Veritech Shadow Fighter

Designation: VFA-6X
Mecha Class: Veritech fighter, aerospace capable.
Crew: 1 pilot.
Weight: 16.70 tons (dry)

FIGHTER MODE
Length: 10.25m
Height: 4.60m
Wingspan: 8.20m
Max speed at sea level: 1100 kph
Max speed at 10,000m: 1900 kph
Max speed at 30,000m: 3000 kph

GUARDIAN MODE
Length: 8.00m
Height: 5.72m
Width: 4.84m
Max speed at low altitudes: 680 kph

BATTLOID MODE
Depth: 5.25m
Height: 8.75m
Breadth: 4.84m
Max speed at all altitudes: 312 kph
Max walking speed: 120 kph

ARMAMENT
1 x 1-barreled disruptor cannon, functions as a heavy beam cannon and also has a disruptive effect against force fields.
2 x Light lasers in the nosecone
60 x 190mm short-range missiles, mounted in single-shot surface launchers spread out along the fuselage.

The Veritech Alpha Fighter is Earth's premier third-generation transformable fighter, serving the Expeditionary Forces through its mission in deep space and the reclamation missions to Earth. The fighter is fully space-capable, and is carried in great numbers on the Ikazuchi-class cruiser.

However, the limited fuel tankage of this craft gives it short legs in space, a deficiency that led to the development of the Beta Fighter, to which this mecha can attach. In addition, the Alpha can not reach suborbital altitudes on its own, and also required the Beta for this.

The Alpha also shines in atmospheric operations, where its small size and large thrust to weight ratio makes it a nimble and elusive target. This is made possible by two powerful main engines in the legs and powerful secondary engines in the forearms.

The Alpha's weapons fit is extremely powerful for a fighter of this size, and carries a destructive capacity comparable to the heaviest of the first-generation Destroids, combining a powerful beam gun with a vast number of short-range missiles.

Late in the Third Robotech War, the -S variant was introduced, combining radar stealth and a sophisticated protoculture cloaking device to minimize detection cross-section. This variant, known as the "Shadow Fighter", was issued a far larger gun pod than prior Alpha variants, also capable of engaging Invid force fields, and displayed several changes to the airframe. Additionally, the Shadow Fighter's hands were replaced by a three-fingered claw. The active sensor pod on the shoulder was deleted, in favor of improved passive sensors internal to the mecha. The VTOL thruster under the fighter mode fuselage was also deleted, and some slight remodelling was done to the intakes, shoulders, and upper legs, but the plane's airframe was essentially that of the venerable Alpha.

First Appearance:
Episode 83 - "Reflex Point"

Also available on Robotech.com:
- Masterpiece Collection VFA-6X Veritech Shadow Fighter
- "Metallic Edition" Shadow Fighter super-poseable figure
- Veritech Alpha "Metallic Edition" figure set
- Robotech: New Generation i-Men set