RX-78-1 Prototype Gundam

The RX-78-1 Prototype Gundam is a Mobile Suit of the Universal Century timeline. It first appeared as a part of the Mobile Suit Variations.

History
The RX-78-1 Prototype Gundam is the third Mobile Suit produced under the Project V, developed at the Jaburo military headquarter on Earth. The starting point of the RX-78 series of mobile suits, the Prototype Gundam was designed differently from the original Project V mobile suits models in that it did not place its emphasis on raw firepower like the RX-75-4 Guntank and RX-77-2 Guncannon. Instead, the RX-78-1 placed emphasis on fast, close quarters combat, much like the Principality of Zeon's MS-06 Zaku II. It was also the first to feature several new technologies, including the energy cap-based beam rifle (making the Gundam the first mobile suit to pack the firepower of a battleship) and beam saber. Like its predecessors, the Prototype Gundam also featured the Core Block System and the FF-X7 Core Fighter. Once the RX-78-1 was tested, designs were upgraded and enhanced, bringing along the RX-78-2 Gundam. The RX-78-1's initial design would be approved for continued development. The Prototype Gundam's designed would be upgraded and enhanced, producing the second - and most famous - model of the RX-78 series: the RX-78-2 Gundam.