ARX-014 Silver Bullet – MechaBay | Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn

The ARX-014 Silver Bullet was a quasi-psycommu test mobile suit developed by Anaheim Electronics for the Earth Federation Forces based on captured Neo Zeon AMX-014 Doven Wolf units.

The “A” in the model code indicated it was developed by Anaheim Electronics based on a captured design, the “RX” designated it as an experimental mobile suit, and the “014” maintained the same numerical designation as the original Doven Wolf. The “Silver Bullet” codename referred to its role as a highly effective countermeasure against enemy mobile suits.

History

At the end of the First Neo Zeon War in UC 0089, the Earth Federation Forces captured several reserve units of Neo Zeon’s AMX-014 Doven Wolf and transferred them to Anaheim Electronics’ Granada factory for further study of the quasi-psycommu system. The factory was staffed by many former employees of the Augusta Labs, and they modified the Doven Wolf units into the ARX-014 Silver Bullet.

The general appearance of the Doven Wolf was retained, although the Silver Bullet mounted either a Gundam or GM styled head depending on its function. Units featuring Gundam heads tested quasi-psycommu weapons, while units with GM heads tested enhanced measurement sensors. The Silver Bullet also retained the Doven Wolf’s quasi-psycommu system, which allowed a non-Newtype pilot to conduct all-range attacks.

The private Vist Foundation acquired several Silver Bullet units. In April UC 0096, three Silver Bullet pilots were killed in a mock combat battle gone wrong against the RX-0 Unicorn Gundam. Near the end of the Laplace Incident, Vist loyalist Gael Chan used a Silver Bullet in an attempt to defend the Magallanica inside the Industrial 7 space colony from Full Frontal’s massive mobile armor NZ-999 Neo Zeong.

Design

The Silver Bullet retained the basic design philosophy of the original AMX-014 Doven Wolf whilst incorporating Federation technology and manufacturing standards. Although its armament was trimmed down compared to the original Doven Wolf due to its testing purpose, it gained higher output compared to the original and was more than capable of participating in actual combat.

The mobile suit featured an ultracompact Minovsky fusion reactor with an output of 5,250 kW, significantly higher than the original Doven Wolf. It mounted an array of rocket thrusters generating 87,300 kg of total thrust. The removal of the abdominal mega particle cannons from the original design also lightened the suit considerably.

The Silver Bullet had a panoramic monitor cockpit with a linear seat in its torso, providing excellent situational awareness for the pilot. Its sensor range extended to 13,500 metres, making it effective for both close and medium-range combat operations.

Armaments

The Silver Bullet’s standard weapons were shoulder-mounted beam cannons for ranged attacks and beam sabers for melee combat, supplemented by various missile systems and optional remote weapons.

Vulcan guns

Two 60 mm vulcan guns were mounted in the Silver Bullet’s head. These rapid-fire weapons provided close-range defence against missiles and light targets, and could damage exposed mobile suit systems at very close range.

Beam cannons

A pair of beam cannons were mounted on the Silver Bullet’s shoulders. Each cannon had a power rating of 4.2 MW, providing substantial firepower for medium to long-range engagement. The shoulder mounting allowed for a wide firing arc whilst keeping the hands free for other weapons.

Beam sabers

The Silver Bullet carried two beam sabers stored in recharge racks in the hip armour. The beam sabers used an I-field to contain Minovsky particles within the shape of a blade, creating an effective cutting weapon capable of slicing through most mobile suit armour.

Missile systems

The mobile suit mounted two 12-tube missile launchers in the backpack binders, providing substantial missile firepower. Additionally, two anti-ship missiles were mounted on the backpack for engaging larger targets such as warships or mobile armors.

Beam rifle

The Silver Bullet could be equipped with a standard Federation beam rifle for additional ranged firepower. The beam rifle provided precision shooting capability to complement the heavier shoulder-mounted beam cannons.

Shield

An optional shield could be mounted on the left arm, featuring a beam launcher and additional missile pods. This provided both defensive capability and extra firepower when needed.

Quasi-psycommu system

The Silver Bullet retained the quasi-psycommu system from the original Doven Wolf, which allowed non-Newtype pilots to control remote weapons. The system actively scanned the pilot’s brainwaves and translated thoughts into commands for wire-guided remote weapons such as INCOMs and wire-guided hands.

Unlike funnels or bits, INCOMs still had to be tethered to their control unit by wires because the electrical signals would otherwise be disrupted by Minovsky particles. The Silver Bullet could deploy two wire-guided hands and two INCOMs for all-range attacks.

Known pilots

Gael Chan

Variants

ARX-014P Silver Bullet (Funnel Test Type)

The ARX-014P was designated as a testbed for Earth Federation Forces funnel weapons and was equipped with a wired large funnel on its back. The funnel contained its own built-in generator and was designed to test Federation remote weapon technology.

ARX-014S Silver Bullet Suppressor

A heavily modified version created in UC 0097, the Silver Bullet Suppressor was designed to use the RX-0 Unicorn Gundam’s beam magnum. Due to the weapon’s intense recoil, the right forearm was designed to be replaceable, with four spare arms mounted in the backpack and an automatic replacement system.

Behind the scenes

The ARX-014 Silver Bullet was designed by Katoki Hajime for the Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn series. The design incorporated elements from both Federation and Zeon mobile suit aesthetics, reflecting its development history.

The Silver Bullet demonstrated the Earth Federation’s practice of studying and adapting captured enemy technology, a common theme throughout the Universal Century timeline.

Appearances

External links

ARX-014 Silver Bullet on the Gundam Wiki
ARX-014 Silver Bullet on MAHQ