Model
number: RGM-86R Code name: GM III Unit type: mass production general purpose mobile suit Manufacturer: Earth Federation Forces Operator(s): Earth Federation Forces; Karaba Accommodation: pilot only, in panoramic monitor/linear seat
cockpit in torso Dimensions: overall height 18.6 meters; head height 18.0
meters Weight: empty 38.6 metric tons; max gross 56.2 metric tons;
mass ratio 1.29 Armor materials: titanium alloy/gundarium alloy Powerplant: Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor,
output rated at 1560 kW Propulsion: rocket thrusters: 4 x 20300 kg; vernier thrusters/apogee
motors: 8 Performance: maximum thruster acceleration: 1.45 G Equipment and design features: sensors, range 10900 meters Fixed armaments: 2 x 60mm vulcan gun, fire-linked, mounted
in head; 2 x beam saber, power rated at 0.4 MW, stored in recharge
racks in backpack, hand-carried in use Optional fixed armaments: 4-tube medium missile pod, 3
round magazine per tube, mounts on shoulder; 15-tube small missile
pod, mounts on shoulder; 2 x 2-tube large missile pod, mounts
on hip armor; shield, mounted on either forearm Optional hand armaments: beam rifle, power rated at 2.8
MW, powered by rechargeable energy cap
Technical
and Historical Notes
Another
entry in a long line of mobile suits descended from the Earth
Federation Forces' first mass production mobile suit, the RGM-79
GM, the RGM-86R GM III was introduced during the Neo Zeon War.
Unlike the RMS-179/RGM-79R GM II, which
was only a minor improvement over the original GM,
the GM III was a major improvement, incorporating a more powerful
reactor, better sensors and armor, and a 37% increase in thruster
speed/acceleration (thanks to a backpack design based on the
one used on the RX-178 Gundam Mark II).
The GM III could also be fitted with a variety of missile launchers,
giving the mobile suit a much more flexible mission role as
either a close-combat or fire support unit. The GM III design
proved to be a major success, and the model would remain one
of the Earth Federation Forces' mainstay mobile suit for several
years.