RX-9/A Narrative Gundam A-Packs
High-speed pursuit mobile suit configuration developed by Anaheim Electronics and Luio & Co
The RX-9/A Narrative Gundam A-Packs was a high-speed pursuit configuration of the RX-9 Narrative Gundam designed to capture the runaway RX-0 Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex.
The “R” in the model code meant it was a Federation model1 and the “X” indicated that it was an experimental mobile suit. The “9” denoted that it was the ninth experimental design, whilst the “/A” suffix indicated it was the A-Packs equipment configuration.
History
The RX-9/A Narrative Gundam A-Packs was developed by Anaheim Electronics and Luio & Co as part of Operation Phoenix Hunt in UC 0097. Due to the base Narrative Gundam lacking any armaments beyond basic vulcan guns, the rest of its weapons in that mobile armor-like configuration were part of the A-Packs equipment.
The A-Packs configuration was specifically designed to match the incredible speed of the RX-0 Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex, which had gone missing during a test flight in UC 0095. The equipment package transformed the relatively lightweight Narrative Gundam into a massive, heavily armed pursuit unit capable of high-speed operations in space.
In UC 0097, pilot Jona Basta was deployed in the Narrative Gundam A-Packs to engage the Phenex in Side 4’s shoal zone. The mission was part of a joint operation between the Earth Federation Forces and Luio & Co to recapture the rogue mobile suit. During the engagement, the A-Packs equipment was damaged during the course of the battle, and some of it was subjected to a strange effect of the Phenex’s psycho waves where it reverted to its original blue colour.
Due to the Phenex being piloted by Jona’s childhood friend Rita Bernal, he hesitated to fire the high mega cannon and allowed the target to escape. Following the failed capture attempt, the mobile suit was reconfigured as the RX-9/B Narrative Gundam B-Packs for its next mission.
Design
The A-Packs configuration dramatically transformed the RX-9 Narrative Gundam from a lightweight testbed into a massive pursuit unit resembling a mobile armor. The equipment package increased the mobile suit’s overall height to 27.0 metres and its gross weight to 193.6 tonnes, making it one of the heaviest mobile suit configurations of its era.
The most significant addition was four external large boosters that provided the mobile suit with tremendous propulsion capability. The total thrust output increased to 304,000 kg, allowing the A-Packs to nearly match the speed of the Phenex. The power plant was also upgraded to a more powerful reactor generating 5,070 kW, compared to the base Narrative Gundam’s 2,980 kW output.
The A-Packs retained the base Narrative Gundam’s Core Block System and standard cockpit configuration. The massive equipment package was designed to be jettisoned if necessary, allowing the core Narrative Gundam to operate independently.
Armaments
The A-Packs configuration provided the Narrative Gundam with substantial firepower designed for both pursuit and capture operations.
60 mm vulcan guns
The base Narrative Gundam’s pair of fire-linked 60 mm vulcan guns were retained in the A-Packs configuration. These rapid-fire weapons served as close-range defensive armament and missile interception systems.
Beam sabers
The A-Packs was equipped with a pair of standard beam sabers for close-quarters combat. These energy weapons used an I-field to contain Minovsky particles within the shape of a blade, allowing them to cut through most materials at the molecular level.
Large beam sabers
In addition to the standard beam sabers, the A-Packs mounted two large beam sabers with increased power output and longer beam blades. These oversized weapons provided enhanced reach and cutting power for engaging heavily armoured targets.
High mega cannon
The primary ranged weapon of the A-Packs was a high mega cannon, a powerful beam weapon capable of destroying mobile suits with a single shot. The weapon was positioned to provide maximum field of fire whilst maintaining the mobile suit’s pursuit capabilities. However, Jona Basta hesitated to use this weapon against the Phenex due to his personal connection to its pilot.
5-tube missile pods
Six 5-tube missile pods were mounted across the A-Packs equipment, providing a total of 30 missiles for area denial and suppressive fire. These missiles could be used to herd the target or create barriers to escape routes.
Psycho capture units
The most specialised equipment on the A-Packs were a pair of psycho capture units designed specifically to neutralise the Phenex. These devices could interfere with psycho waves and create energy fields to immobilise psycommu-equipped mobile suits. The capture units represented cutting-edge technology in psychoframe warfare systems.
Known pilots
- Jona Basta
Behind the scenes
Katoki Hajime was the original mechanical designer for the A-Packs configuration. The design was clearly inspired by the GP-03 Dendrobium Orchis from Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory, featuring a similar mobile armor-like configuration with massive boosters and heavy armament.
The A-Packs served to demonstrate the privileged relationship between Luio & Co and the Earth Federation, as the GP series mobile suits were never declassified due to the contentious nature of Operation Stardust.
Appearances
See also
- RX-9 Narrative Gundam
- RX-9/B Narrative Gundam B-Packs
- RX-9/C Narrative Gundam C-Packs
- RX-0 Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex
External links
- RX-9/A Narrative Gundam A-Packs on MAHQ
- RX-9/A Narrative Gundam A-Packs on the Gundam Wiki
Footnotes
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Federation in Japanese is renpou, hence the use of “R”. ↩