Type 0 Model 52 bis Autonomous Unmanned Fighter Black Bird, also designated as Type 0 Model 52 bis Autonomous Space Fighter Black Bird,[3] is an unmanned United Nations Cosmo Navy fighter mounted on the Wave Experimental Ship Ginga. It was built in order to preserve human resources in preparation for an all-out war against Gatlantis.
Armaments and Technical Specifications[]
The Black Bird is an unmanned fighter based on the Model 52 of the Type-0 Cosmo Zero fighter and it maintained most of its external characteristics, weaponry and even had the same engine type. The primary difference between the two models is the autonomous maneuvering system of the Black Bird, which is the same one used by Garmillas' lunar surface defense drones. Like its predecessor, one pylon high mobility unit can be attached on each of its wings.[2] All limiters used on the Cosmo Zero have been removed on the Black Bird in order to take advantage of the advanced G-force resistance unique to unmanned aircraft.[4] The fighter can also be piloted, in fact, as of May 2203,[5] their autopilot system wasn't advanced enough to penetrate deep into an enemy fleet, and the assistance of a manned fighter was needed to lead a squadron of Black Birds.[1]
The Black Bird is equipped with a vast array of ordnance which includes anti-ship, anti-air and air-to-ground missiles.[2] It can also be equipped with two cluster bomb units which release mass produced wave-motion cores.[1]
History[]
The Black Bird Squadron during Operation Black Bird
The Autonomous Unmanned Fighter Black Bird was created by the United Nations Cosmo Navy in order to preserve human resources in preparation for a war of attrition with the Gatlantis Empire.[2]The first batch was completed by May 11, 2203[5] and equipped on the Yamato-class ship Ginga as part of its air corps. During the Attack on the annihilation missile fleet, Ginga's command AI suggested to use the fighters in Operation Black Bird, a plan which sought to use a vast number of mass-produced Wave-motion Cores deployed by the Black Birds to create a powerful energy surge and deactivate part of the invading Gatlantean fleet. However, the fighters' autopilot system wasn't advanced enough to penetrate deep into the enemy formation, thus Lieutenant Junior Grade Saburo Kato took command of a custom Black Bird to lead the unmanned squadron in what could have easily turned into a suicide mission.[1] Kato survived the attack, and he deployed again at the end of the Decisive Battle off Mars in an effort to rescue Captain Osamu Yamanami of Andromeda.[6] He took his Black Bird with him after he was transferred back from Ginga to Yamato, and with it he led the Yamato squadron during the Golem Assault Battle. Kato died during the assault and his fighter was destroyed in an air battle against Gatlantis's General Chairman Razera.[7]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "Heir to the Yamato, Her Name is Ginga"
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 Yamato 2202 Mecha data
- ↑ Box art for the Black Bird bandai model kit
- ↑ Yamato fightercraft taken from Hachette Collection Japan magazine
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "The Era of Space Battleship Yamato: Choice of 2202"
- ↑ "Escape from the Nightmare!"
- ↑ "Yamato, Attack the Comet Empire!"
Japanese language information[]
零式52型改 自律無人戦闘機 ブラックバード Reishiki 52-gata aratame jiritsu mujin sentōki burakku bādo