RX-178+FXA-05D Super Gundam

The RX-178+FXA-05D Super Gundam was a prototype combined mobile suit. The AEUG developed the weapons unit for the mobile suit built by the Earth Federation elite unit Titans.

The model code indicated that it was a combination of the RX-178 Gundam Mk-II and FXA-05D G-Defenser.

Production overview

Model number: RX-178+FXA-05D

Code name: Super Gundam

Type: Prototype combined mobile suit

Completed: UC 0087

First deployment: September UC 0087

Manufacturer: Titans, AEUG

Operator: AEUG

Developed from

RX-178 Gundam Mk-II

General characteristics

Crew: Pilot only

Cockpit: Standard cockpit in torso

Head height: 18.5 m

Total height: Unknown

Empty weight: Unknown

Gross weight: 94.0 t

Armour: Titanium alloy ceramic composite, Gundarium alloy

Sensors: Standard

Sensor range: 11,300 m

Performance

Power plant: Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor

Power output: Unknown

Propulsion:

Rocket thrusters: 4 x 20,300 kg, 2 x 42,400 kg
Max speed: Unknown

180° turn time: Unknown

Thrust-to-weight ratio: 1.77 G

Equipment

Fixed

2 x beam saber
2 x 14-tube missile pod
4 x 60mm vulcan guns
1 x long beam rifle
1 x shield (optional)
1 x 60 mm vulcan pod (optional)

Handheld

1 x beam rifle
1 x 360 mm hyper bazooka

History

After the One Year War, the Earth Federation elite unit Titans was secretly developing its own mobile weapons in preparation for its plan to subjugate the Earth Sphere. One of the earliest designs was the RX-178 Gundam Mk-II based on the famed RX-78-2 Gundam.

When the AEUG received intelligence about the prototype Gundam Mk-II, it decided to capture a prototype unit for the movable frame technology and to also expose the Titans’s secret project to the Earth Sphere. On 2 March UC 0087, a team of RMS-099 Rick Dias entered the Gryps II space colony on a reconnaissance mission, with the capture of a Gundam Mk-II unit as a secondary objective. The AEUG managed to capture all three prototype units, marking the start of the Gryps Conflict.

As the war progressed, the Titans deployed other mobile weapons that were more powerful than the Gundam Mk-II. Although Anaheim Electronics made progress with its Project Zeta to develop next generation mobile suits for the AEUG, the war was tilting in favour of the Titans and Anaheim Electronics had to provide the AEUG with the means to match what the Titans fielded. Anaheim Electronics developed parts for the Gundam Mk-II to increase its performance and capabilities.

Anaheim Electronics developed the FXA-05D G-Defenser unit that could combine with the Gundam Mk-II to form the RX-178+FXA-05D Super Gundam.

The Super Gundam parts were destroyed by the end of the Gryps Conflict. Anaheim Electronics created the FXA-08R Mega Rider to replace the G-Defenser as the new support unit for the Gundam Mk-II during the First Neo Zeon War.

Design

The FXA-05D G-Defenser docked with the RX-178 Gundam Mk-II to form the G-Flyer mode that gave the Gundam Mk-II higher speeds and longer flying range.

To transform fully into the RX-178+FXA-05D Super Gundam, the G-Defenser’s cockpit would detach and its body would fold around the Gundam Mk-II.

The Super Gundam had around 20% increase in mobility compared to the Gundam Mk-II. The Gundam Mk-II had four thrusters with output of 20,300 kg each. The G-Defenser had two thrusters with output of 42,400 kg each.

The G-Defenser body also became movable shields to give the mobile suit greater protection.

RX-178+FXA-05D Super Gundam

Armaments

The Super Gundam’s standard weapons were the Gundam Mk-II’s beam saber for melee combat and the G-Defenser’s long rifle for ranged attack.

Beam sabres

A·E-Br·G-Sc-L beam saber

The Super Gundam had a pair of beam sabers for close combat. It used the A·E-Br·G-Sc-L beam saber developed by AEUG that had a power rating of 0.45 megawatts.

The beam sabre used an I-field to contain Minovsky particles within the shape of a blade. The beam sabre could cut through almost any material. Minovsky particles were channelled into the sabres through an energy capacitor (E-cap) attached to their hilts. The E-cap recharged with Minvosky particles from the Super Gundam’s reactor when the sabre was stored in the recharge rack in the rear waist armour of the mobile suit.

Long rifle

The Super Gundam had a long rifle for ranged attack.

The beam rifle drew its rounds directly from the G-Defenser’s Minovsky reactor. In the Super Gundam form, it also drew power from the Super Gundam’s power plant. Minovksy particles broke down matter at a molecular level, allowing the beam rifle bolts to penetrate even the thickest armour.

This meant the long rifle had the immense destructive power that was on par with the MSN-00100 Hyaku-Shiki’s mega bazooka launcher.

Beam rifle

A·E-Br·XBR-87-C beam rifle

The Super Gundam carried the A·E-Br·XBR-87-C beam rifle for ranged attack. It had power rating of 2.6 megawatts.

The beam rifle drew its rounds from energy capacitors (E-caps), clips of charged Minovsky particles. Minovksy particles broke down matter at a molecular level, allowing the beam rifle bolts to penetrate even the thickest armour. This meant that a single shot could destroy a mobile suit.

60 mm vulcan pods

The Super Gundam did not come with a standard close-in weapons system. It could optionally mount a 60 mm twin-barrel vulcan pod on its head. The AEUG reversed engineered the VCU-505EX-V*B/Ver.012 from the pods the Titans designed for the Super Gundam.

The vulcan pod was loaded with 1,400 rounds of ammunition and fired at a rate of 1,600 rounds per minute. It was used primarily against light-armoured support units. Sustained fire from the guns could damage mobile suits and were often used in close distance combat.

360 mm hyper bazooka

The Super Gundam could equip a 360 mm hyper bazooka in situations that required heavy fire power. The AEUG AEUG reverse engineered the H-Baz-87-A*E/Ver.004 for their Gundam Mk-II unit. The bazooka was stored on a rack on the rear skirt armour when it was not in use.

Designed to fire adhesive rounds to immobilise enemies, the bazooka could also load other types of ammunitions such as explosive rounds or pellet shot rounds. Its chamber loaded one round while its magazine carried seven rounds.

Known pilots

Emma Sheen

Behind the scenes

Okawara Kunio, Nagano Mamoru and Fujita Kazumi were the principal designers for the version in Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam . Fujita Kazumi cleaned up the design.

Although the G-Flyer mode was not shown in the TV series, it appears in video games and in the instruction manuals of the High Grade Universal Century and Master Grade kits of the Super Gundam.

The Super Gundam’s transformation in Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam used of stock footage, partly to make the unit look more impressive with the transformation sequence. Hence, the unit was not shown launching as a whole, but transforming after the Gundam Mk-II and G-Defenser launched. This meant that the Gundam Mk-II would discard its shield for the transformation shortly after launch.