SV-51
Encyclopedia
The SV-51
is a fictional transforming aircraft
from the Macross Zero
anime
science fiction
series. It was designed by anime mechanical designer Shoji Kawamori
.
developed by the Anti-U.N. forces. This top secret fighter was constructed in a collaboration between Sukhoi
, IAI and Dornier
with the use of alien overtechnology obtained illicitly from the U.N. variable fighter development under undisclosed circumstances.
Like the VF-0 Phoenix, the SV-51 is an advance trial production model equipped with conventional engines, developed before planned variable fighters with thermonuclear turbine engines, and cannot be used in space. However, despite being a prototype, this Anti-U.N. variable fighter was designed from the beginning for actual combat. While it too incorporated the three-mode transformation concept of the VF-0, this feature was treated as an add-on to the familiar design principles of a pure fighter jet and not as well-integrated as the system onboard the variable fighters of the U.N. forces. Although the SV-51 in combat against the VF-0 displayed a higher level of practicality and stability in combat situations- its active stealth system achieved higher efficiency and output compared to the VF-0's system, and it had VTOL
capabilities without needing to transform from Fighter to GERWALK mode- the additional equipments to make such a feat possible not only led to larger dimensions and mass but also contributed to its shorter cruising range than that of the VF-0 despite preserving very good air combat maneuverability, indeed a reminder of the Sukhoi design bureau's legacy. It also had relatively underpowered transforming actuators and therefore a slower transformation sequence than the Phoenix as a result. This became an important weakness, as transforming under enemy fire proved a rather common occurrence due to the fluidity of combat between variable fighters.
According to the novelization of Macross Frontier
, the SV-51 continued to be produced in former Anti-U.N. territories afterwards and was eventually re-engined with thermonuclear turbofans as the U.N. Spacy SV-52 aerospace variant, with working examples still in existence in late 2050s and having participated the filming of the Mayan Island incident re-enactment.
Several units have been modified for underwater launching capabilities from converted ballistic missile submarine
s. Launch was performed at a depth of up to 30 m underwater by using rocket motors, once airborne, the aircraft switched to standard turbofan engines. These units have been modified with improved waterproofing, pressure resistance, and folding wing construction to make them compact enough for stowage in the submarine launching docks.
with twin boosters at 11500 m Mach 3.22
with twin boosters and standard micro-missile launcher/auxiliary tank composite pods 1250 km
Armament
jet fighter. The creators did not state that the SV-51, despite the participation of Sukhoi, was made in Russia
or the former Soviet Union
, which is a member of the new U.N. government, although Russian separatists and rebels aligned with the Anti-U.N. were present.
SV-51
The SV-51 is a fictional transforming aircraft from the Macross Zero anime science fiction series. It was designed by anime mechanical designer Shoji Kawamori.-Fictional Design:The SV-51 was the only variable fighter developed by the Anti-U.N. forces...
is a fictional transforming aircraft
Aircraft
An aircraft is a vehicle that is able to fly by gaining support from the air, or, in general, the atmosphere of a planet. An aircraft counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil, or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet engines.Although...
from the Macross Zero
Macross Zero
is an anime prequel OVA to The Super Dimension Fortress Macross released for the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Macross franchise during 2002 in Japan...
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....
science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
series. It was designed by anime 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 Design
The SV-51 was the only variable fighterVariable 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...
developed by the Anti-U.N. forces. This top secret fighter was constructed in a collaboration between Sukhoi
Sukhoi
Sukhoi Company is a major Russian aircraft manufacturer, headquartered in Begovoy District, Northern Administrative Okrug, Moscow, famous for its fighters...
, IAI and Dornier
Dornier Flugzeugwerke
Dornier Flugzeugwerke was a German aircraft manufacturer founded in Friedrichshafen in 1914 by Claudius Dornier. Over the course of its long lifespan, the company produced many notable designs for both the civil and military markets.-History:...
with the use of alien overtechnology obtained illicitly from the U.N. variable fighter development under undisclosed circumstances.
Like the VF-0 Phoenix, the SV-51 is an advance trial production model equipped with conventional engines, developed before planned variable fighters with thermonuclear turbine engines, and cannot be used in space. However, despite being a prototype, this Anti-U.N. variable fighter was designed from the beginning for actual combat. While it too incorporated the three-mode transformation concept of the VF-0, this feature was treated as an add-on to the familiar design principles of a pure fighter jet and not as well-integrated as the system onboard the variable fighters of the U.N. forces. Although the SV-51 in combat against the VF-0 displayed a higher level of practicality and stability in combat situations- its active stealth system achieved higher efficiency and output compared to the VF-0's system, and it had VTOL
VTOL
A vertical take-off and landing aircraft is one that can hover, take off and land vertically. This classification includes fixed-wing aircraft as well as helicopters and other aircraft with powered rotors, such as cyclogyros/cyclocopters and tiltrotors...
capabilities without needing to transform from Fighter to GERWALK mode- the additional equipments to make such a feat possible not only led to larger dimensions and mass but also contributed to its shorter cruising range than that of the VF-0 despite preserving very good air combat maneuverability, indeed a reminder of the Sukhoi design bureau's legacy. It also had relatively underpowered transforming actuators and therefore a slower transformation sequence than the Phoenix as a result. This became an important weakness, as transforming under enemy fire proved a rather common occurrence due to the fluidity of combat between variable fighters.
Fictional History
It was deployed in 2008 during the last days of the U.N. Wars. Two SV-51γ participated in the Mayan Island incident in the South Pacific Ocean one year before Space War I, piloted by Nora Polyansky and D.D. Ivanov.According to the novelization of 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...
, the SV-51 continued to be produced in former Anti-U.N. territories afterwards and was eventually re-engined with thermonuclear turbofans as the U.N. Spacy SV-52 aerospace variant, with working examples still in existence in late 2050s and having participated the filming of the Mayan Island incident re-enactment.
Variants
- SV-51α (single-seat variant): Mass production type. An estimated 32 units manufactured.
- SV-51 (two-seat variant): An estimated 6 units manufactured.
- SV-51γ: Specially tuned version. Flown by Anti-U.N. aces Nora Polyansky and D.D. Ivanov.
- SV-52: a modified version of the SV-51α. 12 were converted.
Several units have been modified for underwater launching capabilities from converted ballistic missile submarine
Ballistic missile submarine
A ballistic missile submarine is a submarine equipped to launch ballistic missiles .-Description:Ballistic missile submarines are larger than any other type of submarine, in order to accommodate SLBMs such as the Russian R-29 or the American Trident...
s. Launch was performed at a depth of up to 30 m underwater by using rocket motors, once airborne, the aircraft switched to standard turbofan engines. These units have been modified with improved waterproofing, pressure resistance, and folding wing construction to make them compact enough for stowage in the submarine launching docks.
Specifications
Fighter mode:- Length overall: 22.77 m
- Max speed at 11000 m: Mach 2.81
with twin boosters at 11500 m Mach 3.22
- Cruising range: with standard micro-missile launcher/auxiliary tank composite pods 910 km
with twin boosters and standard micro-missile launcher/auxiliary tank composite pods 1250 km
- Service ceiling: 22500 m
Armament
- One (two in SV-51γ) fixed Gsh-231 12.7 mm mini-gun.
- One standard Gsh-371 55 mm gun pod with 120 rounds and one standard spare magazine stowed in unit's special aft gun pod rack.
- Six underwing hard points with four micro-missile launcher/auxiliary tank composite pods (with 18 Turopov SA-19M I/IR-guided micro-missiles), two R-33D Amos+ medium-range maneuvering missiles, or a combination of the above.
- Two to four auxiliary pods and two Amos+ medium-range maneuverability missiles on wingtip hard points.
- Capable of mounting most former Warsaw Pact military standard aviation weaponry as well as an air blast bomb nicknamed "Daisy Cutter."
Behind the scenes
The SV-51 was designed by mechanical designers Shoji Kawamori and Junya Ishigaki who worked on the cockpit design. It was influenced by the Sukhoi Su-27Sukhoi Su-27
The Sukhoi Su-27 is a twin-engine supermanoeuverable fighter aircraft designed by Sukhoi. It was intended as a direct competitor for the large United States fourth generation fighters, with range, heavy armament, sophisticated avionics and high manoeuvrability...
jet fighter. The creators did not state that the SV-51, despite the participation of Sukhoi, was made in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
or the former Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
, which is a member of the new U.N. government, although Russian separatists and rebels aligned with the Anti-U.N. were present.
Yamato Toys
- Macross Zero 1/60 SV-51γ (Gamma) Ivanov Type (2007)
- Replica of the black Anti-UN variable fighter piloted by D.D. Ivanov.
- Macross Zero 1/60 SV-51γ (Gamma) Nora Type (2007)
- Magenta version of the Anti-UN variable fighter.
- Macross Zero 1/60 SV-51α (Alpha) (2007)
- Replica of the tan-colored mass-production unit.
Hasegawa
- Macross Zero 1/72 SV-51γ (Gamma) Nora Type (2004)
- A non-transformable model kit of Nora's SV-51 in fighter mode. Requires glue and paint to assemble.
- Macross Zero 1/72 SV-51γ/α (Gamma/Alpha) Ivanov Type/Production Type (2004)
- A non-transformable model kit that can be assembled and painted to either Ivanov's fighter unit or the mass-production unit.
- Macross Zero 1/72 SV-51γ (Gamma) with Twin Booster (2005)
- Similar to the 1/72 SV-51γ kit, but with the addition of two wing booster rockets. Can be painted to either Ivanov's or Nora's unit.