RX-79[G] Gundam Ground Type – MechaBay

The RX-79[G] Gundam Ground Type was a mass production ground combat mobile suit developed by the Earth Federation Forces using spare parts from Project V.

The “R” in the model code meant it was a Federation model and the “X” indicated that it was an experimental mobile suit. The “79” in the model code denoted it was from the RX-79 line developed for ground combat, and the “[G]” suffix indicated that it was a ground-use variant.

History

While the Earth Federation Forces’ Operation V mobile suit development program was underway at the Side 7 research colony, the EFF also began production of experimental units at its Jaburo military headquarters in South America on Earth. Intended to help turn the tide of the ground war during the One Year War, the engineers at Jaburo used spare parts originally manufactured for the RX-78-2 Gundam prototype and built approximately 20 units of a specialized ground combat model Gundam, the RX-79[G].

Twelve of these units were assigned to the Kojima Battalion stationed in Southeast Asia, particularly to the 04th and 08th M.S. Teams. The limited number of units produced made the Gundam Ground Type extremely valuable in the field, and each unit saw extensive combat during the Southeast Asian theatre of the One Year War.

Since the RX-79[G]s were made primarily of spare parts leftover from Operation V, no replacement parts were available. This resulted in hasty field repairs like Shiro Amada’s RX-79[G]Ez-8 Gundam Ez8. When Karen Joshua’s unit was damaged, the head of an RGM-79[G] GM Ground Type was used as a replacement, earning the Gundam the nickname “GM Head.”

Design

The RX-79[G] Gundam Ground Type was specifically designed for terrestrial combat operations, with all space-use equipment and the expensive Core Block System omitted to reduce cost and complexity. This caused the Gundam Ground Type to be lighter, allowing it to rival the performance of the RX-78 while under gravity.

In order to save time and cost, the RX-79[G] was constructed using surplus parts for the RX-78. Since the quality of these parts varied greatly, differences in performance became a problem, so a limiter was added in order to ensure stable performance. This limiter can be disengaged, activating a state known as “MAX mode”, greatly increasing performance.

The beam sabers were stored in the legs, as the backpack mounted an equipment rack to carry storage containers, parachute packs, or other field options. The head vulcan guns were removed, as the head now carried a periscope for underwater and trench warfare. Instead of head-mounted weapons, the mobile suit featured a chest-mounted vulcan gun and multi-launcher for close-range combat.

The cockpit was simplified from the original Gundam’s Core Block System to a standard cockpit mounted in the upper torso, reducing manufacturing costs and maintenance requirements while maintaining pilot safety.

Armaments

The RX-79[G] Gundam Ground Type’s standard weapons were a chest-mounted vulcan gun and multi-launcher for close-range combat, and two beam sabers for melee combat.

Vulcan gun

A single vulcan gun was mounted in the left side of the mobile suit’s chest. 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.

Multi-launcher

Mounted alongside the vulcan gun in the chest, the multi-launcher provided close-range support firepower. A launcher system consisting of multiple missile containers fitted on a base unit. Two to four missiles can be stored within each container depending on the type of warhead selected to meet the needs of the operation.

Beam sabers

The beam saber racks were moved from the backpack to the legs, and were changed to an enclosed type to prevent dust from entering. The two 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.

100 mm machine gun

A beam rifle developed by the Blash Corporation upon the request of the Earth Federation Ground Forces, who are unsatisfied with the performance of the M-79C-1 Beam Spray Gun. It is primary for use in atmospheric conditions and is a redesign of the RX-78-2 Gundam’s XBR-M-79-07G beam rifle. However, the standard armament for most Ground Type units was the 100 mm machine gun, which provided reliable ballistic firepower.

Beam rifle

The Gundam Ground Type was capable of using beam rifle. However, only a small number of beam rifles were manufactured for it, and few units were equipped with it. When available, the beam rifle provided superior firepower to conventional ballistic weapons.

180 mm cannon

For long-range engagements, the Gundam Ground Type could be equipped with a 180 mm cannon that provided heavy artillery support against fortified positions and enemy mobile suits.

Short shield

The mobile suit carried a short shield mounted on either forearm for defence. The shield was designed to protect the cockpit and other critical areas while maintaining mobility.

Optional equipment

Its backpack was designed to mount various equipment, such as a weapon container for carrying various handheld weapons or a parachute pack. This modularity allowed individual units to be configured for specific mission requirements.

Known pilots

Pilot(s): Shiro Amada, Karen Joshua, Terry Sanders, Jr., Michel Ninorich, Matt Healy, Barry Balzary, Nao Jessica Parker, Sebastian Kurie

Variants

The RX-79[G] Gundam Ground Type served as the basis for several field modifications and specialized variants:

RX-79[G]Ez-8 Gundam Ez8 – Field-modified version with enhanced performance
RX-79[G] GM Head – Unit with RGM-79[G] GM Ground Type head as replacement

Behind the scenes

Original mechanical designer: Kunio Okawara

The RX-79[G] Gundam Ground Type was designed specifically for The 08th MS Team OVA series to showcase more realistic, gritty ground combat during the One Year War. The design philosophy emphasised practicality and battlefield survivability over the more heroic appearance of the original RX-78-2 Gundam.

Appearances

Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team
Mobile Suit Gundam Side Story: The Blue Destiny

External links

RX-79[G] Gundam Ground Type on the Gundam Wiki
RX-79[G] Gundam Ground Type on MAHQ