YF-4 Lightning

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YF-4 Lightning
Affiliation	Robotech Defense Force
Dimensions
Vehicle mode
Length	14.9 meters
Width	14.3 meters
Height	3.7 meters
Guardian mode
Length	14.1 meters
Width	7.4 meters
Height	11.2 meters
Battloid mode
Height	12.5 meters
Depth	4.1 meters
Breadth	7.4 meters
Specifications
Armaments	2 LLW-60 Beam cannons 4 MDS-4 Mini Missiles 6 recessed Missile launchers
Number of Pilots	1

The YF-4 Lightning, also known as the VF-X-4, was the prototype of the VF-4 Lightning Advanced Veritech Fighter. It had been a concept since at least 2014, but did not actually see creation until 2015. Some source suggest that the vehicle was abandoned due to cost, while others suggest that different models of the vehicle could still be in use through the Second Robotech War and up to the start of the Third Robotech War in 2031, although in limited numbers.

History

Rick with his model version of the YF-4 (Macross Saga: To the Stars)

Rick Hunter owned a model of the YF-4 in January 2014, long before the first was known to be built. He played with it while considering if he should quit the military, as Lynn Minmei wanted. (Macross Saga: To the Stars)

The YF-4 was in service at least by 2015. In that year Captain Rick Hunter took the YF-4 into battle after Wolf Squadron was ambushed by rebel Zentraedi. Despite a transformation malfunction that prevented the YF-4 from changing into Guardian mode, Hunter was easily able to destroy two Destroid Monsters.

A YF-4 used as a drop-ship during the Second Robotech War. (Robotech: The Misfits)

Following the incident, Doctor Emil Lang chastised Hunter for risking the valuable prototype. (From the Stars: 0: Promises)

In January 2019, five YF-4s were assembled under the command of Major General Rick Hunter to form a secret strike force named Pegasus Squadron. They were tasked with hunting down the stolen Breetai's Flagship and the warlord Zeraal in Australia. After setting out, one was shot down immediately. Another was shot down, but the pilot ejected, leaving three to finish the operation. Hunter's Veritech engaged Zeraal in hand-to-hand combat. (Robotech: Rick Hunter)

According to one source, a YF-4 was used to deliver Madalyne Hyser to her Army of the Southern Cross base in Africa. (Robotech: The Misfits)

At the start of the Invid invasion, a YF-4 out of UN Luna Base Four escorted Bird Dog on its patrol; although the escorts were destroyed when the Invid arrived. (Introduction)

Gallery

The newly-designed three modes

Fighter Mode

Battloid Mode

Standard colors

Pegasus Squadron in battle

A YF-4 in 2031.

Behind the scenes

The YF-4 appeared only in fighter form in the series as a display model. Although a three-mode transformation exists for Super Dimension Fortress Macross, it is not valid in the series.

The RPG sourcebook Robotech: A Macross Saga Role Playing Game calls it the YF-4 Artemis.

New transformations were made for the fighter for its appearance in the game Robotech RPG Tactics, but it was never released as part of the canceled Wave Two line.

Appearances

• Robotech: The Macross Saga
  • "To the Stars" (model)
• From the Stars
  • 0: Promises
• Robotech: Rick Hunter

Secondary continuity

• Robotech: The Misfits
• Introduction

Tertiary Sources

• Robotech Infopedia
•  YF-4 Lightning on the Roboverse Infopedia on Robotech.com
• Robotech RPG Tactics
• Robotech Visual Archive: The Macross Saga
• Robotech: A Macross Saga Role Playing Game
• Robotech: The Macross Saga The Roleplaying Game

For the Macross equivalent, visit VF-X-4.