MDX-0003 Gundam Schwarzette

Model number: MDX-0003
Code name: Gundam Schwarzette
Unit type: prototype mobile suit
Manufacturer: Jeturk Heavy Machinery
Operator: civilians
First deployment: A.S. 122
Accommodation: pilot only, in standard cockpit in torso
Dimensions: head height 18.7 meters
Weight: max gross weight 73.3 metric tons
Armor materials: unknown
Powerplant: unknown
Propulsion: unknown
Equipment and design features: sensors, range unknown; Shell Unit; hardpoints for mounting Guardian bit staves
Fixed armaments: 2 x launcher, fires explosive cluster munition, mounted on forearms
Optional hand armaments: beam blade
Remote weapons: Guardian, features 7 x bit stave, can combine with beam blade or connect to hardpoints

The MDX-0003 Gundam Schwarzette was a prototype mobile suit developed by Jeturk Heavy Machinery, one of the leading companies within the Benerit Group. The Schwarzette was initially developed as a successor to Jeturk’s fifth generation demonstration suit, the MD-0064 Darilbalde. It was intended to have increased flexibility, adaptability and mobility through the use of AI controls enhanced even above the Darilbalde’s. However, issues with the piloting system led to long delays in development. That changed in A.S. 122 following the appearance of the XVX-016 Gundam Aerial, a mobile suit that used banned GUND Format technology. Jeturk implemented GUND Format technology to get the Schwarzette’s development back on track, and the suit was reborn as a Gundam. The Gundam Schwarzette’s armaments were focused on the multipurpose offensive/defensive Guardian, which was inspired by the Gundam Aerial’s Escutcheon.

The Guardian utilized six GUND-BITs (four for defense, two for offense) that could function in several modes. In Guardian Draw mode, the bit staves acted as remote controlled swarm offensive weapons performing all-range attacks. In Guardian Sheath mode, the bit staves docked with a beam blade to form a scabbard around it. In addition to beam Gatlings, this mode could use the Omni-Azimuth Laser, an omnidirectional attack fired by all bit staves at once. In Guardian Marionette mode, bit staves docked to hardpoints across the Gundam Schwarzette and maintained their offense capabilities while also functioning defensively. This mode also served to replenish the electrical power and propellant of the bit slaves, while also improving the Gundam Schwarzette’s mobility. In A.S. 122, Lauda Neill used the Gundam Schwarzette in combat in an attempt to kill Miorine Rembran, who he blamed for his family’s recent misfortune. However, the Gundam Schwarzette was neutralized by Guel Jeturk’s custom Dilanza. Subsequently, Suletta Mercury took remote control of the Gundam Schwarzette to create a data storm powerful enough to shut down the Space Assembly League’s Interplanetary Laser Transmission System. Although the effort was successful, the data storm disintegrated all GUND Format suits, including the Gundam Schwarzette.

Pilot: Lauda Neill
First appearance: Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury
Original mechanical designer: Ippei Gyoubu

Rear view