Gettar
Unmanned mobile suit sub-flight system used by the Titans during the Gryps Conflict.
The Gettar was an unmanned mobile suit sub-flight system developed by the Earth Federation Forces and deployed extensively by the Titans during the Gryps Conflict of UC 0087. Unlike the larger Base Jabber, the Gettar represented a more economical approach to providing mobile suits with atmospheric flight capability, sacrificing pilot accommodation and armament in favour of simplified operation and mass production potential.
History
The Gettar entered service during the height of the Gryps Conflict in UC 0087, developed as part of the Federation’s expanding sub-flight system programme. The vehicle was designed to complement the larger Base Jabber units by providing a more numerous and expendable platform for routine mobile suit transport and deployment operations.
The Titans became the primary operators of the Gettar, incorporating it into their standard mobile suit deployment doctrine. The unmanned nature of the platform appealed to Titans commanders who sought to minimise personnel exposure during dangerous insertion and extraction operations. The vehicle proved particularly effective in rapid deployment scenarios where mobile suits needed to be positioned quickly without the complexity of crewed support vehicles.
Following the collapse of the Titans at the end of the Gryps Conflict, many Gettar units fell into the hands of Neo Zeon forces during the subsequent First Neo Zeon War of UC 0088. The vehicles continued to serve in this capacity, demonstrating the design’s versatility and the effectiveness of its simple operational requirements.
Design
The Gettar’s design philosophy emphasised operational simplicity and cost-effectiveness over the advanced capabilities of larger sub-flight systems. The vehicle featured a streamlined airframe optimised for single mobile suit transport, with mounting points designed to accommodate standard Federation mobile suit foot configurations.
As an unmanned platform, the Gettar eliminated the need for a dedicated cockpit and life support systems, significantly reducing both production costs and operational complexity. Control of the vehicle was entirely dependent on the mobile suit pilot, who interfaced with the Gettar’s flight systems through standard manipulator connections and control interfaces. This arrangement required pilots to undergo additional training to effectively operate the combined system, but provided greater tactical flexibility once mastered.
The Gettar’s propulsion system, while unspecified in detail, was designed to provide adequate atmospheric flight performance for typical mobile suit deployment scenarios. The vehicle lacked the high-speed capabilities of the Base Jabber but offered sufficient performance for most tactical requirements while maintaining mechanical simplicity and ease of maintenance.
Structural Configuration
The Gettar’s airframe utilised a minimal design approach that maximised payload capacity while minimising weight and production complexity. The vehicle’s structure incorporated standardised mounting interfaces that allowed it to carry most Federation mobile suit types without modification, though optimal performance was achieved with units specifically configured for sub-flight system operations.
Unlike armed sub-flight systems, the Gettar relied entirely on its carried mobile suit for offensive and defensive capabilities. This design decision reflected the vehicle’s intended role as a pure transport platform rather than a combat support system, allowing for simplified construction and reduced maintenance requirements.
Operational Use
The Gettar proved most effective in scenarios requiring rapid mobile suit deployment over moderate distances. Its unmanned operation made it particularly suitable for high-risk insertion missions where the loss of additional aircrew was unacceptable, while its simplified design allowed for deployment from bases with limited technical support capabilities.
Typical Gettar operations involved pre-positioning the vehicle at designated launch points, where mobile suits would mount the platform and assume control for transit to their operational areas. Upon arrival, mobile suits would dismount and continue their missions while the Gettar either returned to base autonomously or remained on station for extraction duties.
The vehicle’s operational limitations became apparent during extended campaigns where the lack of independent armament and the requirement for skilled pilot control reduced its effectiveness compared to more sophisticated alternatives. However, these limitations were often acceptable given the Gettar’s significantly lower acquisition and operating costs.
Tactical Impact
The Gettar’s deployment represented a significant shift in Federation sub-flight system doctrine, demonstrating that effective mobile suit transport could be achieved through simplified, unmanned platforms. This approach allowed for the rapid expansion of sub-flight capabilities across Federation forces without the resource investment required for more complex systems.
The vehicle’s success with the Titans influenced subsequent Federation vehicle development programmes, leading to increased emphasis on cost-effective, mission-specific designs rather than multi-role platforms. This design philosophy would continue to influence Federation vehicle development throughout the late UC 0080s and beyond.
Legacy
Following the conclusion of the First Neo Zeon War, the Gettar gradually disappeared from active service as newer sub-flight systems entered production. However, the vehicle’s design principles continued to influence later unmanned transport systems, particularly in civilian and industrial applications where the Gettar’s simplicity and reliability proved advantageous.
The vehicle’s operational experience provided valuable data for the development of improved sub-flight systems, particularly in the areas of automated flight control and mobile suit interface design. These lessons would prove crucial in the development of later Federation support vehicles.
Behind the scenes
The Gettar was designed by Kazumi Fujita as part of the mechanical design team for Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam. The vehicle’s simple design reflected the series’ emphasis on practical military hardware and the economic realities of extended conflict.
Appearances
- Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam
- Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ
- Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam Define
See also
External links
- Gettar on MAHQ