MSN-001 Delta Gundam

The MSN-001 Delta Gundam was a prototype transformable mobile suit developed by Anaheim Electronics for the Anti-Earth Union Group (AEUG). The “MSN” in the model code stood for mobile suit designed by Doctor Nagano, who led the engineering team. This designation was unrelated to the MSN series developed by Zeon. The “001” indicated it was Dr Nagano’s first mobile weapon design.

History

During the Gryps Conflict, the AEUG commissioned Anaheim Electronics to develop their next generation of mobile suits under Project Zeta. The project’s goal was to produce the transformable MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam. The MSN-001 Delta Gundam was an early proposal that was rejected due to its frame lacking the structural strength needed for transformation. Rather than discard the design entirely, Anaheim’s engineers modified it into the non-transformable MSN-00100 Hyaku Shiki.

The Delta Gundam design was later revisited and improved using data from the Zeta Gundam, leading to the creation of the MSN-001A1 Delta Plus.

Although the Delta Gundam never saw actual combat, it lived on as a combat simulator program. In UC 0094, Riddhe Marcenas used this simulator to duel against combat data based on Quattro Bajeena.

Design

Anaheim Electronics developed the Delta Gundam incorporating design elements from the RMS-099 Rick Dias and MSA-003 Nemo. While designed as a transformable mobile suit capable of converting into a waverider mode, its frame proved inadequate for handling the stresses of transformation. Instead of abandoning the design, Anaheim’s engineers repurposed it as the non-transformable MSN-00100 Hyaku Shiki.

The Delta Gundam featured a distinctive gold anti-beam coating similar to that later used on the Hyaku Shiki. This highly visible color scheme was meant as a provocative statement against the Titans, though testing showed the coating provided only marginally better beam protection than standard anti-beam treatments.

The mobile suit was constructed using Gundarium alloy alloy, an improved version of the Luna Titanium alloy alloy used in the original RX-78-2 Gundam. This material was produced by Anaheim Electronics at Axis.

For propulsion, the Delta Gundam used rocket thrusters generating 100,400 kg of total thrust, supplemented by twelve vernier thruster arrays and apogee motors for fine control. This configuration gave it superior speed and maneuverability compared to the Hyaku Shiki.

The cockpit featured a standard panoramic monitor system with linear seat, located in the torso section.

Armaments

The Delta Gundam’s standard weapons were vulcan guns and hybrid beam sabers for close combat, with a beam rifle for ranged attacks.

Vulcan guns

Two fire-linked 60 mm vulcan guns were mounted in the Delta Gundam’s head. These rapid-fire weapons primarily served as defensive armaments against missiles and lightly armored targets. Each gun carried 400 rounds and could fire at 1,600 rounds per minute.

Hybrid beam sabers

The Delta Gundam carried two hybrid beam sabers stored in its shield. These versatile weapons functioned as both beam sabers in mobile suit mode and beam guns in waverider mode. Each saber had a power rating of 0.4 megawatts.

The beam sabers used an I-field to contain Minovsky particles in a blade shape. The weapons could cut through most armor materials. They were powered by energy capacitors (E-caps) that recharged from the mobile suit’s reactor when stored in the shield.

Beam rifle

The BR-M-87 beam rifle served as the Delta Gundam’s primary ranged weapon, with a power rating of 2.8 megawatts. It used energy capacitors (E-caps) containing charged Minovsky particles as ammunition. The concentrated particle beams could penetrate heavy armor, potentially destroying mobile suits with a single hit.

Shield

A shield mounted on the left arm provided protection in mobile suit mode and formed the nose section in waverider mode. Besides its defensive role, the shield also stored the hybrid beam sabers.

Known pilots

• Riddhe Marcenas (simulator)

Behind the scenes

Katoki Hajime was the original mechanical designer.

Variants

• MSN-001-2 Delta Gundam II
• MSN-001A1 Delta Plus

Appearances

• Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn (game)
• Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn Testament
• Gundam MS Graphica
• Gundam Unicorn Mobile Suit Variations

External links

• MSN-001 Delta Gundam on Gundam Wiki
• MSN-001 Delta Gundam on MAHQ