RB-79[M] Ball Marine Type – MechaBay

The RB-79[M] Ball Marine Type was an underwater use mobile pod developed by the Earth Federation Forces as an amphibious variant of the RB-79 Ball (Thunderbolt Ver.).

The “R” in the model code meant it was a Federation model¹ and the “B” indicated that it was a Ball-type mobile pod. The “79” in the model number denoted it was developed from the RB-79 Ball, and the “[M]” suffix designated it as a Marine type variant optimised for underwater operations.

History

The RB-79[M] Ball Marine Type was developed by the Earth Federation Forces as part of their efforts to create amphibious variants of existing mobile weapons for underwater operations. Based on the RB-79 Ball (Thunderbolt Ver.), the Marine Type incorporated modifications specifically for underwater combat and reconnaissance missions.

The Ball Marine Type was deployed as an underwater reconnaissance unit of the Spartan while searching for Zeon Remnants. It was destroyed by an MSM-03 Gogg (Thunderbolt Ver.). Additional units were later deployed in various operations during the Moore Brotherhood’s activities.

In the manga, the Ball Marine Types were later deployed in the Spartan’s operations on the Rig, being used to stop evacuation crafts from leaving the Rig’s surrounding waters. They were then intercepted by a Sealance high-speed watercraft, and temporarily lost the evacuation crafts. During a joint operation with Bianca Carlyle’s RX-77AQ Guncannon Aqua, three Ball Marine Types attempted to intercept a Prober-class submarine carrying potential pilots for the MS-06R Zaku II High Mobility Type (Reuse “P” Device), but were disabled after being lured into the Frizzy Yard with mines.

Design

The RB-79[M] Ball Marine Type retained the basic spherical configuration of the original RB-79 Ball but incorporated significant modifications for underwater operations. The most notable change was the replacement of conventional rocket thrusters with hydrojet thrusters optimised for underwater propulsion. This allowed the mobile pod to manoeuvre effectively in aquatic environments.

The Ball Marine Type featured sensors with unknown range and a communications cable connected to the top of the unit. Two searchlights were mounted on the front of the pod to provide illumination in dark underwater environments, essential for reconnaissance and combat operations.

The mobile pod maintained the standard cockpit configuration located in the body, designed to accommodate a single pilot. The cockpit was presumably sealed and pressurised to protect the pilot during underwater operations.

Armaments

The Ball Marine Type’s armaments were specifically adapted for underwater combat environments, differing significantly from the space-use variants.

Beam sabers

The Ball Marine Type was equipped with 2 beam sabers, stored in recharge racks on the back and hand-carried in use. These beam sabers used an I-field to contain Minovsky particles within the shape of a blade. Minovsky particles broke down matter at a molecular level, meaning the beam saber could cut through almost any material. The beam sabers were waterproofed and modified for underwater use, as beam weapons typically had reduced effectiveness in aquatic environments.

Vulcan guns

Two vulcan guns were mounted in the head of the Ball Marine Type. These rapid-fire weapons served multiple purposes, including engaging lightly armored targets, providing suppressive fire, and serving as a missile defence system. In underwater operations, these weapons would have limited range and effectiveness due to water resistance.

Small missiles

The Ball Marine Type carried many small missiles mounted on shoulder and waist armor. These missiles were optimised for underwater use and provided the mobile pod with its primary ranged attack capability. The specific type and guidance system of these missiles varied between different configurations.

Missile pods

Optional armament included 2 missile pods mounted above the pod. In the ONA, the Ball Marine Type is depicted as having four Twin Missile Pods mounted at the top. In the manga, it has six Twin Missile Pods mounted at the top. These additional missile pods significantly increased the Ball Marine Type’s firepower, allowing it to engage multiple targets or deliver concentrated attacks against heavily armoured opponents.

Searchlights

Two searchlights were mounted on the front of the pod, providing essential illumination for underwater operations. These lights were crucial for navigation and target identification in the dark depths of the ocean.

Known pilots

Carolina Kulikova

Behind the scenes

Yasuo Ohtagaki was the original mechanical designer for the Ball Marine Type, as part of his redesign work for the Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt series. Ohtagaki mentioned that he wanted to compete with Hajime Katoki’s refined Ball design, noting “There’s also a Marine Ball later on” when discussing his approach to updating the classic Ball design for the Thunderbolt universe.

The Ball Marine Type represents Ohtagaki’s interpretation of how the Earth Federation would adapt their mobile weapons for amphibious operations, fitting into the broader theme of the Thunderbolt series which explores alternative configurations and variants of classic Universal Century mobile suits.

Appearances

Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt (manga)
Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt (anime)

External links

RB-79[M] Ball Marine Type (Thunderbolt anime) on MAHQ
RB-79[M] Ball Marine Type on the Gundam Wiki

Federation in Japanese is renpou, hence the use of “R”. ↩