The MSA-003 Nemo was an assault mobile suit mass produced by Anaheim Electronics for AEUG. The “MSA” in the model code stands for mobile suit of AEUG. The “003” in the model code indicates that it was the third mobile weapon designed for AEUG.
History
The Anti-Earth Union Group (AEUG) deployed many RMS-179 (RGM-79R) GM II at its frontlines during the Gryps Conflict. However, its leadership wanted their own mass produced mobile suit unit that rivalled and surpassed the GM II used by the Titans and Earth Federation. The AEUG engaged Anaheim Electronics to design the new unit for them. After rejecting the first two concepts, the third design MSA-003 Nemo was approved by the AEUG.
MSA-003 Nemo in AUEG colours
Back view of MSA-003 Nemo in AEUG colours
The superiority of the Nemo design over the GM II meant that it was quickly adopted as the mainstay of the AEUG mobile suit forces. Anaheim Electronics also developed the MSA-003 Nemo Cannon, a heavy artillery variant of the Nemo. The success of the Nemo design led to the development of an improved version, the MSA-004 Nemo II. The latter was eventually developed into the MSA-004K Nemo III.
The Nemo remained in service for many years through the Gryps Conflict and the First Neo Zeon War. The Nemo was seen in action in important missions such as the capture of the Salamis Kai-class cruiser, and the assault of the Titans base Jaburo.
AEUG gifted some Nemo units to Karaba as a gesture of comraddesip. Several units were deployed by the Earth Federation during the Laplace Incident in UC 0096 to defend the Federation capital of Dakar.
MSA-003 Nemo from Gundam Unicorn in EFF colours
MSA-003 Nemo from Gundam Unicorn in EFF colours
MSA-003 NemoMSA-003 Nemo from Gundam Unicorn in desert colours
MSA-003 Nemo from Gundam Unicorn in desert colours
Design
Anaheim Electronics based the MSA-003 Nemo closely to the RMS-179 (RGM-79R) GM II design, making improvements and changes that allowed Nemo to surpass the GM II in power output, thruster acceleration and manoeuvrability. Anaheim Electronics made the Nemo versatile by making it compatible with many existing weapons used by other mobile suits such as the RMS-099 (MSA-099) Rick Dias. This also helped to keep costs down by eliminating the need to develop new weapons.
MSA-003 Nemo from Gundam Unicorn novel
The Nemo was built with Gundarium alloy. It was a reproduction of the Luna Titanium alloy used by RX-78-2 Gundam that Zeon developed on Axis by Anaheim Electronics.
Six rocket thrusters with a combined output of 91,600 kg provided main propulsion for Nemo. Twelve sets of vernier thruster and apogee motors provided fine adjustments. It could mount a ballute system to allow it to survive unassisted atmospheric entry.
The Nemo was equipped with a standard panoramic cockpit with linear seat in its torso.
MSA-003 Nemo torso
MSA-003 Nemo weapons and equipment
Armaments
The MSA-003 Nemo’s standard weapons were beam sabres for melee combat. It could optionally equip a beam rifle or cannon for ranged attack.
Beam sabre
The Nemo had a pair of beam sabres stored in its rear waist armour. These had output rated at 0.4 megawatts. These beam sabres were designed for the RMS-099 Rick Dias, but the Nemo was designed to be compatible with them.
The beam sabres used an I-field to contain Minovsky particles within the shape of a blade. The beam sabres could cut through almost any material. Minovsky particles were channelled into the sabres through an energy capacitor (E-cap) attached to their hilts. The E-cap recharged with Minvosky particles from the Nemo’s reactor when the sabres were stored in the recharge racks in the rear waist armour of the mobile suit.
60 mm vulcan guns
A pair of fire-linked 60 mm gatling vulcan guns were mounted on either sides of the Nemo’s head. The guns were similar to the ones introduced in the RX-78-2 Gundam.
Each vulcan gun was loaded with 400 rounds of ammunition and fired at a rate of 1,600 rounds per minute. It was used primarily against light-armoured support units. Sustained fire from the guns could damage mobile suits and were often used in close distance combat.
Beam rifle
The Nemo could optionally carry a BOWA-BR-85-C2 beam rifle with output rated at 1.9 megawatts. The rifle was designed for the RMS-179 (RGM-79R) GM II but the Nemo was designed to be able to use it as well.
The beam rifle drew its rounds from energy capacitors (E-caps), clips of charged Minovsky particles. Minovksy particles broke down matter at a molecular level, allowing the hyper beam rifle bolts to penetrate even the thickest armour. This meant that a single shot could destroy a mobile suit.
Beam rifle
MSA-003 Nemo using beam rifles and shields
170 mm cannon
The 170 mm cannon was another optional hand-held ranged weapon for the Nemo. The cannon fired 170 mm shells.
170 mm cannon
MSA-003 Nemo firing a 170 mm cannon
Shield
The Nemo could equip a shield as fixed armament. Its shield had anti-beam coating that allowed it to withstand several beam shots before the coating wore off. In the hands of a good pilot, the shield was a vital piece of self-defense armament.
MSA-003 Nemo shield
MSA-003 Nemo shield
Known pilots
Variants
Behind the scenes
Kazumi Fujita was the original mechanical designer. Hajime Katoki designed the version seen in Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn.
Appearances
Anime
Manga
- Advance of Zeta: The Traitor of Destiny
- Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ Side Story: Mirage of Zeon
- Mobile Suit Gundam Ecole du Ciel
- Double Fake: Under the Gundam
- Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam 1/2 UC 0087: Another Story
- Mobile Suit Gundam Climax UC: The Woven Web of a Bloodline
- Gundam Legacy
- Mobile Suit Gundam Walpurgis
Novel
- Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn (novel)