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Magellan-class

Space battleship mass produced by the Earth Federation Forces.
Jenxi Seow Published 19 Mar 2013 Updated 9 Feb 2025
Magellan-class

The Magellan-class was a space battleship mass produced by the Earth Federation Forces as part of its 70’s Armament Reinforcement Plan. It served as the mainstay flagship of the Federation’s space fleets during the One Year War.

History

After the Republic of Zeon transformed into the Principality of Zeon in UC 0069, Zeon began accelerating its arms production in Side 3. The Earth Federation responded by initiating the 70’s Armament Reinforcement Plan to strengthen its military capabilities. This led to the development of both the Magellan-class and Salamis-class vessels.

The Magellan-class typically served as flagships for fleet commanders and high-ranking officers. Though not originally designed to carry mobile weapons, the slow production of newer warships forced the Federation to adapt these vessels for mobile suit transport. RGM-79 GM and RB-79 Ball units were often secured to the external hulls of Magellan-class ships for transport into combat zones.

When Zeon deployed mobile suits at the start of the One Year War, they proved devastatingly effective against Magellan-class vessels, which relied primarily on anti-aircraft guns for defense. Notable losses included the Ananke, flagship of General Revil, which was sunk during the Battle of Loum while attempting to prevent a colony drop. Admiral Tianem’s Titan was also lost while covering the Federation forces’ retreat after the battle.

After the war, the Magellan-class underwent upgrades to become the Magellan Kai-class battleship.

Design

The Magellan-class battleships were heavily armed and armored vessels. Initially equipped with projectile weapons, they were later refitted with beam weaponry during the One Year War.

A distinctive feature was the large re-entry capable shuttle mounted on their ventral hulls, used for atmospheric re-entry or emergency escape.

Armaments

The Magellan-class carried a formidable array of weapons including main cannons, secondary guns, and missile launchers.

2-barrel mega particle cannon

Seven twin mega particle cannon turrets served as the main armament, mounted across the forward, midship and aft sections. Earlier models used projectile-based cannons before being upgraded to mega particle weapons.

2-barrel machine gun

For anti-aircraft and anti-mobile suit defense, fourteen twin machine gun turrets were mounted along the port and starboard sides of the vessel.

Missile launcher

Four missile launchers were installed in the forward section, capable of firing various types of missiles depending on mission requirements.

Mobile weapons

While not originally designed as mobile suit carriers, Magellan-class vessels were later modified to transport mobile suits externally on their hulls, typically carrying:

Known ships

  • Ananke — Flagship of General Revil, sunk at the Battle of Loum
  • Nereid — Sunk covering Federation fleet retreat
  • Titan — Flagship of Admiral Tianem, destroyed by MSN-02 Zeong
  • Phoebe — General Revil’s flagship during Operation Star One
  • Magellan — Lead ship of the class
  • Luzar (SBB-17) — Participated in the attack on A Baoa Qu

Behind the scenes

Okawara Kunio was the original mechanical designer for the Mobile Suit Gundam version, while Katoki Hajime designed the version seen in the MS IGLOO series.

Variants

  • Magellan Kai-class
  • Trafalgar-class
  • Birmingham-class

Appearances

Anime

  • Mobile Suit Gundam
  • Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team
  • Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO: The Hidden One Year War
  • Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO: Apocalypse 0079
  • Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO 603

Manga

  • Char’s Deleted Affair: Portrait of a Young Comet
  • Mobile Suit Gundam 0079
  • Mobile Suit Gundam: Outer Gundam
  • Mobile Suit Gundam Side Story: MS Generation
  • Mobile Suit Gundam MSV-R: Legend of the Universal Century Heroes
  • Mobile Suit Gundam Side Story: Space Beyond the Blaze

Games

  • Mobile Suit Gundam: Journey to Jaburo
  • Mobile Suit Gundam 0079: Zeonic Front
  • Gundam the Ride: A Baoa Qu
  • Mobile Suit Gundam: Encounters in Space
  • Mobile Suit Gundam: Lost War Chronicles
  • Gundam Evolve
  • Mobile Suit Gundam: Pilot’s Locus
  • Mobile Suit Gundam: Spirits of Zeon Dual Stars of Carnage
  • Mobile Suit Gundam Battlefield Record UC 0081
  • Mobile Suit Gundam: We’re Federation Hooligans!!
  • Mobile Suit Gundam: Hunter of Black Clothes
  • Gundam Legacy
  • Mobile Suit Gundam: The Blue Destiny
  • Mobile Suit Gundam: Record of MS Wars REBOOT
  • Mobile Suit Gundam Climax UC: The Woven Web of a Bloodline
  • Mobile Suit Gundam MSV Battle Chronicle Johnny Ridden
  • Mobile Suit Gundam Battlefield Record 0081: The Wrath of Varuna