F90III-Y Cluster Gundam

F90III-Y Cluster Gundam
F90III-Y Cluster Gundam (F90III-Y クラスターガンダム)
Unit Type
Prototype General-Purpose Mobile Suit
Profile
Developed from	F90 Gundam F90
Developed Into	F90Y改 Cluster Gundam Kai Prototype XM-X0 Crossbone Gundam X-0 XM-X1 Crossbone Gundam X-1 XM-X2 Crossbone Gundam X-2 XM-X3 Crossbone Gundam X-3
First Seen	March, 0123 U.C.
Manufacturer	Strategic Naval Research Institute
Operator	Earth Federation Forces
Known Pilots	Lyle Wolf
General Characteristics
Head Height	15.0 meters49.213 ft <br />590.551 in <br />
Max Weight	26.5 metric tons
Empty Weight	9.7 metric tons
Power-plant	Minovsky Ultracompact Fusion Reactor
Power Output	4550 kW6,101.65 hp <br />
Pilot Accommodations	Pilot only (in panoramic monitor/linear seat cockpit in torso with Core Block System using Core Fighter)
Armor	Gundarium Alloy Ceramic Composite
Movement
Max Acceleration	4.54 G
Rocket Thrusters	4 x 19920 kg43,916.07 lb <br />21.958 tons <br /> 2 x 16010 kg35,295.998 lb <br />17.648 tons <br /> 2 x 4620 kg10,185.354 lb <br />5.093 tons <br />
Vernier Thrusters	46
Equipment
Standard	10 x Hardpoint Weapon Rack
Standard Armaments
Fixed	2 x Vulcan Gun 2 x Beam Vulcan 2 x Beam Saber
Handheld	Beam Rifle 2 x Mega Beam Bazooka
Optional Armaments
Fixed	Beam Shield
Real World
Mechanical Designer	Kunio Okawara

The F90III-Y Cluster Gundam is a mobile suit introduced in Mobile Suit Gundam Silhouette Formula 91.

Technology & Combat Characteristics

The F90III-Y Cluster Gundam is the third unit in the F90 series built by the Earth Federation Forces' Strategic Naval Research Institute. The main feature that sets it apart from previous F90 units was the incorporation of a Core Block System that functioned as its cockpit. During an emergency, the Core Block can transform into an escape-use Core Fighter, increasing the pilot's rate of survival and safeguarding the data stored in the cockpit. Additionally, the Core Fighter can combine with the Cluster Gundam's backpack to form a Core Booster, enhancing the small fighter craft's thrust and acceleration. Like the other F90 units, the Cluster Gundam is fitted with several hardpoints for attaching a wide variety of equipment. The Cluster Gundam can be equipped with a large number of beam weapons, including the recently developed mega beam bazooka.

Armaments

• Vulcan Gun

Mounted in the head, the pair of shell firing weapons have high rate of fire but little power. Although ineffective against the armor of a mobile suit, they are suitable for restricting enemy movements, destroying lightly armored targets, for intercepting missiles, etc.

• Beam Vulcan

A pair of vulcan guns mounted in the head that fires beams instead of physical projectiles.

• Beam Saber

The beam saber is a small device held in the mobile suit's hands when deployed and is powered by a rechargeable energy capacitor. It emits high-energy Minovsky particles to form a blade-shaped I-field (via manipulation of electromagnetic fields), and then fills this I-field shell with superheated Minovsky particle plasma to produce an effective cutting blade. The F90IIIY Cluster Gundam has two beam sabers stored on its backpack.

• Beam Rifle

A custom beam rifle, it is powered by a replaceable e-pac located at the back of the rifle. When not used, the beam rifle can be stored on the rear skirt armor's weapon rack. Spare e-pacs can be carried on the side skirt armor's hardpoint. It is also possible to attach the beam rifle to the side skirt armor's hardpoint and operated in that manner.

• Mega Beam Bazooka

An experimental beam firearm developed by the SNRI, its firepower rivals that of the VSBR equipped on the F91 Gundam F91. It can be stored on the rear skirt armor's weapon rack when not in use. Alternatively, the mega beam bazooka can be attached to the side skirt armor's hardpoint and operated in that manner, enabling the mobile suit to use two mega beam bazookas at once.

• Beam Shield

Capable of blocking both beam and projectile weapons, the beam shield generates a plane of energy similar to the blade of a beam saber. This plane is divided into multiple sections, which can be turned on or off as needed to conserve energy. Individual sections are also automatically deactivated whenever they're in danger of coming into contact with the mobile suit itself. The beam shield used by the F90IIIY Cluster Gundam is an optional equipment mounted on either forearm's hardpoint.

Special Equipment & Features

• Hardpoints

The Cluster Gundam has 10 hardpoints for mounting the Mission Packs, sets of optional equipment and armaments, to meet specific needs or combat situations. The hardpoints can also be used for mounting spare E-packs of the Beam Rifle or other ranged beam weaponry, and are covered when not in use. The locations of these hardpoints are: two at the top of the shoulder armor, two on the sides of the forearms, two on the front skirt armor, two on the side skirt armor, and two on the sides of the legs.

• Weapon Rack

The Cluster Gundam has a weapon rack on its rear skirt armor for storing handheld weapons such as the Beam Rifle, and Mega Beam Bazooka. The weapon rack can also be used for mounting parts of certain Mission Packs.

History

SNRI publicly announced the development of the F90III in the military magazine MS Monthly Journal special edition winter issue in UC 0122.12.05. It was also revealed that the F91 Gundam was being developed simultaneously.

After its completion at SNRI's Frontier I facility, the F90III immediately saw combat in the hands of Earth Federation pilot Lyle Wolf against the Crossbone Vanguard's Death Guns Squad on March UC 0123.

Variants

• F90Y改 Cluster Gundam Kai Prototype

Gallery

Linearts

Front

Rear

Rear, without Core Fighter and backpack

Core Fighter (top view)

Core Fighter (various details)

Core Booster (top view)

Core Booster (top and rear view)

Beam Rifle

Mega Beam Bazooka

Manga

Mobile Suit Gundam Silhouette Formula: Ghost of Formula 91

Close up, with unknown weapon mounted on both side skirt armor hardpoint

Mobile Suit Gundam F90: Fastest Formula

Cameo in Vol 6, Special Chapter

Mobile Suit Gundam F90 Cluster

Alongside other Formula Project mobile suits

Close up

Beam Saber clash with XM-07G Vigna Zirah

Using Beam Shield

Close up with Lyle Wolf, and equipped with unknown weaponry on left side skirt armor hardpoint

Illustration & Artwork

Artwork from Gundam ACE July 2024

Gunpla

1/100 Original F90III-Y Cluster Gundam (1993): box art

MG F90IIIY Cluster Gundam (P-Bandai exclusive; October 2024) promotional image

MG F90IIIY Cluster Gundam (Front & rear view)

MG F90IIIY Cluster Gundam (Core Booster)

Custom 1/100 F90III-Y Cluster Gundam modeled by Masafumi Watanabe (1)

Custom 1/100 F90III-Y Cluster Gundam modeled by Masafumi Watanabe (2)

Custom 1/100 F90III-Y Cluster Gundam modeled by Masafumi Watanabe (3)

Custom 1/100 F90III-Y Cluster Gundam modeled by Masafumi Watanabe (3)

Custom 1/100 F90III-Y Cluster Gundam modeled by Masafumi Watanabe (4)

Notes & Trivia

• In the manga "Mobile Suit Gundam Silhouette Formula: Ghost of Formula 91", the Cluster Gundam was depicted with a pair of unknown weapons mounted on both side skirt armor hardpoints. This weapon bears some similarity to the Beam Machine Gun used by MS-14JG Gelgoog Jäger.
• In the Gundam Data File series, the Cluster Gundam was described as being equipped with a Bio-Computer.
• On 6th August 2024, the Cluster Gundam was retconned as the Y-Type on Bandai's F90 A to Z official website.

References

Linearts, specifications, and profile from Silhouette Formula 91 Handbook

Linearts and information from Gundam Mobile Suit Bible Vol.24

Linearts and information from Monthly BANDAI Making Journal Vol. 164

Linearts, specifications, and profile from Data Collection No 8