VF-11 Thunderbolt Model #: VF-11 Codename: Thunderbolt Manufacturer: Sedna Planitia Fleet Yards Weight: 14,950 Kg Height: 12.92 M (41.34 ft) in Battloid Mode 6.89 M (22.05 ft) in Walker Mode 4.81 M (15.39 ft) in Fighter Mode Width: 5.45 M (17.46 ft) at shoulders in Battloid Mode 11.20 M (35.84 ft) in Walker or Fighter Mode with wings at maximum extension Length: 3.49 M (11.17 ft) in Battloid Mode 8.92 M (28.54 ft) in Walker Mode 15.51 M (49.63 ft) in Fighter Mode Weapons: Pulse Head Laser (fires to the rear in Fighter mode) Gun Pod with Anti-armor Bayonet       - two extra clips stored on back of Anti-projectile Shield Cargo: Small storage compartment located behind the pilot's seat. Equipment: Anti-projectile Shield       - Reinforced with Force Shield Generators       - Located on Central-rear Dorsal Section in Fighter Mode       - Located on left arm in Walker and Battloid Modes Auto-pilot Combat computer Ejection seat Homing beacon with separate power source Optical enhancement package (infrared, nightvision, thermal imager) Full sensor array Self-destruct (delay up to 60 min) History:       Riding on its previous successes with the VA-3 and VF-4, Sedna Planitia Fleet Yards introduced the VF-11 Thunderbolt. With its debut, Sedna Planitia became synonymous with the term Veritech as the VF-11 would become the standard to which all later models would be compared. Having now once again cemented its position as a ship building power, Sedna would bring a number of ship building contracts back to its Venus based yards and even continue its success with a series of VF-11 variants.       At the time of its debut, the Thunderbolt offered a solid balance of speed, power, and durability. The last quality, durability, was the main reason a new model was called for by the Exofleet. Sedna's previous offering, the VF-4, had proven its worth as an effective weapon. But many good pilots had died in VF-4's over the years that would not have, if the craft had been better protected. Thus the Exofleet demanded a new model be designed that would be more 'forgiving' to pilot error. Though not nearly as fast as the VF-4, the Thunderbolt is far better protected with its blast resistant armor plating. The truly revolutionary aspect to its design was the Anti-projectile Shield. The shield itself is made of the most blast-resistant materials available so that even when not activated it can deflect most laser fire and one or two missile attacks. Incorporated into the shield's construction are a number of force shield generators which were derived from Eltorian Technology. When active, they combine to form a high grade force shield over the outer surface of the armor shield. In this state, the Anti-projectile Shield is capable of deflecting almost any laser blast or missile. However, if a laser or missile's blast area was larger than the surface area of the shield it will not be totally deflected and will cause damage to the Thunderbolt and perhaps even destroy it. Also, a blast of sufficient yield could overload the shield's generators and thus eliminate any protection it could offer. The shield's positioning to deflect incoming shots is performed by the pilot with the aid of computer controlled guidance. Though the Anti-projectile Shield is an excellent defensive measure, its one drawback is that it can only be used at maximum efficiency in Battloid mode. While also functional in Walker mode, the arm it is on has limited range of movement compared to the Battloid mode and thus so to does the shield.       Even though there is an obvious emphasis on defense in the design of the Thunderbolt, it can none the less dish out punishment as well as take it. Though most of its armament is more or less standard, its gun pod has one feature which was previously unseen. The anti-armor bayonet provides pilots with an additional weapon when fighting at close range. Many pilots have found it to be remarkably effective when they need to take an enemy e-frame in tact. The strategy being to plunge the bayonet into the e-frame's cockpit, thereby killing the pilot while doing minimal damage to the e-frame. Due to these features, the VF-11 Thunderbolt has proven itself to be a very effective weapon that can consistently return from battle with both itself and its pilot in one piece. As such, it has become the most common VF in Exofleet service and remains so despite the fact it is now slightly outdated. "The Work-Horse of the Exofleet"