ASW-G-08 Gundam Barbatos

The ASW-G-08 Gundam Barbatos is the main mobile suit of the Mobile Suit Gundam IRON-BLOODED ORPHANS television series.

Technology & Combat Characteristics
The Gundam Barbatos is one of 72 "Gundam" frames that was produced and used in the Calamity War, roughly 300 years ago. After it was recovered, Chryse Guard Security used it as a power reactor ; aside from the fact that its Ahab Reactors were still functional, this was done mainly because Barbatos' cockpit was missing when it was found. A new cockpit similar to the one used by the CGS mobile workers was installed prior to its redeployment by the 3rd Group. Poor maintenance over the centuries since the Calamity War has degraded the Barbatos' armor and full combat potential. This is later rectified by Teiwaz technicians, who not only restore the Barbatos to its original look, but also return its performance close to the original.

Gundam units like the Barbatos are able to achieve a high energy output because they possess two Ahab Reactors. However because it is difficult to run them in parallel operation, only a total of 72 Gundam frames were ever produced. The burden experienced by the pilot is high as a result of the high output and maneuverability; however it's mitigated by the implementation of Inertial Control due to the use of Ahab Particles generated from the reactor when a phase transition occurs inside its vacuum device. The cockpit structure is positioned in front of the reactor to take advantage of this. Among the same frame machines, Barbatos has been adjusted for an emphasis on versatility, it has the potential to adapt to every circumstances by exchanging its equipment. It can also use weapons and armor from defeated enemies to improve its fighting capabilities.

Armaments

 * Mace
 * Maruba Arkay (CGS president) had considered using the Barbatos in battle and so had kept some equipment for it. The mace is one of them, it is a large physical weapon made from a high hardness, rare alloy that is also used in mobile suit frames.  As mobile suits use Nano Laminated Armor for protection, such striking weapons are considered to be effective. The centre of the mace features a pile driver mechanism that fires a 'Needle' (a large spike rod) from the tip when activated, and this is often used for piercing the enemy MS. The Mace can be stored on the backpack arm when not in use. Used by the 1st Form up to the 5th Form, it was lost during the atmospheric entry battle with Gundam Kimaris.


 * Long Sword
 * A mobile suit-use sword shaped like a katana, it was created in the factory within Teiwaz's base, Saisei.  It is easy to handle due to its light weight, and shows its superiority during localized attacks. The sword's grip is later improved to fit Barbatos' hands better and to help minimize kinetic energy loss when using the weapon. Due to their high strength, the sword's slashes are ineffective against Nanolaminated Armor, thus Mikazuki is forced to aim for gaps within the enemy mobile suit's armor. As Mikazuki finds the sword hard to use, it primarily functions as a backup melee weapon when the mace or the large special mace is available. The long sword can be stored on the backpack arm when not in use. Used by the 4th Form onwards.


 * Gauntlet
 * Already equipped when Barbatos was discovered on Mars. It is thought to be one of Barbatos' original equipment but it is not a complete certainty. Used only by the 1st Form and 2nd Form, it was lost during the battle with Gjallarhorn forces near the Mars' low orbit station.


 * Smoothbore Gun
 * A 300mm caliber gun produced for use mainly in zero gravity environment and space, emphasis was placed on power rather than accuracy. It also has a 60mm machine-gun at the bottom. The Smoothbore Gun is able to penetrate Nano Laminated Armor when fired in close range unless the armor is very thick. It can be folded up and mounted to the suit's backpack arm when not in use. The unfolded gun can be used while still mounted thanks to the design of the backpack arms. Despite the fact that it was designed primarily for use in space, it is hard to use due in such environments due to high speed movements of mobile suits. Used by the 2nd Form to the 5th Form.


 * Wire Claw
 * Used only by the 3rd Form, it is a shooting claw weapon mounted on the left forearm that is used for restraining enemy mobile suits as well as for clinging to enemy vessels.  It was taken from Gaelio's Schwalbe Graze.


 * GR-H01 9.8m Battle Axe
 * A close combat weapon used by Graze that the Barbatos obtained temporarily during the battle with Gjallarhorn forces near the Mars' low orbit station.


 * Long Range Rifle
 * A weapon borrowed from the Gundam Gusion Rebake. A modified, long range version of Graze's 120mm rifle, it is created by Teiwaz engineers that are with the Turbines. Thanks to the longer barrel and the added scope, its long range accuracy has been greatly improved.


 * Arm Mortar
 * A weapon originally designed for the Kutan Type-III, it can also be used by mobile suits. Two mortars can be stored on each of the Barbatos' forearms, and will flip forward prior to firing. Used by the 5th Form onwards.


 * Large Special Mace
 * A replacement for the original mace after it was lost during the atmospheric entry battle, it has the nickname 'Wrench Mace'. Besides functioning as an excellent striking weapon, the front portion of the wrench mace can open up and clamp onto an enemy unit tightly. A special chainsaw hidden in the bulbous front portion of the mace can then slice apart the enemy unit. Used by the 5th Form Ground Type onwards, and can be stored on the backpack arm when not in use.


 * Autocannon
 * Depending on the situation, the four arm mortars can be replaced by a pair of autocannons. Due to their limited ammunition, the autocannons are unsuitable for long range shooting battle, but they are highly effective when used in close combat. Used by the 5th Form Ground Type onwards.


 * JEE-M103 Kutan Type-III
 * A long distance transport craft/booster used for transporting containers and mobile suit. It can travel at extremely high speeds and thus traverse great distances in just a short amount of time. It was used by Mikazuki and Nadi to catch up to the Isaribi because they stayed behind at Saisei to help with the Barbatos' overhaul.

Forms

 * 1st Form
 * Barbatos was in this form when Maruba Arkay (CGS president) discovered it in Mars' desert 300 years after the Calamity War. Since its Ahab Reactors were still in an operational state it was used as the CGS HQ's power source until Mikazuki boarded it. At the time it did not have any shoulder armor.


 * 2nd Form
 * CGS was later reformed into Tekkadan, and prior to Tekkadan's departure to Earth, the Barbatos' 1st Form is fitted with the shoulder armor from the captured EB-06 Graze. The Nano Laminated Armor that was on the main body was taken and painted on the shoulder armor, forming the white and blue color scheme.


 * 3rd Form
 * After the battle with Gjallarhorn near the low orbit station, the Barbatos 2nd Form is equipped with the Wire Claw captured from Gaelio's Schwalbe Graze to fix the damaged left forearm armor.


 * 4th Form
 * Barbatos' original form, it is reproduced by technicians at Teiwaz's base, Saisei, based on ancient materials from the time of the Calamity War that had been recorded in their database. The machine's weight balance is stabilized because of additional armaments. Thanks to the extensive maintenance and overhaul at Saisei, the two reactors' output and operation rate are also improved. The Barbatos' performance is now close to its original state, and Mikazuki is able to pilot it better than before.


 * 5th Form
 * New equipment was added onto the Barbatos in the form of additional waist thrusters, redesigned forearm armor with mortars and chest-mounted reactive armor. Some of the new parts were provided by the Montag Company. The added waist thrusters serve to increase the suit's mobility and were originally the side hip thrusters of Ein's Schwalbe Graze, Tekkadan recovered the parts when they were dislodged from the Schwalbe Graze during an earlier battle. The reactive armor serves as a countermeasure against the Kimaris' hit and run attacks with its Gungnir lance.


 * 5th Form Ground Type
 * A modified version of the 5th form for ground combat, it was created with the help of Eco Turbine and again used parts provided by the Montag Company. The leg suspension was adjusted to adapt to the earth's gravity and new feet were used. As a result of this, the suit now has a higher centre of gravity, leading to faster reaction and thus better mobility under gravity. The added waist thrusters were removed as they were deemed useless for ground combat, and the forearm mortars can be exchanged with autocannons.


 * 6th Form
 * A strengthened version of the 5th form Ground Type for the final battle. The side skirt armor was replaced with a pair of new waist boosters, the shoulder armor was replaced with those from the EB-06r Graze Ritter, and additional armor is added onto the chest. The new waist boosters were adjusted for ground use, and have reduced fuel consumption. The added chest armor provides the cockpit with better protection from concentrated attacks, and can withstand prolonged battle. Although the new armor reduces the suit's mobility, they allow the Barbatos to battle for prolonged periods without any resupply.

Special Equipment & Features

 * Alaya-Vijnana System
 * An organic device system, it is an old type of man-machine interface. Apparently, the system was developed during the Calamity War to maximize the abilities of mobile suit, hence most mobile suits from that era, like the Gundams, are compatible with it. The system consisted of two parts, one part is installed in the mobile suit, and the other part (informally referred to as "Whiskers") is implanted into the pilot’s spine (usually at a young age as the implant only fuse with growing children). Thanks to this system, the pilot can be connected to the mobile suit's computer and directly process mobile suit data. This can also It also allows the pilot (even uneducated ones) to operate the mobile suit for combat without reading the instruction manual. For Barbatos, difficult to use weapons like the Long Sword and the Smoothbore Gun are much easier to use as a result of the system. The implant in the pilot also enhances spatial awareness. As the Barbatos' original cockpit was missing, it was fitted with the Alaya-Vijnana System interface from a Mobile Worker to allow the system to function. The Barbatos' Alaya-Vijnana System can transmit higher than usual amount of data to the pilot as its limiter was switched off for Mikazuki's use, thus only he can pilot the Gundam without any problems.


 * Backpack Arm
 * There are two backpack arms on the Barbatos' back, one on each side of the back thruster. The backpack arms can mount weapons, and when their hidden jointed arms are deployed, some weapons such as the Smoothbore Gun, can be used while still mounted.


 * Chest Reactive Armor
 * Additional armor mounted on the chest, it is used by Barbatos 5th form. The chest reactive armor was created by Tekkadan Mechanic, Nadi, as a countermeasure against the Kimaris' hit and run attacks with its Gungnir lance. It can endure a hit from the Gungnir and will be purged immediately after, thus repelling the attack. Barbatos can then use the chance to hold onto the lance and prevent further attacks.

History
Barbatos was one of the 72 Gundam Frames utilized by Gjallarhorn during the Calamity War 300 years prior. It was later discovered by Maruba Arkay in the Mars desert and was recovered to serve as a power reactor for Chryse Guard Security's base. The machine was taken out of the base by Mikazuki Augus during Gjallarhorn's assault. CGS, now Tekkadan, continued to improve the suit with parts and armor taken from defeated Gjallarhorn mobile suits. Teiwaz technicians later restored the Barbatos to its original appearance and close to its original performance. It is currently one of the 26 remaining Gundam Frames that have survived the Calamity War and reported to be operational.

Barbatos' spare parts were later used to transform the ASW-G-11 Gundam Gusion that Tekkadan had obtained from the space pirate Brewers into the ASW-G-11 Gundam Gusion Rebake.

After Montag Company offered their alliance to Tekkadan, the group gives them spare parts for Gundam Barbatos as a gift. Some of them were used for Barbatos' 5th Form and 5th Form Ground Type, and proved to be handy during the atmospheric entry battle and subsequent battles on Earth.

Notes & Trivia

 * Barbatos is the 8th demon of the Ars Goetia. He is an Earl and Duke of Hell, ruling thirty legions of demons and has four kings as his companions to command his legions. He gives the understanding of the voices of the animals, says past and future, conciliates friends and rulers, and he can lead men to hidden treasures that have been hidden by the enchantment of magicians. His name seems to derive from Latin 'barbatus', bearded, old man, philosopher.
 * Gundam Barbatos is a DLC on Gundam Extreme Vs. Force, costing 2000.
 * Some fans felt that in Episode 21 to 23, Barbatos' green eyes became more blueish. They think that it is done to match Mikazuki's eye color and reflects his vengeful behavior.