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. 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,  and a new one similar to the one used by the CGS mobile workers had to be 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 keep 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 circumstance by performing exchanges of all sorts of equipment. It can also use weapons and armor from defeated enemies to improve its fighting capabilities.

Armaments

 * Mace
 * A huge physical weapon made from a rare alloy with high hardness 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 large spiked metal rod when activated. The Mace can be stored on the backpack arm when not in use.


 * Long Sword
 * A mobile suit-use sword shaped like a katana, it is created in the factory within Teiwaz's base, Saisei.  It shows its superiority during localized attacks because it's easy to handle due to its lightweight. The sword's grip is later improved, it fits Barbatos' hands better and helps to minimize kinetic energy loss when using the weapon. The long sword can be stored on the backpack arm when not in use.


 * 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.


 * Smooth-bore Gun
 * A 300mm caliber rifle 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 Smooth-bore Gun is shown to be able to penetrate Nano Laminated Armor when fired in close range. 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.


 * Wire Claw
 * 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
 * Same close combat weapon as used by Graze. Because MS are protected by Nano Laminated Armor, direct blows are considered to be extremely effective during MS battle. The Battle Axe is an equipment developed for MS battle.


 * 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 shoulder armor plating.


 * 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 and becomes the 2nd form. The Nano Laminated Armor that was on the main body was taken and painted on the shoulder armor, thus they have 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 EB-05s Schwalbe Graze (Gaelio's unit) to fix the damaged left forearm armor, becoming the 3rd Form.


 * 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 overhaul and maintenance while at Saisei, the two reactors' output and operation rate are also improved. The Barbatos' performance is now close to its original, and Mikazuki is able to pilot it better than before.

Special Equipment & Features

 * Alaya-Vijnana System
 * An organic device system that enhances spatial awareness of the pilot and improves their compatibility with the mobile suit. It is an old type of man-machine interface. Barbatos' frame supports the system and is required by the pilot in order to operate it.


 * Backpack Arm
 * There are two backpack arms on the Barbatos' back, one on either side of the back thruster. The backpack arms can mount weapons, and due to their flexible structure can allow some weapons, like the Smooth-bore Gun, to be used while still mounted.

History
Barbatos was one of the 72 Gundams utilized 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 generator for Chryse Guard Security's base. The machine was taken out of the base by Mikazuki Augus during Gjallarhorn's assault. CGS, now Tekkadan, continues to improve the suit with parts and armor taken from Gjallarhorn's mobile suits.

Out of all the 72 Gundam Frames produced, Barbatos is one of the 26 remaining Frames that have survived and are reported to be operational at the start of the events of Iron-Blooded Orphans.

Notes & Trivia

 * Gundam Barbatos is the 8th unit among the 72 Gundams, as their names are derived from The Demons of Ars Goetia. In this case, Barbatos is the 8th Duke of Hell.
 * The Post Disaster Gundams' setup of using two reactors working in parallel to achieve a much higher output is similar to the Twin Drive System from Mobile Suit Gundam 00, where two reactors were used to achieve high output but achieving and keeping that sync was difficult.