Ikazuchi-class Cruiser

Class: Space naval vessel
Crew: 1117 crewmen, 600 pilots and air group personel, plus additional troops as stationed on board

Length: 608m (main hull), 702m (including engine shields).
Width: 154m.
Height: 177m.
Mass: 1,410,000 tons (operational)
Range: Full solar system transit capability, unlimited fold range

ARMAMENT
8 x triple beam cannon turret on the upper deck.
8 x single barrel point defense cannon.
144 veritech Alpha fighters in six quick reaction bays.
~440 additional mecha such as Beta fighters
Numerous auxiliary craft and shuttles

The Ikazuchi class forms the backbone of the later United Earth Expeditionary Force fleet. Equipped with effective anti-ship beam cannons, a number of long range Alpha/Beta fighter combinations and over 140 Alpha close-in defense fighters, the class only lacks a substantive close-in defensive armament, as all later Expeditionary Force vessels do to some extent. The cannons installed on the Ikazuchi are too few to beat off a determined Invid attack.

The Ikazuchi has a narrow profile that appears hourglass shaped from the front of the vessel. Six reaction engines are in the back, and the ship is commanded from a command superstructure on top of the upper deck. The eight cannons of the main armament are also located on the upper deck, and the defensive Alpha veritech fighters are launched from six quick-response bays set into the flanks. Horizont dropships and other mecha launch from the hangars amidships on the three lowest decks.

As the standard capital ship of the Expeditionary Force in the Third Robotech War, the Ikazuchi class saw much service over Earth and elsewhere. Among other duties, an Ikazuchi-class vessel was docked to each of the Neutron S missiles to ensure their safety and correct use. Many of the class fell in combat with the Invid.

First Appearance:
Episode #61 - "The Invid Invasion"