Model number: RX-77D Code name: Guncannon Mass Production Type Unit type: mass production mid-range fire support mobile suit Manufacturer: Earth Federation Forces Operator: Earth Federation Forces First deployment: UC 0079 Accommodation: pilot only, in standard cockpit in torso Dimensions: overall height 18.1 meters; head height 17.5 meters Weight: empty 51.0 metric tons; max gross 70.2 metric tons Armor materials: titanium/ceramic composite Powerplant: Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor, output rated at 1410 kW Propulsion: rocket thrusters: 3 x 26500 kg, 2 x 7000 kg; vernier thrusters/apogee motors: 5 Performance: maximum thruster acceleration 1.33 G; 180-degree turn time: 2.1 seconds; maximum ground running speed 78 km/h Equipment and design features: sensors, range 7300 meters Fixed armaments: 2 x 60mm vulcan gun, fire-linked, mounted in head; 2 x 200mm cannon, mounted in backpack over shoulders, can be fire-linked or fired independently Optional hand armaments: 90mm machine gun, clip-fed, 20 rounds per clip; beam rifle, powered by rechargeable energy cap; 100mm machine gun, clip-fed
Technical and Historical Notes
Deciding to produce and deploy medium-range fire support mobile suits to complement its close-combat RGM-79 GM units, the Earth Federation Forces took the plans and combat data from the RX-77-2 Guncannon prototype developed under "Project V" and refined the design for mass production. The new RX-77D Guncannon Mass Production Type first came off the assembly lines in the last weeks of UC 0079. To cut costs, the costly and complicated Core Block System was removed, and the original Guncannon's expensive lunar titanium armor was replaced with more affordable titanium/ceramic composite armor. However, its performance was greatly increased with the addition of more verniers and more powerful rocket thrusters. Since the Guncannon had such heavy armor, it had no need for a shield and could carry two 90 or 100mm machine guns. Due to its late entrance into the One Year War, the Guncannon Mass Production Type saw a somewhat limited production run, with two units assigned to the Scarlet Team stationed aboard the assault carrier Gray Phantom and at least one unit assigned to the White Dingo Team in Australia.