Argama-class – MechaBay | Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam

The Argama-class was a carrier and assault landing ship class developed by Anaheim Electronics with funding from the Anti-Earth Union Group (AEUG). Inspired by the successful Pegasus-class White Base from the One Year War, the Argama-class featured numerous improvements and innovations that made it a formidable successor to the earlier design.

Development

Origins and design philosophy

The Argama-class was developed in secret at the Sweetwater colony by Anaheim Electronics with funding from the Anti-Earth Union Group in response to the need for a modern assault carrier capable of matching the capabilities of Titans vessels. The design was inspired by the successful Pegasus-class White Base from the One Year War, but incorporated significant improvements based on lessons learned from that conflict.

Instead of having a central centrifuge that would rotate to simulate gravity like the Pegasus-class, the Argama-class featured two rotating residential modules that could extend from the sides and rotate to simulate gravity for the crew. These modules were retracted when combat operations began, providing a more compact profile for battle.

Technical innovations

The bridge of the Argama-class featured a retractable design, providing the bridge crew with more protection during combat compared to the exposed bridge of the Pegasus-class. The ship’s propulsion system was significantly enhanced, including one main thruster, three secondary and two tertiary thrusters in each of the two engine blocks, and an additional pair of secondary thrusters under the main thrusters.

Several manoeuvring thrusters were also built into the ship, including a pair of ventral ascension thrusters under each engine block and several outward-oriented control nozzles on each side of the ship. This comprehensive thruster system provided the Argama-class with exceptional manoeuvrability in both space and atmospheric operations.

Design features

Special systems

The Argama-class incorporated several advanced systems that enhanced its operational capabilities:

Minovsky Craft System: This revolutionary system allowed the vessel to function in both atmosphere and space with extraordinary manoeuvrability, including the ability to hover whilst on Earth. This made the class capable of atmospheric operations that were impossible for most space-only vessels.

Ballute atmospheric re-entry system: An inflatable device that could be deployed from the back of the ship, allowing heat and friction to be dispersed around and away from the ship for safe re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere. This system enabled the class to take on even steep re-entry angles without sustaining damage.

Rotating residential gravity blocks: Two gravity blocks mounted on the main body that could extend and rotate to create artificial gravity for the crew during non-combat operations. This system was more efficient and practical than the central centrifuge used by the Pegasus-class.

Supplemental rocket booster system: The class could equip additional rocket boosters to obtain sufficient thrust to overcome Earth’s gravity and leave the atmosphere when required.

Armaments

The Argama-class was armed with four single-barrelled beam cannons as its primary armament. One was mounted in front of the bridge, one aft of the bridge, and the remaining two were placed in forward-facing mounts on the underside of the ship, on either side of the vessel’s ventral cargo bay. Each cannon could swivel 90 degrees in either direction and was capable of limited traverse upwards.

The class was armed with a pair of high-powered mega particle cannons stored in special circular compartments, one on the port side and the other on the starboard side. These weapons provided the main heavy firepower for engaging enemy vessels.

Multiple anti-aircraft laser cannons were mounted across the hull to provide defence against enemy mobile suits and aircraft. These defensive guns were retractable and strategically positioned to provide comprehensive coverage. The vessels also mounted missile launchers for anti-mobile suit and anti-ship engagement.

Mobile weapons capacity

The Argama-class could carry more mobile suits than the Pegasus-class, with a standard complement of eight mobile suits. The ships were equipped with two launch catapults for rapid deployment of mobile weapons. The increased mobile suit capacity made the class highly effective as mobile suit carriers, capable of deploying substantial forces in combat operations.

Ships of the class

Argama

The lead ship Argama was the first vessel of the class, serving as the flagship of the AEUG during the Gryps Conflict and First Neo Zeon War. Originally commanded by Captain Henken Bekkener, it was later placed under the command of Bright Noa. The ship was first deployed in March UC 0087 and participated in every major operation of the Gryps Conflict.

During the First Neo Zeon War, the Argama was upgraded with a hyper mega particle cannon, replacing the port mega particle cannon. This powerful weapon was intended to be capable of destroying Axis in a single shot. The vessel was eventually abandoned on Earth for Karaba use in November UC 0088.

Pegasus III

The Pegasus III was the second ship of the class and served as the flagship of Task Force Alpha during the Pezun Rebellion. Unlike the original Argama, the rotating residence blocks were fixed in place, and the radar antennas on the sides of the bridge were replaced with new ones that resembled those of the Pegasus-class used during the One Year War.

Commanded by Captain Eton Heathrow, the Pegasus III was launched from the Baikonur space base on 25 February UC 0088 as part of Task Force Alpha. The vessel continued fighting throughout the Pezun Rebellion and was badly damaged by the mobile armour AMA-100 Z’od-iacok during a final battle in Earth orbit on 4 April UC 0088.

Nikaya

The Nikaya appeared in the manga MSV-R: The Return of Johnny Ridden. It intervened during the fight over the Sangre Azul in Jaburo, where it appeared in low Earth orbit and descended to Earth. The vessel launched Doms with special equipment to destroy Themis’ Ram Z’Goks, then dropped depth charges to lure enemies to the surface.

The entry of the Nikaya into the battle wiped out the underwater Themis mobile suits and saved the allied submarine fleet. It later launched into space to pursue the Sangre Azul. The vessel was commanded by Captain Didcot.

Operational history

The Argama-class proved highly successful in combat operations, demonstrating the soundness of its design principles. The class’s combination of heavy firepower, substantial mobile suit capacity, and advanced operational systems made it an effective platform for both fleet actions and independent operations.

The class’s most notable service was during the Gryps Conflict, where the Argama served as the primary symbol of AEUG resistance against the Titans. The vessel’s ability to operate in both space and atmospheric environments proved crucial during the conflict’s Earth-based operations.

Legacy

The Argama-class represented a significant evolution in assault carrier design, bridging the gap between the pioneering Pegasus-class and later vessel designs. Its innovations, particularly the Minovsky Craft System and improved gravity generation systems, influenced subsequent ship designs throughout the Universal Century.

The class’s success led to the development of even more advanced vessels, culminating in ships like the Nahel Argama, which incorporated lessons learned from the Argama-class service record.

Behind the scenes

Mamoru Nagano was the original mechanical designer for the Argama-class. The design was created as part of his work on Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, representing his vision for an evolved assault carrier that could serve as a worthy successor to the iconic White Base.

Appearances

Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam
Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ
Gundam Sentinel
MSV-R: The Return of Johnny Ridden
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam: A New Translation

External links

Argama-class on the Gundam Wiki
Argama on MAHQ
Pegasus III on MAHQ