RX-78NT-1 Gundam "Alex"

Initially, the Federation was rather skeptical about the existence of Newtypes, having none of their own to evaluate (as opposed to Zeon, which had set up the Flannigan Institute for Newtype research.) However, the performance of Amuro Ray in the RX-78-2 clearly illustrated the battle effectiveness of Newtype pilots to the Federation. Realizing that such pilots would need a mobile suit optimized for them, the Federation developed the RX-78NT-1 Gundam "Alex" by remodeling a RX-78 unit 4 (model unknown) as their 'ace in the hole' at the end of the One Year War. The model was probably a 78-1 which was the prototype(s) built at Jaburo or the 4th 78-2(#4), where #1 and #3 were destroyed and #2 is Amuro's. The Federation planned to test the RX-78NT-1 at Side 6, then ship it to the White Base for Amuro to pilot in the Battle of A Bao A Qu. However, the actions of the Zeon Cyclops covert operations unit resulted in the RX-78NT-1 being severely damaged prior to the battle. The NT-1 was finally heavily damaged by an MS-06FZ Zaku Kai. The Federation soon disassembled the NT-1 and used its parts on other research.

As the Federation had not researched the extent of Newtype powers (such research would not become available until the acquisition of the Flannigan Institute by the Federation), the RX-78NT-1 did not have any sort of psycommu control. Instead, the RX-78NT-1 was optimized at every level for the vastly superior reaction time of Newtypes. Test pilot Christina MacKenzie (an Oldtype) noted that the machine was incredibly powerful, almost to the point that it was out of control. The other major innovation was that the RX-78NT-1 was the first mobile suit to feature the panoramic cockpit and linear chair, affording the pilot a 360-degree view of the battlefield. The RX-78NT-1 also featured the optional Chobham armour, an external set of armor which improves the defense of the RX-78NT-1 but covers some of its weaponry.

According to the Master Grade instruction manual, "Alex" is an acronym for "Armored Layers EXperimental", referring to the NT-1's use of Chobham armor.

First appear in Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket, design by Yutaka Izubuchi.