RX-105 Ξ Gundam
Prototype close combat mobile suit developed by Anaheim Electronics.
The RX-105 Ξ Gundam (Xi Gundam) was a commander type heavy mobile suit mass produced by Anaheim Electronics for the anti-Earth Federation military group Mafty.
The “R” in the type code meant it was a Federation model1 and the “X” indicated that it was an experimental mobile suit. The “105” in the model number denoted it was developed in UC 0105.
It is part of Anaheim Electronics’ Zeta Project, as indicated by the Greek letter Ξ (Xi) in the code name.
History
Anti-Earth Federation group Mafty tasked Anaheim Electronics with the creation of a prototype mobile suit to aid the group in its offensive against the Federation. The RX-105 Ξ Gundam was a fifth generation mobile suit developed along with the RX-104FF Penelope. As it started development later than the Penelope, Anaheim Electronics added more advanced technology in the Ξ Gundam.
Anaheim Electronics maintained anonymity by delivering Ξ Gundam in Cargo Pisa to low orbit. When Federation forces discovered the Mafty base in Davao, Mafty forces abandoned the base. Mafty Navue Erin travelled to low Earth orbit to retrieve the Ξ Gundam. While returning to Earth, he encountered the Penelope piloted by Lane Aim. After a brief engagement, he defeated the Penelope and regrouped with the Mafty forces.
Design
When Anaheim Electronics developed the RX-104FF Penelope for the Earth Federation, it also built the RX-105 Ξ Gundam and equipped it with more advanced technology.
The most notable design feature of the Ξ Gundam was the Minovsky Flight Unit mounted on its shoulders. The mobile suit could change into Flight Form that generated beam barriers to allow it to achieve supersonic flight in atmosphere. Top speeds of Mach 2 had been recorded.
The Ξ Gundam had an ultracompact Minovsky power plant that generated an output of 3,980 kW. It had an array of rocket thrusters that generated 160,000 kg of thrust.
The mobile suit had a standard cockpit in its torso with a panoramic monitor and linear seat.
Armaments
The Ξ Gundam’s standard weapons were two beam sabers for melee combat and a beam rifle for ranged attacks. It also had ten funnels missiles as secondary weapons.
Beam rifle
The Beam Rifle was the Ξ Gundam’s primary weapon. It had an initial velocity that was almost double that of previous beam rifle models.
The rifle drew its rounds from energy packs (E-packs), clips of charged Minovsky particles. Minovksy particles broke down matter at a molecular level, allowing the beam rifle bolts to penetrate even the thickest armor. This meant that a single shot could destroy a mobile suit.
These E-packs were used by the RGM-89 Jegan Type-A and other modern mobile suits.
Vulcan guns
A fire-linked gatling vulcan gun was mounted on either sides of the Ξ Gundam’s head.
The vulcan guns were used primarily against light-armored 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 sabers
The Ξ Gundam carried two beam sabers for melee combat. They were docked in the recharge racks on the shoulders when not in use. The beam sabers could generate beam blades on both ends, similar to the ones used by the RX-93 ν Gundam (Nu Gundam).
The 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. This meant that the beam saber could cut through almost any material.
Minovsky particles were channelled into the saber through an E-cap attached to its hilt. The E-cap recharged with Minvosky particles from the mobile suit’s reactor when the saber was stored in the recharge dock.
Shield
The mobile suit mounted a shield on its left arm for defence. It was able to withstand high-powered beam attacks. The shield had a beam cannon in its tip, giving it extra firepower and combat options.
Triple missile launcher
The Ξ Gundam had a triple missile launcher in both forearms and knees. Each launcher carried 7 rounds, bringing the total loadout to 84 missiles.
Funnel missiles
The Ξ Gundam had ten funnels mounted on its rear skirt armor. These were psycommu-guided missiles that could track targets to a certain degree despite being in environments with high Minovsky particle density.
Known pilots
- Mafty Navue Erin
Behind the scenes
Katoki Hajime and Nakatani Seiichi were the original mechanical designers. Morik Yasuhiro designed the version in the Hathaway’s Flash novel.
Gunpla
Bandai has released the 1/144 HGUC Xi Gundam in April 2021 and a special HGUC Xi Gundam vs Penelope funnel missile effect set featuring the battle between the two Gundams.
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Appearances
- Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway
External links
- RX-105 Ξ Gundam on the Gundam Wiki
- RX-105 Ξ Gundam (Hathaway’s Flash) on the Gundam Wiki
- RX-105 Ξ Gundam on MAHQ
- RX-105 Ξ Gundam (anime version) on MAHQ
- RX-105 Ξ Gundam (novel version) on MAHQ
Footnotes
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Federation in Japanese is renpou, hence the use of “R”. ↩