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Designation:
RGM-78 Gundam Platoon Leader Mobile Suit (RX-78,
-78NT-01, 78FA-01, -78FA-02)
RGX-78 Gundam Mark II Experimental Mobile Suit
I. Dimensions:
|
RGM-78 |
RGM-78FA-01 |
RGM-78NT-01 |
RGM-78FA-02 |
RGX-78 |
Total Height: |
17.5 meters |
18.4 meters |
18.2 meters |
17.5 meters |
17.5 meters |
Total Depth : |
6.0 meters |
6.2 meters |
7.0 meters |
6.0 meters |
6.0 meters |
Total Breadth : |
8.5 meters |
9.3 meters |
6.4 meters |
8.5 meters |
8.5 meters |
Dry Weight : |
27 metric tons |
31 metric tons |
30 metric tons |
38 metric tons |
28 metric tons |
Operational Weight : |
33 metric tons |
45 metric tons |
33 metric tons |
55 metric tons |
35 metric tons |
II. Type
- Design: Anaheim Electronics (with Rheinmetall Heavy Industries on the FA
series)
- Builders: Anaheim Electronics
- (RGM-78, -78NT01): One man, all weather, platoon leader mobile suit.
- (RGM-78FA-01): GBP-03 external booster, armor, and weapons pack optimized for
defensive combat outfitted onto a conventional Gundam.
- (RGM-78FA-02): GBP-04 external booster, armor, and weapons pack optimized for
defensive combat outfitted onto a conventional Gundam Alex.
- (RGX-78): One man, experimental new technology proof of concept model.
III. Service Use
- RGM-78: Served with the RDF Space Marines and Marines from
2048 until replaced by the RGM-78NT-01.
- RGM-78FA-01: Served in limited numbers with the RDF Space Marines from
2049 until replaced by the RGM-78FA-02.
- RGM-78NT-01: Served with the RDF Space Marines and Marines from 2052
until replaced by the MSZ-006
Zeta Gundam.
- RGM-78FA-02: Served in limited numbers with the RDF Space Marines from
2052 until withdrawn from service in 2056.
- RGX-78: Never entered service, only three built and used by the RDF
Space Marines and Marines in 2053.
IV. Propulsion
Engines:
(RGM-78)
- 2 x Icarus Aerospace AST-15 thrusters on the back, total thrust
235 kN each.
- 4 x Rolls Royce FF-6 high-thrust vernier thrusters on the heels,
total thrust 24.5 kN each.
- Assorted small reaction thrusters and gyroscopes for all-environment
maneuvers, attitude adjustment, and stability.
(RGM-78FA-01)
Main Engines of standard model, plus:
- 4 x Rolls Royce FF-6 high-thrust vernier thrusters on the shoulders (2),
and chest (2),
total thrust 24.5 kN each.
(RGM-78NT-01)
- 2 x Icarus Aerospace AST-23 thrusters on the back, total thrust
343 kN each.
- 6 x Icarus Aerospace FF-7 high maneuverability vernier on the calves (2),
and feet (4), total thrust 78.4
kN each.
- 4 x Rolls Royce FF-6 high-thrust vernier thrusters on the legs,
total thrust 24.5 kN each.
- Assorted small reaction thrusters and gyroscopes for all-environment
maneuvers, attitude adjustment, and stability.
(RGM-78FA-02)
Main Engines of standard model, plus:
- 2 x Icarus Aerospace AST-24 thrusters on the heals, total thrust
118 kN each.
- 12 x Icarus Aerospace FF-7 high maneuverability vernier thrusters on the
shoulders (4), chest (2), groin (2), and legs (4), total thrust 78.4
kN each.
(RGX-78)
- 4 x Icarus Aerospace AST-29 dual thruster banks on the back, total thrust
202 kN each.
- Assorted small reaction thrusters and gyroscopes for all-environment
maneuvers, attitude adjustment, and stability.
Powerplant:
(RGM-78, -78FA-01)
- 2 x RRD-2 miniaturized fusion-cell energizer providing electrical power to
the mecha. Total output, 1800 kW
(RGM-78NT-01, -78FA-02, RGX-78)
- 2 x RRD-3 miniaturized fusion-cell energizer providing
electrical power to the mecha. Total output, 2500 kW
Fuel Capacity:
(RGM-78)
- 24 standard canisters of reaction mass
- 1 dedicated canister for each tachyon rifle
- 154.8 liters of D
2
O reactant for fusion engines.
(RGM-78NT-01)
- 24 standard canisters of reaction mass
- 1 dedicated canister for each tachyon rifle
- 183.6 liters of D
2
O reactant for fusion engines.
(RGX-78)
- 24 standard canisters of reaction mass
- 1 dedicated canister for each tachyon rifle
- 176.3 liters of D
2
O reactant for fusion engines.
V. Performance
|
RGM-78 |
RGM-78FA-01 |
RGM-78NT-01 |
RGM-78FA-02 |
RGX-78 |
Running speed: |
165 kph |
92 kph |
192 kph |
86 kph |
222 kph |
Max loiter time: |
45 seconds |
30 seconds |
90 seconds |
30 seconds |
110 seconds |
Jump distance:(*) |
120 meters |
50 meters |
150 meters |
50 meters |
220 meters |
Cell duration:(**) |
150 hours |
100 hours |
150 hours |
100 hours |
150 hours |
Acceleration: |
1.5 G |
1.1 G |
2.1 G |
1.7 G |
2.5 G |
Delta-v capacity: |
89.6 kps |
61.5 kps |
118.4 kps |
89.9 kps |
184.1 kps |
* = Earth-normal conditions and without thrusters |
|
|
|
|
|
** = Continuous operational use. |
|
|
|
|
|
VI. Electronics
Radar tracking:
(RGM-78, -78FA-01)
- General Electric AN/APG-157 X-Band, pulse Doppler, providing long range detection
and tracking of targets at all altitudes.
- Hughes GN/TPG-214 medium range UWB phased array pulse-Doppler, for
detection and tracking of targets, and with battlefield surveillance modes.
- Westinghouse AN/APX-16 IFF friend or foe interrogator.
(RGM-78NT-01, -78FA-02, RGX-78)
- General Electric AN/APG-161 X-Band, pulse Doppler, providing long range
detection and tracking of targets at all altitudes.
- Hughes GN/TPG-226 medium range UWB phased array pulse-Doppler, for
detection and tracking of targets, and with battlefield surveillance modes.
- Westinghouse AN/APX-16 IFF friend or foe interrogator.
Optical tracking:
(RGM-78, -78FA-01)
- Kodak AN/DOS-3300 multi-band digital camera system, for medium range all
attitude infra-red imaging, optical and ultra-violet band detection and
tracking
- Thomson AN/LT-7 multi-frequency laser ranger and designator.
(RGM-78NT-01, -78FA-02, RGX-78)
- Phillips
AN/DOS-3800 multi-band digital camera system, for medium range, traversable,
UV, infrared imaging and optical band detection and tracking.
- General Electric AN/LT-8 multi-frequency laser ranger and designator.
Tactical Electronic Warfare System (TEWS):
- Loral AN/ALR-26 Radar Warning Receiver (RWR)
- Loral AN/AIR-15 Infra-red Warning Receiver (IRWR)
- Westinghouse AN/ALQ-266(V) active sensor jammer
- Westinghouse AN/AMJ-6 Active Missile Jammers
- Tracor AN/ALE-16 Chaff and flare dispenser
- Multiple VHF and UHF antennas
- Bose Loudspeakers producing sound up to 90 decibels.
VII. Armament
Cannon
(RGM-78, -78NT-01)
- 2 x Smith & Wesson tri-barrel 60mm autocannons: Mounted
on either side of the head of the mobile suit, the 60mm cannons provide
anti-personnel firepower as well as a close range alternative to its other
more powerful weapons. Each cannon can fire at 600 rounds per minute
with a 1000 round belt feed. Ammunition is the standard mix of of
Tungsten-coated depleted Uranium Armor Piercing Spin-Stabilized Discarding
Sabot (APSSDS), High Explosive Armor Piercing (HEAP) and tracer rounds.
(RGM-78FA-01)
- 1 x Rheinmetall 240mm electromagnetic rail cannon:
For additional medium range firepower the Full Armor variant of
the Gundam mounts a large caliber rail cannon. Capable of firing 600
kg shells distances of up to 50 km with excellent accuracy thanks to self
guided shells. The available ammunition consists of KCP Kinetic Core
Penetrating (hull penetration rounds), KPI Kinetic Penetrating Incendiary
(plasma incendiary rounds) and MKEP Multiple Kinetic Energy Penetrator (flechette
cluster rounds), the latter as anti-mecha formation weapons. The cannon is
mounted on the right shoulder of the mecha and has a +90/-30 degree arc of
fire and can only be aimed horizontally by moving the body of the
mecha. The cannon has a 20 round magazine located internally.
- 2 x Rheinmetall TC-03 tachyon cannons: These tachyon cannons provide the Full Armor Gundam with improved medium
range combat ability, something the original sorely lacked. Unfortunately,
the reactor of the Gundam cannot power these cannons indefinitely. As
a result, the internal capacitor can only hold enough energy for 15 bursts
per barrel before needing to return to base to recharge or to a mobile
recharger. The cannons are very powerful however each able to deliver
a 300 MJ burst every five seconds at ranges of up to 15 km. These cannons are mounted behind an armor shield on the suit's
right arm in place of a tachyon rifle.
(RGM-78NT-01)
- 2 x Smith & Wesson
tri-barrel 90mm autocannons: Mounted on either
forearm of the mobile suit, the 90mm cannons provide excellent anti-armor
capabilities against lightly to medium armored targets such as troop
carriers. Each cannon can fire at 350 rounds per minute with a 500 round belt feed. Ammunition is a mix of Tungsten-coated depleted
Uranium Armor Piercing Spin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot (APSSDS), High
Explosive Armor Piercing (HEAP) and tracer rounds.
(RGM-78FA-02)
- 1 x Rheinmetall TC-04 tachyon cannon: This
much more robust version of the tachyon rifle mounted on platoon leader
mobile suits was designed to be able to punch through most any type of armor
and give artillery platoons the chance to punch through heavy capital ship
armor. The cannon is mounted on the right shoulder and has a 45 degree
vertical arc. The cannon can fire a 500 MJ burst every five seconds at
a range of up to 120 km. Unfortunately the reactor can not keep up
with the power demands of this cannon and as a result it has limited
ammunition of only 18 shots before the internal capacitor is completely
drained. It then needs to return to base or a mobile recharger before
the cannon be used again.
- 2 x Rheinmetall TC-03 tachyon cannons: These tachyon cannons provide the Full Armor Gundam with improved medium
range combat ability, something the original sorely lacked. Unfortunately,
the reactor of the Gundam cannot power these cannons indefinitely. As
a result, the internal capacitor can only hold enough energy for 15 bursts
per barrel before needing to return to base to recharge or to a mobile
recharger. The cannons are very powerful however each able to deliver
a 300 MJ burst every five seconds at ranges of up to 15 km. These cannons are mounted behind an armor shield on the suit's
right arm in place of a tachyon rifle.
(RGX-78)
- (optional)
1 x Smith & Wesson quad barrel 60mm autocannons: Mounted on the
left side of the head of the mobile suit, the 60mm cannons provide
anti-personnel firepower as well as a close range alternative to its other
more powerful weapons. The cannon can fire at 800 rounds per minute
with a 1400 round belt feed. Ammunition is the standard mix of of
Tungsten-coated depleted Uranium Armor Piercing Spin-Stabilized Discarding
Sabot (APSSDS), High Explosive Armor Piercing (HEAP) and tracer rounds.
Hand Held Weapon
- 1
x Rheinmetall BR-04 single-barreled tachyon rifle: This
hand-held tachyon rifle is the main weapon for the RGM-78 Gundam, and is
easily as powerful as the point defense cannons mounted on many warships. It
works by confining and accelerating tachyons in a strong magnetic field, and
then ejects them in a tremendous blast of energy. Warships normally hook
their cannons up to anti-matter furnace that can produce tachyons on the
fly, thus resulting in an almost unlimited supply of ammo. Since the Gundam
does not have room for the bulky generator equipment, the tachyon are
instead pre-generated and stored in an energy capacitor for later use. The
result is an mecha-sized gun that packs the same punch as warship weapons
but has a limited ammo of 15 rounds. The rifle can fire 60 rounds per minute
in full automatic mode at approximately one shot per second. This weapon
fires 170 MJ pulses per barrel in each mode, with its own dedicated cell and
capacitor banks in the 'magazine' with one spare magazine mounted behind the
projectile shield.
- or
1 (or 2) x Three Star RU-30 360mm Missile Launcher: The
Gundam can also use this oversized Missile Launcher as opposed to the
standard tachyon rifle. This is usually used in situations where
accuracy is more important than raw firepower. The missile launcher
uses a variant of the MPM-10 Dirk known as the D or destruction type.
The MPM-10D carries a warhead nearly twice as large as the standard missile
but sacrifices range for firepower. The missile launcher carries a
internal 5 round magazine and one additional missile in the chamber for a
total of 6 missiles. The weapon cannot be reloaded using external
magazines however. The Gundam can mount one or two of these weapons
can store on a retractable mount located on the back.
- or
(after 2050) 1
x Rheinmetall BR-05 single-barreled tachyon rifle: This
hand-held tachyon rifle is the main weapon for the RGM-78NT-01 Gundam Alex,
and is easily as powerful as the point defense cannons mounted on many
warships. The rifle can fire 60 rounds per minute in full automatic mode at
approximately one shot per second. This weapon fires 200 MJ pulses per
barrel in each mode, with its own dedicated cell and capacitor banks in the
'magazine' with one spare magazine mounted behind the projectile shield with a
payload of 18 shots.
(RGX-78)
- 1
x Rheinmetall BR-07 single-barreled tachyon rifle: This
hand-held tachyon rifle is the main weapon for the RGX-78 Gundam Mark II,
and is easily as powerful as the point defense cannons mounted on many
warships. The rifle can fire 60 rounds per minute in full automatic mode at
approximately one shot per second. This weapon fires 250 MJ pulses per
barrel in each mode, with its own dedicated cell and capacitor banks in the
'magazine' with one spare magazine mounted behind the projectile shield with a
payload of 18 shots.
Melee Weapon
(RGM-78, -78NT01)
- 2
x Shinara 0.38 MW tachyon saber: These revolutionary mecha-sized
melee weapon were first used on the Gundam mobile suit. The beam saber works
on the same principle as the tachyon rifle, except that the tachyons are
captured and stored in a strong electromagnetic field instead of projected
in a beam. The result is a concentrated energy blade which is one of the
deadliest mecha weapons. The beam saber only contains enough energy and
tachyons for about 60 seconds of continuous use. When not in use, the beam
sabers are stored in the backpack of the mecha, where they are recharged by
the Gundam's reactor. The Gundam can switch the beam saber on and off while
holding it, in order to conserve power. Once totally depleted it takes 30
minutes for a beam saber to recharge to full capacity. The Gundam carries
two tachyon sabers mounted on its backpack.
(RGX-78)
- 2
x Shinara 0.45 MW tachyon saber: These revolutionary mecha-sized
melee weapon were first used on the Gundam mobile suit. The beam saber only contains enough energy and tachyons for
about 60 seconds of continuous use. When not in use, the beam sabers are
stored in the waist of the mecha, where they are recharged by the suits
reactor. The RGM-78 can switch the beam saber on and off while holding it,
in order to conserve power. Once totally depleted it takes 10 minutes for a
beam saber to recharge to full capacity. The Gundam Mark II carries two tachyon
sabers mounted on its back.
Missiles
(RMG-78FA-01)
- 1 x FAGDIMMS-1 Full Armor Gundam Dirk integral
multi-missile system: The add-on heavy armor for the RGM-78 also
contains the new FAGDIMMS missile system. The launcher contains 32 MPM-10
Dirk multi-purpose missiles placed in launchers located
on the shoulders which hold 12 missiles each, and launchers on the legs
which hold 4 each. Each launcher has two missiles ready with
reloads.
(RGM-78FA-02)
- 1 x FAGDIMMS-2 Full Armor Gundam Dirk integral
multi-missile system: The add-on heavy armor for the RGM-78 also
contains the new FAGDIMMS missile system. The launcher contains 48 MPM-10
Dirk multi-purpose missiles placed in launchers located
on the shoulders which hold 16 missiles each, and launchers on the legs
which hold 8 each. Each launcher has four missiles ready with
reloads.
(All)
- 1 x MM-8 multi-missile system: 8 inboard variable
warhead, MPM-10
Dirk inboard variable warhead, short range (6 km) mini-missiles with
combined infra-red imager and UV/visual guidance. Launch port is one 2-tube
launcher located on the projectile shield. 2 missiles ready, with a three
reloads. Various warhead options.
Other Military Cargoes available include:
- GBP-03: Heavy armor and weapons
package for the RGM-78 Gundam. Onboard weapons include (see above for
details):
- 1 x 240mm electromagnetic rail cannon
- 2 x TC-03 tachyon cannons
- 1 x FAGDIMMS-1 Full Armor Gundam Dirk integral multi-missile system
- GBP-04: Heavy armor and weapons package for the
RGM-78NT-01 Gundam Alex. See previous entry to find weapons.
- 1 x TC-04 tachyon cannon
- 2 x TC-03 tachyon cannons
- 1 x FAGDIMMS-2 Full Armor Gundam Dirk integral multi-missile system
VIII. Armor
The
armor on the Gundam series is a low-mass plating that is the standard for
command mobile suits known as Gundarium. Aside from the superb protection
provided against projectiles, missiles, and other kinetic weapons, this armor is
also fairly resistant to plasma globes (annihilation discs), lasers, and to a
lesser extent, particle guns too, owing to the fact that the armor can flake off
and evaporate in layers under fire from such high-energy weapons, taking much of
the weapon's energy and converting it into the latent heat of sublimation in the
armor. The armor stops all small arms fire, and has good resistance to all
weapons commonly mounted on combat mecha. This new armor is also much lighter
than most armors weighing a full two thirds less than the traditional armor's
mounted on mecha but is almost twice as expensive to make.
The Gundam provides full protection from nuclear, biological, and chemical
hazards, using an overpressure cockpit environment activated by radiation and
hazardous chemical sensors, or manually when biological warfare conditions are
anticipated. The internal consumables supplies can provide atmosphere for three
days maximum.
IX. Development
The Gundam represents the future in armored cavalry, the mobile suit or MS.
The RGM-78 was designed to be a true fast strike destroid offering tremendous
mobility and firepower with excellent jump abilities. The RGM-78 Gundam,
developed by Anaheim Electronics based in Von Braun City on the Lunar surface.
Designed much more like a veritech in battloid mode the RGM-78 has amazing
maneuverability both on the ground and in the air featuring excellent jump
capabilities and excellent deep space combat characteristics. The Gundam also
sports a stunning amount of firepower centered on a new type of tachyon rifle
which, while it has limited ammunition, delivers enough energy to destroy
many types of mecha with one shot or two shots. The cannon while
expensive, can still be issued to most mobile suits, however it does bar it from
any sort of widespread use mecha such as veritechs or destroids. Another unique weapon is the tachyon saber which
uses an intense magnetic field to contain a stream of collected tachyon
particles into a small space making it a very effective cutting tool and
excellent melee combat weapon capable of inflicting serious damage to any mecha
who comes close enough. The Gundam also sports some more conventional weapons
such as a head mounted pair of tri-barrel 60 mm autocannons which provide close range fire
support as well as a pair of missile launchers contained behind its shield. The
construction of the Gundam differs from its Tirolian counterparts. While
the Tirolians originally opted for the monocoque construction, Terran engineers
went with a semi-monocoque construction based on an internal framework to
which individual armored plates are attached. This allows for maximum
protection for the mecha at the cost of mobility, however this was later deemed acceptable as the Gundam's mobility was far beyond what was expected. The
final piece of the Gundam's excellent ability is its armor. A unique and highly
reflective substance known as Gundarium. This armor almost completely stops all
projectile weapons and provides excellent protection against energy weapons and
weighs a fraction of most other armors. However, the Gundarium alloy is both
expensive and time consuming to make. This lead to a decision to only use
it on platoon leader mobile suits such as the Gundam until a cheaper and easier
way was found to manufacturer this excellent armor.
During
gravity combat testing in Australia at the new Mobile Suit Test Range near
Torrington Australia and zero-g testing at both La Vien Rose (Anaheim's private space dock)
and outside Van Braun City on Luna, the Gundam showed excellent promise and the RDF Marines and
Space Marines immediately made plans to procure almost 1000 units, enough to
lead 1000 platoons into battle. However these plans were later curtailed to only
100 units as Anaheim Electronics soon delivered the much improved RGM-78NT-01
Gundam Alex. Although it saw limited use in handling some
Anti-UTG incursions it performed exceptionally. As such the Gundam left service after only
four years, but will still it be remembered as the father of the mobile suit.
During early development of the Gundam, designers developed a armor add on
package containing additional weapons and thrusters similar to the FAST packs for
the veritech fighters. These packs, dubbed FAWS (Full Armor Weapon System)
where to be used for defensive situations as more mobile alternative to the
destroids as they were forced to remain on the surface of a ship. The FAWS
added a shoulder rail cannon which provided a long range punch to the Full Armor
Gundam. The package also featured an armored shield which on the reverse side mounted a pair
of heavy tachyon cannons further increasing firepower. This coupled with
missile launchers made the Full Armor Gundam excellent for defensive
sorties. All this did of course come at a price, agility. Of course
as they were designed for defensive sorties, this was not seen as a
drawback. The packs were only deployed in combat by the Space Marines as
the Marines, who used destroids to fill the roll of heavy mechanized infantry
saw no need for the FAWS.
The RGM-78NT-01 Gundam Alex was designed originally as an advanced proof of
concept model to test new mobile suit technologies for Anaheim's work on future
mecha and mobile suit designs. In addition to the standard head cannons,
beam sabers and a beam rifle, the Alex mounted a tri-barrel 90 mm autocannon in each
forearm, giving the mobile suit good close-range firepower to back up its beam
rifle. The Alex also replaced the standard cockpit system of the original Gundam
with an experimental new type of cockpit. Incorporating a 360-degree
"panoramic monitor" screen around the pilot, all of the Alex's
controls were incorporated into panels mounted on the pilot's "linear
seat." This configuration gave the pilot an almost unlimited field of
vision, thus allowing for easier target acquisition and faster response time.
This type of cockpit would be modified slightly and make an appearance later in
the VF-19 Excalibur.
Another feature adding to the Alex's maneuverability was the "magnetic
coating" applied to the suit's joints and motors, reducing friction and
wear to almost nothing and making the Alex extremely responsive to pilot
input. The final piece of the new mobile suit was a new more powerful
reactor to power its new sensor suite as well as other new equipment.
Like the original Gundam, the Alex had a FAWS developed for it. It
featured slightly improved weapons by replacing the rail cannon with a more
robust tachyon cannon as well as increasing the missile payload. To
address mobility concerns, new
FAWS had a pair of thrusters attached to it increasing agility and thus,
survivability. The RGM-78NT-01 served until it was replaced by MSZ-006
Zeta Gundam.
Immediately following the development of the Alex, Anaheim Engineers began
work on a totally new form of mobile suit. Utilizing combat data and corroboration
with the Tirolian Mercantile Republic companies, a new way to build
mobile suits was developed, the movable frame. Up until that point, almost all
mobile suits were built on the monocoque construction concept - with the
external armor serving as a shell that supported all of the thrusters, joints,
hydraulics, fuel tanks, et cetera, that were stored inside. The movable frame
concept turned this design philosophy around; the Gundam Mark II was built
around a skeleton-like frame, with all thrusters, fuel tanks, weapons and so
forth mounted on the frame, and minimal amounts of armor applied to those
critical areas that needed protection. The Gundam Mark II served as a proof of concept design
and as such lacked certain features such as internal autocannons and used the
same reactor as the Alex. It does use newer beam sabers and rifles however
which would be the basis for those used by the Zeta
Gundam. Three units were constructed at the colony Grypps in the Sol
System in 2053. These three units underwent extensive testing and
combat trials with their data being used to construct the next generation of
mobile suit.
Return to Mecha
Index
Robotech (R) is the property of Harmony Gold. This document is in no way
intended to infringe upon their rights.
Layout adapted from Robotech
Reference Guide
Content by Jeffrey R. Spillner
and Ron Ferrara
Copyright © 1998-2001 Jeffrey R. Spillner and Ron Ferrara
Page Last Updated on November 26, 2001 @ 11:00 GMT