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ORX-005
Gaplant
Model number: ORX-005 Code name: Gaplant Unit type: prototype general purpose transformable mobile armor Manufacturer: Augusta Research Institute Operator: Titans First deployment: UC 0087 Accommodation: pilot only, in panoramic monitor/linear seat cockpit in torso Dimensions: mobile suit mode: overall height 25.2 meters, head height 19.8 meters; mobile armor mode: overall length 20.3 meters; mobile armor mode equipped with booster: overall length 31.6 meters Weight: empty 50.7 metric tons; max gross 94.2 metric tons (mobile suit mode), 94.7 metric tons (mobile armor mode), 274.2 metric tons (mobile armor mode with booster); mass ratio 1.63 (mobile suit mode, mobile armor mode), 3.53 (mobile armor mode with booster) Armor materials: gundarium alloy Powerplant: Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor, output rated at 3040 kW Propulsion: rocket thrusters: 22000 kg, 7 x 12000 kg, 7 x 11000 kg; booster additional rocket engines: 19000 kg, 2 x 12000 kg, 2 x 8800 kg; vernier thrusters/apogee motors: 18 Performance: maximum thruster acceleration 1.94 G (mobile suit mode, mobile armor mode), 0.29 G (mobile armor mode with booster) Equipment and design features: sensors, range 13000 meters; optional booster for mobile armor mode, provides extended fuel capacity and flight range Fixed armaments: 2 x beam saber, power rated at 0.6 MW, stored in recharge racks in hip armor, hand-carried in use; 2 x beam rifle, power rated at 3.0 MW, mounted on arms
An experimental transformable mobile armor developed at the Earth Federation Forces' Augusta Research Institute and tested by the Titans during the Gryps Conflict, the ORX-005 Gaplant was originally designed to operate as a space combat unit, although its design proved to be just as effective in atmospheric combat. Test-flown at the Augusta Newtype Laboratory on Earth, its extremely high acceleration in its mobile armor mode made the Gaplant one of the fastest and most agile mobile weapons of its time. It also mounted a pair of pivoting "active thruster" units which allowed the Gaplant to change directions during flight without changing the direction of its nose. However, the Gaplant suffered from two disadvantages: the G-forces it endured meant that the Gaplant could only be operated by genetically-engineered "strengthened humans" or the very toughest pilots; and the very high fuel consumption meant that it needed to be equipped with an external booster in mobile armor mode for long, extended flights. At least two Gaplant units were constructed and fielded: one operated by strengthened human Rosamia Badam on Earth, and a second unit flown by Titans pilot Yazan Gable out in space.
Pilot(s):
Rosamia Badam, Yazan Gable, Eliard Hunter, Wes Murphy, Carl
Matsubara, Audrey April
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