GN Tau Drive

The GN Tau Drive (GNタウドライブ, Jī Enu Tau Doraibu), also known as the GN Drive Tau, was a reverse-engineered power source developed in the Anno Domini timeline that produced GN particles similar to those generated by true GN Drives. The Tau Drive was developed by the United Nations Forces based on captured and reverse-engineered Gundam technology, providing similar capabilities to true GN Drives but with significant limitations, including limited operational time and reduced performance.

Overview

The GN Tau Drive represented an attempt by conventional military forces to replicate Celestial Being’s GN Drive technology, providing mobile suits with GN particle capabilities without requiring access to the rare true GN Drives. Whilst the Tau Drive could generate GN particles and enable various advanced technologies, it lacked the unlimited operational time and peak performance of true GN Drives, making it an inferior but more accessible alternative.

The development of GN Tau Drive technology marked a significant shift in the balance of power, as it allowed conventional forces to deploy mobile suits with GN particle capabilities. However, the drives’ limitations meant that they could not fully match the performance of Celestial Being’s Gundams powered by true GN Drives.

Principles

The GN Tau Drive operated through a process similar to true GN Drives, generating GN particles that could be utilised for various applications. However, the Tau Drive’s mechanism was based on reverse engineering rather than the original technology, resulting in less efficient particle generation and limited operational time.

Unlike true GN Drives, which could operate indefinitely, GN Tau Drives had a finite operational period before requiring recharging or replacement. The drives also produced green GN particles, distinguishable from the red particles produced by true GN Drives, indicating their inferior nature.

Development

GN Tau Drive technology was developed by the United Nations Forces in Anno Domini 2307, following their analysis of captured Gundam technology and reverse-engineering efforts. The development process required sophisticated scientific knowledge and engineering capabilities, demonstrating the technological resources available to the unified military forces.

The drives’ development was driven by the need to counter Celestial Being’s technological advantage, as conventional mobile suits were consistently outmatched by Gundams powered by true GN Drives. The ability to mass-produce Tau Drives allowed conventional forces to deploy GN-powered mobile suits on a larger scale, though with limitations.

Applications

Military applications

GN Tau Drives were primarily utilised in military applications, powering mobile suits developed by the United Nations Forces and later the A-LAWS organisation. The drives enabled mobile suits like the GNX-603T GN-X to utilise GN particle technology, providing capabilities that approached those of Celestial Being’s Gundams.

The drives’ mass-production capability allowed conventional forces to field GN-powered mobile suits in large numbers, creating a significant military advantage despite the technology’s limitations. The drives’ deployment marked a turning point in the conflict, as conventional forces gained the ability to engage Celestial Being’s Gundams more effectively.

Performance limitations

GN Tau Drives’ primary limitation was their finite operational time, requiring recharging or replacement after extended use. This limitation created tactical constraints, as mobile suits powered by Tau Drives needed to manage their operational time carefully during extended engagements.

The drives’ performance was also inferior to true GN Drives, providing less power output and reduced capabilities. This performance gap meant that mobile suits powered by Tau Drives remained at a disadvantage when facing Gundams powered by true GN Drives, though the gap was narrower than that between conventional mobile suits and Gundams.

Impact

GN Tau Drive technology had a significant impact on the conflict between Celestial Being and conventional forces, as it allowed the latter to deploy mobile suits with GN particle capabilities. The technology’s development and deployment marked a major shift in the balance of power, though it did not eliminate Celestial Being’s technological advantage entirely.

The drives’ mass-production capability also changed the nature of the conflict, as conventional forces could field large numbers of GN-powered mobile suits. This shift in capability affected military strategy and tactics, as both sides adapted to the new technological landscape.

Variants

Standard GN Tau Drive

The standard GN Tau Drive was the basic reverse-engineered version, providing GN particle generation with limited operational time. These drives were mass-produced and deployed widely, becoming the standard power source for United Nations Forces mobile suits equipped with GN technology.

Advanced GN Tau Drive

Advanced variants of the GN Tau Drive were developed to improve performance and extend operational time. These improved drives reduced the performance gap with true GN Drives whilst maintaining the ability to be mass-produced, though they remained inferior to the original technology.

Comparison with True GN Drives

GN Tau Drives differed from true GN Drives in several key ways:

• Particle colour: Tau Drives produced green GN particles, whilst true GN Drives produced red particles
• Operational time: Tau Drives had limited operational time, whilst true GN Drives operated indefinitely
• Performance: Tau Drives provided reduced performance compared to true GN Drives
• Availability: Tau Drives could be mass-produced, whilst only five true GN Drives existed

Appearances

• Mobile Suit Gundam 00
• Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Second Season
• Mobile Suit Gundam 00: Awakening of the Trailblazer (movie)

External links

• GN Drive Tau on the Gundam Wiki