RGM-79 GM

This article is about a mobile suit, a fictional weapon of the "Mobile Suit Gundam" anime metaseries.

The RGM-79 GM (pronounced "Jim" in Japanese), supposedly an acronym of "Gundam Mass-production type", is the mass-produced version of the RX-78 Gundam. Though many variants were produced over the years, the RGM-79 GM (also known as the "General Type" GM) was the Federation's first true mass-produced mobile suit. After the conclusion of the One Year War, the GM and its variants became the staple of the Earth Federation military, and is the most time-withstanding family of mobile suits in UC history.

History

After suffering heavy losses in the early phase of the One Year War due to Zeon's deployment of mobile suits, the Earth Federation attempted to catch up the mobile warfare arms race with its highly classified Project V. However, the RX-78 prototype, although proven to be extremely powerful, would almost certainly bankrupt the Federation's wartime budget if it was to be manufactured in the quantity needed for the ongoing struggle. To solve this problem, the RGM-79 series was born.

The RGM-79 design was based on the same basic tactical concept of the Gundam — a general-use all-rounder unit capable of utilizing beam weaponry. The production model of the GM removed and simplified many of the RX-78's more expensive construction design and complicated electronic systems, such as the Core Block system and the learning computer. The RX-78's lunar titanium armor was replaced with the cheaper standard titanium alloy, and the Minovsky fusion powerplant was down-rated. As a consequence of the reduced power output, the GM was armed with a cheaper, effective but short-ranged beam spray gun instead of the Gundam's more accurate and powerful beam rifle. Other standard armaments for the GM included a 100mm machinegun or a 380mm bazooka, a single beam saber and two head-mounted 60mm Vulcan machineguns. To make up for the relative deficiency in long-range firepower in space combats, every GM squad (usually 3 or 4 units) was usually tactically teamed up with at least 2 RB-79 Ball mobile pods for complementary fire support.

Because the GM incorporated the design concepts from both Jaburo and Luna II, the resultant product achieved over 90% parts compatibility between its space and land variants, greatly improving the Federation's battlefield logistics.

The GM is a very agile mobile suit, with a maximum thruster acceleration of 0.94 "g" (9.2 m/s²), 180-degree turn time of 1.6 seconds, and a maximum running ground speed of over 102 km/h (60 miles per hour), superior to Zeon's standard Zakus and even Rick Doms in some aspects. The GM also has a better sensor system than most Zeon units that allows it much greater detection range. While its titanium alloy construction provided slightly superior protection compared to the Zeon standard high tensile steel, it was not enough to provide substantial protection against the beam weaponry and heavy projectile rounds, which had become standard by the time of its introduction. Because of this, the GM is equipped with a full-size multi-layered shield coated with Lunar titanium on top for extra protection.

The GM's introduction in November of U.C.0079 would turn the tide of war totally against Zeon (although strictly speaking, Zeon was already in retreat mode after their crushing defeat in Odessa). While not as well-armored as Zeon's new standard MS-09R Rick Dom, and inferior to mass-produced high-performance units such as the MS-14 Gelgoog, the GM benefitted from the Earth Federation's absolute superiority in collateral technologies and production/repair capacity. Zeon's focus on developing excessive varieties of experimental units stalled support of their frontline forces even as the Federation began its counterattack. In the end, the Doms would not be fully deployed until late November, and the Gelgoogs would not see its first deployment until the last two weeks of the One Year War. Zeon frontline battle units often could not get the spare parts they needed for maintenance and repairs due to logistic complexity. The final battle of A Baoa Qu laid bare Zeon's strategic error, as masses of well-trained EFSF pilots in GMs (most of them seasoned ex-pilots for starfighters, assisted by analyzed combat datas from the learning computer system) overwhelmed the dwindling supply of Zeon veterans flying untested, unfamiliar mobile suits.

During the One Year War a recorded 42 + 288 GMs (42 early types and 288 late types), and each variant with no more than 50 units, were produced, as claimed in "Gundam Officials" and MG model manual. These numbers dated back to early semi-canon guide book "Gundam Century", although most people doubted that these production numbers are accurate (which adds up to only a little less than 1000 GM produced during the OYW) since the top 8 Zeon Ace pilots claim to have shot down a total of 1222 MSs by the books "MS Variation" and "History of One Year War (一年戦争史)". Same sources also included that Zeon forces, unlike EFF, do not count their shotdowns very accurately. With a squad of 3 pilots shooting down one enemy MS, it is always claimed as 1 MS kill per pilot instead of 1/3 per pilot. Also, shotdown pictures were seldom closely inspected and thus making a lot of shotdowns number actually just bluff. Another proposed theory is that the EFF did not have MS in the beginning of the war and Zeon forces counted all types of conventional and mobile weapons as shotdowns, and these include the massive numbers of mobile pods, conventional tanks and atmospheric/space fighters (with over 30000 left even after the war), which is another form of bluff that is definitely enough to fill up the numbers.

After the One Year War, the RGM-79 design became the backbone of the Earth Federation Forces. Many variants were produced throughout the 0080s, and the basic frame was not replaced until the appearance of the RGM-89 Jegan in 0089. After the Jegans, although not as fast and heavily armed as the contemporary RGM-86R GM III, were chosen as the new mainstay mobile suits of the Earth Federation for the next three decades, the subsequent members of the GM series were no longer named "GM".

Real Life

In real life, the GM was designed by Kunio Okawara for the original "Mobile Suit Gundam" television series. Of the concepts introduced into the series, the GM, as a grunt-level mecha used by the protagonists of the series, is one which has become a staple of the mecha anime genre, the logical next step from one super-powered machine against a vast evil force to a full-scale conflict between two armies with the robotic equivalent of foot soldiers. The GM served as a direct inspiration for machines within other Gundam shows, most notably the GAT-01 Strike Dagger series from "Gundam SEED" and "Gundam SEED DESTINY". In addition, the concept of mass-produced machines on the side of the series' protagonists is seen in other mecha anime, such as the MBD-1A Dragoon from "Metal Armor Dragonar", and all the machines (the VF-1 Valkyrie in particular) used by the U.N. Spacy in "The Super Dimensional Fortress Macross".

Retcon redesigns were featured in the OVAs ' and ', although these redesigns have since been designated as separate models. The GM is also a popular subject for various "Mobile Suit Variations".

There are two accepted versions of the RGM-79: the original design by Kunio Okawara (which featured a single-piece waist armor, no neck, a smooth, rounded face and ill-defined elbow joints and legs), and a popular redesign by Hajime Katoki which brings the GM more in-line with its predecessor, the RX-78 Gundam. These two designs are functionally the same machine. Generally the Okawara design is used to represent a more "nostalgic" GM, while the Katoki design displays a more "realistic" approach.

The idea behind the GM is to compensate individual performance with versatility, quantity and team battle tactics. As a good all-round, beginner-friendly mobile suit more suitable for mass production and maintenance, the GM managed to outperform superior units like the Gelgoog on a strategic level, and proved itself to be a way more effective weapon in determining the outcome of the war.

Variants

M

Pronounced as Sa-Mu(サム), it was a parody of original GM, it is a cheaper model, and thus is mass-produced in greater number than the original GM. These units were produced to defend against Saku to protect Jaburo. This unit is no ordinary MS, but a small unit having a single box-shaped head and body with the GM features drawn on it and rope-like limps. It had appeared in the Gundam Battle (series) games as a hidden unit.

(Source: "Gundam Ace")

RRF-06 Zanny

Although can be considered as the "earliest GM", the RRF-06 Zanny is actually the product of reconstructing captured Zeon Zaku II units at the Federation's Luna II space fortress. Since the Federation Forces lacked the mobile suit warfare know-how at the beginning of One Year War (particularly after the defeat at Battle of Loum severed most of the communication between Luna II and Jaburo), this machine serves mainly as a means of collecting mobile suit-related data. The Luna II forces deployed these units during their greatest period of resistance at the beginning of the war. The collected battle data was later incorporated into the design of Type E GMs after acquisition of further combat data from the RX-78-2 Gundam's learning computer.

RGM-79 [E] GM Type E

The GM Type E was one of the earliest models of GM, developed soon after the combat data from the V Project reached Luna II via White Base. The Type E was designed for space combat in coordination with the RGM-79 [G] Ground Type GM. Data from these two pre-production models would serve as the basis for the later mass-produced "General Type" model. Very few of these units reached combat, and those that did were generally seen as a disappointment thanks to their weak armor and maneuverability.

(Source: "")

RGM-79 [G] GM Ground Type

The RGM-79 [G] GM Ground Type was the second pre-production GM model designed by the Earth Federation to test the eventual mass-production of the General Type GM. A counterpart to the RGM-79 [E] , the Ground Type featured enhanced armor plating, a unique shield design and an enhanced weapon loadout. While it lacked the traditional head-mounted Vulcan cannons of its predecessors, the Ground Type was capable of wielding a 6-tube missile launcher and even a E-cap-based beam rifle. The Ground Type also shared about 80% of its parts with the RX-79 [G] Ground Type Gundam, allowing easy repair between the two models. Although usually RX-79 [G] Ground Type Gundams were repaired using parts from Ground Type GMs, there were a few instances of Ground Type GMs using parts from the Ground Type Gundams, such as Matt Healy's Platoon, who at one point replaced the standard Ground GM backpack with the Ground Type Gundam's backpack in order to allow it to use the parachute pack in a drop operation.

Overall, 42 units were produced. Twelve were used by Kojima Battalion stationed in Southeast Asia. The other 30 were used in the Federation's first successful counteroffensive against the Zeon Forces in Operation Odessa. The Ground Type was discontinued in November U.C.0079 when its cheaper mass-production successor, the RGM-79, was introduced.

(Source: "")

RGM-79 [G] GM Sniper Ground Type

A variant of the RGM-79 [G] GM Ground Type, designed for long-range precision firepower. Painted a drab olive green for camouflage, its hand armament consisted of a single long-range beam rifle with a high-power scope. However the rifle needed a large amount of power input, so it was connected to an external power generator and a cooling device. At least four GM Snipers were used by the Kojima Battalion, and proven to be effective weapons against the fearsome mobile armor Apsalus III.

(Source: "")

RGM-79C GM Kai

The RGM-79C GM "Kai" (改, "modified"), also known as the GM Late Type, is an upgrade of the standard RGM-79 developed around the conclusion of the One Year War. While similar in many respects to the wartime model, the GM Kai featured upgraded maneuvering thrusters that provided a modest upgrade in performance. This refinement of the GM design would serve as the basis for numerous variants, and was the mainstay of the Federal forces until the rollout of the new GM II units in U.C.0085.(Source: "")

RGM-79P Powered GM /RGM-79CR GM Kai High Mobility Type

RGM-79CR is a loose designation encompassing several prototype GM units during the mid-0080s. These models were designed as testbeds for new technology and were generally not fit for field duty. The RGM-79P Powered GM was used by the Gundam Project to test the new GP series of prototype Gundam units. Its was outfitted with heavy upgrades to its powerplant, thrusters and shock absorbers located on bulky external backpacks. Only two Powered GMs were produced; both of which were assigned to the Torrington Base in Australia.

The RGM-79CR High Mobility Type was assigned to the Titans Test Team to test the viability of the new RGM-79R GM II. Painted in Titans blue, it featured numerous functional adaptations that rendered it the equivalent of the GM II in performance.

(Source: "", "Advance of Zeta")

RGM-79D GM Cold District Type

A variant of the original RGM-79, built near the end of the One Year War. Designed to counteract Zeon's MS-09 Dom, the GM Cold District Type featured improved maneuverability over the standard GM. Special insulation allowed the RGM-79D GM Cold District Type to operate in numerous harsh climates, including the Arctic, without the need for constant maintenance. Although it was considered a success, the GM Cold District Type's specialized role and limited production run resulted in relatively few units being produced. These would see very little combat in its standard form, as the Zeon would never produce a dedicated mobile suit for use in cold climates. However, these units would see combat in late 0079, when the Zeon Cyclops Team attacked the Antarctic research base with the high-performance E-type Z'Goks and Hygoggs, and in the Federation's attack on Baikonur Spaceport.

(Source: ', ')

RGM-79F Land Combat Type GM

A GM variant developed for ground combat during the One Year War. The upper half of the GM's armor was strengthened to protect against Zaku machinegun fire. The Land Combat GM also carried a railcannon in addition to standard GM's armaments. The Land Combat Type GM was mainly deployed on the European battle lines.

(Source: "Mobile Suit Variations")

RGM-79G GM Command

With the One Year War drawing to a close, the Earth Federation built the RGM-79G GM Command as an improved version of the standard RGM-79 GM. The GM Command featured a slightly modified body type that allowed for extra thrusters, improving maneuverability. The GM Command was generally assigned to ace units, although its late introduction to the war prevented many of these units from seeing combat. A notable exception was the conflict at the top-secret Federation research facility in Side 6's Libot colony, where GM Command units of the colonial defence forces sortied against Zeon skirmish units inside and outside the colony.

Two slight variants of the GM Command were produced, one suited for ground/intracolonial combats and another with extra maneuvering verniers designed for zero-G encounters. This GM Command Space Type is sometimes distinguished by the designation RGM-79GS, although they are functionally similar units.

(Source: "")

RGM-79(GRS) Armored GM

Late in the One Year War, the Federation built the RGM-79(GRS) Armored GM. Considered a combination of the powerful RX-78-6 Gundam Mudrock and the GM Sniper II, the Armored GM was considered top of the line in terms of speed, even matching the Principality of Zeon's fearsome MS-09 Dom. However, it is unknown whether the suit was built from spare parts or a scaled down Mudrock. To keep the already high costs down, the Armored GM was usually equipped with either the RGM-79 GM's 90mm or 100mm machine gun or given a beam spray gun. The Armored GM saw limited producion and famously fought against the Midnight Fenrir corps who were defending a supply squadron in North Africa.

(Source: "")

RGM-79L GM Light Armor

A variation model of the RGM-79, the GM Light Armor was designed for fast hit-and-run strikes. The Light Armor had just that: the barest minimum of armor. The shoulder and ankle armors were removed completely, and the hip armor plating is noticeably smaller. This decrease in mass allowed for better acceleration and maneuverability. The GM Light Armor also used a beam gun that was more closely related to the RX-78-2 Gundam's beam rifle. This beam gun packed a heavier punch and longer range but had limited ammunition. The RGM-79L GM Light Armor was an overall success and was popular with many fighter-pilots-turned-MS-pilots. The most famous was Captain Gary Rogers.

(Source: "Mobile Suit Variations")

RGM-79N GM Custom

The RGM-79N GM Custom was the limited production model of the RX-78NT1 Alex. The Custom removed the Alex's panoramic cockpit and arm-mounted gatling cannons in favor of greater power and maneuverability. The GM Custom was a substantial improvement to the GM line, and was comparable in power to the RX-78 Gundam. It even held its own against experimental Gundam units of its day, such as the GP-01. Because of its high cost, the GM Custom was limited to ace pilots. In the third , an RGM-79N unit is seen being in use (along with an RGC-83 GM Cannon II) by the AEUG, repainted similarly to the GM II. The RGM-79N GM Custom was also used as the mech of an alternate-dimension Kiva in the Cartoon Network series Megas XLR.

(Source: "", "Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam")

RGM-79Q GM Quel

Following the brutal fighting of the Delaz Incident of 0083, the Earth Federation decided to form a special task force to suppress possible rebellions in space colonies. This new semi-autonomous force was known as the Titans. The RGM-79Q GM Quel, a refinement of the RGM-79N GM Custom, was chosen as their first mainstay mobile suit. It featured improved performance over the GM Custom, and its recognizable blue color scheme served to intimidate enemies of the Titans. However it was designed to fight inside colonies, not in the void of space. It was only assigned to Titans, and became their main stay mobile suits until the release of Hi-Zack and Marasai.

RGM-79Q Hazel Reserve Unit

Utilized by the Titan Test Team, this RGM-79Q GM Quel is a reserve machine so that its parts could be exchanged with those of the RX-121 Gundam TR-1 [Hazel] . In essence, this is nothing more than a "Gundam Head", as its Gundam type-head is modified from standard GM-Quel heads; the rest of its body remains identical to that of the standard GM Quel.

RX-121 Gundam TR-1 Hazel

The RX-121 Gundam TR-1 [Hazel] is a functional test machine assigned to the Murphy team, based upon the GM Quel. It was equipped with a Gundam head in order to test its psychological effectiveness against Zeon remnants, though it was actually modified from existing GM-Quel head instead of a true RX-type Gundam head. As it is developed for use in real combat, as well as used as test machine, many of its parts have been replaced with enhancement parts like the new backpack, the movable booster pod attached to it, and the improved thrusters in its legs. As a result, its potential rivals that of an RX type.

Its beam rifle is a prototype version of the energy pack type which the next generation of machines are expected to carry, and this machine has also been used in the development and testing of other devices such as the shield booster. Also, the support actuator units on the Hazel's shoulders can be fitted with either multipurpose launchers, or holding grips to help stabilize its arms while in High Mobility Form. Its skirt armor is usually fitted with energy pack holders which store two energy packs apiece.

The Hazel's most distinctive equipment is the shield booster, which contains propellant tanks and a single thruster with an output of 22,000 kg. This device is a further evolution of the sturm boosters used by earlier mobile suits, but unlike its ancestors the shield booster is retained as a shield after its propellant supply is exhausted, rather than being discarded when empty. The Hazel's Assault Form is equipped with two shield boosters, one on each arm, and its High Mobility Form also carries one on its movable booster pod.

Although the original Hazel's specs are unknown, it spec is probably weaker than Hazel Custom, making its overall specs are probably very similar to those of the RX-78GP01 Gundam "Zephyranthes".

One TR-1 unit was appeared in the of Zeta Gundam in Gate of Zetan.

(Source: ', ')

RGM-79SC GM Sniper Custom

The GM Sniper Custom was a high-performance mobile suit built specifically for highly skilled MS pilots during the One Year War. It featured a higher-output reactor, extra thrusters in the legs, and an improved booster backpack. Due to the extra heat the equipment generated the RGM-79SC was also fitted with vents and coolings system to the waists and legs. Lastly, a "face guard" shield was added to the head to provide additional protection to the GM Sniper Custom's head sensors without hindering the machine's ability to detect and acquire targets. Its primary weapon was a long-range beam rifle designed for sniper missions. An optional beam saber was fixed on the forearm for close combat situations. Theoretically, it was possible to mount a bazooka on the rear skirt, and beam pistols on leg and waist hardpoints, though this configuration was never used in practice.

The GM Sniper Custom proved to be remarkably expensive and only a total of 50 units were fielded during the war. Colonel Tenneth A. Jung, the highest-scoring Federation ace of the One Year War (outscoring even Amuro Ray) scored the majority of his kills with his GM Sniper Custom.

(Source: "Mobile Suit Variations")

RGM-79SP GM Sniper II

Based on the RGM-79G GM Command, the GM Sniper II was the most powerful GM variant built during the One Year War. Featuring special targeting sensors in a "face guard" visor for its standard sensors, the GM Sniper II could be equipped with a beam rifle or 90mm machinegun for close-quarters combat, a long-range, projectile-firing sniper rifle for sharp-shooting missions, a long-range beam rifle. Only a very few Sniper IIs were produced in the last days of the One Year War, and, few sources place it just as or more powerful than the RX-78-2 "Gundam"

Three Sniper II units were assigned to the "Pegasus"-class carrier "Gray Phantom"'s Scarlet Team and fielded in defence of the Federation R&D facility in Side 6's Libot colony. All units of the Scarlet Team (3 Sniper IIs 2 Mass-production Type Guncannons and 3 RGM 79G GM Commands ) were destroyed by Zeon ace Mikhail Kaminsky's powerful MS-18 Kämpfer.

GM Sniper II models became the primary suits of the Earth Federal Forces' "White Dingo" Team in Australia in the last month of the One Year War. The White Dingo first operated RGM-79SP units at Hughendon HLV base in Australia in the last battle of repelling Zeon occupation off the continent. Lacking the GM Sniper II's standard shield, White Dingo improvised for this battle by welding half of a GM's large shield to their RGM-79 [G] -style assault shields.

Confusingly, the model number RGM-79SP is also assigned to the RGM-79SP Desert GM.

(Source: "")

RGM-79SP Desert GM

Following a similar philosophy to the RGM-79D Cold Climate Type GM, a variant of the GM was developed for desert combat, designated the RGM-79SP Desert GM. Unlike the 79D, the 79SP was based on the RGM-79F Land Combat GM. It is equipped with reactive armor, as well as special joints to deal with the intake of sand. The Desert GM is armed with a beam spray gun, a beam saber and a railcannon with a combination missile pod. The Desert GM was deployed mainly in Near East, Middle East and Northern Africa.

(Source: "Mobile Suit Variations")

RAG-79 Aqua GM

As its name implies, the Aqua GM was an aquatic mobile suit based on the RGM-79 GM. It was developed to oppose the Principality of Zeon's successful amphibious mobile suit line, such as the MSM-07 Z'Gok. The project suffered from underfunding and a rushed development cycle, and the Aqua GM had severe problems remaining airtight and pressure-resistant. The project was soon terminated with only a small number of Aqua GM produced, as the theatre of war moved off-world and the need for amphibious units became moot.

A handful of Aqua GMs were redesigned for ace pilots. These modified units resembled the RX-78-2 Gundam and were called the Waterproof Gundam or Gundiver. Armed with an explosive harpoon gun and an underwater type beam rifle, they featured improved combat ability over the standard RAG-79. However, information regarding its overall effectiveness during the war remains unknown.

(Source: "Mobile Suit Variations")

TGM-79 (RGM-79T) GM Trainer

Even as the Earth Federation began mass production of the RGM-79, they found themselves with a critical lack of trained mobile suit pilots. To remedy this, several RGM-79s were converted into dual-seater units and designated as TGM-79 GM Trainers. The trainee pilot sat in a standard cockpit with the instructor pilot in another seat above him. The instructor's cockpit was equipped with a small window. While for all intents and purposes a standard GM, the GM Trainer was stripped of most of its armor and equipped with training weapons that rendered it unsuitable for combat. When not used for training, TGM-79s were often conscripted for engineering and construction duties.

One rare variant on the standard TGM-79 was the TGM-79C GM Canal. Deployed in U.C.0085 at the Federation "École" training facility in North America, the TGM-79 was in fact one of the more advanced mobile suits of the day. Two variants of the TGM-79C exist - a single seater for basic training and a two-seater for advanced training with an instructor riding onboard. The single seater replaced the relatively fragile head with a more durable sensor block that contained all the standard sensors, while the two-seater used a modified head that contained two cameras. The standard three-screen cockpit that was in use then was replaced with a panaramic cockpit and linear chair, however, the screen could be configured to "low-visibility mode" which would emulate the standard three-screen display. In addition (and unbeknownst to the trainee pilots), all TGM-79C units were equipped with special gear designed for detecting and assessing latent Newtype capabilities in the trainees.

(Source: "Mobile Suit Variations", "")

Newtype Test GM Juggler

During the late stages of the One Year War (October-December UC 0079), the Earth Federation was confounded on how to defend themselves against the new psycommu mobile armors/suits developed by Zeon. They decided to develop a unit designed to imitate all-range multi-vector attacks using existing technology (not the psycommu system). This was called the "'Newtype GM Test Juggler". It used a heavily modified RGM-79 GM as the base machine, and two RB-79 Ball pods equipped with two beam cannons as the attack units. It is a two-seater, and uses laser communication to conduct a shoddy version of the all-range attack. However, due to problems considering balance and effects, the project is cancelled after the war ends.

(Source: Various Gundam G Generation video games)

RGM-79FP GM Striker

During the late stages of the One Year War (October-December UC 0079), the Earth Federation developed a special close-combat version of the GM for Federation ground ace pilots. This model was called the RGM-79FP GM Striker. It retained the beam saber, was capable of using a special shield and 100mm machinegun, but its coup de grâce weapon was a twin-bladed beam lance that retained the close combat effectiveness of a beam javelin. Also upgraded was the thrust: eight large rocket nozzles were located on the backpack and rear leg armor, giving it enhanced ground mobility. This mobile suit was extremely maneuverable and deadly in the hands of an experienced pilot. The GM Striker appears in the new PlayStation 3 video game .

(Source: fact sheet included in The High Grade Model Kit)

RGM-79R GM II

Introduced in UC 0085, the RGM-79R GM II was an updated version of the Earth Federation's original RGM-79 GM mobile suit. While a clear improvement over the original design, the GM II was soon outclassed by the high-performance transformable mobile suits introduced in the Gryps Conflict of U.C.0087. However, it remained one of the most heavily mass-produced mobile suit in its day, second only to the Hizack.

The AEUG GM II was identical to the GM II used by the Federation forces, except for a different green-white color scheme and designation.

(Source: "Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam")

MSA-003 Nemo

During initial phase of the Gryps Conflict, the AEUG relied heavily on the GM II mobile suits. However its leadership soon decided that the AEUG needed a new mass-produced unit of their own so that they could hold an upperhand against the Titans. Anaheim Electronics then introduced the MSA-003 Nemo. Although this new suit strongly resembled the old GM II, it was far better in terms of generator power, thruster acceleration and maneuverability. The Nemo was able to use existing low-cost weaponaries like the Rick Dias’ beam saber and the GM II's beam rifle, and incorporated the cutting-edge movable frame design as well as the light-but-strong gundarium α alloy armor. The Nemo quickly proved to be a powerful unit and remained to be AEUG's and Karaba's backbone force until the end of the conflict.

The Nemo was further developed into new MSA-004 (MSK-004) Nemo II, however no information is available. The design of Nemo II also developed into MSA-004K (MSK-004K) Nemo III, armed with an addition shoulder beam cannon to allow it to take the role of a medium-range support unit. Still, the Nemo III never passed the prototype stage and it wasn't mass-produced.

The design of Nemo also inspired another of Anaheim Electronics' mass-production mobile suit, the MSA-007 Nero.

RGM-86R GM III

First appeared in the anime series "Mobile Suit ZZ Gundam", the RGM-86R GM III is the last "GM"-named upgrade of the Earth Federation's already well-established RGM-79 GM mobile suit series, which would prove to be much more than casual upgrade for the GM than the RGM-79R GM II.

The GM III was a much-needed improvement for the GM mobile suit line. As the Earth Federation's main mass-production MS series, the GM II could no longer cut it by the late U.C.0080s. The Earth-based anti-Titans group Karaba (now with the Federation's full financial support after Char Aznable's Dakar speech), took up the task of redesigning a seriously enhanced GM unit. The result is the new GM III, which became Karaba's main force during their resistance against Haman Karn's Neo-Zeon.

This major GM overhaul featured a more powerful Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor and improved sensors. The armor was also improved upon by mixing titanium alloy with the much lighter and sturdier gundarium alloy. The GM III also used a new jetpack that was based on the backpack design of RX-178 Gundam Mk-II, which gave it 37% increase in thruster speed and acceleration. The GM III also used a more powerful beam rifle for combat, and could be outfitted with a number of large or small missile launcher pods, which increased both its firepower and versatility of mission roles.

A variant of GM III known as RGM-86R Nouvel GM III appears in "Gundam Sentinel" as the mainstay MS of the Alpha Taskforce.

The RGM-86R proved to be a major success, with over 800 units being built and would serve as the mainstay mobile suit in the Earth Federation's military forces until the U.C.0090's, where many GM IIIs attempt to assist Amuro Ray's RX-93 Nu Gundam in pushing back the plummeting Axis Asteroid. Soon afterwards, it would be entirely replaced by the more economical RGM-89 Jegan and its descendants.

(Source: "Mobile Suit ZZ Gundam", "Gundam Sentinel")

RGC-80 GM Cannon

The RGC-80 GM Cannon is an experimental Earth Federation Forces artillery mobile suit. Although it was never actually seen in any animated series the GM Cannon is an official Mobile Suit Variation.

When the Earth Federation Forces finally began mass-producing their own RGM-79 GM model of mobile suits in the final months of the One Year War it was decided that there would need to be a mid-range fire support unit to properly supplement their close-range GM forces. Rather than wasting the time designing a new mobile suit, and then putting a strain on resources setting up the new production lines that would be necessary to build them, the Federation Forces decided to simply produce a design variant of the standard GM to fill the void in their ranks.

The first GM redesign created in the attempt to solve the Federation's problem was the RGC-80-1 Prototype GM Cannon. The Prototype GM Cannon was little more than a normal GM with a RX-77-2 Guncannon's head, backpack, and dual 240 mm shoulder-mounted cannons. However, there was a critical flaw in this first design. The dual shoulder cannons were far too heavy for the light frame of the GM, and when the cannons were fired the unit experienced severe recoil and balance problems. The GM Canon Test Type was deemed insufficient, and the Federation's researchers and engineers went back to rework the design, producing the RGC-80 GM Cannon as their final product.

To solve the recoil issues, the GM Cannon mounted only a single 240 mm recoilless cannon as opposed to the twin cannons of its predecessor. Heavier armor was created for the GM Cannon and fitted onto the skirt armor and legs to further solve balance, recoil, and weight problems.

Initially only six RGC-80 GM Cannons would be produced and fielded. These six GM Cannons would serve as a part of the Earth Federation's campaign to retake the North American continent. By the time the Earth Federation had recaptured California Base from the Principality of Zeon forces on North America's Pacific Coast, the GM Cannons had proven themselves on the field of combat and the unit was approved for mass-production. Forty-four additional GM Cannons would be constructed and distributed to various Earth Federation battalions around the Earth to assist in driving the Zeon Military Force back out into space. Some units would be sent to Africa, and others were used by famous teams such as the White Dingos.

The RGC-80 GM Cannon would continue to see active service even after the One Year War and into the Gryps Conflict in Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam series in Universal Century 0087.

Specifications

RGM-79 GM

Manufacturer: Earth Federation Forces Operator: Earth Federation Forces Unit type: mass-production general-purpose mobile suit Dimensions: overall height 18.5 meters; head height 18.0 meters Weight: empty 41.2 metric tons; max gross 58.8 metric tons Powerplant: Minovsky-type ultracompact fusion reactor, output rated at 1250 kW Armament: 2 x 60 mm Vulcan gun, fire-linked, mounted in head; beam saber, power rated at 0.38 MW, stored in recharge rack in backpack, hand-carried in use; beam spray gun, powered by rechargeable energy cap; 90 mm machine gun, clip-fed; shield Pilot(s): Shin, Master Pierce Rayer, Leung Lee-Fai, Maximilian Berger, Jack Bayard, Adam Stingray, Yu Kajima, Philip Hughes, Summona Fulis, Conrad Morris

Other variations

* RGC-80 GM Cannon
* RGM-79EW EWAC GM
* RGM-79SR GM Sniper III

See also

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Sources

* ModelGraphix Special edition "GUNDAM WARS III" Gundam Sentinel. ISBN 4-499-20530-1
* SD Gundam G Generation F.I.F Perfect Profile's Gundiver entry.

References