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Alexandria-class

Heavy cruiser class developed by the Titans for space operations during the Gryps Conflict.
Jenxi Seow Published 20 Jun 2025 Updated 20 Jun 2025
*Alexandria*-class

The Alexandria-class was a heavy cruiser class developed by the Titans for space operations during the Gryps Conflict. Based on the former Principality of Zeon’s Musai-class cruiser and incorporating technology from the Pegasus-class, the Alexandria-class was the first in a new series of Earth Federation space cruisers specifically designed with mobile suit operations in mind.

History

The Alexandria-class heavy cruiser was constructed specifically for the newly founded Titans following Operation Stardust. Development began in the aftermath of the One Year War when the Federation recognised the need for vessels specifically designed to accommodate and deploy mobile suits effectively in space combat operations.

On 4 December UC 0083, the same day Bask Om made his speech declaring the foundation of the Titans, the Al Giza, one of the first completed ships of the class, was preparing to leave port from a specialised dock at Luna II. Many of the ship’s bridge crew and mobile suit team were former crew members and pilots of the MSC-07 Albion, who had joined the Titans following the events of Operation Stardust.

During the Gryps Conflict, the Alexandria-class served as the main ship class of the Titans fleet. Most ships in this class were operated exclusively by the Titans and did not go to the regular Federation forces, preventing the Alexandria-class from becoming a mainstay of the Federation fleet despite continued production.

Three notable ships of the Alexandria-class were extensively refitted during the war. The Hario was modified to include additional aft firepower to address the traditional weak fire zone at the ship’s rear, serving as the personal ship of Paptimus Scirocco during the early stages of the Gryps Conflict. The Aswan was modified for the Titans Test Team with its aft shuttle bay behind the bridge converted to contain a secondary mobile suit bay. The Gaunland received comprehensive upgrades including additional beam cannons and improved defensive systems.

Following the near-destruction of the Titans at the end of the Gryps Conflict, the Alexandria-class vessels were largely withdrawn from frontline service. After the 0090s, the Clop-class became the mainstay of the cruiser class, and the Alexandria-class was treated as a reserve auxiliary ship, although it underwent some modernisation as the years progressed.

In UC 0153, decades after its introduction, the last Alexandria-class ship from the Earth Federation Space Force, the Gaunland, was recommissioned and refitted by the League Militaire to serve as their flagship against the invading Zanscare Empire.

Design

The Alexandria-class was designed as a second-generation space warship that built upon lessons learned from the One Year War. The class incorporated design elements from both the Principality of Zeon’s Musai-class cruiser and the successful Pegasus-class assault carrier, creating the first Federation space cruiser specifically designed with mobile suit operations as its primary focus.

The ship’s operational capabilities were equivalent to four Salamis Kai-class space cruisers, making it a formidable addition to any fleet. The Alexandria-class featured a total of four catapults for mobile suit deployment: two mounted on the dorsal hull of the bow and two more on the ventral hull. This configuration allowed for rapid simultaneous deployment of multiple mobile suits.

The ship’s interior facilities were designed to be spacious and habitable, incorporating lessons learned from earlier Federation vessels. Officer accommodations included private rooms equipped with shower facilities, representing a significant improvement in crew comfort over earlier warship designs.

Armaments

The Alexandria-class was heavily armed with an array of beam weapons and defensive systems designed for fleet engagement and mobile suit support operations.

Main beam cannons

The primary armament of the Alexandria-class consisted of four twin mega particle guns mounted strategically around the vessel. Two were positioned on each side of the mobile suit hangars in dorsal and ventral mounts. This configuration allowed the Alexandria-class to cover its flanks effectively whilst also being able to focus concentrated firepower on a single target off the cruiser’s bow. The guns were capable of aiming upwards or downwards depending on their mounting position.

Secondary beam cannons

Two single-barrel beam cannons were mounted on the port and starboard engine blocks. These weapons were positioned on the outboard sides of the engine pods and could fire forwards as well as pivot in the dorsal and ventral directions. The guns had sufficient articulation to cover the ship’s port and starboard angles, though their firing arcs were somewhat limited by the engine radiator fins in their default configuration.

Defensive turrets

The Alexandria-class was equipped with four twin-barrel defensive turrets designated for anti-aircraft and anti-mobile suit defence. Two turrets were mounted at the top of the bridge and two more at the top of the engine blocks. These weapons provided close-range protection against enemy mobile suits and small craft attempting to approach the vessel.

Secondary turrets

Four single-barrel secondary turrets were mounted above and below the launch catapults. These weapons served as additional close-range defence and could engage targets that the main defensive turrets could not reach effectively.

Missile launchers

The Alexandria-class was equipped with an unknown number of missile launchers that enhanced the ship’s anti-ship and anti-mobile suit capabilities. These weapons provided additional firepower for engaging enemy vessels and could be used for both offensive and defensive purposes.

Mobile suit complement

The Alexandria-class could carry a standard complement of 12 mobile suits, making it a capable mobile suit carrier as well as a heavy cruiser. The four catapults allowed for rapid deployment of mobile weapons, with two catapults each on the dorsal and ventral hull providing flexibility in launch operations regardless of the ship’s orientation relative to enemy forces.

Notable ships

The Alexandria-class comprised at least twelve named vessels, many of which saw significant action during the Gryps Conflict:

  • Alexandria
  • Al Giza – one of the first completed ships of the class
  • Al Qasr
  • Aswan – modified with additional mobile suit bay for the Titans Test Team
  • Belgrade
  • Gaunland – extensively refitted and later served with the League Militaire
  • Hario – modified with additional aft firepower, served as Paptimus Scirocco’s personal ship
  • Kandahar
  • Key West
  • Luxor
  • Mesopotamia
  • Tel Aviv

Behind the scenes

Fujita Kazumi was the original mechanical designer for the Alexandria-class. The design was created as part of his work on Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, representing the Titans’ technological advancement in space warfare capabilities.

The class name follows the pattern of many Federation vessels being named after Earth cities, with Alexandria referencing the ancient Egyptian city known for its great library and lighthouse.

Appearances

See also