RX-78-6 Gundam 6th

Model number: RX-78-6
Code name: Gundam 6th (aka Mudrock)
Unit type: prototype fast attack heavy assault mobile suit
Manufacturer: Earth Federation Forces
Operator: Earth Federation Forces
Rollout: UC 0079
First deployment: 30 November UC 0079
Accommodation: pilot only, in standard cockpit in torso
Dimensions: head height 18.0 meters
Weight: empty 47.3 metric tons, max gross 84.4 metric tons
Armor materials: Luna Titanium alloy
Powerplant: Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor, output rated
at 1,480 kW
Propulsion: rocket thrusters: 70,500 kg total
Equipment and design features: sensors, range 5,900 meters
Fixed armaments: 2 x 300mm cannon, mounted on backpack, 2 x beam saber, stored in recharge racks on backpack, hand carried in use; 2 x 60mm vulcan gun, mounted in head; 2 x grenade launcher, mounted in forearms; shield
Optional hand armaments: beam rifle; machine gun; assault rifle; hyper hammer; hyper bazooka

Spurred into action by the devastating effectiveness of Zeon’s mobile suits, the Earth Federation Forces began developing mobile suits of their own, a project known as Operation V. Culminating in the creation of the RX-78-2 Gundam, RX-77-2 Guncannon and RX-75-4 Guntank, the mobile suits proved themselves just as devastating to the Zeon. As the One Year War progressed, mobile suit development accelerated, and designers began attempting to combine the best features of the original Operation V suits with new technologies being developed by EFF engineers, including those influenced by Zeon mobile suits. The RX-78-6 Gundam 6th (aka Mudrock) was one such design constructed at the EFF’s South America Jaburo base. The mobile suit featured a pair of powerful 300mm shell-firing cannons mounted on its backpack, and a pair of beam sabers mounted outboard of the barrels. The other distinguishing features of the Mudrock were the enormous number of maneuvering verniers mounted all over its body, and the pair of variable position verniers mounted on the legs, giving the massive mobile suit unprecedented speed and agility, comparable to the MS-09 Dom. The Mudrock’s high generator output allowed it to use a full scale beam rifle, similar in design to the one used by the RX-78-2. In addition, the Mudrock was capable of using more mundane weapons, such as the EFF’s primer-based rifle, and a 90mm machine gun.

The Mudrock first entered combat on November 30, UC 0079, while still under construction, having been commandeered by a brash young pilot, Agar. The incomplete Mudrock launched in defense of the new assault carrier Blanc Rival. Despite a valiant effort, Agar entered a fierce battle with the Midnight Fenrir Corps, an elite Zeon mobile suit team, and both the Mudrock and the Blanc Rival sustained heavy damage. After hurried repairs, the completed Mudrock was assigned to Agar, and sent from Jaburo to the front lines in North America to fight in the battle to retake California Base. The Mudrock entered combat for the last time on December 15, UC 0079. There, Agar and the Mudrock ran afoul of the Midnight Fenrir once again. After a heated battle, the Mudrock was effectively damaged beyond repair by Midnight Fenrir units guarding California Base’s last HLV.

Pilot: Agar
First appearance: M-MSV
Original mechanical designer(s): Kunio Okawara (M-MSV version), Keiichiro Katagiri (Zeonic Front version)

Beam rifle (Version 1)

Rear view (Version 1)

Rear view (Version 2)