The VF-17 Nightmare is a fictional variable fighter

Variable fighter

A Variable Fighter is a series of fictional transforming aerospace fighter mecha primarily designed by Studio Nue's Shoji Kawamori for the animated series The Super Dimension Fortress Macross and later related projects...

 from the anime

Anime

is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....

 television series Macross 7

Macross 7

is an anime television series. It is a sequel to the show The Super Dimension Fortress Macross that takes place many years after the events of the first series following a cast of mostly new characters. The show ran from October 16, 1994 to September 24, 1995 at 11:00 AM, and 49 episodes were aired...

 and Macross Frontier

Macross Frontier

is a Japanese animated science fiction space drama that aired in Japan on MBS from April 3, 2008 to September 25, 2008. It is the most recent Japanese anime television series set in the Macross universe. Animated by Satelight, premiered Japan on MBS on April 3, 2008...

. This fictional variable fighter mecha

Mecha

A mech , is a science fiction term for a large walking bipedal tank or robot, including ones on treads and animal shapes.-Characteristics:...

 was created by mechanical designer Shoji Kawamori

Shoji Kawamori

is a Japanese anime creator, screenwriter and mechanical designer, having created or co-created such notable series as The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, The Vision of Escaflowne, Earth Maiden Arjuna, Genesis of Aquarion, Macross 7, and Macross Frontier. He is currently executive director at the...

.

Fictional History

It was designed by General Galaxy for the U.N. Spacy special forces to support space colonization fleets. The VF-17 is equipped with stealth technology much like the real-life F-117 Nighthawk

F-117 Nighthawk

The Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk was a single-seat, twin-engine stealth ground-attack aircraft formerly operated by the United States Air Force . The F-117A's first flight was in 1981, and it achieved initial operating capability status in October 1983...

 once used by the USAF

United States Air Force

The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...

. It does not require Fuel And Sensor Tactical (FAST) Packs for space combat, although it can be equipped with FAST Packs depending on its mission requirements. The reconnaissance version of the craft is equipped with a rotary advanced sensor radome.

The VF-17 Nightmare has better performance in space than most variable fighters. With two 55,000 kg main engines and over 30 vernier thrusters, the mecha can reach speeds and maneuvering levels far superior to those possible by VF-11 Thunderbolt

VF-11 Thunderbolt

The VF-11 Thunderbolt is a fictional variable fighter in the Macross storyline. It was created by mechanical designer Shoji Kawamori.-Fictional Background:...

s equipped with space boosters. However, the performance of the mecha greatly decreases in an Earth-type atmosphere.

Using its internal engines, the VF-17 can reach satellite orbit without FAST packs or extra booster rockets, much like later VFs including the VF-19 Excalibur

VF-19 Excalibur

The VF-19 Excalibur is a fictional spacecraft in the anime Macross. It is an Advanced Variable Fighter, the UN Spacy's latest frontline variable fighter to replace the already aging VF-11 Thunderbolt. In the year 2040, a contest was held for the design of the Advanced Variable Fighter. Two...

 and VF-22 Sturmvogel II

VF-22 Sturmvogel II

The VF-22 Sturmvogel is a fictional variable fighter from the anime Macross 7. It is based on the YF-21 from the OVA series Macross Plus.-Backstory:...

.

The VF-17's gunpod is mounted in the starboard wing in Fighter mode, in the section which becomes the right leg in Battroid mode. From here it can be ejected into the Battroid's hands and used as a handgun. An gunpod beam adaptor similarly stored within the left leg can be fitted into the gunpod to transform it into a powerful beam gun.

In the most recent Macross

Macross

is a series of science fiction mecha anime, directed by Shōji Kawamori of Studio Nue in 1982. The franchise features a fictional history of Earth/Humanity after the year 1999. It consists of three TV series, four movies, six OVAs, one light novel and five manga series, all sponsored by Big West...

 television show, Macross Frontier

Macross Frontier

is a Japanese animated science fiction space drama that aired in Japan on MBS from April 3, 2008 to September 25, 2008. It is the most recent Japanese anime television series set in the Macross universe. Animated by Satelight, premiered Japan on MBS on April 3, 2008...

, an updated version of the VF-17 Nightmare named the VF-171 Nightmare Plus was introduced. This is the latest version of the VF-17 which has become now the main fighter of the New U.N. Spacy (N.U.N.S.) and the Macross Frontier fleet. The design is clearly based upon the VF-17 Nightmare, but it also has design lines that resemble those of the VF-19 and the VF-22. The VF-171 was originally developed as a multipurpose heavy space fighter. Highly versatile and easy to pilot, the VF-171 is the most popular manned variable space fighter/bomber as of 2059. In the production of Macross Frontier, the VF-171 was chosen as the main fighter of the New U.N. Spacy because it was felt that the previous main fighter, the VF-19 Excalibur, looked too much like a "hero" fighter, and also too similar to the "hero" fighter of Macross Frontier, the VF-25 Messiah.

As the new series progresses, the fighter is upgraded even more to a VF-171EX Nightmare Plus EX variant. This version is faster, more maneuverable and is equipped with anti-Vajra weaponry, such as a powerful beam cannon as well as MDE ("Mini-Dimension Eater") missiles in its packs/boosters.

Introduced in episode 22 of the series, the design of the VF-171EX features a number of new components, as a comprehensive systems upgrade over the preceding standard VF-171 fighters. The most immediately visible modifications and improvements (seen on-screen) include the following:

• New front-fuselage (up to the wing-roots), effectively equivalent to that of the VF-25 Messiah.
• Ability to accept armoured/missile FAST 'Super Packs' similar to those of the VF-25 Messiah.
• Updated cockpit avionics, and greatly improved pilot FOV in all modes, in keeping with the VF-25 and YF-24 fighters. In addition, this model accommodates the EX-Gear personal armor, which transforms into the fighter's cockpit seat and controls.
• Uprated ELINT VF-171EXRF variant is able to accept a rotating Fold-RADAR dome similar to that of the RVF-25 ELINT variant, and can integrate operations with multiple drone fighters.
• Uprated maneuverability, now very close to that exhibited by the VF-24 Concept Study.
• Uprated weapon systems, designed to make the fighter a more credible defense against the Vajra threat. These include the Beam Cannon.

Bandai

• Macross 7 DX 1/65 VF-17D Stealth Valkyrie (1995)

The first toy replica of the VF-17 series to be released. Transforms into Fighter, Gerwalk and Battroid modes. Comes with Gun Pod and sticker sheet.

• Macross 7 DX 1/65 VF-17S Stealth Valkyrie (1995)

Uses the same mold as the VF-17D, except with a different head sculpt. Comes with Gun Pod and sticker sheet.

• Macross 7 DX 1/65 VF-17D Stealth Valkyrie Limited Edition (1996)

This limited edition toy is painted in chrome silver and packaged in a plain, windowless box.

• Macross 7 DX 1/65 VF-17S Stealth Valkyrie Limited Edition (1996)

Same as VF-17D Limited Edition.

Bandai

• Macross 7 1/144 VF-17S Stealth Valkyrie (1995)

A non-transforming snap-kit of the VF-17S in Fighter and Battroid modes.