BATTROID (or BATTLE ANDROID FORM) is a transformation mode of the VF-1 variable fighter from MACROSS (and other related transformable variable fighter mecha) where the nose and wings of the fighter jet are folded and its fuselage and turbines reconfigure to form a giant combat manned robot that uses the fighter's gunpod as an assault rifle.
According to the Macross continuity this mode was first developed to fight hostile giant humanoid aliens called Zentradi in their own environment, to execute effective hand-to-hand combat against the enemy and to enable the U.N. Spacy pilots to operate Zentradi mecha, weapons, equipment and installations with ease.
This mode was renamed the BATTLOID MODE in ROBOTECH.
In real life it was designed by Kawamori Shouji.