AMX-001 Prototype Qubeley

The AMX-001 Prototype Qubeley was a prototype Newtype-use mobile suit developed by Axis Zeon based on the MAN-08 Elmeth.

The “AMX” in the type code referred to it being an Axis Zeon mobile weapon. The code number “001” indicated it was the first mobile weapon design.

History

Development of the Prototype Qubeley began during the late stages of the One Year War, shortly after the deployment of the MAN-08 Elmeth. While the original design carried the model number MSN-008, construction never began before the war’s end. The blueprints were taken to the asteroid base Axis where it was later built with the new model number AMX-001, becoming Axis’s first experimental mobile weapon.

Despite its bulky 25-metre frame due to the psycommu system, the Prototype Qubeley was considered successful. The design was later refined into the AMX-004 Qubeley and subsequently the AMX-004 Qubeley Mk-II.

Design

The Prototype Qubeley was developed as a mobile suit version of the Elmeth. To reduce the Elmeth’s massive size, engineers developed a smaller psycommu weapon system to replace the “Bit” remote weapons. These new weapons, later known as Funnels, used energy capacitors (E-caps) instead of built-in generators, requiring periodic recharging but allowing for a more compact design.

The mobile suit featured a standard cockpit mounted in its torso and was powered by a Minovsky fusion reactor rated at 1,480 kW.

Armaments

The Prototype Qubeley’s standard weapons were mega particle cannons and beam sabers for ranged and melee combat respectively, complemented by chest vulcan guns and funnels for additional combat options.

Mega particle cannon

The Prototype Qubeley mounted a mega particle cannon in each forearm. Drawing power directly from the mobile suit’s reactor, these beam weapons provided considerable firepower with high precision.

Beam saber

A beam saber was mounted in each palm for close combat. The quick activation time of these energy blades made them highly effective in melee encounters.

Chest vulcan gun

The chest-mounted vulcan guns were rapid-fire weapons best suited for intercepting missiles and other lightly armored targets. They also served to deter enemy units from closing to melee range.

Funnel

The funnels were smaller successors to the Elmeth’s remote Bit weapons. By using E-caps instead of internal generators, they could be made compact enough to carry in greater numbers. However, this design choice meant the funnels needed to return to the tail binder periodically for recharging.

Special equipment

Psycommu system

The Prototype Qubeley utilized a miniaturized version of the psycommu system originally developed by the Flanagan Institute. This system translated a Newtype pilot’s brainwaves into computer commands, enabling control of the remote funnel weapons through thought alone. The successful miniaturization of this system by Axis engineers marked a significant advance, allowing its integration into standard-sized mobile suits.

Known pilots

• Haman Karn

Behind the scenes

Ishigaki Junya was the original mechanical designer.

The name Qubeley derives from Cybele, an Anatolian goddess associated with nature, fertility, and fortifications. Cybele was often identified with the Hittite-Hurrian goddess Hebat, though some scholars suggest Kubaba may have been Hebat’s true origin. The Greeks frequently combined the Anatolian “Kubaba” and Phrygian “Kybele” when referring to the Phrygian deity.

Appearances

• Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam Define
• SD Gundam G Generation F
• Mobile Suit Gundam U.C. ENGAGE

External links

• AMX-001 Prototype Qubeley on the Gundam Wiki
• AMX-001 Prototype Qubeley on MAHQ