GH-32 High Maneuverability Micro-Missile
GA-100 high-speed armor-penetrating projectile
VF-1J GBP-1S Armored Valkyrie Weapon Key
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Shinnakasu VF-1J GBP-1S "Armored" Valkyrie
Equipment Type: GBP-1S Ground-combat protector weapon system
Unofficial codename: Armored Valkyrie
Government: U.N. Spacy
Manufacturer: Shinnakasu Heavy Industry
Introduction: October 2009
Operational Deployment: October 2009
Accommodation: pilot only in Marty & Beck Mk-7 zero/zero ejection seat
Dimensions:
Battroid Mode: height 14.1 meters; width 9.8 meters; length 4.8 meters
Mass: 16.2 metric tons GBP-1S system; 37.1 metric tons standard operational mass (VF-1J 18.5 metric tons T-O mass plus GBP-1S and fuel)
Structure: space metal frame, SWAG energy conversion armor, GBP-1S Reactive Armor
Power Plant: two Shinnakasu Heavy Industry/P&W/Roice FF-2001 thermonuclear reaction turbine engines, output 650 MW each
Propulsion: 11,500 kg [x g] x 2 (23,000 kg [x g] x 2 in overboost) (225.63 kN x 2 overboost); GBP-1S - 2 x assist thrusters (output unknown); 10 x low-thrust vernier thrusters beneath multipurpose hook/handles
Performance (Limited to Battroid mode only, unless GBP-1S system is ejected):
Battroid Mode: maximum walking speed 160 km/h
Fighter Mode: at 10,000 m Mach 2.71; at 30,000+ m Mach 3.87
GERWALK Mode: maximum walking speed 100 km/h; flying 500 km/h
g limit: in space +7
Design Features: 3-mode variable transformation; variable geometry wing; vertical take-off and landing; control-configurable vehicle; fly-by-light; rectangular underfuselage air intakes with intake vane, variable ramps, and retractable cover shutters (for Battroid mode or space use); single-axis two-dimensional thrust vectoring nozzles operate in lieu of conventional elevators and horizontal stabilizers and in tandem with wing thruster roll control system; one ventral fin under each engine nacelle; large airbrake directly rear of cockpit canopy (nozzle feet operate as airbrakes also); two-section flap (with spoiler) and fowler flap occupy almost entire wing trailing-edge; leading-edge slats; conventional rudders with honeycomb construction in outward-canted vertical tail surfaces; two cooling sub-air intake/airframe lift adjustment slits located on forward main body in Fighter mode operate in lieu of glove vanes by controlling airflow; four times the mobility of the Destroid Spartan; three "magic hand" manipulators for maintenance use; retractable canopy shield for Battroid mode and atmospheric reentry; retractable tricycle undercarriage (landing gear) with two steerable nosewheels retract rearward into nose and twin coupled mainwheels inward into fuselage; 2 x arresting hooks mounted underfuselage on engine nacelles; 2 x forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensors in recessed emplacements within leg-joint nacelles (built below and to the fore of the cockpit canopy in egg-shaped blisters on either side of the Fighter mode nosecone); GBP-1S Ground-combat protector weapon system
Transformation (Limited to Battroid mode only, unless GBP-1S system is ejected):
Min time from Fighter to GERWALK (automated): approx. 1.5 sec.
Min time from GERWALK to Battroid (automated): under 2 sec.
Standard time from Fighter to Battroid (automated): under 5 sec.
Min time from Fighter to Battroid (manual): 0.9 sec.
- Armament -
Guns:
2 x Fixed Mauler RÖV-20 anti-aircraft laser cannons, firing 6,000 pulses per minute each
1 x Howard GU-11 55 mm three-barrel Gatling gun pod with 200 rds fired at 1,200 rds/min
Bombs & Missiles:
56 x 28-cm-diameter Erlikon GH-32 Grenade Crusher high maneuverability micro-missiles (22 mounted in two shoulder launchers, 10 mounted in two chest launchers, 16 mounted in four side leg launchers, 8 mounted in four rear leg launchers)
18 x Erlikon GA-100 Crusher high-speed armor-penetrating projectiles (mounted in two lower arm launchers)
6 x Ramington H-22T large hand grenades (mounted on upper legs)
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Originally commissioned only for special operations, the GBP-1S nonetheless saw first operational deployment in space for a routine patrol on October 2009. Then Second Lieutenant Hikaru Ichijo launched from CVS-101 Prometheus in a GBP-1S equipped VF-1J Valkyrie on a deep space reconnaissance mission to determine possible Zentradi incursion. Very little useful information on performance was gained from the deployment of the GBP-1S during Hikaru's mission, mostly due to poor tactical maneuvering. Although flight records do indicate the GBP-1S functioned as designed, both offensively and defensively, the effectiveness of the unit was left in question. Some UNS analysts critical of the October 2009 deployment suggest the poorly conceived near-simultaneous launch of the full GBP-1S ordnance allowed the enemy to intercept a few initial missiles resulting in the sequential, premature detonation of most the munitions before they were able to impact. These same analysts also note the successful defensive performance of the GBP-1S, resulting in the initial counter of several direct hits from enemy fire before the system was ejected from Lt. Ichijo's VF-1J.
Despite the less than ideal initial deployment of the GBP-1S, the system was not abandoned and further designs continue to find use in successive variable fighters, most notably the Protect Armor system found on the VF-11 Thunderbolt.
NOTE: Fans have noted the main sensor eye of the VF-1J Valkyrie head unit is colored white by default but appears colored grey for the GBP-1S Armored configuration. When the armor is ejected, the head unit reverts to white. Speculation about the color of the head unit sensor eye has ranged from a coloring error in the animation to being an additional armored part of the GBP-1S. Macross publications have featured both the white and grey versions, including the most recent Macross Chronicle series. Both versions are shown in this profile.
Addendum: Written within B-Club #79, pg. 14 (Published June 1992) is trivia explaining why only the VF-1J Valkyrie is seen deployed with the GBP-1S Armor system. The trivia notes the VF-1J and GBP-1S were both developed by Shinnakasu and states the VF-1J Flight Control System (FCS) was designed with Armored Pack compatibility in mind (requiring other variants to be updated for compatibility).
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Debut: Super Dimension Fortress Macross, Episode 9
Pilot(s): Hikaru Ichijo
Other Appearances: Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love?
Original mechanical designer: Shoji Kawamori
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Information Courtesy of the Macross Compendium: www.macross.anime.net/wiki/Main_Page
Images From - Macross Perfect Memory and other macross books
C. Wilson - Writer, Editor and Colorist
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