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The RGC-80 GM Cannon (Thunderbolt Ver.) is a mobile suit featured in the manga Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt and its animated adaptation.
Technology & Combat Characteristics[]
The GM Cannon (Thunderbolt Ver.) is one of the mid-range support mobile suits deployed by the Earth Federation Forces.[1] It shares about 60% of its parts with the RGM-79 GM (Thunderbolt Ver.) and uses the same handheld armament.[1] While the GM Cannon (Thunderbolt Ver.) appears to be a cannon-type configuration of the GM (Thunderbolt Ver.), it is actually classified as simplified mass production version of the RX-77 Guncannon (Thunderbolt Ver.) in terms of mobile suit development genealogy.[1] It was developed as a low-cost support unit in the Earth Federation Forces' quest to mass produce the Guncannon (Thunderbolt Ver.).[1]
Like the GM (Thunderbolt Ver.), the GM Cannon (Thunderbolt Ver.) has added sensors on its head for better search capabilities in the debris-filled area and its joints are covered in special seals to protect them from the debris.[2] The GM Cannon (Thunderbolt Ver.) has a large backpack with a rocket cannon mounted on the right and a sub arm on the left.[1] This large backpack is a modified version of the one used by GM (Thunderbolt Ver.) and can be purged when needed.[1] The mobile suit also added thrusters on its calves, which are utilized to counteract the recoil of the rocket cannon, and added targeting sensor on the right shoulder, above the chest.[1][2]
Armament[]
- Rocket Cannon
- Mounted in the right side of the large backpack, the cannon is magazine fed, with spare magazines stored at the top of the same backpack. To counter the large recoil when firing this cannon, the leg thrusters of the GM Cannon (Thunderbolt Ver.) have enhanced output.[1]
- Beam Spray Gun
- A simplified version of the beam rifle, it is the same model of beam spray gun as used by the RGM-79 GM (Thunderbolt Ver.).
- Beam Saber
- A close combat weapon that emits a blade-shaped beam from the hilt when drawn. The GM Cannon (Thunderbolt Ver.) has a beam saber stored horizontally on the bottom of the small backpack which is concealed by the large backpack.[1]
- Shield
- A defensive armament, the GM Cannon can be equipped with one mounted on the mobile suit's arm.
Special Equipment & Features[]
- Sub-Arm
- Core Block System
History[]
In the manga, the Beehive was supplied with the Full Armor Gundam, Guncannons, Balls, GM Cannons, student volunteer pilots and ammunition for the final battle in Side 4. Used by the student volunteers and pilots of the Beehive, the GM Cannons and other mobile suits were used in a diversion tactic (rather controversially) to outnumber the Living Dead Division's snipers and overwhelm them so the Full Armor Gundam could sink the main fleet.
Although the novice pilots were no match for the snipers, they managed to take out a few snipers through sheer numbers. They were engaged by Fisher Ness in his Rick Dom who took out at least one Ball and 3 GM Cannons. Although unknown to the pilot of a Guncannon (the last surviving member of the squadron), the MS-06R Zaku II High Mobility Type (Reuse "P" Device) had mopped up all of the MS deployed, and the GM Cannons were completely decimated.
Later, a few GM Cannons were seen battling Zeon's main fleet and subsequently guarding the Dried Fish after it was captured by the Federation Forces. One GM Cannon played a major role in stopping the captured from blowing up the ship. When the Federation surrendered to Zeon, the GM Cannons were used to transport Federation and Zeon soldiers to a Chivvay-class. It is unknown what happened to the GM Cannons after this event.
Gallery[]
Anime[]
References[]
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