RCX-76-02 Guncannon First Type

The RCX-76-02 Guncannon First Type was a prototype artillery mobile suit developed by Anaheim Electronics for the Earth Federation Forces. It served as the successor to the RTX-65 Guntank Early Type and was the precursor to the more successful RX-77-2 Guncannon.

The “RC” designation indicated it was developed by a civilian contractor (Anaheim Electronics) rather than the Federation military directly, whilst the “X” denoted its experimental status. The “76” indicated it was developed in UC 0076, though production continued into UC 0078.

History

In UC 0078, Anaheim Electronics produced the RCX-76-02 Guncannon First Type for the Earth Federation Forces. An elite squadron was deployed to fight Zeon mobile suits at Mare Smythii on the lunar surface and performed poorly. The Iron Cavalry Squadron, a twelve-unit team commanded by Lieutenant Junior Grade Erdush, operated these machines during history’s first mobile suit battle.

Despite its humanoid shape, the Guncannon was given the same main battle tank (MBT) classification as the Guntank. The Guncannon’s humanoid design mirrored similar developments within Zeon. The unit was intended to be more versatile than the Guntank, and its three-fingered manipulators could be changed with different armaments depending on the mission.

During the Battle of Mare Smythii, the Guncannon First Type faced Zeon forces including the MS-05 Zaku I piloted by the Black Tri-Stars and Char Aznable. The Guncannon First Type had a disastrous showing against Zeon’s MS-05 Zaku I. Multiple Guncannons were destroyed during the engagement, demonstrating the superiority of Zeon’s mobile suit technology.

As a result, developer Tem Ray pushed the EFF to allow him to develop the RX-78-2 Gundam. This poor performance led directly to the initiation of Operation V, which would produce the three prototype mobile suits that would turn the tide of the One Year War.

Design

The RCX-76-02 was based on data from two evaluation units, the RCX-76-01A Mobility Test Type and RCX-76-01B Firepower Test Type. The Guncannon was intended to be more versatile than the Guntank, and its three-fingered manipulators could be changed with different armaments depending on the mission.

Unlike later Federation mobile suits, the Guncannon First Type lacked the sophisticated Core Block System and beam weapons that would characterise Operation V mobile suits. Its design philosophy focused on combining the firepower of conventional artillery with the mobility advantages of a humanoid platform.

The mobile suit featured a relatively simple construction compared to its successors, with external armament mounting points and basic sensor systems. Its three-fingered hands allowed it to manipulate weapons and equipment, though they were far less sophisticated than the fully articulated manipulators of later designs.

Armaments

The Guncannon First Type carried a diverse loadout designed for multiple engagement scenarios, though all weapons were conventional projectile-based systems.

Vulcan guns

2 x vulcan gun, mounted in head provided point defence and anti-personnel capabilities. These rapid-fire weapons served as the mobile suit’s primary close-range defensive armament.

Low-recoil cannon

Low-recoil cannon, mounted on left shoulder served as the primary artillery weapon. This cannon provided the Guncannon with long-range fire support capabilities, though its effectiveness against mobile suit targets proved limited.

Gatling gun

Gatling gun, mounted on right shoulder offered sustained firepower for suppressive fire and anti-aircraft duties. The weapon complemented the low-recoil cannon by providing rapid-fire capability.

Rifle

Rifle served as a handheld weapon for medium-range engagements. This conventional projectile weapon was typical of pre-beam weapon Federation designs.

Shield

Shield, mounted on left forearm provided defensive capability. The shield was essential given the Guncannon’s role as a front-line artillery unit.

Optional missile launcher

Missile launcher, replaces low-recoil cannon could be mounted as an alternative to the standard cannon, providing guided munition capability for specific mission requirements.

Known pilots

Erdush (Iron Cavalry Squadron Commander)
Various Iron Cavalry Squadron pilots

Behind the scenes

Pilot: Erdush First appearance: Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin (anime) Original mechanical designer: Hajime Katoki Note: Based on the RX-77-01 Guncannon from the Gundam: The Origin manga

The Guncannon First Type represented Hajime Katoki’s interpretation of early Federation mobile suit development, showing a more conventional approach to mobile weapon design before the revolutionary breakthroughs of Operation V.