NOTES ABOUT MOBILE SUIT

by Zivago

Italian version

As you already know, mobile suits (MS) are anthropomorphic robots operated by a human pilot. First types has been made by Jion Industries Inc. engineers for military purposes, and then also for civilian ones (mobile workers). Normally they’re from 50 to 80 feet tall and about 50 tons weight, but it depends on the environment: the elements the structure and the armour are made of are different according to gravity factor (e.g. carbon fibres on the Earth, titanium alloys in space). Anyway, invention of gandarium gamma, a very light and strong titanium alloy, has solved weight’s variation problems.

Different from MS is the mobile armor (MA), a non-anthropomorphic robot. It is quite like a spaceship, but it’s smaller and, therefore, much more rapid and manoeuvrable, with few pilots (seldom more than one) and an impressive firing power.

Mobile Suits are totally controlled by a powerful neural computers network that manages the self-perception software, space-time emulation programmes able to elaborate all the data about MS’ position, calculating the thrustes to let its motion and balance when operating in gravity (Electronic Motion and Balancing System). Thank to this system MS is quite simple to operate: the pilot has just to steer, control speed, aim and fire, like any other military vehicle. Cockpit display, whether mundane flat panel or 360-degrees panoramic monitor, shows the surroundings as if the pilot were in the MS’ head, thank to connection with the optical sensors installed behind head’s ocular panels.

A special operating system is the PCS (Psychic Communication System) that, without traditional electronic and/or mechanical controls, translates pilot’s brainwaves directly into commands for the computers network. But this system is suitable for newtype people only, because it requests higher psychic capacities. Telepathic impulses systems, by the way, are the only ones able to let remote control without being disturbed by Minovski particles (read below), and that’s why Psycho MS are often provided with remote controlled drones. MA can be provided with PCS as well in order to use remote-controlled weapons and, if equipped with a Minovski particles’ generator, they can even operate in gravity.

Some MS types, mainly federal ones, are provided with auto-learning operating systems. The first one was ALCS (Auto-Learning Computer System), installed on RX-78/2 Gundam, able to record actions and manoeuvres and to repeat them automatically in the same fighting conditions. But the good outcome of this system was due above all to its pilot capacities, rather than its own effectiveness: it was barely selective, and it was often necessary to switch it off so that it wouldn’t repeat previous mistakes. A further step was the ALICE (Auto-Learning Intelligence Core Equipment) installed on MSA-0011 Superior Gundam, but its outcomes weren’t good enough as well: it was so selective that it developed a sort of self-consciousness, with unforeseeable risks for the pilot.

Concerning supply and propulsion systems, main MS and MA power source is the atomic energy produced by their nuclear fusion microreactors. The reaction runs on helium 3 and deuterium, a light isotope of helium and a heavy one of hydrogen, respectively. In the process a neutron is transferred from deuterium’s nucleus to helium 3’s one, producing regular helium and hydrogen atoms. The advantage of this unusual fusion reaction is that it emits few stray neutrons and thus needs less radiation shielding. Anyway, helium 3 is a very rare isotope of a very scarce element, but it’s present in significant quantities in the Moon’s soil, and in mass quantities in Jupiter’s atmosphere: that’s why in the universal era Jupiter missions (Jupitoris, Thousand Jupiter) have got vital importance. On the other hand, propulsion systems employ rockets with liquid propellant (hydrogen-oxygen).

MS armament is different according to each version. Basically, every Jion MS has been soon provided with a Minovski particles’ generator, while federal MS have got it only since 81 U.C., with first Anaheim Electronics types. Another basic MS equipment is a couple of 60 mm Vulcan cannons and a portable weapon at least (bazooka, beam rifle, beam sabre, ecc.). Normally, MA armament is more powerful than MS one, but it is less versatile at the same time.

Minovski particles are small and short-lived subnuclear particles with unique properties. Their production is a side-effect of helium 3-deuterium nuclear fusion process discovered by nuclear physician Yuri Torenov Minovski. If scattered in bulk, these particles block low frequency electromagnetic radiations, like radio waves, so that their introduction in the battlefield prevents the use of radar and radio systems, and reduces infra-red sensors effectiveness. When electrically charged Minovski particles form a three-dimensional grid called I-field, which can deflect and confine charged particles better than a magnetic field. I-fields are used to contain superheated plasma into MS and MA fusion reactors; in the Minovski flight system to provide lift and anti-gravity thrust (as used in the project Victory), or to protect MS and MA from particles-beam weapons (as you can see for F91 “shield”). At last, if compressed an I-field gives off hi-energy mega particles that can be collected, focused and fired as in conventional particles-beam weapons most of MS, MA and warships are provided with in the universal era.

Most mobile suit model numbers consist of a two or three letter prefix, followed by a number. The number almost always indicates the order in which the mobile suit was developed, with the first mobile suit in a series being 01, the second 02, and so forth. After the number, you’ll often see additional letters, which indicate variations and customizations. The meaning of these tacked-on letters varies from case to case. Often, they just indicate a series of minor improvements; the Zack II went through the MS-06A, MS-06B and MS-06C versions before the development of the ubiquitous MS-06F. While the letters sometimes convey useful information — D for desert, C for cannon, M for marine and so on — they’re often used inconsistently. You may also see an additional number tacked onto the end. This usually approximates a version number; the RX-78/1 was the first version of the Gundam, the RX-78/2 was the second, etc.

Federal Forces model numbers have a two or three letter prefix, followed by a number. The prefixes for mobile suits begin with the letter R, and the prefixes for fighter craft begin with the letter F. So that RGC is for mass-produced Guncannon, RGM is for mass-produced Gundam, RGZ is for mass-produced Zeta Gundam, RMS is for general purpose mobile suit, and so on. The number following the prefix is usually the U.C. year in which development began. Anyway, in 85 U.C. this system changes because of the number of factories increasing, so that the first two digits of the number following the prefix now indicate where the mobile suit has been produced, while the third digit indicates the order of development. Here are the codes of main factories: 10 for Granada, 11 for Luna 2, 12 for Solomon-Kompei Island, 13 for A Bao A Qu-Gate of Sedan, 14 for Pezun, 15 for New Guinea, 16 for Kilimanjaro, 17 for Gryps (Side 7), 18 and 19 for Jaburo. Another different way regards the experimental mobile suits produced by the Newtype Network Labs. In these cases the letter prefix consists of the RX code following a different letter, according to the different NNL in which the model has been produced (MRX for Murasame newtype labs, ORX for Pezun newtype labs and NRX for New York newtype labs). After the letter prefix then you find the number indicating the order of development. The prefix PMX, at last, indicates the models directly projected by Paptimus Scirocco for the Titans.

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