RGM-79[G] GM Sniper

RGM-79[G] GM Sniper
RGM-79[G] GM Sniper (RGM-79[G]ジム・スナイパー)
Unit Type
Mass Production Sniper Ground Mobile Suit
Profile
Developed from	RGM-79[G] GM Ground Type
First Seen	0079 U.C.
Manufacturer	Earth Federation Forces
Operator	Earth Federation Forces
General Characteristics
Head Height	18.0 meters59.055 ft <br />708.661 in <br />
Max Weight	66.0 metric tons
Empty Weight	53.8 metric tons
Power-plant	Thermonuclear Fusion Reactor
Power Output	1150 kW1,542.175 hp <br />
Sensor Range	6000 meters19,685.039 ft <br />
Pilot Accommodations	Pilot only (in cockpit in torso)
Armor	Luna Titanium
Movement
Max Acceleration	0.74 G
Rocket Thrusters	49000 kg108,026.478 lb <br />54.013 tons <br />
Standard Armaments
Fixed	2 x X.B.Sa-G-03 Beam Saber
Handheld	BLASH XBR-X-79YK Long-Range Beam Rifle RGM*S-Sh-WF/S-00109 Shield YHI YF-MG100 100mm Machine Gun
Real World
Mechanical Designer	Kunio Okawara (MS design) Kimitoshi Yamane (Long-Range Beam Rifle design)
Appearances*
OVA	08th MST
Manga	08th MST+α
Game	Mobile Suit Gundam: Battlefield Record U.C. 0081

The RGM-79[G] GM Sniper is a variant of the RGM-79[G] GM Ground Type. It is first featured in the OVA Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team.

Technology & Combat Characteristics

The GM Sniper has improved sensor accuracy and an operating system for using the long-range beam rifle. The mobile suit's cooling equipment and power transmission system are also tuned with usage of the long-range beam rifle in mind. Besides these changes and the different color scheme, the GM Sniper's basic performance is the same as that of the GM Ground Type.

Armaments

• BLASH XBR-X-79YK Long-Range Beam Rifle

A long range weapon equipped with a beam emitter designed for sniping and a large scope, it is also known as the "Sniper Beam Rifle". The rifle can be powered via one of two ways; either the GM Sniper charges the rifle's Energy CAP for more then two minutes, allowing the weapon to fire two shots per charge, or the Energy CAP system is bypassed and the rifle draws power directly from an external generator, allowing it to rival a battleship's main gun in terms of firepower and range.

For the second method, since the control signal and idling energy need to go through the mobile suit itself, forced cooling is required for both the mobile suit and the rifle. Therefore, the long-range beam rifle needs to be connected to a generator and a cooling system via cables and pipes when used. A backpack was also developed for the use of the long-range beam rifle, which functions both as a power source and a cooling system. While the backpack's total energy and cooling efficiency are inferior to the external generator, it allows the GM Sniper to leave friendly positions and set up ambushes.

• X.B.Sa-G-03 Beam Saber

The GM Sniper has two beam sabers, one stored in the side of each leg. The beam saber is a small device held in the mobile suit's hands when operated and is powered by a rechargeable energy capacitor. The beam saber emits a blade of plasma contained by an I-Field and can cut through most armor not treated with anti-beam coating.

• RGM*S-Sh-WF/S-00109 Shield

Mounted on the forearm, this small, light shield is commonly used by the Gundam Ground Type and GM Ground Type. Constructed of Luna Titanium alloy, it is designed to primarily protect the cockpit and other critical areas. Additionally, it can be used as a close-range striking weapon in mobile suit combat. Furthermore, through lodging the spikes at the tip into the ground, the shield can serve as a free-standing frontal defense. This also allows the mobile suit to use both hands to hold large caliber weaponry and maintain a stable firing position.

• YHI YF-MG100 100mm Machine Gun

The standard armament for Federation's mobile suit ground forces during the One Year War that was developed by Yashima Heavy Industries. It has an alternate model number: "NF·GMG-Type.37/100mm". Equipped with a box magazine and folding stock, it has excellent rate of fire and is easy to wield. It utilized a smoothbore type barrel that lacked rifling and has to be replaced after firing 3000 rounds. The weapon could utilize three different types of ammunitions: HEAT (High Explosive Anti-Tank), APFSDS (Armor-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding-Sabot), and HESH (High Explosive Squash Head), allowing combat units to select the appropriate type to meet operational needs. Every Gundam Ground Type and GM Ground Type carry two spare magazines on their side skirt armor.

History

At least four RGM-79[G] GM Ground Types of the Kojima Battalion were outfitted as GM Snipers and were instrumental in the destruction of the Principality of Zeon's experimental mobile armor Apsaras III and Shiro Amada's RX-79[G]Ez-8 Gundam Ez8 during the One Year War.

Gallery

Lineart

Long-Range Beam Rifle

Beam Saber and storage rack

Anime

Several units guarding the Big Tray command ship (08MST)

3 units being serviced in a hanger (from The 08th MS Team OVA)

Holding Long-Range Beam Rifle (08MST)

Firing Long-Range Beam Rifle attached to external generator/cooling unit (08MST)

Close-Up (08MST)

Ready to attack Apsalus III (08MST)

Aiming Long-Range Beam Rifle (08MST)

In crouching position (08MST)

Games

In SD Gundam G Generation Wars

In Gundam Battle Operation 2

As featured in Gundam Conquest mobile phone game

As featured in Gundam Cross War card game

Gunpla

1/144 HG RGM-79[G] GM Sniper (1999): box art

1/144 HGUC RGM-79[G] GM Sniper (P-Bandai exclusive; 2017): box art

1/100 MG RGM-79[G] GM Sniper model kit (2006): box art

Action Figures

Mobile Suit in Action (MSiA / MIA) "RGM-79[G] GM Sniper & Jet Core Booster" figure set (North American release; 2001): package front view.

MSiA / MIA "RGM-79[G] GM Sniper" (Asian release; 2003): package front view.

Trivia

• Though the GM Sniper was never seen using the 100mm machine gun in The 08th MS Team, in Episode 2, a 100mm machine gun with a green magazine can be seen next to three GM Snipers undergoing maintenance.