AMX-002 Neue Ziel – MechaBay | Mobile Suit Gundam 0083

The AMX-002 Neue Ziel was a prototype space attack mobile armor developed by Axis Zeon and deployed by the Delaz Fleet during Operation Stardust.

The “AMX” designation indicated it was an Axis mobile weapon, whilst the “002” denoted it was the second design in the sequence. “Neue Ziel” was German for “new goal”, reflecting Zeon’s ambitions for this advanced mobile armor. The unit was also designated as AMA-X2 in some sources, suggesting that mobile armor and mobile suit model numbers were part of the same numerical sequence for Axis forces.

History

The highly advanced AMA-X2 Neue Ziel mobile armor was designed late during the One Year War but was not built before the war’s end. Instead, remnant Zeon forces who escaped to the asteroid base Axis took the plans with them, where it was later constructed by the Axis forces as the AMX-002 Neue Ziel.

When the Delaz Fleet launched Operation Stardust against the Earth Federation Forces in late UC 0083, Axis sent an advance fleet to support Delaz. Their support came in the form of rescue and retrieval of Delaz’s surviving troops, as well as the Neue Ziel mobile armor.

Using the Neue Ziel, ace pilot Anavel Gato almost single-handedly devastated the Earth Federation’s pursuit fleet that attempted to stop a hijacked space colony being dropped on Earth. Gato also used the Neue Ziel to punch through the heavy defences of the Earth Federation’s Earth Orbital Fleet protecting their Solar System II weapon, which allowed him to destroy the weapon’s control ship and prevented the colony from being destroyed before crashing on Earth.

Following the colony drop, Gato performed a kamikaze attack by ramming the heavily damaged mobile armor into an unlucky Earth Federation ship, destroying both the Neue Ziel and himself in the process.

Design

The Neue Ziel was truly ahead of its time, representing a pinnacle of mobile armor technology during the early UC 0080s. The massive mobile armor measured 76.6 metres in overall height and 73.6 metres in width, making it one of the largest combat units of its era.

The mobile armor featured a powerful fusion reactor generating 75,800 kW, providing ample power for its extensive weapon systems and propulsion. Its propulsion system consisted of multiple rocket thrusters with a total output of 1,938,000 kg, including a main thruster producing 359,000 kg, a secondary thruster with 204,000 kg output, and eleven smaller thrusters each generating 125,000 kg.

The Neue Ziel could be equipped with an optional sturm booster, which stored extra propellant and mounted additional thrusters to extend its operational range and increase mobility during extended combat operations.

Armaments

The Neue Ziel’s primary weapons were a mega cannon for heavy assault and multiple mega particle guns for all-range attacks, complemented by wire-guided heavy claw arms for close combat.

Mega cannon

The Neue Ziel mounted a single powerful mega cannon in its torso, capable of devastating enemy formations and capital ships. This weapon represented the mobile armor’s primary offensive capability and could engage targets at extreme range.

Mega particle guns

Nine mega particle guns were distributed across the Neue Ziel’s frame, with four mounted in the shoulders and five mounted in the tail binder. This arrangement provided comprehensive fire coverage and allowed the mobile armor to engage multiple targets simultaneously from various angles.

Wire-guided heavy claw arms

The Neue Ziel’s most innovative feature was its pair of wire-guided heavy claw arms, each mounting a mega particle gun and beam saber. These arms could be deployed for all-range attacks similar to the MAN-03 Braw Bro or MSN-02 Zeong.

However, these arms were controlled with the aid of a computer “half-control” system, negating the need for a psycommu system and allowing non-Newtypes to perform all-range attacks. This technological innovation was later utilised by Neo Zeon’s AMX-103 Hamma-Hamma in the form of a quasi-psycommu system.

The wire guidance system allowed the arms to operate at considerable distances whilst maintaining precise control, giving the Neue Ziel unprecedented tactical flexibility in combat.

Known pilots

Anavel Gato

Variants

AMX-002S Neue Ziel II

Developed at the Zeon asteroid base Axis, the AMX-002S Neue Ziel II was intended to be the successor to the Neue Ziel. This variant was designed as a trial production Newtype-use mobile armor, featuring a psycommu system, I-field barrier generator, and funnel remote weapons.

Behind the scenes

The AMX-002 Neue Ziel was designed by Makoto Kobayashi for Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory. The design represented a logical evolution of late One Year War mobile armor technology, incorporating lessons learned from units like the Zeong and Elmeth.

The name “Neue Ziel” (new goal) reflected the ambitious nature of the project and Zeon’s determination to develop superior mobile weapons despite their defeat in the One Year War.

Appearances

Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory
Mobile Suit Gundam 0083 Rebellion
Mobile Suit Gundam: Encounters in Space

External links

AMX-002 Neue Ziel on the Gundam Wiki
AMX-002 Neue Ziel on MAHQ