[sasahar17]

I was told a while ago that I could put on any world building snippets for MLYRL I made on this thread. Well, this here is the first one.

Spoiler for ML:DYRL, VF-8 Crusader II:

Stonewell/Bellcom VF-8 Crusader II

The most abundant VTF model seen during the BETA war, the VF-8 Crusader II (hereforth ‘Crusader’) is the backbone of the UN Army, US Navy and USMC’s VTF fleet. The VF-8 would eventually gain a near legendary reputation as the iconic VTF of the war, gaining the moniker ‘the last dogfighter’ after repeated clashes with the Soviet Su-51s Feniks in the Pacific.

Background

While the Crusader wasn’t the first production VTF seen by mankind’s armies (that honor would go to the EF-2002 Dragoon, first fielded by the Germany Army and RAF), it is the first VTF to be used like an actual Valkyrie. Whereas the EU used their Dragoons as ‘mobile TSFs’ that would proceed to a combat area using Fighter mode and execute their mission in Gerwalk and Battroid modes (hence the name), the US Navy viewed the VF-8 as an entirely new weapons platform and treated it as such.

History

During the Battle of Lyons in January 2002, the German Army’s JA44 Verberus Battalion and Project Valkyire’s Argos Flight used 12 VTF-0(2) to devastating effect when they laid siege to the Lyon Hive. Onlookers from the USS America and USS Enterprise participating in the operation were awed by the effectiveness of the VTFs in annihilating scores of Lux and Magnus Lux BETA in short periods of time. Combined with the ease of which the original two VTF-0(2)s disposed of the RLF F-16 and MiG29 TSFs during the Red Shift incident, US came to a realization that they needed their own VTF forces to remain relevant in the changing landscape of warfare. It was the US Navy who decided to take the first step.

For morale purposes, the Stonewell-Bellcom VF-8 Crusader II was named after the Vaughn F-8 Crusader fighter plane, the last carrier based fighter that was used by the US Navy before being supplanted by TSFs. Due to the fact that the US Navy wanted to keep up with the EU, who had by started introducing the EF-2002 Dragoon into their armed forces, the first Crusaders were almost carbon copies of the VTF-0(3) developmental machines from Project Valkyrie. Using parts from F-14D and F-16C TSFs to cut down on build times, the success of the VF-8A/B models eventually lead to a dedicated production line using specifically fabricated parts. Production never really did meet the extremely high demand from the US Navy and Marines throughout the war and the VF-8 was eventually superseded by the superior and more cost effective VF-12 Valkyrja in early 2004. Indeed, demand was so high that Stonewell and its parent company Boening outsorced Crusader production to Lockweed and Northrock in an attempt to meet the order placements. Even so, the Crusader was a legend in its own time, and many die hard Crusader pilots instead opted to upgrade their Crusaders to the E/F models instead of transfer over to the Valkyrja.

One curious thing about the VF-8 line is their non-stealthy radar profile, an oddity considering most VTFs were designed with a low radar profile. This was actually a deliberate design choice that came about due to a request to Project Valkyrie from the US Naval command. After the recent public relations debacles arising from the F-22A and Red Shift, the US Navy wanted to show the world it was dedicated to fighting the BETA instead of putting America's interests first. They requested Project Valkyrie’s lead engineer, Vincent Lowell, to increase the VF-8's radar profile to make it very clear to the international stage that the US Navy's line VTF wasn't a weapon designed to battle other humans. Unfortunately, the VF-8's performance during Blue Flag ‘02 still garnered the reputation the US Navy was trying so hard to avoid from some nations, notably COSEAN and certain elements in Imperial Japan (namely the IRG). Fortunately, many other nations found this unwarranted criticism ridiculous (including the IJA, MEC and the EU), and the VF-8’s effectiveness against the BETA eventually silenced its naysers.

Variants

VF-8A/B: Single-seat (VF-8A) and Dual-seat (VF-8B) variants built using components from retiring F-14Ds. The VF-8A, intended as a multi-role quick response fighter, used a variable sweep wings while the VF-8B, a fighter-bomber used delta wings for additional stability. Typical armament as of introduction consists of a 36mm tri-barreled gun-pod with adjustable ROF with internal feed of 600 rounds, two internal missile bays capable of holding mixed load-outs of missiles, four hard points on the wings for additional weapons and two head mounted chemical laser cannons for short ranged defense. Defensive systems include PPB and ECA systems. Maximum speed for the VF-8A is Mach 2.72 at 30,000ft. Service ceiling 85,000 ft. Only 36 of these were constructed (24 VF-8As and 12 VF-8Bs) as they were intended as a 'test' to see how well a VTF would function by US Navy and US Marine Corp before they committed themselves to the VTF program.

VF-8C/D: Using components from F-15Es instead of F-14D to save on factory production lines, the VF-8C (single seat, variable sweep) and VF-8D (dual seat, delta wing) were simply upgraded versions of the A/B series. Improvements included the addition of a 'bullet-proof buckler' on the left forearm that also stored additional magazines for the gunpod, and improved engines that allowed for super-cruise. Typical armament consisted of a 36mm tri-barreled gun-pod with adjustable ROF fed through a removable box magazine with 800 rounds (two additional magazines stored in buckler), two internal missile bays capable of holding mixed load-out of missiles, four hard points on the wings for additional weapons and two head mounted chemical laser cannons for short ranged defense. The VF-8D, now moving more into it’s role as fighter-bomber, also had two over wing hard points and two fuselage hard points, giving it significantly more armament than its single seat counterpart. Defensive systems include a significantly strengthened PPB and ECA systems. Maximum speed for the VF-8C is Mach 2.98 at 30,000ft. Service ceiling 85,000 ft. Over 150 VF-8C/Ds were produced by Stonewell and Boening during the year 2003.

VF-8E/F Super Crusader: Introduced late into the war, this final variant was made using nothing but specifically fabricated parts as opposed to components from TSFs. The VF-8E (single seat, variable sweep) and VF-8F (dual seat, delta wing) were the most powerful variants of the Crusader. Only slightly improved from the VF-8C/D, the E/F also introduced the Howard EMR-03 'Beowulf' Coilgun to the VF-8 series. This was significant as the EMR-03 was a weapon that allowed the VF-8 to have a primary gun-pod that could have ammunition counts similar to a TSF's assault cannon (2000 12.7x99 NATO rounds and two spare magazines). The VF-8E could also mount a 'Paladin' Supplementary Armament Package, a module that gave the VF-8E additional armor and weapons but sacrificed speed and agility. Maximum speed for the VF-8E is Mach 3.1 at 30,000ft. Service ceiling 85,000 ft. In addition to the surviving VF-8C/Ds that were upgraded to E/Fs, around 24 more of these were built before Operation Babylon.

Operational Usage

The single seat VF-8A/C/E are normally employed as fast hunter killers and quick response units. Multiple Crusaders would operate together in teams of four to achieve this. These Crusaders were used to pick apart large Destroyer charges from their unarmored backs, taking out isolated and vulnerable pockets of BETA and other targets of opportunity, jumping into situations as emergency reinforcements and, most importantly, elimination of Laser Class BETA.

The two seat VF-8B/D/F were dedicated bombers and interceptors, carrying large amounts of explosive ordinance to execute its missions. Fewer in number to the single seat crusaders due to cost and space issues, these Crusaders operated in pairs, sometimes with escort from accompanying VF-8A/C/Es when the situation warranted it. The VF-8B/D/F fulfilled a number of important roles including close air support for TSF forces, taking out Fort Class BETA quickly and long range elimination of Laser Class BETA. It should be noted that the VF-8B/D/F is almost as agile as its single seat counterpart, especially once it has dropped its air-ground weaponry.

A typical Crusader squadron typically consists of twelve VTFs. Unlike a TSF unit, their combat doctrine emphasizes on flexibility and speed instead of structured formations for defense. As such, they employ loose formations that can quickly break up into individual elements and rely on aggressive moves to control the flow of battle. The finger four is a common formation Crusader squadrons employ. Crusaders never fly alone though, and they always travel in pairs at minimum.

The Crusader also was famous for routinely engaging rouge/hostile VTFs in old-school dogfights. Crusader pilots had many clashes with other VTF and TSFs from various terrorist groups and other hostile clandestine units. In particular, the VF-8 had something of a ‘rivalry’ with the Soviet made Su-51 Feniks, and the battles between the USS John F Kennedy’s air wing with an unidentified Soviet Black ops group are the stuff of legend. It was these incidents that eventually gave the Crusader the nickname 'The last dogfighter', and made it so loved throughout the US Navy and beyond.

Other Notes:

The Cursader is a mix between the latest generation VF concepts from 2061 and technologies available in 2001. Technologies such as the PPB and design concepts such as internal missile bays were integrated into that appeared outwardly to be a VF-0 Phoenix air-frame. This odd mishmash of design concepts has resulted in a machine that has atmospheric performance comparable to the VF-5000 Star Mirage, well above what Valkyrie of its generation and limitations should be capable of. This proved to the the key to it's success, and the success of the VTF platform in general.

While the Crusader is mostly associated with the US Navy and is most often seen on Enterprise-Refit Class Carriers, it also used extensively by the USMC. Later, when the Independent States Allied Force was extablished, the Crusader, along with the F-35B Lightning II, became deeply associated with the multi-national peacekeeping force as well. A variant of the VF-8 was also manufactured on license by Misthishi Industries known as the Type-03 Hayabusa, used as the primary VTF of the Japanese Self Defence Force.

While the Crusader was eventually succeeded by the Valkyrja, the large numbers of Crusaders produced during 2003 the allowed the Crusader to remain relevant throughout the war even though it was vastly inferior to the Valkyrja.

The next one is going to be the Over Eagle that was briefly touched on in Try Again.

Originally Posted by Darthtabby

Probably best if Yui's friends don't show up until Yui's already been at Yukon base for a while. Maybe they've come to assist with the next phase of testing. That way they can be shocked by the fact that Yui has fallen for a guy. Also, no reason they all need to help try to get them together. After all, some of them might not approve of Yuuya, and Episode 19 indicated that Yui herself is a bit of a chick manget.

At any rate, I approve of the general concept. Someone write this!

Good point: Isumi and Shimako would be all too happy that Yui has fallen head over heels for this handsome man, but I am now seeing Kazuza and Aki being the ‘over-protective best friends from hell’. I can just see it now: Yui will be having to talk down overzealous BFFs who think that it’s ‘high time Yui get married and settled down’… or something to that effect. Meanwhile, Yuuya will be undergoing a trial that would make what Greg Focker went through look absolutely tame.

What the hell, let’s just take this idea, add some more harem comedy and the rule of funny and hit frappe. Sandeck is convinced Yuuya is the perfect gene donor for his super soldier project and is actively trying to get Cryska to seduce him. Yifei is takes Chinese waifu to a whole new level and will be trying to drag Yuuya to the altar any chance she gets. Natalie is the conflicted spy girl stereotype who has fallen head over heels with Yuuya and will find ‘redemption through the power of love’. Sharon is the desperate ex-girlfriend who has finally seen the light and wants Yuuya back in her life. Yui is the first girl who has to deal with her friends and family interfering with her love life. Yuuya’s only island of sanity in these hostile waters is Argos Flight, and even that starts sinking when little midget Tarisa (previously the person he’d mentally labeled as #1 bro and the only female he can possibly be safe around) decides she wants to get in his pants as well.

And Orson will be filming the entire thing for posterity. Huzzah.

Man, that would really turn TE into Infinite Stratos. It’s too bad I suck at rom com, or I really would write this just for the heck of it..