RX-79BD-1 Blue Destiny Unit 1

RX-79BD Gundam "Blue Destiny" Series
While Zeon recognized the effectiveness of Newtypes in battle, they also realized that natural Newtypes were very rare. Zeon thus experimented with increasing the number of Newtype-class pilots in two ways:


 * Development of artificial Newtypes, which did not produce results until too late in the One Year War, and


 * Development of control systems that would allow regular pilots to operate at Newtype skill levels.

Zeon researcher Professor Chlust Morses, as part of the latter program, developed the EXAM system and then defected to the Federation, bringing the EXAM technology with him. The Federation immediately began their own EXAM program, code named Blue Destiny, to take advantage of this technology. RX-79BD-1 GM Blue Destiny Unit 1, RX-79BD-2 Gundam Blue Destiny Unit 2, and RX-79BD-3 Gundam Blue Destiny Unit 3 were built from RX-79[G] units, though the RX-79BD-1 used a GM head, rather than a standard Gundam head.

The stress that EXAM exerts on the pilot, however, limited any widespread adoption. EXAM lead researcher Alf Chamara went through several test pilots until he found the perfect candidate in Federation test pilot Yuu Kajima. Kajima spearheaded the California Base assault in the RX-79BD-1, where he confronted the Zeon MS-08TX(EXAM) Efreet Custom, an EXAM mobile suit piloted by Zeon ace Major Nimbus Schterzen in combat, resulting in the destruction of both the RX-79BD-1 and the MS-08TX(EXAM). Schterzen then stole the RX-79BD-2 and escaped to space, forcing Kajima to pursue him with the RX-79BD-3. The two EXAM units then clashed in space, resulting in Schterzen's defeat at the hands of Kajima, and the destruction of both the RX-79BD-2 and the RX-79BD-3.

First appear in Sega Saturn video game Mobile Suit Gundam Side Story THE BLUE DESTINY, design by Kunio Okawara.