FA-78-2 Heavy Gundam

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: head height 18.4 meters
Weight: empty 52.2 metric tons; max gross weight unknown
Armor materials: Luna Titanium alloy
Powerplant: Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor, power 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: frame launcher (mounts Gatling gun and 4-tube missile launcher)

Despite the apparent flaws in the design of the FA-78-1 Full Armor Gundam, 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 FA-78-1. A beam saber for close combat was also added back into the design, and the Heavy Gundam carried a frame 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 fully addressed the problems in the FA-78-1’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 constructed. Den Berserk piloted the Heavy Gundam prototype during the EFF’s capture of Zeon’s Pezun asteroid base. Production resumed one year after the war’s end, with three to four additional units constructed as the Heavy Gundam 2nd.

Pilot: Den Berserk
First appearance: MS-X
Original mechanical designer(s): Kunio Okawara (MS-X version), Hajime Katoki (Gundam: The Origin MSD version)

Rear view (Version 1)