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Spartan

Unique Pegasus-class assault landing ship equipped with landing craft.
Jenxi Seow Published 24 Jun 2024 Updated 24 Jun 2024
*Spartan*

The Spartan was a unique Pegasus-class assault landing ship constructed by the Earth Federation Forces. Unlike other ships in its class, the Spartan was equipped with four hover landing craft docked above its mobile suit hangars, giving it distinctive capabilities for amphibious assault operations.

The ship was commanded by Captain Vincent Pike and served as the flagship for Operation Thunderbolt and subsequent missions against Zeon remnants and other threats to Federation interests in the post-war period.

History

The Spartan was constructed by the Earth Federation Forces as a specialised variant of the Pegasus-class assault landing ship. The ship’s unique configuration with four landing craft made it particularly suited for amphibious assault operations and missions requiring rapid deployment of mobile suits to terrestrial environments.

Like other ships of its class, the Spartan utilised a Minovsky craft system, which allowed it to fly at low altitudes on Earth and escape unassisted from the planet’s atmosphere. However, the Spartan featured additional capabilities, including the ability for certain sections of the ship to transform for atmospheric reentry operations.

Post-war operations

In August UC 0080, shortly after the end of the One Year War, the Spartan was conducting atmospheric reentry operations when it came under attack by Zeon remnants using a Komusai transport on a suicide mission. The kamikaze craft posed a significant threat to the Spartan during its vulnerable reentry phase.

The attack was thwarted by One Year War veteran Io Fleming, who piloted the new RX-78AL Atlas Gundam to destroy the kamikaze craft before it could impact the Spartan. This engagement demonstrated both the ongoing threat posed by Zeon remnants and the effectiveness of the Spartan’s mobile suit complement.

South Seas Alliance investigation

Following the atmospheric reentry incident, the Spartan was assigned a new mission to investigate the South Seas Alliance, a breakaway Asian territory that had declared independence from the Earth Federation. Intelligence reports indicated that the South Seas Alliance had secretly acquired advanced Zeon technology, including the MS-06R High Mobility Type “Psycho Zaku”.

This advanced mobile suit was of particular concern to the Federation, as Io Fleming had previously encountered similar units during the war in the Thunderbolt Sector. The Spartan’s mission was to determine the extent of South Seas Alliance military capabilities and neutralise any threats to Federation security.

Antarctic operations

During its investigation of the South Seas Alliance, the Spartan encountered Zeon remnants on patrol in Antarctica. These forces appeared to be conducting reconnaissance operations and maintaining supply lines for continued resistance activities.

The Antarctic engagement highlighted the global nature of the Zeon remnant threat and the need for continued Federation vigilance in all regions of Earth. The Spartan’s versatile design and mobile suit complement proved valuable in these operations across diverse geographical environments.

Final battle

The Spartan later came under attack by South Seas Alliance forces that were under the mind control of cult leader Levan Fuu. This attack represented a significant escalation in the conflict, as it involved both mobile suits and invading ground troops attempting to board and capture the ship.

The ship’s crew was forced to fight off a coordinated assault that utilised both conventional and psychological warfare tactics. The battle tested the Spartan’s defensive capabilities and the resolve of its crew in facing an enemy that employed unconventional methods of combat.

According to some sources, the Spartan was ultimately sunk during the final battle at Taal Volcano Base, though details of this engagement remain unclear. The ship’s fate highlighted the dangerous nature of post-war operations and the continuing threats faced by Federation forces.

Design

The Spartan was unique among Pegasus-class ships due to several distinctive features that set it apart from other vessels in the class. These modifications reflected specific operational requirements and technological innovations developed for amphibious assault operations.

The most notable feature of the Spartan was its four hover landing craft that were docked above the ship’s leg-mounted hangars. These craft featured cockpits for crew and could transport mobile suits to mission start points, providing tactical flexibility for operations in various environments.

The ship also featured the ability for certain sections to transform for atmospheric reentry, enhancing its operational versatility. This capability allowed the Spartan to conduct complex atmospheric insertion operations that would have been difficult or impossible for standard Pegasus-class vessels.

Landing craft

Each of the four landing craft could carry three mobile suits, providing significant additional transport capacity beyond the ship’s standard hangars. During combat operations, the craft could be deployed around the Spartan for defensive purposes, creating a mobile defensive perimeter.

The landing craft were equipped with Minovsky craft systems in their wing sections, allowing them to float in atmospheric conditions. This capability was powered by output from the rear engines, providing sustained hover capability for extended operations.

The spherical sections on the sides of the Spartan that housed mega particle cannons in other Pegasus-class ships were modified to contain the Minovsky craft mechanisms necessary to support the landing craft operations.

Armaments

The Spartan carried armament similar to other Pegasus-class vessels, though the exact configuration may have been modified to accommodate its unique operational requirements.

Main gun

The ship retained the standard main gun armament of the Pegasus-class, providing heavy firepower for engaging enemy vessels and installations. This weapon maintained the ship’s capability to engage targets at long range.

Mega particle guns

Two twin-barrel mega particle gun turrets provided medium-range defensive capabilities. These energy weapons were effective against enemy mobile suits and vessels, offering reliable firepower for both offensive and defensive operations.

Anti-aircraft guns

Multiple anti-aircraft machine gun positions were distributed throughout the ship’s hull, providing comprehensive point defence against enemy mobile suits and aircraft. These weapons were crucial for defending the ship during atmospheric operations.

Missile launchers

The ship was equipped with numerous missile launchers that could be loaded with various missile types depending on mission requirements. These weapons offered engagement flexibility and could be configured for different target types.

Mobile suit facilities

The Spartan maintained the standard two leg-mounted hangars with launch catapults, but its total mobile suit capacity was expanded to over ten units when including the landing craft. This increased capacity allowed for larger and more diverse mobile suit complements.

During its operations, the Spartan carried an impressive array of mobile suits including the RX-78AL Atlas Gundam, RX-77AQ Guncannon Aqua, three RX-79[GS] Gundam Ground Type-S, three RGM-79C[G] GM Type C Ground Type, four RGM-79[M] GM Marine Type, two RX-75 Guntank, numerous RB-79[M] Ball Marine Type, six FF-X7 Core Fighter, and a Corvette Booster.

This diverse complement reflected the Spartan’s role in diverse operational environments and its need to adapt to various mission requirements.

Behind the scenes

The Spartan design was based on the version that appeared in the Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt manga, though the anime version featured some modifications and refinements to the basic concept.

The ship’s unique configuration with landing craft represented an evolution of the Pegasus-class concept, exploring how the basic design could be adapted for specialised operational roles. This reflected the broader theme of technological development and adaptation in the post-war period.

Appearances

See also