VF-4 Lightning III
Model #: VF-4
Codename: Lightning III
Manufacturer: Sedna Planitia Fleet Yards
Weight: 13, 950 Kg

Height:
13.76 M (45.5 ft) in Battloid Mode
7.34 M (24.3 ft) in Walker Mode
3.72 M (12.3 ft) in Fighter Mode

Width:
5 M (16.5 ft) at shoulders in Battloid Mode
14.28 M (47.1 ft) in Walker or Fighter Mode with wings at maximum extension

Length:
4.48 M (14.8 ft) in Battloid Mode
8.58 M (28.3 ft) in Walker Mode
14.92 M (49.2 ft) in Fighter Mode

Weapons:
Large Caliber, High Powered Beam Cannons
      - located to either side of the ship in Fighter mode and on the forearms in Walker and Battloid modes.
Chain Lightning Launchers (2)
      - Located behind the Primary Beam Cannons in Fighter mode and on the shoulders in Walker and Battloid modes.
Gun pod (optional)
      - two extra clips (one stored in each leg)

Cargo:
Small storage compartment located behind the pilot's seat.

Equipment (Standard):
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:
      After the end of the Eltorian War, what was left of the Sedna Planitia Ship Yards began to rebuild itself. However, with the start up of a new company called Tethan Aerospace Industries, Sedna Planitia lost a large chunk of the market it formally dominated. With more than 85% of the Homeworlds' ship building contracts offered to its new competitor, it seemed a certainty that Sedna Planitia would go out of business. Desperate to rejuvenate itself, Sedna Planitia worked to develop a new style of e-frame based on the older exo-converting models that it could sell to the Exofleet. The first attempt was the VA-3 Invader, which was an instant success. Its profit margin growing in the wake of the VA-3, Sedna Planitia followed up with a sleeker, faster model called the VF-4 Lightning III. A plane so successful that it would literally save the company.


      True to its name, the VF-4 Lightning III offers speed and maneuverability that is unmatched by any other VF in Exofleet service. Its sleek design and powerful engines make it equally effective in deep space or in an atmosphere. However, the Lightning offers these desirable qualities at a price. It may be the fastest ship out there, but it is also one of the least durable. Its speed and maneuverability come at the cost of its heavy armor plating. With less protection, the Lightning therefore relies more on its ability to evade as its means of survival. It also carries only energy based weapons, making it moderately - as opposed to heavily - armed. Despite its limitations, the Lightning has proven to be a devastating weapon when piloted by the right person. As a result, they are still quite common in the Exofleet though not as numerous as say the VF-11 Thunderbolt. One of the craft's unique features is that it incorporates a larger and more powerful version of the Chain Lightning weapon which was invented by Professor Algernon of the University of Chicago. Due to the weapon's placement, it can only be used in Battloid or Walker Mode. Use in Fighter mode would result in detonation of the Primary Beam Cannons which sit directly in front of them while in this configuration. In the end, it was the addition of this weapon, and the ship's blazing speed (its maximum speed can only be achieved in Fighter mode), that would ultimately decide the craft's name.


"Catch It, If You Can"