RGC-80 Prototype GM Cannon

Model number: RGC-80
Code name: Prototype GM Cannon
Unit type: experimental artillery mobile suit
Manufacturer: Earth Federation Forces
Operator: Earth Federation Forces
First deployment: October UC 0079
Accommodation: pilot only, in standard cockpit in torso
Dimensions: head height 18.0 meters
Weight: base weight 48.9 metric tons
Armor materials: unknown
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: 2 x 60mm vulcan gun, mounted in head; 2 x 240mm cannon, variable independent-fire, 20 round magazine each, mounted over shoulders

As the Earth Federation Forces began mass production of its RGM-79 GM mobile suits in the last months of the One Year War, it became obvious that they needed a mid-range fire support unit to complement its close combat GMs. Rather than straining their resources by designing a new mobile suit and setting up new assembly lines, the EFF decided instead to develop a GM variant to fill the roll. Their first attempt in this venture was the RGC-80 Prototype GM Cannon, which was a standard GM that had a modified back structure to mount a pair 240mm shoulder cannons. The prototype units also mounted the head of the RX-77-2 Guncannon prototype. The first unit was rolled out in October UC 0079 at Jaburo and underwent firing tests. It was discovered that mounting the heavy cannons on top of a light mobile suit frame created balance and recoil problems when the cannons were fired. The unit went back to the drawing board, evolving into the final, standard RGC-80 GM Cannon model.

First appearance: MSV
Original mechanical designer: Kunio Okawara

Rear view