The AMX-008 Ga-Zowmn was a transformable mobile suit mass produced by Neo Zeon. The “AMX” in the model code refers to it being a mobile weapon developed in the Zeon asteroid base Axis. The “008” in the model code indicates that it was the eighth mobile weapon designed in Axis.
History
After the defeat of the Principality of Zeon to the Earth Federation in the One Year War in UC 0080, some Zeon remnant forces chose to go into hiding within the Earth Sphere, while others fled the Earth Sphere. Large groups of Zeon forces escaped to the Zeon asteroid base Axis in the Asteroid Belt during and after the war.
The Zeon forces that were stationed at the base and the refugees that joined them became Axis Zeon. The Axis Zeon forces used the construction mobile suits Gaza-A and Gaza-B as the foundation for the combat mobile suit development program. The AMX-003 (MMT-1) Gaza-C was the first mass production combat mobile suit produced by Axis Zeon. The Gaza-C served as the backbone of the Axis Zeon forces through the Gryps Conflict.
Using the feedback and data gathered from the Gaza-C units in the field, the Axis Zeon developed the AMX-006 Gaza-D. It had better performance compared to the Gaza-C, with improvements to its power output, speed and manoeuvrability. At the start of the First Neo Zeon War in UC 0088, Neo Zeon gradually replaced the Gaza-C with the Gaza-D as the mainstay of their forces.
The success of the Gaza line resulted in both the Gaza-C and Gaza-D being widely used by Neo Zeon in the war. The Zeon engineers on the asteroid base Axis continued to developing the Gaza concept. Although the Gaza-D was the most refined transformable mobile suit then, the engineers realised that producing a well-balanced mobile weapon that was capable in both mobile suit and mobile armour modes would not allow them to reach further breakthrough. Instead, they opted to make some sacrifices.
AMX-008 Ga-Zowmn from Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn (anime)
The Zeon engineers developed the AMX-007 (MMT-3) Gaza-E and the AMX-008 Ga-Zowmn simultaneously. They were both still transformable mobile weapons, but they were not well-rounded designs like their predecessors.The Gaza-E was specialised for the mobile armour mode, while the Ga-Zowmn excelled in the mobile suit mode. The Ga-Zowmn was designed as a general purpose mobile suit, however its fire power made it a popular choice as an assault mobile suit.
The Ga-Zowmn remained in service throughout the war and the Second Neo Zeon War. It was still seen in service under The Sleeves in UC 0096. Although it did not carry the name Gaza, it was the last of the Gaza line to be built.
Design
The Neo Zeon developed the AMX-008 Ga-Zowmn as a transformable mobile suit that specialised in the mobile suit mode. It was designed to be deployed in combat with the AMX-007 (MMT-3) Gaza-E that specialised in the mobile armour mode.
The Ga-Zowmn 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.
Ten rocket thrusters with a combined output of 92,280 kg provided main propulsion for Ga-Zowmn. Eighteen sets of vernier thruster and apogee motors provided fine adjustments. This gave it astoundingly speed and manoeuvrability.
AMX-008 Ga-Zowmn from Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn (novel)
AMX-008 Ga-Zowmn in mobile armour mode
AMX-008 Ga-Zowmn in mobile armour mode
The Ga-Zowmn was equipped with a standard panoramic cockpit with linear seat. Its predecessors had their cockpits unconventionally located in the heads due to the design of their transformation system. However, the Ga-Zowmn had its cockpit moved back to the torso as it was developed to specialise in the mobile suit mode. This was also made possible by the radical shift in design compared to its predecessors.
AMX-008 Ga-Zowmn head
Armaments
The AMX-008 Ga-Zowmn’s standard weapons were missile launchers and hybrid beam sabres that could function as beam guns and beam sabres for ranged and melee combat. It could optionally be equipped with a hyper knuckle buster that was effective in either mobile armour or mobile suit modes.
Hybrid beam sabre
The hybrid beam sabre had two modes: beam gun mode, and beam sabre mode. A hybrid beam sabre was stored in each of the Ga-Zowmn’s forearms. When mounted in the forearm, the sabres were in beam gun mode and drew their rounds from the suit’s Minovsky reactor. It could be used in beam gun mode in both mobile suit and mobile armour modes. Minovksy particles broke down matter at a molecular level, allowing the beam gun bolts to penetrate even the thickest armour. This meant that a single shot could destroy a mobile suit.
The beam sabres could be removed from the forearms, causing them to switch to beam sabre mode. 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 Ga-Zowmn reactor when the sabres were mounted in the suit’s forearms.
80 mm vulcan guns
Aside from the hybrid beam sabres, the Ga-Zowmn’s forearms had an 80 mm vulcan gun on each arm. These operated in both the mobile suit and mobile armour modes.
Each vulcan gun was loaded with 800 rounds of ammunition. 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.
Missile launchers
Each of the Ga-Zowmn’s two shoulder binders mounted a 9-tube missile launcher. These were positioned on the main body when the Ga-Zowmn was in mobile armour mode. The missile launchers fired AMS-01H heavy missiles like the launchers used in the AMX-006 Gaza-D.
Hyper knuckle buster
The hyper knuckle buster was an optional armament made for the Ga-Zowmn. It was an improvement over the knuckle buster used by the Gaza-D. Although it had a lower an output rating of 4.1 megawatts compared to the Gaza-D’s knuckle buster, it had a higher rate of fire and longer range. When the Ga-Zowmn was in mobile armour mode, the hyper knuckle buster was mounted on its body to function as the mobile armour’s main cannon.
The hyper knuckle buster 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 knuckle buster bolts to penetrate even the thickest armour. This meant that a single shot could destroy a mobile suit.
Hyper knuckle buster
Known pilots
Variants
Behind the scenes
Yutaka Izubuchi was the original mechanical designer. Hajime Katoki designed the version seen in Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn.
Appearances
- Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ
- Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn (OVA series)
- Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn (novel)