RX-78-5[Bst] Gundam 5th Bst

Model number: RX-78-4[Bst]
Code name: Gundam 4th Bst
Unit type: prototype space combat mobile suit
Manufacturer: Earth Federation Forces
Operator: Earth Federation Forces
First deployment: December UC 0079
Accommodation: pilot only, in standard cockpit in torso
Dimensions: head height 18.0 meters
Weight: unknown
Armor materials: Luna Titanium alloy
Powerplant: Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor, output rated at 1,550 kW
Propulsion: rocket thrusters: total output unknown
Equipment and design features: sensors, range 6,190 meters; 2 x extermal fuel tank, mounted on backpack
Fixed armaments: 2 x 60mm vulcan gun, mounted in head; 2 x beam saber, stored in recharge racks on backpack, hand-carried in use; 2 x hand beam gun, mounted on forearms; shield, mounted on left forearm
Optional hand armaments: hyper bazooka; hyper beam rifle; giant Gatling

As the focus of the One Year War shifted into space, the Earth Federation Forces began designing a new Gundam for high mobility space combat, and the end result was the RX-78-5 Gundam 5th. The Gundam 5th was intended to serve as an anti-ship combat unit capable of high speed attacks. The Core Block System implement in the RX-78-2 Gundam was removed, and the suit was equipped with a new backpack that featured additional thrusters. Near the end of the war, the Gundam 5th was upgraded into the RX-78-5[Bst] Gundam 5th Bst, which added more thrusters and a pair of external fuel tanks.

Pilot: Ford Romfellow
First appearance: Mobile Suit Gundam: Encounters in Space
Original mechanical designer: Hajime Katoki

Giant Gatling

Hand beam gun

Hyper beam rifle

Rear view

Shield