ORX-005 Gaplant – MechaBay | Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam

The ORX-005 Gaplant was a prototype general purpose transformable mobile armor developed by the Augusta Research Institute for the Titans.

The “ORX” in the model code indicated it was an Experimental Federation transformable mobile weapon, and the “005” denoted it was the fifth design in this experimental series.

History

An experimental transformable mobile armor developed at the Earth Federation Forces’ Augusta Research Institute and tested by the Titans during the Gryps War, the ORX-005 Gaplant was originally designed to operate as a space combat unit, although its design proved to be just as effective in atmospheric combat.

The Gaplant was tested at the Augusta Newtype Laboratory on Earth, where its extremely high acceleration in its mobile armor mode made the Gaplant one of the fastest and most agile mobile weapons of its time. The mobile armor also mounted a pair of pivoting active thruster units which allowed the Gaplant to change directions during flight without changing the direction of its nose.

Several Gaplant units were constructed and deployed during the Gryps War. One operated by Cyber Newtype Rosamia Badam on Earth, one flown by Titans pilot Yazan Gable in space and a customized unit used by Cyber Newtype Erisia Nocton. The unit deployed against the AEUG following their assault on Jaburo, when Rosamia Badam attacked the Audhumla. This unit was eventually defeated at the Battle at the Golden Gate Bridge.

Design

This transformable mobile weapon was developed by Augusta and Oakland Research Institutes as a space-use mobile armor, but it also proved to have excellent atmospheric flight capabilities. The Gaplant featured a unique transformation system that converted it from a humanoid mobile suit into a sleek mobile armor optimised for high-speed flight.

The Gaplant was one of the most agile mobile weapons of its era when in mobile armor mode, and could quickly change direction mid-flight thanks to its thruster-equipped movable shield binders. However, the mobile armor suffered from significant operational limitations that prevented mass production.

Because its pilot is subjected to extreme G-forces during high-speed flight, the Gaplant could only be used by the physically toughest humans or by an enhanced Cyber Newtype. Additionally, the high fuel consumption meant that it needed to be equipped with an external booster in mobile armor mode for long, extended flights.

A unique feature of the Gaplant was that it possessed two cockpit hatches. The first was the standard mobile suit hatch located in the middle of the torso, which was used in mobile suit mode. The second hatch was used only in mobile armor mode and was located in the back of the head, as the first hatch became inaccessible when transformed.

Armaments

The Gaplant’s standard weapons were two beam rifles integrated into its movable shield binders and two beam sabers for melee combat.

Beam rifles

The Gaplant is equipped with two beam rifles integrated into the arm-mounted movable shield binders. These beam rifles boast higher output than most beam rifles of the era, as they are powered directly by the mobile suit’s reactor. Each rifle had a power rating of 3.0 MW, providing substantial firepower against enemy mobile suits.

Beam sabers

The Gaplant carried two beam sabers with a power rating of 0.6 MW each. These were stored in recharge racks in the hip armor and hand-carried when in use. The beam sabers provided effective close-range combat capabilities when engaging enemy mobile suits directly.

Optional booster

While the thrusters allow the Gaplant to attain incredibly high acceleration, they consume fuel at a high rate. To compensate, the Gaplant can attach a custom long-range booster in MA mode, which substantially increases the amount of fuel the Gaplant can carry, thus increasing its operational flight time. When the fuel was depleted, the booster could be purged to avoid deadweight.

Known pilots

Rosamia Badam
Yazan Gable
Eliard Hunter
Wes Murphy
Carl Matsubara
Audrey April
Erisia Nocton

Variants

The Gaplant served as the base for several advanced variants developed by the Titans Test Team, including the ORX-005 Gaplant TR-5 and its enhanced configurations such as the ORX-005+LRX-007X Gaplant TR-5 [Fiver].

Behind the scenes

Kazumi Fujita designed the Zeta Gundam version, whilst Kenki Fujioka created the Advance of Zeta version. The design was inspired by the RX-121 Gundam TR-1 [Hazel] High Mobility Type, particularly its pivoting thruster system.

Appearances

Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam
Advance of Zeta: The Flag of Titans

External links

ORX-005 Gaplant on the Gundam Wiki
ORX-005 Gaplant on MAHQ