Public-class

This article is in need of detailed weapons descriptions.

Public-class
Public-class
Unit Type
Mass Production Assault Space Ship
Profile
First Seen	0079 U.C.
Last Seen	0088 U.C.
Manufacturer	Earth Federation
Operator	Earth Federation Forces Anti Earth Union Group
Movement
Rocket Thrusters	4 x ? kg
Standard Armaments
Fixed	2 x Large Missile 2 x 6-tube Missile Launcher 4 x Machine Gun (Encounters in Space)
Optional Armaments
Fixed	2 x Beam Diffusion Missile
Real World
Mechanical Designer	Kunio Okawara
Appearances*
Game	Mobile Suit Gundam: Encounters in Space Mobile Suit Gundam: Spirits of Zeon ~Dual Stars of Carnage~ Mobile Suit Gundam Side Story: Missing Link

The Public-class is a space assault ship that appears in the Mobile Suit Gundam anime series.

Technology & Combat Characteristics

At the outbreak of the One Year War, the Earth Federation's Space Force suffered heavy losses at the hands of the Principality of Zeon's mobile suits, such as the MS-05 Zaku I and MS-06 Zaku II. To counter the fast and maneuverable mobile suits, the Earth Federation developed the Public-class based on a shuttle design as a simple "missile boat in space" which would support the main fleet of Salamis-class cruisers and Magellan-class battleships. The Public-class is simple and straightforward, with its main armament being a pair of large capital ship-grade missiles to be used in hit-and-run attacks. These missiles could also be replaced with beam diffusion missiles. The ship was equipped with a cluster of large boosters at the rear to allow for high-speed retreat after it has fired its missiles. However, while extremely fast, these ships were possessed poor armor and maneuverability.

Armaments

• Anti-ship Missile

The Public-class' main armament is a pair of heavy missiles for use against large, relatively slow-maneuvering targets such as enemy capital ships.

• Beam Diffusion Missile

The Public-class could also carry beam diffusion missiles in place of anti-ship ordnance. These missiles contain particles which when dispersed formed a "curtain" which diffused beam attacks. The particle curtain neutralizes the beam weapons from all directions, allowing the fleet being protected to close distance and bring their full firepower to bear against otherwise longer-reaching anti-ship beam artillery. However, the missiles do not have sufficient range to keep the Public-class themselves out of reach of hostile flaks, resulting in many of the vessels being shot down.

• Six-tube Missile Launcher

A six-tube missile launcher is mounted on each side of the Public-class, presumably for use against smaller, agile targets such as mobile weapons.

History

The Public-class was useful during the Battle of Solomon, when these ships deployed a beam diffusion curtain, allowing some of the Federation's dedicated fighting vessels to close in on the space fortress. The Public-class was also utilized during the Battle of A Baoa Qu, although they were far less successful in their ploy to create a beam diffusion curtain.

Gallery

Lineart

Alternative design

Anime

Front

Rear

No Missiles

Notes & Trivia

• The gunboat pilots are best known for saying the phrase, "Public Units Launching!" before firing their missiles.
• In the game Mobile Suit Gundam: Encounters in Space, the Public has 4 nose-mounted machine guns.

---