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Audhumla

Garuda-class stratospheric transport aircraft operated by Karaba during the Gryps Conflict.
Jenxi Seow Published 20 Jun 2025 Updated 20 Jun 2025
*Audhumla*

The Audhumla was a Garuda-class stratospheric transport aircraft operated by Karaba during the Gryps Conflict. Originally built for the Earth Federation Forces, the aircraft was captured by the AEUG during their escape from Jaburo in May UC 0087 and subsequently became the flagship of Karaba’s Earth-based operations.

History

The Audhumla was originally constructed as part of the Earth Federation Forces’ Garuda Initiative, which called for six Garuda-class aircraft to provide global mobile suit deployment capability. By UC 0087, the aircraft was stationed at the Federation’s primary Earth-based military installation at Jaburo in South America.

Capture and transfer

In May UC 0087, the AEUG and Karaba launched a large-scale assault on Jaburo as part of their campaign against the Titans. The Titans, anticipating this attack, had prepared a nuclear device beneath the base to eliminate their enemies. However, during the chaotic battle, AEUG forces managed to capture both the Audhumla and her sister ship Sudori, using them as evacuation vessels to escape the doomed base.

The Audhumla, distinguished by her orange colour scheme, successfully evacuated AEUG personnel and equipment from Jaburo. Following the escape, the AEUG forces travelled to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where the Audhumla was formally transferred to Karaba control under the command of Hayato Kobayashi, the former White Base pilot who had become a leader of the Earth-based resistance movement.

Karaba operations

Under Karaba control, the Audhumla became the mobile headquarters for the organisation’s anti-Titans operations on Earth. Hayato Kobayashi proved to be a skilled commander, earning praise even from enemies such as Neo Zeon leader Haman Karn for his tactical abilities in controlling the massive aircraft.

The Audhumla served as transport and base of operations for numerous significant figures during the conflict, including Amuro Ray, who had emerged from his post-war seclusion to join the anti-Titans struggle. The aircraft also carried Kamille Bidan and Quattro Bajeena during various Earth-based operations, providing crucial mobile suit support during their missions.

Throughout its service with Karaba, the Audhumla was repeatedly pursued by Titans forces, particularly the captured Sudori under Ben Wooder, which deployed advanced mobile suits such as the NRX-044 Asshimar and ORX-005 Gaplant to harass Karaba operations. The aircraft also faced attacks from Titans ace Jerid Messa, who commanded the Garuda-class Melord in unsuccessful attempts to intercept the Audhumla.

Notable combat operations included engagements over Hong Kong, where the Audhumla faced the devastating MRX-009 Psycho Gundam piloted by cyber-Newtype Four Murasame. During these battles, the aircraft’s mobile suit complement, including Kamille Bidan’s RX-178 Gundam Mk-II, proved crucial in defending both the ship and civilian populations.

The Audhumla also played a significant role in the Battle of Dakar, where Quattro Bajeena delivered his famous speech denouncing the Titans and calling for humanity’s migration to space. The aircraft provided mobile suit support during the operation whilst Char Aznable revealed his true identity to the world.

First Neo Zeon War

Karaba continued to operate the Audhumla during the First Neo Zeon War in UC 0088, when the aircraft was deployed to Ireland to assist in evacuating civilians ahead of Neo Zeon’s planned colony drop on Dublin. The mission highlighted the aircraft’s versatility as both a military transport and humanitarian evacuation vessel.

During this period, the Audhumla served as a base for Judau Ashta and other AEUG pilots who had descended to Earth to combat Neo Zeon forces. Hayato Kobayashi continued to command the aircraft, providing guidance and support to the younger generation of pilots whilst dealing with the psychological impact of the losses suffered during the Gryps Conflict, including the death of his adoptive son Katz Kobayashi.

The aircraft’s crew respected Hayato’s leadership and his care for traumatised personnel such as Kamille Bidan, who had been left in a vegetative state following his final battle with Paptimus Scirocco. Judau Ashta and his companions frequently commented on Hayato’s skills and character, noting him as “a true White Base man.”

Design

The Audhumla shared the standard Garuda-class design, featuring a massive airframe measuring 317 metres in length with a 524-metre wingspan. The aircraft’s distinctive orange colour scheme made it easily identifiable during operations and distinguished it from other Garuda-class vessels.

Like all ships of her class, the Audhumla was powered by 20 thermonuclear ramjet engines that provided virtually unlimited endurance. The fusion-powered propulsion system allowed the aircraft to remain aloft for extended periods, requiring only occasional resupply of fusion fuel. Additional hover nozzles provided low-speed manoeuvrability during precision operations.

The aircraft could accommodate up to 20 mobile suits along with numerous subflight systems and hundreds of personnel when configured for evacuation operations. Launch and recovery systems included a forward catapult beneath the bridge, large doors under each wing, and a massive rear door serving as the primary cargo bay.

Armaments

The Audhumla mounted the standard Garuda-class defensive armament of 10 twin-barrel laser gun turrets distributed across the airframe. These provided point defence against fighters and missiles but were insufficient for engaging heavily armed opponents. Additional missile launchers were mounted throughout the aircraft’s structure.

However, like all Garuda-class aircraft, the Audhumla’s primary defence was its mobile suit complement, which could be rapidly deployed to engage threats at considerable distances from the carrier.

Mobile suit complement

During its service with Karaba, the Audhumla typically carried a mixed complement of mobile suits depending on operational requirements. The aircraft served as a mobile base for RX-178 Gundam Mk-II units, MSA-003 Nemo mobile suits, and various support units.

Notable mobile suits that operated from the Audhumla included Kamille Bidan’s Gundam Mk-II, Quattro Bajeena’s MSN-00100 Hyaku Shiki, and Amuro Ray’s MSK-008 Dijeh during his brief return to active service.

Known personnel

Command crew

Notable passengers and pilots

Behind the scenes

Fujita Kazumi was the original mechanical designer for the Garuda-class, including the Audhumla.

The name Audhumla derives from Norse mythology, where Auðhumla was the primeval cow that fed milk to the first giant Ymir. This mythological connection reflects the aircraft’s role as a nurturing and sustaining force for the resistance movement.

The Audhumla’s orange colour scheme was specifically chosen to distinguish it from other Garuda-class vessels and make it easily recognizable during the series. This visual distinction proved important given the complex political situation with multiple factions operating similar aircraft.

Appearances

See also