RGM-79 GM
Encyclopedia
The , supposedly an acronym of Gundam Mass-production type, is the mass-produced
version of the RX-78 Gundam
. Though many variants were produced over the years, the RGM-79 GM (also known as the "general type" GM) was the Federation's first true mass-produced mobile suit. After the conclusion of the One Year War
, the GM and its variants became the staple of the Earth Federation
military, and is the most time-withstanding family of mobile suits in U.C.
history.
due to Zeon's deployment of mobile suits, the Earth Federation attempted to catch up the mobile warfare arms race
with its highly classified Project V
. However, the RX-78 prototype
, although proven to be extremely powerful, would almost certainly bankrupt the Federation's wartime budget if it was to be manufactured in the quantity needed for the ongoing struggle. To solve this problem, the RGM-79 series was born.
The RGM-79 design was based on the same basic tactical concept of the Gundam — a general-use all-rounder unit capable of utilizing beam weaponry. The production model of the GM removed and simplified many of the RX-78's more expensive construction design and complicated electronic systems, such as the Core Block system and the learning computer. The RX-78's lunar titanium armor was replaced with the cheaper standard titanium alloy, and the Minovsky fusion powerplant was down-rated. As a consequence of the reduced power output, the GM was armed with a cheaper, effective but short-ranged beam spray gun instead of the Gundam's more accurate and powerful beam rifle. Other standard armaments for the GM included a 100mm machinegun
or a 380mm bazooka
, a single beam saber and two head-mounted 60mm Vulcan machinegun
s. To make up for the relative deficiency in long-range firepower in space combats, every GM squad (usually 3 or 4 units) was usually tactically teamed up with at least 2 RB-79 Ball
mobile pods for complementary fire support.
Because the GM incorporated the design concepts from both Jaburo and Luna II, the resultant product achieved over 90% parts compatibility between its space and land variants, greatly improving the Federation's battlefield logistics.
The GM is a very agile mobile suit, with a maximum thruster acceleration of 0.94 g
(9.2 m/s²), 180-degree turn time of 1.6 seconds, and a maximum running ground speed of over 102 km/h (60 miles per hour), superior to Zeon's standard Zaku
s and even Rick Doms in some aspects. The GM also has a better sensor system than most Zeon units that allows it much greater detection range. While its titanium alloy construction provided slightly superior protection compared to the Zeon standard high tensile steel, it was not enough to provide substantial protection against the beam weaponry and heavy projectile rounds, which had become standard by the time of its introduction. Because of this, the GM is equipped with a full-sized, lunar titanium-coated composite shield for extra protection.
The GM's introduction in November of U.C. 0079 would turn the tide of war totally against Zeon (although strictly speaking, Zeon was already in retreat after their crushing defeat in Odessa). While not as well-armored as Zeon's new standard MS-09R Rick Dom, and inferior to mass-produced high-performance units such as the MS-14 Gelgoog
, the GM benefitted from the Earth Federation's absolute superiority in collateral technologies and production/repair capacity. Zeon's focus on developing excessive varieties of experimental units stalled support of their frontline forces even as the Federation began its counterattack. In the end, the Doms would not be fully deployed until late November, and the Gelgoogs would not see its first deployment until the last two weeks of the One Year War
. Zeon frontline battle units often could not get the spare parts they needed for maintenance and repairs due to logistic complexity. The final battle of A Baoa Qu laid bare Zeon's strategic error, as masses of well-trained EFSF pilots in GMs (most of them seasoned ex-pilots for starfighter
s, assisted by analyzed combat datas from the learning computer system) overwhelmed the dwindling supply of Zeon veterans flying untested, unfamiliar mobile suits.
During the One Year War
a recorded 42 + 288 GMs (42 early types and 288 late types), and each variant with no more than 50 units, were produced, as claimed in Gundam Officials and MG model manual. These numbers dated back to early semi-canon guide book Gundam Century, although most people doubted that these production numbers are accurate (which adds up to only a little less than 1000 GM produced during the OYW) since the top 8 Zeon Ace pilots claim to have shot down a total of 1222 MSs by the books MS Variation and History of One Year War (一年戦争史). Same sources also included that Zeon forces, unlike EFF, do not count their shotdowns very accurately. With a squad of 3 pilots shooting down one enemy MS, it is always claimed as 1 MS kill per pilot instead of 1/3 per pilot. Also, shotdown pictures were seldom closely inspected and thus making a lot of shotdowns number actually just bluff. Another proposed theory is that the EFF did not have MS in the beginning of the war and Zeon forces counted all types of conventional
and mobile weapons as shotdowns, and these include the massive numbers of mobile pods
, conventional tanks and atmospheric/space fighters (with over 30000 left even after the war), which is another form of bluff that is definitely enough to fill up the numbers.
The idea behind the GM is to compensate individual performance with versatility, quantity and team battle tactics. As a good all-round, beginner-friendly mobile suit more suitable for mass production and maintenance, the GM managed to outperform superior units like the Gelgoog on a strategic level, and proved itself to be a much more effective weapon in determining the outcome of the war.
After the One Year War, the RGM-79 design became the backbone of the Earth Federation Forces. Many variants were produced throughout the 0080s, and the basic frame was not replaced until the appearance of the RGM-89 Jegan in 0089. After the Jegans, although not as fast and heavily armed as the contemporary RGM-86R GM III, were chosen as the new mainstay mobile suits of the Earth Federation for the next three decades, the subsequent members of the GM series were no longer named "GM".
television series. Of the concepts introduced into the series, the GM, as a grunt-level mecha used by the protagonists of the series, is one which has become a staple of the mecha anime genre, the logical next step from one super-powered machine against a vast evil force to a full-scale conflict between two armies with the robotic equivalent of foot soldiers. The GM served as a direct inspiration for machines within other Gundam shows, most notably the GAT-01 Strike Dagger series from Gundam SEED and Gundam SEED DESTINY. In addition, the concept of mass-produced machines on the side of the series' protagonists is seen in other mecha anime, such as the MBD-1A Dragoon from Metal Armor Dragonar
, and all the machines (the VF-1 Valkyrie
in particular) used by the U.N. Spacy
in The Super Dimensional Fortress Macross.
Retcon
redesigns were featured in the OVAs Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket
and Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory
, although these redesigns have since been designated as separate models. The GM is also a popular subject for various Mobile Suit Variations.
There are two accepted versions of the RGM-79: the original design by Kunio Okawara
(which featured a single-piece waist armor, no neck, a smooth, rounded face and ill-defined elbow joints and legs), and a popular redesign by Hajime Katoki
which brings the GM more in-line with its predecessor, the RX-78 Gundam. These two designs are functionally the same machine. Generally the Okawara design is used to represent a more "nostalgic" GM, while the Katoki design displays a more "realistic" approach.
then introduced the MSA-003 Nemo. Although this new suit strongly resembled the old GM II, it was far better in terms of generator power, thruster acceleration and maneuverability. The Nemo was able to use existing low-cost weaponries like the Rick Dias's beam saber and the GM II's beam rifle, and incorporated the cutting-edge movable frame design as well as the light-but-strong gundanium alloy armor. The Nemo quickly proved to be a powerful unit and remained to be AEUG's and Karaba's backbone force until the end of the conflict.
series Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ
, the RGM-86R GM III is the last "GM"-named upgrade of the Earth Federation
's already well-established RGM-79 GM mobile suit series, which would prove to be a much more substantial upgrade for the GM series than the RGM-79R GM II.
The GM III was a much-needed improvement for the GM mobile suit line. As the Earth Federation's main mass-production MS series, the GM II was no longer a competitive combatant by the late U.C. 0080s. The Earth-based anti-Titans group Karaba (now with the Federation's full financial support after Char Aznable
's Dakar speech), took up the task of redesigning a significantly enhanced GM unit. The result was the new GM III, which became Karaba's main force during their resistance against Haman Karn's Neo Zeon.
This major GM overhaul featured a more powerful Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor and improved sensors. The armor was also improved upon by mixing titanium alloy with the much lighter and sturdier gundarium alloy. The GM III also used a new jetpack that was based on the backpack design of RX-178 Gundam Mk-II
, which gave it 37% increase in thruster speed and acceleration. The GM III also used a more powerful beam rifle for combat, and could be outfitted with a number of large or small missile launcher pods, which increased both its firepower and versatility of mission roles.
A variant of GM III known as RGM-86R Nouvel GM III appears in Gundam Sentinel
as the mainstay MS of the Alpha Taskforce.
The RGM-86R proved to be a major success, with over 800 units being built and would serve as the mainstay mobile suit in the Earth Federation's military forces until the U.C. 0090's, where many GM IIIs attempt to assist Amuro Ray
's RX-93 Nu Gundam in pushing back the plummeting Axis Asteroid. Soon afterwards, it would be entirely replaced by the more economical RGM-89 Jegan and its descendants.
Mass production
Mass production is the production of large amounts of standardized products, including and especially on assembly lines...
version of the RX-78 Gundam
RX-78 Gundam
The RX-78 Gundam is a fictional manned robot, introduced in 1979 in Yoshiyuki Tomino's and Sunrise's anime series Mobile Suit Gundam. In the series, it is a testbed weapon for the Earth Federation when it falls into the hands of Amuro Ray, the son of a weapons designer, who goes on to pilot it in...
. Though many variants were produced over the years, the RGM-79 GM (also known as the "general type" GM) was the Federation's first true mass-produced mobile suit. After the conclusion of the One Year War
One Year War
The is a fictional conflict from the Universal Century timeline of the anime Mobile Suit Gundam metaseries. The One Year War is very similar to World War II, the major difference being that The One Year War is in a science fiction setting and some major battles occurred in space...
, the GM and its variants became the staple of the Earth Federation
Earth Federation
The is a fictional organization in the Universal Century timeline of the Gundam anime series. The name also made a reappearance outside of the Gundam series in following media.* Godzilla vs...
military, and is the most time-withstanding family of mobile suits in U.C.
Universal Century
is the original timeline of the Gundam anime metaseries. The official English name U.C. is often used instead in recent production like MS Igloo and Master Grade model instructions and official pages is the original timeline of the Gundam anime metaseries. The official English name U.C....
history.
History
After suffering heavy losses in the early phase of the One Year WarOne Year War
The is a fictional conflict from the Universal Century timeline of the anime Mobile Suit Gundam metaseries. The One Year War is very similar to World War II, the major difference being that The One Year War is in a science fiction setting and some major battles occurred in space...
due to Zeon's deployment of mobile suits, the Earth Federation attempted to catch up the mobile warfare arms race
Arms race
The term arms race, in its original usage, describes a competition between two or more parties for the best armed forces. Each party competes to produce larger numbers of weapons, greater armies, or superior military technology in a technological escalation...
with its highly classified Project V
Project V
The Project V was a fictional weapon development program in the mecha anime Mobile Suit Gundam-Background History:...
. However, the RX-78 prototype
RX-78 Gundam
The RX-78 Gundam is a fictional manned robot, introduced in 1979 in Yoshiyuki Tomino's and Sunrise's anime series Mobile Suit Gundam. In the series, it is a testbed weapon for the Earth Federation when it falls into the hands of Amuro Ray, the son of a weapons designer, who goes on to pilot it in...
, although proven to be extremely powerful, would almost certainly bankrupt the Federation's wartime budget if it was to be manufactured in the quantity needed for the ongoing struggle. To solve this problem, the RGM-79 series was born.
The RGM-79 design was based on the same basic tactical concept of the Gundam — a general-use all-rounder unit capable of utilizing beam weaponry. The production model of the GM removed and simplified many of the RX-78's more expensive construction design and complicated electronic systems, such as the Core Block system and the learning computer. The RX-78's lunar titanium armor was replaced with the cheaper standard titanium alloy, and the Minovsky fusion powerplant was down-rated. As a consequence of the reduced power output, the GM was armed with a cheaper, effective but short-ranged beam spray gun instead of the Gundam's more accurate and powerful beam rifle. Other standard armaments for the GM included a 100mm machinegun
Autocannon
An autocannon or automatic cannon is a rapid-fire projectile weapon firing a shell as opposed to the bullet fired by a machine gun. Autocannons often have a larger caliber than a machine gun . Usually, autocannons are smaller than a field gun or other artillery, and are mechanically loaded for a...
or a 380mm bazooka
Bazooka
Bazooka is the common name for a man-portable recoilless rocket antitank weapon, widely fielded by the U.S. Army. Also referred to as the "Stovepipe", the innovative bazooka was amongst the first-generation of rocket propelled anti-tank weapons used in infantry combat...
, a single beam saber and two head-mounted 60mm Vulcan machinegun
M61 Vulcan
The M61 Vulcan is a hydraulically or pneumatically driven, six-barreled, air-cooled, electrically fired Gatling-style rotary cannon which fires 20 mm rounds at an extremely high rate. The M61 and its derivatives have been the principal cannon armament of United States military fixed-wing aircraft...
s. To make up for the relative deficiency in long-range firepower in space combats, every GM squad (usually 3 or 4 units) was usually tactically teamed up with at least 2 RB-79 Ball
RB-79 Ball
The RB-79 Ball is a fictional weapon from the anime series Mobile Suit Gundam. Its design was partially inspired by the EVA Pod from 2001: A Space Odyssey...
mobile pods for complementary fire support.
Because the GM incorporated the design concepts from both Jaburo and Luna II, the resultant product achieved over 90% parts compatibility between its space and land variants, greatly improving the Federation's battlefield logistics.
The GM is a very agile mobile suit, with a maximum thruster acceleration of 0.94 g
G-force
The g-force associated with an object is its acceleration relative to free-fall. This acceleration experienced by an object is due to the vector sum of non-gravitational forces acting on an object free to move. The accelerations that are not produced by gravity are termed proper accelerations, and...
(9.2 m/s²), 180-degree turn time of 1.6 seconds, and a maximum running ground speed of over 102 km/h (60 miles per hour), superior to Zeon's standard Zaku
MS-06 Zaku II
The MS-06 Zaku II is a mobile suit from the Mobile Suit Gundam metaverse. It is redesigned by Kunio Okawara based upon the earlier draft by the series director Yoshiyuki Tomino, in which only the name was kept. The Zaku II has seen various redesigns and variants for hundreds of pieces of...
s and even Rick Doms in some aspects. The GM also has a better sensor system than most Zeon units that allows it much greater detection range. While its titanium alloy construction provided slightly superior protection compared to the Zeon standard high tensile steel, it was not enough to provide substantial protection against the beam weaponry and heavy projectile rounds, which had become standard by the time of its introduction. Because of this, the GM is equipped with a full-sized, lunar titanium-coated composite shield for extra protection.
The GM's introduction in November of U.C. 0079 would turn the tide of war totally against Zeon (although strictly speaking, Zeon was already in retreat after their crushing defeat in Odessa). While not as well-armored as Zeon's new standard MS-09R Rick Dom, and inferior to mass-produced high-performance units such as the MS-14 Gelgoog
MS-14 Gelgoog
The MS-14A Gelgoog is a fictional machine from the Universal Century timeline of the anime Gundam metaseries.-History:The Principality canceled the original MS-11 design, citing the need for beam weapons in the unit. The model number would be reassigned to the Pezun Project's Act Zaku...
, the GM benefitted from the Earth Federation's absolute superiority in collateral technologies and production/repair capacity. Zeon's focus on developing excessive varieties of experimental units stalled support of their frontline forces even as the Federation began its counterattack. In the end, the Doms would not be fully deployed until late November, and the Gelgoogs would not see its first deployment until the last two weeks of the One Year War
One Year War
The is a fictional conflict from the Universal Century timeline of the anime Mobile Suit Gundam metaseries. The One Year War is very similar to World War II, the major difference being that The One Year War is in a science fiction setting and some major battles occurred in space...
. Zeon frontline battle units often could not get the spare parts they needed for maintenance and repairs due to logistic complexity. The final battle of A Baoa Qu laid bare Zeon's strategic error, as masses of well-trained EFSF pilots in GMs (most of them seasoned ex-pilots for starfighter
Starfighter
"Starfighter" is a science fiction term used to describe small, fast, usually one-manned craft designed for armed combat .The appearance and use of fictional starfighters is often modeled on fighter aircraft, with little regard for the actual physics of spaceflight...
s, assisted by analyzed combat datas from the learning computer system) overwhelmed the dwindling supply of Zeon veterans flying untested, unfamiliar mobile suits.
During the One Year War
One Year War
The is a fictional conflict from the Universal Century timeline of the anime Mobile Suit Gundam metaseries. The One Year War is very similar to World War II, the major difference being that The One Year War is in a science fiction setting and some major battles occurred in space...
a recorded 42 + 288 GMs (42 early types and 288 late types), and each variant with no more than 50 units, were produced, as claimed in Gundam Officials and MG model manual. These numbers dated back to early semi-canon guide book Gundam Century, although most people doubted that these production numbers are accurate (which adds up to only a little less than 1000 GM produced during the OYW) since the top 8 Zeon Ace pilots claim to have shot down a total of 1222 MSs by the books MS Variation and History of One Year War (一年戦争史). Same sources also included that Zeon forces, unlike EFF, do not count their shotdowns very accurately. With a squad of 3 pilots shooting down one enemy MS, it is always claimed as 1 MS kill per pilot instead of 1/3 per pilot. Also, shotdown pictures were seldom closely inspected and thus making a lot of shotdowns number actually just bluff. Another proposed theory is that the EFF did not have MS in the beginning of the war and Zeon forces counted all types of conventional
Conventional weapon
The terms conventional weapons or conventional arms generally refer to weapons that are in relatively wide use that are not weapons of mass destruction, such as nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons. Conventional weapons include small arms and light weapons, sea and land mines, as well as ...
and mobile weapons as shotdowns, and these include the massive numbers of mobile pods
RB-79 Ball
The RB-79 Ball is a fictional weapon from the anime series Mobile Suit Gundam. Its design was partially inspired by the EVA Pod from 2001: A Space Odyssey...
, conventional tanks and atmospheric/space fighters (with over 30000 left even after the war), which is another form of bluff that is definitely enough to fill up the numbers.
The idea behind the GM is to compensate individual performance with versatility, quantity and team battle tactics. As a good all-round, beginner-friendly mobile suit more suitable for mass production and maintenance, the GM managed to outperform superior units like the Gelgoog on a strategic level, and proved itself to be a much more effective weapon in determining the outcome of the war.
After the One Year War, the RGM-79 design became the backbone of the Earth Federation Forces. Many variants were produced throughout the 0080s, and the basic frame was not replaced until the appearance of the RGM-89 Jegan in 0089. After the Jegans, although not as fast and heavily armed as the contemporary RGM-86R GM III, were chosen as the new mainstay mobile suits of the Earth Federation for the next three decades, the subsequent members of the GM series were no longer named "GM".
Real life
In real life, the GM was designed by Kunio Okawara for the original Mobile Suit GundamMobile Suit Gundam
is a televised anime series, created by Sunrise. Created and directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino, it premiered in Japan on Nagoya Broadcasting Network on April 7, 1979, and lasted until January 26, 1980, spanning 43 episodes...
television series. Of the concepts introduced into the series, the GM, as a grunt-level mecha used by the protagonists of the series, is one which has become a staple of the mecha anime genre, the logical next step from one super-powered machine against a vast evil force to a full-scale conflict between two armies with the robotic equivalent of foot soldiers. The GM served as a direct inspiration for machines within other Gundam shows, most notably the GAT-01 Strike Dagger series from Gundam SEED and Gundam SEED DESTINY. In addition, the concept of mass-produced machines on the side of the series' protagonists is seen in other mecha anime, such as the MBD-1A Dragoon from Metal Armor Dragonar
Metal Armor Dragonar
is a 48-episode mecha anime series, created by Sunrise and aired from 1987 to 1988. Devised shortly after the release of Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ, Dragonar was intended to be both a "starter" series to get new fans into mecha anime, and a potential successor to the Gundam franchise. In fact, it's...
, and all the machines (the VF-1 Valkyrie
VF-1 Valkyrie
This article is about a fictional vehicle; for the fighter squadron see VF-1.In the fictional Macross Japanese anime series and its English adaptation Robotech, the first mass-produced variable fighter or veritech fighter is called the VF-1 Valkyrie.-Background:The VF-1 was created by the...
in particular) used by the U.N. Spacy
U.N. Spacy
The U.N. Spacy is the fictional military arm of the Earth U.N. Government from the Japanese anime series Macross.-Fictional Organization Background:...
in The Super Dimensional Fortress Macross.
Retcon
Retcon
Retroactive continuity is the alteration of previously established facts in a fictional work. Retcons are done for many reasons, including the accommodation of sequels or further derivative works in a series, wherein newer authors or creators want to revise the in-story history to allow a course...
redesigns were featured in the OVAs Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket
Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket
is a 1989 Japanese science fiction original video animation series, the first such series in the Gundam franchise. Directed by Fumihiko Takayama, it was also the first time anyone other than creator Yoshiyuki Tomino was given a chance to direct a Gundam story. Released in 1989, it serves to...
and Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory
Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory
is a 13-episode anime OVA series set in the Gundam universe. The first volume containing two 30-minute episodes was released in Japan on May 23, 1991. Subsequent volumes, containing one 30-minute episode each, followed every one or two months; the final volume went on sale on September 24, 1992...
, although these redesigns have since been designated as separate models. The GM is also a popular subject for various Mobile Suit Variations.
There are two accepted versions of the RGM-79: the original design by Kunio Okawara
Kunio Okawara
is a mechanical designer in the Japanese anime industry. A mechanical designer is similar to a character designer, but the design is for robots, ships, and other mechanical items found in a particular show. Okawara was the first in the industry to be specifically credited as a mechanical designer...
(which featured a single-piece waist armor, no neck, a smooth, rounded face and ill-defined elbow joints and legs), and a popular redesign by Hajime Katoki
Hajime Katoki
is a popular Japanese mecha designer. A member of the studio Sunrise, he is highly noted for his work on the Gundam series as well as his work on video games, such as the Virtual On series and Policenauts.-Biography:...
which brings the GM more in-line with its predecessor, the RX-78 Gundam. These two designs are functionally the same machine. Generally the Okawara design is used to represent a more "nostalgic" GM, while the Katoki design displays a more "realistic" approach.
RGM-79R/RMS-179 GM II
Introduced in U.C. 0085, the RGM-79R/RMS-179 GM II was an updated version of the Earth Federation's original RGM-79 GM mobile suit. While a clear improvement over the original design, the GM II was soon outclassed by the high-performance transformable mobile suits introduced in the Gryps Conflict of U.C. 0087. However, it remained one of the most heavily mass-produced mobile suit in its day, second only to the Hizack. The AEUG GM II was identical to the GM II used by the Federation forces, except for a different green-white color scheme and designation.MSA-003 Nemo
During initial phase of the Gryps Conflict, the AEUG relied heavily on the GM II mobile suits. However its leadership soon decided that the AEUG needed a new mass-produced unit of their own so that they could hold an upperhand against the Titans. Anaheim ElectronicsAnaheim Electronics
Anaheim Electronics is a fictional civilian company that appeared in the Universal Century timeline of the Gundam anime metaseries. The company appeared first in Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam as the main financier, supplier, and manufacturer of the faction AEUG...
then introduced the MSA-003 Nemo. Although this new suit strongly resembled the old GM II, it was far better in terms of generator power, thruster acceleration and maneuverability. The Nemo was able to use existing low-cost weaponries like the Rick Dias's beam saber and the GM II's beam rifle, and incorporated the cutting-edge movable frame design as well as the light-but-strong gundanium alloy armor. The Nemo quickly proved to be a powerful unit and remained to be AEUG's and Karaba's backbone force until the end of the conflict.
RGM-86R GM III
First appearing in the animeAnime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
series Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ
Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ
is a TV series aired on Japanese TV from 1986–1987, was the third Gundam series, and a direct follow up to Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam. Director Yoshiyuki Tomino returned to lead the series, and he assembled a new team consisting of character designer Hiroyuki Kitazume, who had been one of Zeta...
, the RGM-86R GM III is the last "GM"-named upgrade of the Earth Federation
Earth Federation
The is a fictional organization in the Universal Century timeline of the Gundam anime series. The name also made a reappearance outside of the Gundam series in following media.* Godzilla vs...
's already well-established RGM-79 GM mobile suit series, which would prove to be a much more substantial upgrade for the GM series than the RGM-79R GM II.
The GM III was a much-needed improvement for the GM mobile suit line. As the Earth Federation's main mass-production MS series, the GM II was no longer a competitive combatant by the late U.C. 0080s. The Earth-based anti-Titans group Karaba (now with the Federation's full financial support after Char Aznable
Char Aznable
, born is a fictional character from the Gundam franchise. He is originally one of the main antagonists in Mobile Suit Gundam and later becomes one of the protagonists of Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam. In his final appearance in Char's Counterattack, he assumes leadership of the Neo Zeon movement,...
's Dakar speech), took up the task of redesigning a significantly enhanced GM unit. The result was the new GM III, which became Karaba's main force during their resistance against Haman Karn's Neo Zeon.
This major GM overhaul featured a more powerful Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor and improved sensors. The armor was also improved upon by mixing titanium alloy with the much lighter and sturdier gundarium alloy. The GM III also used a new jetpack that was based on the backpack design of RX-178 Gundam Mk-II
RX-178 Gundam Mk-II
The RX-178 Gundam Mark-II is a fictional mobile suit from the Universal Century Gundam anime series. A collaborative design created by Kunio Okawara, Mamoru Nagano, and Kazumi Fujita, it is featured prominently as protagonist Kamille Bidan's mobile suit in the first half of Mobile Suit Zeta...
, which gave it 37% increase in thruster speed and acceleration. The GM III also used a more powerful beam rifle for combat, and could be outfitted with a number of large or small missile launcher pods, which increased both its firepower and versatility of mission roles.
A variant of GM III known as RGM-86R Nouvel GM III appears in Gundam Sentinel
Gundam Sentinel
is a novel set in the Universal Century timeline of the Gundam universe, originally serialized in Model Graphix magazine between September 1987 and August 1988. Gundam Sentinel became a cult hit, due to its super-detailed mechanical designs and an intricate story by veteran writer Masaya Takahashi...
as the mainstay MS of the Alpha Taskforce.
The RGM-86R proved to be a major success, with over 800 units being built and would serve as the mainstay mobile suit in the Earth Federation's military forces until the U.C. 0090's, where many GM IIIs attempt to assist Amuro Ray
Amuro Ray
is a fictional character from the anime series Mobile Suit Gundam and its sequels, Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam and Char's Counterattack, voiced by Tōru Furuya , Brad Swaile , Michael Lindsay and Matthew Erickson is a fictional character from the anime series Mobile Suit Gundam and its sequels, Mobile...
's RX-93 Nu Gundam in pushing back the plummeting Axis Asteroid. Soon afterwards, it would be entirely replaced by the more economical RGM-89 Jegan and its descendants.
Sources
- ModelGraphix Special edition "GUNDAM WARS III" Gundam SentinelGundam Sentinelis a novel set in the Universal Century timeline of the Gundam universe, originally serialized in Model Graphix magazine between September 1987 and August 1988. Gundam Sentinel became a cult hit, due to its super-detailed mechanical designs and an intricate story by veteran writer Masaya Takahashi...
. ISBN 4-499-20530-1 - SD Gundam G GenerationSD Gundam G GenerationSD Gundam G Generation is a series of strategy-RPG video games that focus on the Gundam anime franchise.-History:The G Generation series technically began in 1996, when Bandai released a series of six games for Nintendo's Super Famicom console's Sufami Turbo add-on, each focusing on a particular...
F.I.F Perfect Profile's Gundiver entry.