In addition to the VF-25 Aurora, the SDF-5 Independence operates several other fighter craft.
The most prevalent of these is the late REF designed Valkyrie II. The VF-2 was given it's trial by fire in the Battle of Earth Reflex Point in 2038, and with constant upgrades has served the forces of the Sentinel Alliance ever since. But, in the current era, after decades of service and attrition, the SDF-5 only carries about 4 squadrons of the venerable fighter.
While it's old, the VF-2 is still well respected, and pilots love to be assigned one. Their long fold drive range makes them excellent recon and long range strike craft, and their heavy ordinance allows them to deal with a wide range of threats once they get there. The over-shoulder particle cannon can be adjusted to a destabilizer mode to deal with enemy force field emplacements. And the entirely internal weapons load allows the craft to enter a planet's atmosphere without jettisoning payload (as a hardpoint equipped fighter would have to.) The VF-2 is even equipped to internally carry Angel of Death anti-starship missiles in it's wing pods.
The VF-19 Phoenix is the next most common uncommon fighter on the SDF-5. The VF-19 was a design pressed into service for the Marduuk invasion. It was lower cost than the Valkyrie II, but it was similarly effective at dealing with Marduuk mecha. The Phoenix is an optimized dogfighter. The Phoenix carries weapons suitable to this role: high maneuver missiles, mauler energy cannons, and a hybrid railgun propelled explosive shell gun pod, but this tends to make the Phoenix is weak in other roles. Carrying any sort of mega-heavy ordinance requires mounting on hardpoints which limits the fighter's manueverability and deployment options.
The VF-22 Ninja is a rare fighter on board the SDF-5. Only a handful are on board. Designed by Michelle Saxton, the VF-22 is a baroque example of technology available at the time, incorporating livemetal, advanced sensor systems, stealth systems, pinpoint barriers, and some examples even carry cloaking devices. The best way to describe the VF-22's role is as an assassin. The Ninja can fold into a system, remain unnoticed and strike with extreme precision. Like the Phoenix, it is primarily a dogfighter, but additional weapon pallets can be added which expand it's role without restricting the fighter's operation.
There are a few other unique fighters on board the SDF-5. The Metal Siren and Black Cat X are the most notable. But most notorious and whispered about is the Super Logan.
The Southern Cross Logan has always been Michelle Saxton's favorite veritech fighter for some infathomable reason. Years ago, when she was on the Sentinel Alliance starship Macross II and the chief engineer James Donaldson was looking for something for her to do, he told her to work on an old, unused, and forlorn Logan held in one of the ship's reserve bays as a training/punishment craft. Michelle made it a labor of love, and has worked on the Logan for many years, just as a car lover might work on a hot rod, or Han Solo might work on the Millenium Falcon.
Although still vaguely appearring like a old Logan, the fighter has been rebuilt in every way. Anything that the tech obsessed Michelle has ever thought was neat has been integrated into her Super Logan's systems. Many people wonder just what this means the fighter is capable of. In reply, Michelle invites the prospective pilot to take the fighter for a test spin.
To this date, no pilot has ever taken Michelle up on her offer. Her Super Logan sits quietly in a special reserve bay of the SDF-5 awaiting the day someone is curious enough to set aside the stigma the Logan fighter has attached to it's name.
Tags: Robotech Macross Veritech
