VFF-31 Sylphid
[b]VFF-31 Sylphid[/b]
[b]Technical Data[/b]
[b]Accomidation:[/b] One
[b]Height (Battroid Mode):[/b] 16.5 meters
[b]Length (Fighter Mode):[/b] 18.8 meters
[b]Weight:[/b] standard takeoff weight 11,876 kilograms; maximum takeoff weight 35,660 kilograms
[b]Speed (Fighter Mode):[/b] Cruise: Mach 1.4, Max: Mach 2.7
[b]Ability Data[/b]
[b]Fighter Mode:[/b] The Sylphid's standard mode. A sleak, aerodynamic form capable of flight at mach speeds.
[b]Battroid Mode:[/b] The Sylphid's main combat mode. Not as fast as Fighter mode, but capable of making better use of terrain, and the only form that can use certain weapons.
[b]Gerwalk Mode:[/b] An alternate form which gives a balance between speed and combat. The Sylphid was the firsr FAF unit which was designed with this capability in mind.
[b]Weapon Hardpoints:[/b] Sylphids have 6 hardpoints capable of carrying various weapons into combat. The loadout is usually dictated by the mission, though pilots have some lee-way available to them about certain aspects. Unlike the Fawn, the Sylphid's hardpoints are designed in a way to allow missiles to still fire when in Battroid mode, though bombs still cannot be used unless in Fighter or Gerwalk mode.
[b]Weapon Data[/b]
[b]20mm Vulcans:[/b] Standard aircraft vulcan cannons mounted on the fighter's "nose". Since the nose folds into the frame when transforming into Battroid mode, they are unusable. However the nose remains in place when in Gerwalk mode.
[b]Anti-Aircraft Laser Turret:[/b] The Sylphid is the first FAF fighter to make use of laser weaponry. Previously too bulky to be mounted on anything but ground turrets or battleships, recent advancements have allowed the systems to be miniturized enough to be mounted on variable fighters. Mounted on the head in Battroid mode, and on an underside turret in Fighter and Gerwalk mode.
[b]55mm Gatling Gunpod:[/b] The Sylphid's main combat weapon. The Gatling Gunpod is mounted on the left side of the chassis when in Fighter mode, and is held in the Sylphid's hands in Battroid and Gerwalk modes.
[b]Anti-Air Missiles:[/b] Each of the Sylphid's hardpoints are capable of carrying 3 anti-air missiles, which are capable of homing on either laser or infra-red.
[b]Swarming Missiles:[/b] Each of the Sylphid's hardpoints are capable of carrying a pod of 15 "swarmer" missiles. While low-powered, the missiles are fast and are capable of hitting a target from multiple angles, effectively "swarming" the target.
[b]Cluster Bombs:[/b] Each of the Sylphid's hardpoints are capable of carrying a single cluster bomb, which is capable of covering a large area with bomblets.
[b]Bunker Buster:[/b] Each of the Sylphid's hardpoints are capable of carrying a single laser-guided "bunker buster" bomb. Bunker busters are bombs designed to penetrate underground or fortified positions before exploding, ensuring that more damage is dealt to the target.
[b]Reaction Missiles:[/b] During the final battle in the series, FAF high command authorized the use of reaction missiles against the JAM fleet preventing them from returning through the portal. Reaction missiles are the most devestating weapon in the FAF's arsenal, even stronger then previous nuclear missiles, without any of the dangerous radiation. Each of the Sylphid's hardpoints are capable of carrying a single Reaction Missile.
[b]Technical and Historical Notes[/b]
The Sylphid is currently the FAF's primary air superiority fighter, replacing the VFF-1 Fawn. Though technically more advanced then the Fawn when it was first rolled out, it was designed to be easially upgradable as technology advanced, allowing the Sylphid to remain current for longer. Some of the upgrades introduced since the initial release include more advanced flight control systems and the introduction of the anti-aircraft laser turret. Because of the ease of upgrading, Sylphids have remained highly effective in anti-JAM operations.
