AMX-103 Hamma-Hamma – MechaBay | Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ

The AMX-103 Hamma-Hamma was a prototype mobile suit developed by Neo Zeon to test the experimental quasi-psycommu system during the First Neo Zeon War.

The “AMX” model code indicated it was a Neo Zeon experimental design. The “103” in the model code denoted it was the third in the 100-series of prototype mobile suits developed by Axis. The “Hamma-Hamma” designation was derived from its distinctive hammer-like wire-guided claw weapons.

History

As Axis/Neo Zeon began openly moving to conquer the Earth Sphere at the outbreak of the First Neo Zeon War in UC 0088, they developed several prototype mobile suits to serve as testbeds for advanced new technologies. One of these prototypes was the AMX-103 Hamma-Hamma, whose primary function was to test the new quasi-psycommu system.

Initially, only one prototype Hamma-Hamma was in use, assigned to Mashymre Cello’s Endra cruiser, which was tasked with recruiting new allies among the citizens of Side 1’s Shangri-La Colony and destroying the AEUG’s flagship Argama. Although Mashymre failed in his mission, his use of the Hamma-Hamma proved its effectiveness as a fast and agile unit, and the shortcomings of its experimental quasi-psycommu system.

One Hamma-Hamma was known to be assigned to Mashymre Cello’s Endra-class cruiser, which was tasked with recruiting new allies among the citizens of Side 1’s Shangri-La colony and destroying the AEUG’s sole remaining battleship, the Argama. Although Mashymre failed in his mission, the Hamma-Hamma was able to inflict heavy damage onto AEUG’s MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam, destroying its head.

The Hamma-Hamma never passed the prototype stage. However, the Quasi-Psycommu technology was later perfected and incorporated into the mass-produced AMX-014 Doven Wolf. It also served as the inspiration for The Sleeves’ YAMS-132 Rozen Zulu in UC 0096.

Design

Neo Zeon’s intent of conquering the Earth Sphere in UC 0088 urged the development of several prototype units implemented with different advanced technologies. Among them was the AMX-103 Hamma-Hamma, which employed a Quasi-Psycommu system. It was developed as a prototype mobile suit for high-ranked officers with the intention of introducing Psycommu system to mass-produced mobile suits.

The quasi-psycommu was a computer control system designed to allow non-Newtype pilots to operate wire-guided remote weapons and conduct all-range attacks in a fashion similar to Newtype-use mobile weapons equipped with a standard psycommu system. The Hamma-Hamma’s quasi-psycommu was intended to control its two wire-guided claw-hands, each of which was armed with a 3-barreled beam cannon.

Rather than sending and receiving data via thought waves as in a true Psycommu system, the Quasi-Psycommu system continually samples the pilot’s electrical brainwaves, allowing the pilot to communicate specific instructions almost instantaneously. This system permits the use of simple remote weapons like INCOMs, but even with computer support, these devices are only capable of two-dimensional movement.

This was the only armament mounted on the Hamma-Hamma itself, as the remaining reactor output was required to operate the large number of thrusters arrayed on the massive shoulder and skirt armor of this highly maneuverable mobile suit. The mobile suit was powered by a Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor generating 3,820 kW of output, one of the highest power ratings among Neo Zeon mobile suits.

The Hamma-Hamma featured an impressive array of thrusters totalling 258,200 kg of thrust, distributed across multiple systems. This exceptional propulsion capability made it one of the most agile mobile suits of its era, capable of rapid directional changes essential for all-range combat.

Armaments

The Hamma-Hamma is built with detachable wire-guided claw hands, each armed with a 3 barreled beam gun. These wired arms can extend up to 50 metres. The Hamma-Hamma is capable of conducting all-range attacks within a 100-metre radius. The standard weapons were limited to these remote-controlled weaponry to accommodate large portion of its reactor power to its numerous thrusters for improved mobility.

Wire-guided 3-barrel beam cannon/claw

The Hamma-Hamma’s primary armament consisted of two wire-guided claw units, each equipped with a 3-barrel beam cannon. These units were controlled via the quasi-psycommu system and had a power rating of 3.1 MW each. The wire-guided nature allowed them to be detached and operated remotely, extending the mobile suit’s effective combat range.

Each claw unit could function both as a ranged weapon and as a grappling device. When deployed as beam cannons, they provided concentrated firepower that could overwhelm enemy defences. When used as claws, they could grapple enemy mobile suits or manipulate battlefield objects.

As it was, Mashymre could only use the Hamma-Hamma’s wire-guided arms as simple direct-fire, launch-and-retrieve weapons or extendable grappling hands, unable to carry out the simulated all-range attacks intended to be made possible by the quasi-psycommu. The system built into the Hamma-Hamma would prove to be a failure, but it was later perfected and incorporated into new mass produced mobile suits.

Optional shield

The mobile suit could be equipped with a shield that featured an independent power generator. The shield mounts 3 x mega particle cannon, power rated at 1.8 MW each, and 2 x beam saber (power rated at unknown output). This shield provided both defensive capability and additional offensive options, making the Hamma-Hamma even more formidable in combat.

The shield’s independent power system ensured that its weapons could operate even if the main mobile suit was damaged, providing a backup weapons system for extended engagements.

Known pilots

Mashymre Cello

Variants

AMX-103G Hamma-Hamma Mass Production Type

During the First Neo Zeon War, Neo Zeon intended to develop a mass production mobile suit that used the quasi-psycommu system. One proposed design for this purpose was the AMX-103G Hamma-Hamma Mass Production Type, a streamlined version of the prototype that never entered full production.

Behind the scenes

The original mechanical designers are unknown, though the design was part of Yutaka Izubuchi’s comprehensive redesign of Neo Zeon mobile suits for Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ. The final cleanup was handled by Hideo Okamoto.

The name “Hamma-Hamma” reflects the distinctive hammer-like appearance of its wire-guided claw weapons, emphasising the mobile suit’s unique combat capabilities.

Gunpla

Bandai released the 1/100 RE/100 AMX-103 Hamma-Hamma model kit, featuring fully poseable wire-guided beam claw weapons and its ornate shield. The kit includes display bases for the detachable arms to showcase the mobile suit’s signature all-range attack capability.

Appearances

Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ

External links

AMX-103 Hamma-Hamma on the Gundam Wiki
AMX-103 Hamma-Hamma on MAHQ