FA-100 Swift Aerospace Fighter (Gnerl Refit)
By Tim Wing
First deployed operationally by Imperial Zentraedi Forces, the Gnerl was the last trans-atmospheric fighter used by the Zentraedi. The UN Spacy, and later the United Earth Defense Force (UEDF) and the United Earth Expeditionary Force (UEEF), used the Gnerl after the First Robotech War as the FA-100 Swift. Several upgraded variants were fielded, some with minimal changes and some with major modifications to include full Terran sensor and weapons refit and conversion to human sized crew compartments. Theses variants saw limited use during the Sentinels Campaign, but were by and large transferred to the Colonial Defense Forces by the mid twenties.
The FA-100 Swifts were fast trans-atmospheric fighters with an egg-shaped nose housing a powerful cannon installation and three thrusters at the back. The hull also accommodated three double dual-purpose missile launchers nested between the engines. All FA-100s were based on the model 3 Gnerl with its more extensive VTOL setup. Changes common to all FA-100 variants were the addition of wheels in place of the original’s landing skids, UN Spacy style auxiliary power unit receptacles and other deck handling provisions needed for operation on human ships. Also, common to all variants was the addition of UN Spacy compatible Identify Friend or Foe (IFF) transmitters/receivers and radios.
Though the baseline FA-100A Swift only included the modifications listed above, later variants included the addition of Terran electronics and weapons systems, as well as versions converted for human size crews. All “Micronian” crew variants had the entire cockpit replaced with a two seat tandem cockpit arrangement with a transparent armored canopy. The edition of the more vulnerable traditional canopy rather than a fully enclosed virtual environment was a concession to the micronized Zentraedi pilots who would make up the majority of FA-100 crews. With all the space that was freed up by the smaller crew compartment, Rockwell was able to triple the Swift’s delta-v with the addition of larger reaction mass tanks. Increased ammunition supply and a small privy for the crew filled the rest of the available space.
Thanks to the its impressive 15.2 kps of delta-v and store of nuclear armed Angel of Death anti-ship missiles, the role in which the Swift excelled was long range patrol. For this reason, the human size crew variants stayed in service for quite a bit longer than was originally planned. Because the Colonial Defense Forces rarely had a surplus of capital ships, the FA-100 filled an important niche here. The last refit Gnerl was not retired until the early 40’s, when they were replaced by Legioss fighters.
Text & Art by: Tim Wing (Mecha Journal)