RGM-79 Powered GM

The RGM-79 Powered GM was a test use mobile suit developed by the Earth Federation Forces as part of the Gundam Development Project.

The “R” in the model code meant it was a Federation model¹ and the “GM” indicated that it was a mass production Gundam mobile suit. The “79” in the model number denoted it was developed from the RGM-79 GM line.

History

As the Earth Federation Forces rebuilt its military power in the years following the One Year War, it used existing units to serve as testbeds for developing technologies to be incorporated into new mobile suit designs. The RGM-79 Powered GM was a testbed unit developed for the Gundam Development Project. Based on the RGM-79C GM Type C, it was equipped with an early development version of the RX-78GP01 Gundam GP01 “Zephyranthes“‘s large backpack, as well as a pair of new model shock absorber units with integrated auxiliary power on its knees.

Several RGM-79 Powered GM units were manufactured at the Jaburo factory. Two units were assigned to Torrington Base for field testing, with one each assigned to the Burning Team and the Kalent Team. The Burning Team’s unit was piloted by Lieutenant Dick Allen, who used it as a training unit.

During a mock battle that doubled as a data collection mission, the Powered GM displayed mobility far superior to those of the MS-06F-2 Zaku II F2 Type used by the pilot trainees, even without pushing its thrusters to the limit. The performance testing proved the success of the modifications implemented for the Gundam Development Project.

The Kalent Team’s Powered GM was later severely damaged when a team from the Delaz Fleet, led by Anavel Gato, attacked Torrington Base and stole the RX-78GP02A Gundam GP02A “Physalis”. During the subsequent pursuit of Gato’s team to recover the stolen GP02A, Lt. Allen’s unit was destroyed by a MS-09F/trop Dom Tropen in a surprise attack, instantly killing him.

Due to being a testbed unit, it was not given a new model number. Since the units assigned to Torrington Base were destroyed and the Gundam Development Project was later erased from Federation records, the details of its modifications and its specifications were all lost.

Design

One such unit was the RGM-79 Powered GM, a heavily modified version of the RGM-79 GM built to test parts and systems for the Gundam Development Project. The mobile suit was based on the RGM-79C GM Type C, which provided a proven platform for the experimental modifications.

Thanks to these modifications, its thrust was increased by 30%. It mounted a heavy, powerful backpack that provided it with incredible thrust and acceleration, and was equipped with improved shock absorbers in the legs. The backpack was an early development version of the system later used on the RX-78GP01 Gundam GP01 “Zephyranthes”.

The control systems for the backpack and other improvements were placed in external “boxes” on the Powered GM’s armor, making it appear more heavily armored than it actually was. These external control units housed the sophisticated systems required to manage the enhanced propulsion and shock absorption systems.

The Powered GM had an ultracompact Minovsky fusion reactor that generated an output of 1,650 kW. It had an array of rocket thrusters that generated 71,480 kg of total thrust, significantly more than the standard GM’s 55,500 kg total thrust.

The mobile suit retained the standard cockpit design in its torso and had sensors with a detection range of 6,000 metres.

Armaments

The Powered GM’s standard weapons were two 60 mm vulcan guns for close-range defence and a beam saber for melee combat.

60 mm vulcan guns

2 x 60mm vulcan gun, mounted in head

A pair of fire-linked 60 mm vulcan guns were mounted on either side of the Powered GM’s head. These rapid-fire weapons were used primarily against light-armoured support units. Sustained fire from the guns could damage mobile suits and were often used in close distance combat. They also served as missile defence.

Beam saber

beam saber, power rated at 0.38 MW, stored in recharge rack in backpack, hand-carried in use

The Powered GM carried one beam saber for melee combat. It was stored in the recharge rack in the backpack when not in use.

The beam saber used an I-field to contain Minovsky particles within the shape of a blade. Minovsky particles broke down matter at a molecular level. This meant that the beam saber could cut through almost any material.

Minovsky particles were channelled into the saber through an energy capacitor (E-cap) attached to its hilt. The E-cap recharged with Minovsky particles from the Powered GM’s reactor when the saber was stored in the backpack dock.

90 mm bullpup machine gun

90mm bullpup machine gun, clip-fed, 20 rounds per clip, 2 spare clips stored in shield

The Powered GM could be equipped with a 90 mm bullpup machine gun for ranged combat. This weapon was clip-fed with 20 rounds per clip, and two spare clips could be stored in the shield for quick reloading during combat.

360 mm hyper bazooka

360mm hyper bazooka, clip-fed, 7

For heavy firepower, the Powered GM could mount a 360 mm hyper bazooka. This clip-fed weapon provided significant destructive power against heavily armoured targets and fortifications.

Shield

shield, mounted on either forearm

The mobile suit could be equipped with a shield for defence. The shield was mounted on either forearm and provided protection against ballistic and beam attacks. It also served as storage for spare ammunition clips for the machine gun.

Known pilots

• Dick Allen

Behind the scenes

The RGM-79 Powered GM was designed for Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory. The original mechanical designer was Kawamori Shoji.

Appearances

• Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory

See also

• RGM-79C GM Type C
• RX-78GP01 Gundam GP01 “Zephyranthes”
• Gundam Development Project

External links

• RGM-79 Powered GM on the Gundam Wiki
• RGM-79 Powered GM on MAHQ

Footnotes

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