The MSA-004 Nemo II was a prototype assault mobile suit developed by Anaheim Electronics for AEUG. The “MSA” in the model code stands for mobile suit of AEUG. The “004” in the model code indicates that it was the fourth mobile weapon designed for AEUG.
History
The Anti-Earth Union Group (AEUG) deployed many RMS-179 (RGM-79R) GM II at its frontlines during the Gryps Conflict. However, its leadership wanted their own mass produced mobile suit unit that rivalled and surpassed the GM II used by the Titans and Earth Federation. The AEUG engaged Anaheim Electronics to design the new unit for them. After rejecting the first two concepts, the third design MSA-003 Nemo was approved by the AEUG. The Nemo was a success and remained in service through the Gryps Conflict and the First Neo Zeon War.
The AEUG wanted a successor to the Nemo as its mainstay mobile suit to keep up with the newer suits that the Titans were deploying in the war. The MSA-004 Nemo II was the prototype for the next generation of the Nemo line. The Nemo II was not adopted by the AEUG for mass production due to undisclosed reasons. The design was further developed into the MSA-004K Nemo III prototype that was also not mass produced.
MSA-004 Nemo II
Design
The MSA-004 Nemo II was a prototype mobile suit designed by Anaheim Electronics for the AEUG to replace the successful MSA-003 Nemo design. The Nemo II had an upgraded reactor, providing greater power output. It had lower propulsion with combined thruster output at 68,600 kg total compared to the 91,600 kg of the Nemo. Despite that, it had greater mobility due the more advanced verniers and apogee motors.
The Nemo II was equipped with a standard panoramic cockpit with linear seat in its torso.
MSA-004 Nemo II from Gihren’s Greed
Armaments
The MSA-004 Nemo II’s standard weapons was a beam sabre for melee combat. It could optionally equip a beam rifle for ranged attack.
Beam sabre
The Nemo II had a beam sabre stored in its rear waist armour. These had output rated at 0.4 megawatts. These beam sabres were designed for the RMS-099 Rick Dias, but the Nemo was designed to be compatible with them.
The beam sabres used an I-field to contain Minovsky particles within the shape of a blade. The beam sabres could cut through almost any material. Minovsky particles were channelled into the sabres through an energy capacitor (E-cap) attached to their hilts. The E-cap recharged with Minvosky particles from the Nemo’s reactor when the sabres were stored in the recharge racks in the rear waist armour of the mobile suit.
60 mm vulcan guns
A pair of fire-linked 60 mm gatling vulcan guns were mounted on either sides of the Nemo II’s head. The guns were similar to the ones introduced in the RX-78-2 Gundam.
Each vulcan gun was loaded with 400 rounds of ammunition and fired at a rate of 1,600 rounds per minute. It was used primarily against light-armoured support units. Sustained fire from the guns could damage mobile suits and were often used in close distance combat.
Beam rifle
The Nemo II could optionally carry a beam rifle. The rilfe was made to conform with AEUG standards, allowing it to be used across different models and generations of AEUG mobile suits.
The beam rifle drew its rounds from energy capacitors (E-caps), clips of charged Minovsky particles. Minovksy particles broke down matter at a molecular level, allowing the hyper beam rifle bolts to penetrate even the thickest armour. This meant that a single shot could destroy a mobile suit.
Behind the scenes
Kazumi Fujita was the original mechanical designer.