*Troy Horse* – MechaBay | Mobile Suit Gundam

The Troy Horse was a Pegasus-class assault landing ship constructed by the Earth Federation Forces in UC 0079. Like other ships of its class, it was constructed from multiple blocks, including living quarters that featured an artificial gravity area. The ship served during the One Year War and participated in the Delaz Conflict.

The ship was designated LMSD-75 and later SCVA-73, reflecting the changing designation systems used by the Federation during and after the One Year War. The Troy Horse was one of several Pegasus-class ships that featured variations in construction, resulting in different appearances compared to the original White Base design.

History

The Troy Horse was constructed by the Earth Federation Forces in UC 0079 as part of the expanded production of Pegasus-class assault landing ships. The ship followed the established design principles of the class while incorporating improvements and modifications that distinguished it from earlier vessels.

Like other ships of its class, the Troy Horse utilised a Minovsky craft system, which allowed it to fly at low altitudes on Earth and escape unassisted from the planet’s atmosphere. This versatility made the ship valuable for both space and terrestrial operations throughout its service life.

Delaz Conflict

In November UC 0083, the Troy Horse participated in the Earth Federation Forces naval review at Confeito, alongside other Federation vessels including its sister ship Gray Phantom. This massive fleet review was intended to demonstrate the Federation’s military strength and technological advancement following the One Year War.

The naval review represented one of the largest assemblies of Federation naval power in the post-war period, with numerous vessel types participating in the demonstration. The event was designed to showcase the Federation’s continued military dominance and technological capabilities to both allies and potential adversaries.

However, the naval review became the primary target of Operation Stardust, the Delaz Fleet’s ambitious plan to strike at the heart of Federation power. Anavel Gato, piloting the stolen RX-78GP02A Gundam GP02A Physalis, launched a devastating nuclear attack against the assembled fleet.

The nuclear warhead detonated within the fleet formation, causing massive casualties and destruction across the assembled vessels. Much of the fleet was either destroyed or severely damaged in the attack, which marked one of the most successful Zeon operations since the One Year War.

Uncertain fate

While the Troy Horse’s sister ship Gray Phantom survived the nuclear attack at Confeito, the fate of the Troy Horse following the devastating assault remained unknown. The ship was not observed in subsequent operations, and no official records confirmed its survival or destruction.

The lack of documentation regarding the Troy Horse’s fate reflects the chaos and devastation caused by the nuclear attack. The Federation’s priority following the attack was damage assessment and emergency response, leaving little time for comprehensive record-keeping regarding individual vessel status.

The ambiguous fate of the Troy Horse also reflects the broader secrecy surrounding the events of Operation Stardust. The Federation government subsequently classified many details of the incident and the Gundam Development Project, making it difficult to determine the exact casualties and losses suffered during the crisis.

Design

The Troy Horse utilised the standard Pegasus-class construction method with modular blocks, but featured design variations that distinguished it from other ships in the class. The differences in construction resulted in Pegasus-class ships having radically different appearances, with each vessel reflecting technological improvements and lessons learned from previous ships.

Like other ships of its class, the Troy Horse incorporated a Minovsky craft system that enabled atmospheric flight and space operations without requiring booster rockets. This versatility made the ship valuable for diverse mission profiles and operational environments.

The ship was capable of accommodating nine mobile suits, representing an increase over the standard six-unit capacity of earlier Pegasus-class vessels. This expanded capacity reflected improvements in internal layout and storage efficiency as the class design evolved during the One Year War.

Armaments

The Troy Horse carried armament typical of the evolved Pegasus-class design, with weapons configured to provide comprehensive defensive capabilities against various threats encountered during space and atmospheric operations.

Mega particle guns

Two twin-barrel mega particle gun turrets were mounted on the port and starboard sides of the midship, providing the primary heavy armament. These energy weapons were effective against enemy mobile suits and vessels at medium to long range, offering reliable firepower for both offensive and defensive operations.

The positioning of these weapons allowed for broad firing arcs while maintaining structural integrity of the vessel. The mega particle guns could engage multiple targets simultaneously, providing tactical flexibility during fleet engagements.

Missile launchers

The ship was equipped with numerous missile launchers distributed throughout its hull, providing additional defensive capabilities and offensive firepower. These weapons could be loaded with various missile types depending on mission requirements, including anti-ship, anti-mobile suit, and point defence configurations.

The missile systems offered engagement flexibility, allowing the Troy Horse to adapt its armament loadout to specific operational requirements and threat environments. This versatility was particularly valuable during the fluid tactical situations that characterised post-war Federation operations.

Mobile suit facilities

The Troy Horse featured two leg-mounted hangars with launch catapults, enabling simultaneous deployment of mobile suits from both sides of the vessel. The catapult systems allowed for rapid deployment during emergency situations and provided tactical flexibility during combat operations.

The expanded capacity of nine mobile suits allowed for larger and more diverse mobile suit complements compared to earlier Pegasus-class vessels. This increased capacity enabled the ship to carry specialised units for different mission types, including reconnaissance, assault, and support roles.

The hangar facilities included maintenance equipment and ammunition storage for sustained operations away from major bases. This self-sufficiency was crucial for the extended missions that Pegasus-class ships often undertook during and after the One Year War.

Legacy

The Troy Horse represented the continued evolution of the Pegasus-class design during the One Year War and immediate post-war period. The ship demonstrated the adaptability of the basic Pegasus-class concept, with each vessel incorporating improvements and modifications based on operational experience and technological advancement.

The participation of the Troy Horse in the Confeito naval review highlighted both the importance of the Pegasus-class ships to Federation naval power and their vulnerability to advanced enemy weapons. The nuclear attack that devastated the fleet demonstrated the ongoing threat posed by Zeon remnant forces and contributed to the hardline policies that led to the formation of the Titans.

The uncertain fate of the Troy Horse following the attack reflects the broader impact of Operation Stardust on Federation military planning and ship construction priorities. The devastating losses suffered during the crisis influenced subsequent vessel designs and operational doctrines.

Behind the scenes

Yutaka Izubuchi was the original mechanical designer for the Troy Horse variant of the Pegasus-class. The ship’s design reflected the ongoing evolution of the class during the One Year War, with each vessel incorporating technological improvements and design refinements.

The ambiguous fate of the Troy Horse following the nuclear attack at Confeito was a deliberate creative choice, reflecting the chaos and uncertainty that characterised the Delaz Conflict. This uncertainty also served to emphasise the devastating impact of the attack on Federation naval power.

Appearances

Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory

External links

Troy Horse on the Gundam Wiki
Pegasus class (Troy Horse) on MA