F90 Gundam F90

Model number: F90
Code name: Gundam F90
Unit type: prototype test mobile suit
Manufacturer: SNRI (Strategic Naval Research Institute)
Operator: Earth Federation Forces
Rollout: September UC 0111
Accommodation: pilot only, in panoramic monitor/linear seat cockpit in torso
Dimensions: head height 14.8 meters
Weight: empty 7.5 metric tons; max gross 17.8 metric tons
Armor materials: Gundarium alloy ceramic composite
Powerplant: Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor, output rated at 3,160 kW
Propulsion: rocket thrusters: 74,760 kg total (2 x 27,510 kg, 2 x 9,870 kg); vernier thrusters/apogee motors: 51
Equipment and design features: sensors, range unknown; 11 x hardpoint, used for mounting external weapons, armor, and equipment, 1 located on each leg, 1 located on each hip armor plate, 1 located on each front skirt armor plate, 1 located on each forearm, 1 located on each shoulder, 1 located on backpack; weapon mount, used to carry beam rifle or mega beam bazooka, located on rear skirt armor plate; AI system
Fixed armaments: 2 x vulcan gun, mounted in head; 2 x beam saber, stored in recharge racks in backpack, hand-carried in use
Optional fixed armaments: see F90A; F90B; F90C; F90D; F90E; F90F; F90FF; F90G; F90H; F90I; F90J; F90K; F90M; F90N; F90NB; F90ND; F90NF; F90NG; F90NV; F90O; F90P; F90Q; F90R; F90S; F90T; F90U; F90V; F90W
Optional hand armaments: beam rifle, powered by replaceable e-pac, can be stored on weapon mount; shield, can be mounted on either forearm hardpoint or stored on backpack hardpoint

Although it had been over 15 years since the last notable Spacenoid uprising, the Earth Federation Forces, being mindful to maintain its military strength while keeping operating costs down due to the lack of a real threat, initiated a new mobile suit development program to meet this low-cost need. Rather than going to an outside civilian contractor (such as Anaheim Electronics, which had a virtual monopoly on mobile suit production at one point), the EFF instead established their own in-house development think tank, called the Strategic Naval Research Institute (SNRI), which was administered by the military but staffed by civilian scientists and engineers.

SNRI’s first task was to develop a smaller, lighter, and more efficient mobile suit which can be adopted to various mission roles. Under the flag of the Formula Project, SNRI designed and rolled out the experimental F89 Gundam F89, which was followed by the smaller F90 Gundam F90. It certainly filled the EFF’s bill, weighing in at a mere 17.8 metric tons fully loaded, and equipped with 11 hardpoints all over its body, which allowed the F90 to mount a wide variety of external weapons, armor, or other equipment. Despite its slightly smaller size and lighter weight, the F90 still carried a standard armament of vulcan guns, beam sabers, a beam rifle, and a shield in its basic configuration. However, the hardpoints – and the vast array of new weapons and equipment designed to be mounted on them – allowed for as many as 26 different variations on the basic F90 frame, making this Gundam a true multi-role unit. Initially, two F90 units were constructed for test flights and evaluations, but a third unit was built by UC 0116.

Another notable feature of the Gundam F90 was its built-in AI system based on the combat records of ace pilots Amuro Ray (Unit 1), Char Aznable (Unit 2) and Kamille Bidan (Unit 3). In UC 0112, Unit 2 suffered heavy damage during a combat test that turned into a live battle, but it was later repaired and redeployed for further testing. In UC 0116, Units 2 and 3 were heavily damaged during the Trimurti incident, but the wrecked remains of Unit 3 were later recovered in Africa. During a test flight near Side 4 on October 28, UC 0120, Unit 2 was stolen by the Oldsmobile Army, a Zeon remnant force based on Mars. This unit was overhauled and deployed by the Oldsmobiles as the OMS-90R Gundam F90 Mars Independent Zeon Forces Version. Although the EFF soon put down this rebellion, both F90 units suffered severe damage in the end. However, development of the Gundam F90 continued for at least two more years, until the deployment of the much more advanced F91 Gundam F91. During this period, Unit 1 was repaired and piloted by Bergh Scred in further engagements with the Oldsmobiles, while the wrecked Unit 2 was upgraded into the F90II Gundam F90II.

Pilot(s): Def Stallion, Sid Amber, Bergh Scred, Wesbar, Minoru Suzuki, Patsy Angelika, Liv Angelika, Gideon Blondin, Dir Rider (aka Liv Angelika)
First appearance: Mobile Suit Gundam F90
Original mechanical designer(s): Kunio Okawara (Gundam F90 version), Yasuhiro Moriki (Gundam F90: Fastest Formula version)

Beam rifle (Version 1)

Rear view (Version 1)

Shield (Version 1)