ROBOTECH Technical Files
by Peter Walker and Pieter Thomassen

Designation:

Northrop QF-3000 Ghost Drone Fighter

RDF Seal
Ghost
Aircraft Separator
HomeAircraftArmor/WeaponMechaNavalVeritech

I. Dimensions:

Total Length: 16.0 m
Total Height: 6.3 m
Total Width: 7.2 m
Total Dry Weight: 12.0 metric tons

II. Service History

III. Type:

IV. Propulsion:

V. Performance:

VI. Electronics:

Piloting Control System:
Radar System:
Optical tracking:
Tactical Electronic Warfare System (TEWS):

VII. Armament:

VIII. Armor:

The armor of the Ghost is composed of an advanced titanium-steel alloy. The armor stops all small arms fire, provides good protection against heavier infantry weapons, such as a 12.7mm machinegun round, and fair resistance to light mecha-mounted weaponry, such as the Zentraedi 22.3mm HE autocannon round.

IX. Development:

Ghost

The QF-3000C Ghost drone was designed to act as a supplement to the Valkyrie series Veritech and other fighters of the UNDF. As such, early versions were equipped with a traditional turbine for long range atmospheric flight, and two hybrid ramjet/reaction engines as boosters for extra bursts of speed. The drone did not have any wings, but instead relied on body lift to stay airborne.

The QF-3000C Ghost was acquired exclusively by the RDF Air Force, where it served in limited numbers. Before a year had passed since they entered service, the Air Force's -C variants were refit with a fusion turbine for extreme altitude operations, though it was not yet space- capable. This new variant, the -D, was purchased by both the RDF Air Force and Navy, and was not replaced by the -E until after the Zentraedi Holocaust. The new high-altitude variant piqued the interest of the RDF Spacy, which immediately began to develop a space-capable version. This variant, the -E, was immediately procured by the Spacy, and after the return of the SDF-1 after the Holocaust, the remaining Air Force and Navy variants were upgraded to this standard. Spacy QF-3000Es were stationed on Macross Island in 2009, and on the Armor series orbital platforms and on the SDF-1 itself. However, combat experience showed that the tactical usefulness of these craft was doubtful, due to Zentraedi tactics and technology, and they were mainly used in an escort or defensive capacity. Most of the early runs of the Ghost were destroyed in the Zentraedi Holocaust and the attack on Dolza's fortress. Later on, newly built drones were based on the Armor ships that had escaped the Holocaust, but all were soon replaced by VQ-6As and decommissioned by the time the REF folded for Tirol. This being said, the Ghost was still popular with some pilots, who felt that the drones provided excellent fire support in target-rich environments, as well as being good decoys when the piloted planes were vastly outnumbered.

See additional design notes.

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Content by Pieter Thomassen and Peter Walker
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Copyright © 1997, 1995 Robert Morgenstern, Pieter Thomassen, Peter Walker