FA-78-2 Heavy Gundam


General and Technical Data

Model number: FA-78-2
Code name: Heavy Gundam
Unit type: prototype general purpose 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 18.4 meters; head height 18.0 meters
Weight: empty 52.2 metric tons; max gross weight unknown
Armor materials: lunar titanium alloy
Powerplant: Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor, output rating unknown
Propulsion: rocket thrusters: total output unknown
Equipment and design features: sensors, range unknown
Fixed armaments: cannon, mounted on torso over right shoulder; beam saber, stored in recharge rack in backpack, hand-carried in use
Optional hand armaments: heavy launcher (mounts Gatling gun and 4-tube missile launcher)


Technical and Historical Notes

Despite the apparent flaws in the design of the FA-78-1 Gundam Full Armor Type, the Earth Federation Forces continued to develop concepts for improving on its well-performing RX-78-2 Gundam. One of the most successful designs was the FA-78-2 Heavy Gundam, which was an all-new mobile suit design, rather than bulky external armor modules added to the existing Gundam. The Heavy Gundam sported thicker armor and a shell-firing cannon similar to the Gundam Full Armor Type. A beam saber for close combat was also added back into the design, and the Heavy Gundam carried a "heavy launcher", which was composed of a large Gatling gun and a 4-tube missile launcher. By being less bulky and more maneuverable, the Heavy Gundam had fully addressed the problems in the Full Armor Type's design. However, the original Gundam continued to lay waste to Zeon's latest mobile weapons, and the idea of an upgraded Gundam became somewhat pointless. The Heavy Gundam's development was stopped in November UC 0079, with only one prototype unit having been constructed. However, it has been reported that Federation pilot Colonel Den Berserk did pilot the Heavy Gundam prototype during the Federation Forces' capture of Zeon's Pezun asteroid base.

Miscellaneous Information

Pilot: Den Berserk
Appearances: MS-X; Plamo Kyoshiro Originals
Original mechanical designer: Kunio Okawara


Lineart

Heavy launcher