GAT-X103 Buster Gundam

Model number: GAT-X103
Code name: Buster Gundam
Unit type: prototype long-distance artillery mobile suit
Manufacturer: Morgenroete, Inc
Operator(s): Earth Alliance; ZAFT (Zodiac Alliance of Freedom Treaty); Three Ships Alliance
First deployment: 25 January C.E. 71
Accommodation: pilot only, in standard cockpit in torso
Dimensions: head height 18.86 meters
Weight: max gross weight 84.2 metric tons
Armor materials: unknown
Powerplant: ultracompact energy battery, power output rating unknown
Propulsion: unknown
Equipment and design features: sensors, range unknown; PS (Phase Shift) armor
Fixed armaments: 2 x 220mm 6-barrel missile pod, mounted on shoulders
Optional hand armaments: 350mm gun launcher, mounted behind right arm, can be combined with 94mm high-energy rifle; 94mm high-energy rifle, mounted behind left arm, can be combined with 350mm gun launcher

With the outbreak of the Bloody Valentine War, the Earth Alliance’s Atlantic Federation began a secret project to develop mobile suits to counter ZAFT’s mass produced ZGMF-1017 GINN as well as operate free of interference from the N-Jammers. The GAT-X103 Buster Gundam was one of five initial prototype mobile suits that the Alliance developed secretly with the Orb Union. As an artillery mobile suit, the Buster Gundam’s main armament consisted of a 350mm gun launcher and a 94mm high-energy rifle. These two weapons could be used independently or both interchangeably combined to form two powerful long-range weapons. The Buster Gundam was also equipped with two 6-barrel missile pod launchers on its shoulders. Like the other prototype Gundams, the Buster Gundam was equipped with the new Phase Shift (PS) armor technology. When using Phase Shift mode, the Buster Gundam was nearly impervious to attacks from shell-firing artillery or melee weapons. However, use of Phase Shift for extended periods of time was a massive drain on the battery.

On January 25, C.E. 71, the Buster Gundam was stolen by ZAFT pilot Dearka Elsman during ZAFT’s assault on the neutral Orb Union colony Heliopolis. Following the escape of the Earth Alliance battleship Archangel, Dearka and his Buster Gundam continued to harass the Archangel‘s crew during the later period of the war. In one battle near the Orb Union, the Buster Gundam was seriously damaged, forcing Dearka to surrender. He was captured by the Archangel and held captive until the ship’s crew defected from the Earth Alliance. When the Earth Alliance attacked Orb, Dearka reclaimed the Buster Gundam and fought alongside the Archangel to defend Miriallia Haw. In the last battle of the war on September 26, C.E. 71, the Buster Gundam was heavily damaged while fighting Rau Le Creuset’s ZGMF-X13A Providence Gundam. The Alliance also produced the GAT/A-01E2 Buster Dagger, a simplified mass production version. After the war, another Buster Gundam piloted by Shams Couza was upgraded to the GAT-X103AP Verde Buster Gundam. By C.E. 75, the Buster Gundam unit stolen by ZAFT was upgraded and redesignated as the ZGMF-103HD Lightning Buster Gundam.

Pilot(s): Dearka Elsman, Shams Couza
First appearance: Mobile Suit Gundam SEED
Original mechanical designer(s): Junichi Akutsu (principal design), Kunio Okawara (cleanup)

94mm high-energy rifle

220mm 6-tube missile pod

350mm gun launcher

Cockpit

Head

Rear view

Torso