List of minor Cosmic Era warships

This is a list of fictional warships from the Cosmic Era (CE) timeline of the "Gundam" anime metaseries.

=Water-based warship =

Arkansas/Des Moines/Danilov -class cruiser

The Arkansas and Des Moines -class cruiser are Earth Alliance naval warships. They are both manufactured and operated by Earth Alliance. The "Arkansas"-class and the "Des Moines"-class, which only differs slightly in armament, are also known as the "Danilov"-class.

They share similar hull design, but differ slightly in armament. The hull designs are largely conventional, though with very large sponsons overhanging the sides of the hull. Designated as cruisers, their primary role is to escort the Tarawa class mobile assault ships. They are designed by Kimitoshi Yamane in real-world.

Conflicting Ship Names

The "Arkansas"-class and "Des Moines"-class is also known as the "Danilov"-class. In CE 73, the ZAFT battleship "Minerva"'s sensor console labels some vessels as "Arkansas"-class and their companion "Des Moines" class, but the ship's sensor operator verbally identifies both as "Danilov"-class.

The different class name used by Atlantic Federation and Eurasian Federation forces may related to real-world differences of class naming tradition of United States Navy and in European navies.

In non-fictional world, in the United States Navy, a class is always named after the lead ship; that is, the first ship of that class to be approved by Congress—almost (but not quite) without exception the ship of the class with the lowest hull number.

In European navies, a class is named after the first ship in commission, regardless of when that ship was ordered or laid down. In some cases, this has resulted in different class names being recorded in European references from their American counterparts - for example, European references report the "Colorado" class battleships of the United States Navy as "Maryland"-class", since USS Maryland (BB-46) was commissioned over two years before USS Colorado (BB-45).

See Ship class, for more details about this matter.

Arkansas-class Cruiser Specification

"Ships of the class ": "Arkansas"
"Length: " 190 meters
"Armament: " dual anti-air beam cannon x1, CIWS x2, 9-tube VLS x7, anti-ship missile launcher x10
"Non-fictional Designer: " Kimitoshi Yamane
Complementary units: "helicopter x2"

Des Moines-class Cruiser Specification

"Ships of the class: " "Des Moines", "Danilov", "Oleg"
"Length: " 190 meters
"Armament: " rapid-fire cannon x1, CIWS x2, 9-tube VLS x7, anti-ship missile launcher x10
"Non-fictional Designer: " Kimitoshi Yamane
Complementary units: "helicopter x2"

Danilov class Specification

The "Arkansas"-class and the "Des Moines"-class, which only differs slightly in armament, are also known as the "Danilov"-class. It is possible that these are different class name used by Atlantic Federation and Eurasian Federation forces.

Miscellanea

*The "Arkansas" is named for the 25th state of the United States.
*The "Des Moines" is named for the capital city of Iowa.
*"Oleg" could be named for Oleg of Novgorod, the 7th and 8th century Varangian prince.
* During the closing days of World War II, three "Baltimore" class cruisers were modified and reordered as "Des Moines" class heavy cruisers. Only three ships were completed, USS Des Moines (CA-134), USS Salem (CA-139), and USS Newport News (CA-148).
*The "Danilov" is named for a small town in Yaroslavl Oblast, located in the Central Federal District of Russia

Fraser-class destroyer

The Fraser-class destroyer is an Earth Alliance naval warship. They are both manufactured and operated by Earth Alliance.

Designated as destroyer, the primary role of the "Fraser" class is to escort "Tarawa"-class mobile assault ships. The hull design is largely conventional. They are designed by Kimitoshi Yamane in real-world.

Fraser-class Destroyer Specification

"Ships of the class: " "Fraser"
"Length: " Approx 150 meters
"Armament: " rapid-fire cannon x1, CIWS x3, 16-tube VLS x2, anti-ship missile launcher x4
"Non-fictional Designer: " Kimitoshi Yamane
Complementary units: " helicopter x2"

Miscellanea

* The "Fraser"-class is likely named for English World War II naval hero Lieutenant Commander Ian Edward FraserFact|date=February 2007.

Tarawa/Spengler -class carrier

The Tarawa-class carriers are Earth Alliance naval warships. They are both manufactured and operated by Earth Alliance. A later model of the Tarawa-class, the Spengler-class, is visually indistinguishable from its predecessor with the primary difference between the two being the Spengler is refitted to primarily carry mobile suits. Their roles in Cosmic Era universe are similar to modern real-world Aircraft carrier and Amphibious assault ship. Both classes are designed in real-world by Kimitoshi Yamane.

Design and Construction

The "Tarawa" class is designed for amphibious invasion, but also serves as a highly effective aircraft carrier, using the Earth Alliance's F-7D Spearhead vertical take-off and landing fighters and Kingfisher 33SP helicopters. They are equipped with anti-air beam cannons to defend them against ZAFT mobile suits.

In C.E. 71, the "Tarawa" class was converted to support mobile suits, with two large gates on each side for the six mobile suits to exit. The flight deck and rear fighter hangar could also be used to carry additional mobile suits in the place of some or all of the fighter complement. The refitted ships are effective, but cramped, mobile suit carriers.

In C.E. 73, a later model of the Tarawa-class, the Spengler-class, is visually indistinguishable from its predecessor with the primary difference between the two being the Spengler is refitted to primarily carry mobile suits.

Conflicting Ship Names

In an episode of Gundam Seed Destiny, it appears sensors cannot recognize the difference between "Tarawa" and "Spengler", as a "Spengler" class appeared on the bridge of the Minerva, but the screen labelled it as a "Tarawa" class, while the operator referred it by its proper name.

ervice

Powell

In Gundam Seed, "Powell" is "Tarawa"-class ship which serves as flagship, supervised by Blue Cosmos leader Muruta Azrael. She and several other "Tarawa"-class assault ships participated in the invasion of Orb in CE 71. The "Powell" replaced 3 of the standard GAT-01 Strike Daggers with Azrael's prototype GAT-X131 Calamity Gundam, GAT-X252 Forbidden Gundam, and GAT-X370 Raider Gundam.

John Paul Jones

In Gundam Seed Destiny, "John Paul Jones" is the mothership of the 81st Independent Mobile Battalion, "Phantom Pain", special forces unit after its transfer to Earth in C.E. 73, under command of Neo Roanoke. It carried his customized GAT-04 Windam and the captured ZGMF-X24S Chaos Gundam, ZGMF-X31S Abyss Gundam, and ZGMF-X88S Gaia Gundam.

The "John Paul Jones" is used to ambush the ZAFT battleship "Minerva" in the Indian Ocean, and later attacks it again near the Dardanelles as part of a joint task force with the Orb Union aircraft carrier "Takemikazuchi" and several Orb and Earth Alliance cruisers.

Other Ships of The Class

In Gundam Seed Destiny, a large number of "Spengler"-class carriers are among the Earth Alliance forces that join with ZAFT to attack Heaven's Base in Iceland, after the LOGOS's manipulation of the Alliance is revealed.

Tarawa-class Carrier Specification

"Ships of the class ": "Tarawa", "Powell"
"Length: " 200 meters [http://www.gundamofficial.com/worlds/ce/seed/mechanics/ship_powell.html]
"Armament: " dual anti-air beam cannon x 1, CIWS x 3, 9-tube vertical missile launcher x 3
"Non-fictional Designer: " Kimitoshi Yamane
Complementary units: "
*On hangar :GAT-01 Strike Dagger x6
*On hangar ("Powell"): GAT-01 Strike Dagger x3, GAT-X131 Calamity Gundam, GAT-X252 Forbidden Gundam, and GAT-X370 Raider Gundam
*On deck: "(F-7D Spearhead or Kingfisher 33SP) x30 or additional mobile suits"

pengler-class Carrier Specification

"Ships of the class ": "Spengler", "John Paul Jones"
"Length: " 280 meters [http://www.gundamofficial.com/worlds/ce/destiny/mechanics/ship_johnpauljones.html]
"Armament: " dual anti-air beam cannon x 1, CIWS x 3, 9-tube vertical missile launcher x 3
"Non-fictional Designer: " Kimitoshi Yamane
Complementary units: "
*On hangar : GAT-04 Windam or GAT-02L2 Dagger L x6
*On hangar ("John Paul Jones") :GAT-04 Windam (Neo custom) x1, GAT-04 Windam or GAT-02L2 Dagger L x2, ZGMF-X24S Chaos Gundam x1, ZGMF-X31S Abyss Gundamx1, and ZGMF-X88S Gaia Gundamx1
*On deck: "(F-7D Spearhead or Kingfisher 33SP) x30 or additional mobile suits"

Miscellanea

*Two real-world U.S. Navy ships have shared "Tarawa"'s name: the World War II aircraft carrier USS Tarawa (CV-40) and the amphibious assault ship, the USS Tarawa (LHA-1). Both U.S. ships notably have aircraft complements; however, the LHA-1 is used in amphibious operations and thus includes only a complement of helicopters (and possibly VTOL aircraft).
*The "Spengler" might be named for German historian and philosopher Oswald SpenglerFact|date=February 2007.
*The "Powell" is possibly named for US General and former Secretary of State Colin PowellFact|date=February 2007
*The "John Paul Jones" is named for the naval hero of the American Revolutionary War.

Takemikazuchi-class carrier

_ja.
The Takemikazuchi-class carrier (タケミカズチ) is a trimaran naval vessel class that built and serves as the Orb Union's flagship. Only one ship known to be deployed in the Cosmic Era timeline, named as the Takemikazuchi, shown mainly in the TV series "Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Destiny".

During episode 22 and 23 of TV series Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Destiny, Takemikazuchi carried over 60 combined MBF-M1 Astray and MVF-M11C Murasame mobile suits. This is, well in excess of the capacity of its nearest contemporary, the Earth Alliance's converted "Tarawa"-class carrier and more closely equivalent to the real world's dedicated aircraft carriers of the 20th and 21st century United States Navy.

Design and Construction

Designed to be lightly armed, with only six 25 mm Gatling Guns and a handful of surface-to-air missiles, she has massive mobile suit capacity of at least 60 mobile suits. She also has 6 catapults for supporting launch of mobile suits, especially for launching MVF-M11C Murasame in mobile armor mode.

Only one ship of the class known to be constructed.

Characteristic

At her era, in the Cosmic Era fictional universe, the "Takemikazuchi"-class ship was the largest surface water aircraft carrier in the Cosmic Era universe. Larger than both Earth Alliance's "Tarawa"-class carrier and ZAFT's "Vosgulov"-class submarine.

The "Takemikazuchi" is lightly armed but can carry a massive number of mobile suits. To this cause, she is intended to be protected by "Kuraokami"-class destroyer and/or "Aegis"-class cruiser in operation.

Service

Only one ship of class known in Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Destiny series, named as Takemikazuchi. She served Orb Union 2nd Defense Fleet.

Takemikazuchi

Takemikazuchi is Orb Union 2nd Defense Fleet flagship. In episode 22 of "Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny" TV series, she was assigned as part of Orb's expeditionary force to the Black Sea, under the command of Yuna Roma Seiran and captained by Colonel Todaka [http://www.mahq.net/animation/gundam/seed-destiny/gsdep22.htm] .

She along her fleet under Jona Saran's command joints forces with an Earth Alliance fleet led by Neo Roanoke aboard the "John Paul Jones" for a joint operation against the ZAFT battleship, "Minerva".

She was sunk in episode 28 during battle with the "Minerva" off the coast of Crete, and Colonel Todaka goes down with his ship [http://www.mahq.net/animation/gundam/seed-destiny/gsdep28.htm] .

Takemikazuchi-class Carrier Specification

"Ships of the class ": "Takemikazuchi"
"Length: " 370 meters
"Width: " approx. 185 meters
"Armament: " 25 mm anti-air gatling gun x6
" Linear catapults: " 6
"Non-fictional Designer: " Kimitoshi Yamane
Complementary units: " MBF-M1 Astray x 40+ , MVF-M11C Murasame x 25+

Miscellanea

*The "Takemikazuchi" is named for a deity from Japanese mythology. See [http://www.pantheon.org/articles/t/takimikazuchi-no-mikoto.html]

Aegis-class cruiser

The Aegis-class cruiser is a trimaran naval warship that is 200 meters long and mounts a 250mm rapid-fire gun, along with formidable multiple anti-air and anti-ship weapons . They are both manufactured and operated by Orb Union.

Design and Construction

Based on a trimaran construction in which the ship's hull is divided into three sections, it features a tumblehome hull construction in both the primary and side hulls. In addition, the ship has three landing platforms, which can each carry a "Heli" vertical take-off and landing combat aircraft. Although these cruisers aren't designed to support mobile suits, flight-capable machines such as the MBF-M1 Astray can be temporarily tethered to their decks for deployment in battle, replacing the Heli.

The design of this ship appears to be heavily influenced and informed by the real-world United States Navy's "Arleigh Burke" and future "Zumwalt" class destroyers. Both of the ship classes feature Aegis combat system.

ervice

These cruisers serve as the backbone of Orb Union's naval forces. Despite the nation's small size, Orb possesses a large number of these warships which are designated as cruisers, and has organized them into multiple defense fleets. The ships act as flagships for groups of smaller monohull "Kuraokami"-class destroyers. Much examples of their services can be seen at naval battle and shore battle in later parts of Gundam SEED and throughout Gundam SEED Destiny.

Aegis-class Cruiser Specification

"Ships of the class: "
"Length : " 200 meters
"Armament: " 250mm (9.84 inch) rapid-fire gun x1, 25mm anti-air Gatling gun x3, Centerline anti-air missile launcher x21, Peripheral anti-ship missile launcher x18
Complementary units: "Heli VTOL combat aircraft x3 or MBF-M1 Astray mobile suit x3 "

Miscellanea

*The "Aegis" class is named for the shield of the Greek god Zeus. It should not be confused for the similarly named GAT-X303 Aegis Gundam, a mobile suit developed by the Earth Alliance and stolen and deployed by ZAFT.

Kuraokami-class destroyer

_ja.
The Kuraokami-class destroyer is a monohull naval warship. They are manufactured and operated by Orb Union.

Smaller than its trimaran companion, the "Aegis"-class cruiser, the Kuraokami-class has fewer missiles and only a single landing platform, but mounts a dual gun turret. Designated as a destroyer, the primary purpose of the Kuraokami-class is to escort Orb's larger warships.

Kuraokami-class destroyer specifications

"Ships of the Class: Kuraokami, Kuramitsuha, Iwasaku, Sokowatatsumi"
"Length :" 150 meters
" Armament: " dual rapid-fire gun, 25mm anti-air gatling gun x4, anti-air missile launcher x4,anti-ship missile launcher x6
Complementary units: " Heli VTOL combat aircraft x1 "

Miscellanea

*This class is named after the Kuraokami 闇龗 "rain dragon deity" from Japanese mythology. [http://www.theserenedragon.net/Tales/japan-kuraokami.html]

Vosgulov-class submarine

_ja.

The Vosgulov-class submarine is a naval mobile suit carrier submarine. They are both manufactured and operated by ZAFT. They gave the ZAFT forces based on earth the complete control of the seas. While these submarines are formidable in their own right, armed with anti-air missiles and torpedoes, their main weapons are the mobile suits they carry. Their three vertical linear catapults are used to launch regular mobile suits (Typically, AMF-101 DINN aerial combat mobile suits), four small tubes for launching fighter aircraft, and the four dry tubes can each launch two amphibious mobile suits (Typically, UMF-4A GOOhN or UMF-5 ZnO). However, the vessels must surface to deploy its fighters and use its vertical catapults.

ervice

*In TV Series Episode 22 of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, during the Earth Alliance ship "Archangel"'s journey to JOSH-A, the Earth Alliance HQ, one such submarine, under the command of Marco Morrassim, attacked the EA ship several times before being destroyed in episode 23.
*The "Cousteau", was assigned to the Zala team as its base of operation during its pursuit of the "Archangel".
*During ZAFT's Operation Spit Break, during episode 34-35 of TV Series Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, a lot of "Vosgulov"-class submarines were deployed from ZAFT's Carpentaria base to Alaska for the assault on JOSH-A.
*In TV Series Episode 15 of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny, the "Vosgulov"-class "Nyiragongo" was assigned to escort the "Minerva" in its attack on Suez. She was sunk in 16, by Auel with his ZGMF-X31S Abyss.
*St. Helens, is the flagship during Operation: Fury the ZAFT invasion of Orb, shown in TV Series Episode 40 of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny. ZGMF-2000 GOUF Ignited mobile suits were seen being launched from the vertical linear catapults of the flagship , replacing the AMF-101 DINN in those catapults. She and many other ZAFT's ship were wiped out by "Archangel"'s torpedoes in episode 43.

Vosgulov-class Submarine Specification

"Ships of the Class: " "Vosgulov", "Cousteau", "Nyiragongo", "Degtyaryov", "Varnass", "St. Augustine", "Bjelica", "Ilyas", "St. Helens"
"Length :" 270 meters
" Armament: "anti-air missile pod x 12, torpedo launcher x 12
" Linear catapults: " 3 Vertical catapult, 4 small fighter tubes
" Underwater catapults: " 4 Dry tubes
Complementary units: general purpose/aerial mobile suits x6, amphibious mobile suits x8

Miscellanea

*The "Cousteau" is named for the renowned oceanographer Jacques CousteauFact|date=February 2007.
*The "Nyiragongo" is named for Mount Nyiragongo, an active volcano in the CongoFact|date=February 2007.
*The "Degtyaryov" is named for Russian firearms inventor Vasily DegtyaryovFact|date=February 2007.
*The "Ilyas" is named for Ilyas, a prophet in the Qur'an who was sent to the IsraelitesFact|date=February 2007.
*The "St. Helens" is named for Mount St. Helens, an active volcano in Washington State, US.

=Land-based warship=

Petrie-class land cruiser

_ja.
The Petrie-class land cruiser is a land-based vessel designed to support the "Lesseps"-class land battleships. They are both manufactured and operated by ZAFT. Like the larger "Lesseps", they utilize a snake-like Scale System to travel over both ground and water. The "Petrie"-class carry a weaker armament and a smaller compliment of TMF/A-802 BuCUE and TFA-2 ZuOOT mobile suits, but their power still dwarfs that of the Earth Alliance's linear tanks and other land vehicles.

ervice

*The "Petrie" and its sister ship "Henry Carter" were both assigned to "Desert Tiger" Andrew Waltfeld's North African occupation force, escorting his flagship "Lesseps" until it was critically damaged and abandoned in battle with the Earth Alliance assault ship "Archangel".
*In episode 17 of "Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny", an unnamed "Petrie"-class vessel is seen attempting to breakthrough the Lohengrin Gate but is destroyed by the positron cannon.
*In episode 18 of "Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny", another "Petrie"-class vessel, the "Bagley", assisted the battleship "Minerva" in the battle at Lohengrin Gate.

Petrie-class Land Cruiser Specification

"Ships of the class: " "Petrie", "Henry Carter", "Bagley"
"Length : " 195 meters
"Armament: " cannon x2, dual machinecannon x4, VLS x16, torpedo launcher x4, smoke/chaff/flare dispenser x8
Complementary units:
*CE 71: "TFA-2 ZuOOT x 2, TMF/A-802 BuCUE or TMF/S-3 GINN
OCHER Type x2"
*CE 73: "TFA-4DE GAZuOOT x 2, TMF/A-802 BuCUE or TMF/S-3 GINN
OCHER Type x2"

Miscellanea

*The "Petrie"-class is named for 19th and 20th century English Egyptologist William Matthew Flinders PetrieFact|date=February 2007.
*The "Henry Carter" might be named for 19th century English engraver and newspaper publisher Frank Leslie (who was born Henry Carter), and the "Bagley" might be named for 20th century English journalist and novelist Desmond BagleyFact|date=February 2007.

Compton-class land battleship

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The Compton-class heavy land battleships are first fielded in C.E. 73. They are both manufactured and operated by ZAFT. Unlike their predecessors, the "Lesseps"-class, "Compton"-class vessels use four large tank-like tracks for propulsion, similar to the "Hannibal"-class Earth Alliance vessel (this is due to the scale system being slowed down in non-desert terrain). In addition, their large hangars can carry at least 31 mobile suits, which makes this class of land battleships function also as carriers.

ervice

At least three "Compton"-class battleships are known to have been deployed on the Eurasian front. Two of these were destroyed by the GFAS-X1 Destroy during its rampage across central Eurasia, and a third, the "Uhlenbeck", was involved in Operation Angel Down, a mission to eliminate the independent battleship "Archangel", and was reinforced by the ZAFT flagship "Minerva".

Compton-class Land Battleship Specification

"Ships of the class: " "Compton", "Uhlenbeck"
"Length : " 230 meters
"Armament: "triple projectile cannon x2, dual beam cannon x2, quadruple machinecannon x4,heavy missile launcher x32, anti-aircraft missile launcher x20

Complementary units:
*Uhlenbeck: "AMA-953 BABI x 12+,AMRF-101C AWACS DINN x6, TFA-4DE GAZuOOT x2, TMF/A-802 BuCUE x 11+"

Miscellanea

*The "Compton"-class is named for physicist Arthur ComptonFact|date=February 2007
*The "Uhlenbeck" is named for physicist George UhlenbeckFact|date=February 2007.

Hannibal-class land battleship

_ja.
The Hannibal-class land battleship is a land vessel stationed in central Eurasia. They are both manufactured and operated by Earth Alliance.

Unlike most ZAFT land vessels, the "Hannibal" uses four large tank-like tracks for propulsion. It has a considerable hangar space for F-7D Spearheads and GAT-04 Windam mobile suits, but its primarily purpose is to operate as the base of the gigantic GFAS-X1 Destroy. Same as their ZAFT's counterpart, Compton-class Land Battleship , the "Hannibal" cannot be categorized as pure battleship as it can function as a carrier.

ervice

Soon after the Destroy's completion, "Hannibal"-class carrier "Bonaparte" is assigned to Neo Roanoke's 81st Independent Mobile Battalion, and serves as his base of operations for a campaign against ZAFT-occupied territory in Eurasia.At the attack on Heaven's Base five more "Hannibal"-class battleships are deployed with each carrying their own GFAS-X1 Destroys.

Hannibal-class Land Battleship Specification

"Ships of the class: " "Hannibal", "Bonaparte"
"Length : " 250 meters
"Armament: " dual beam cannon x4, dual machinecannon x10, smoke dispenser x32
Complementary units:
*Bonaparte: "GAT-04 Windam x36, GAT-X1022 Blu Duel, GAT-X103AP Verde Buster, GAT-X105E Strike Noir, GFAS-X1 Destroy, ZGMF-X24S Chaos"

Miscellanea

* The "Bonaparte" is named for French general and emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.
* The class name of Hannibal refers to the Carthaginian politician/statesman/general, famously known for leading an army through the Alps (also having elephants) to attack the Romans.

Lesseps-class land battleship

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The Lesseps-class land battleships are both manufactured and operated by ZAFT. In Astray manga series, Junk Guild also operated modified lead vessel, "Lesseps". This class is designed to travel half-submerged in the sand, using the arrays of microscopic scale motors on its lower hull to liquefy the ground and propel the ship forward. It is heavily armed with 3 dual 40cm cannons and 32 vertical missile launchers. In addition to its powerful cannons and missile launchers, the Lesseps is equipped with underground torpedoes which use their own scale motors to burrow through the ground. Like all ZAFT vessels, its most important armament is its mobile suit complements, and vessels of this type are classified as land carriers by the Earth Alliance forces [http://www.gundamofficial.com/worlds/ce/seed/mechanics/ship_lesseps.html] . The "Lesseps" lacks any linear catapults for launching its mobile suits, but as it was designed specifically to use the quadrupedal ground-combat TMF/A-802 BuCUE, this was deemed unnecessary. In addition, it sometimes uses a pair of slow but heavily armed TFA-2 ZuOOTs on its upper deck as a pair of extra turrets. However, it is more accurately called an amphibious battleship, as its snake-like "scale system" allows it to traverse the open sea as well as travelling over ground.

ervice

Lesseps

The lead ship of the "Lesseps"-class was assigned to ace pilot Andrew Waltfeld, the renowned "Desert Tiger", and served as the flagship of his North African occupation force, headquartered in the city of Banadiya. As Waltfeld frequently piloted a TMF/A-802 BuCUE and later a TMF/A-803 LaGOWE in battle, operational control of the "Lesseps" often fell to his subordinate Martin DaCosta. The "Lesseps" was abandoned after suffering severe damage at the hands of the Earth Alliance ship "Archangel", shown in TV series episode 21 of Mobile Suit Gundam Seed.

Her story continues in "Astray" manga when she was then salvaged by the Junk Guild, which replaced its main turrets with 3 large manipulator arms for handling cargo. The "Lesseps" was later used to help build the giga-float. Its subsequent fate is unknown.

Desmond

In Episode 18 of Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Destiny, another "Lesseps"-class vessel, the "Desmond", assisted the battleship "Minerva" in the Battle of the Gulnahan Ravine.

Lesseps-class Land Battleship Specification

"Ships of the class: " "Lesseps", "Desmond"
"Length : " 250 meters
"Propulsion : " Scale system
"Armament: "
*ZAFT : 40cm dual cannon x3, vertical missile launcher x32, torpedo launcher x10, smoke/chaff/flare dispenser x34, optional side turret x4
*Modified "Lesseps" of Junk Guild : large manipulator arm x3, smoke/chaff/flare dispenser x34
Complementary units:
*"Lesseps" - ZAFT service: GAT-X102 Duel x1, GAT-X103 Buster x1, TMF/A-802 BuCUE x6, TMF/A-803 LaGOWE x1, TFA-2 ZuOOT x2
*"Lesseps" - Junk Guild service: Kimera x1, MBF-P02 Astray Red Frame x1, ZGMF-1017 Works GINN
*"Desmond": TMF/A-802 BuCUE x4, TMF/S-3 GINN OCHER Type x3, TFA-4DE GAZuOOT x3

Miscellanea

*The "Lesseps" is named after 19th-century diplomat Ferdinand de Lesseps, responsible for the excavation of the Suez Canal and first failed attempts at a Panama CanalFact|date=February 2007.
*The "Desmond" may be named after the 20th century religious figure and philosopher Archbishop Desmond TutuFact|date=February 2007.

=Trans-atmospheric=

Gondwana-class supercarrier

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The Gondwana-class Supercarrier is a massive transatmospheric warship used by ZAFT. Dwarfing even the battleship "Minerva", the 1200-meter-long "Gondwana" is the largest space vessel ever built in C.E Universe.

The "Gondwana"'s massive size allows it to carry hundreds of mobile suits, and mounts a total of 16 linear catapults for launching them. Surprisingly, the "Gondwana" is capable of operating on Earth as well as in space, despite its massive size. However, "Gondwana" primarily serves in outer space.

ervice

At the Battle of Aprilius One, the "Gondwana" served as the flagship of the ZAFT defense fleet, and mothership of Yzak Joule's mobile suit squadron. Later in C.E. 74, it served as the flagship for Yzak Joule's attack on the Requiem stations.

Gondwana-class Supercarrier Specification

"Ships of the class: " "Gondwana"
"Length : " 1200 meters
"Armament: " dual cannon x8, cannon x8
"Linear catapults: " 16
Complementary units:
"ZGMF-1017 GINN, ZGMF-515 CGUE,
ZGMF-600 GuAIZ, ZGMF-601R GuAIZ R, ZGMF-1000 ZAKU Warrior,
ZGMF-1001 ZAKU Phantom or ZGMF-2000 GOUF Ignited x400+"

Miscellanea

*The "Gondwana" is named for one of the two supercontinents which was formed after the breakup of Pangaea, which is quite suiting considering the size of the ship.
*The Gondwana can be compared to Mobile Suit Gundam's "Dolos"-class heavy carrier, which was also very large for its universe and was designed to carry entire regiments of mobile suits (182 total). However, the Dolos is more heavily armed than the Gondwana and is capable of ship-to-ship combat.

=See also=
*List of minor Cosmic Era spacecraft

=References=
*Official English Site for Gundam. [http://www.gundamofficial.com/worlds/ce/seed/mechanics/ship_powell.html Profile of Tarawa-class carrier "Powell"]
*Official English Site for Gundam. [http://www.gundamofficial.com/worlds/ce/destiny/mechanics/ship_johnpauljones.html Profile of Spengler-class carrier "John Paul Jones"]
*Official English Site for Gundam. [http://www.gundamofficial.com/worlds/ce/seed/mechanics/ship_aegis.html Profile of Aegis-class cruiser in Gundam SEED]
*Official English Site for Gundam. [http://www.gundamofficial.com/worlds/ce/destiny/mechanics/ship_aegis.html Profile of Aegis-class cruiser in Gundam SEED Destiny]
*Official English Site for Gundam. [http://www.gundamofficial.com/worlds/ce/seed/mechanics/ship_petrie.html Profile of Petrie]
*The Serene dragon. [http://www.theserenedragon.net/Tales/japan-kuraokami.html Explanations of name Kura Okami]
* MAHQ. [http://www.mahq.net/animation/gundam/seed/seedtoc.htm Table of Contents for Gundam SEED Review]
* MAHQ. [http://www.mahq.net/animation/gundam/seed-destiny/gsdtoc.htm Table of Contents for Gundam SEED Destiny Review]