The RGM-79F Desert GM is a variant of the RGM-79F GM Land Combat Type and first appeared as a part of M-MSV.
Technology & Combat Characteristics[]
Developed based on the RGM-79F GM Land Combat Type, the RGM-79F Desert GM was part of the GM enhancement plan that was meant to create machines for operating in both desert and frigid regions. While the development of the RGM-79 GM had proven fairly successful in holding battle lines, the gap in pilot experience in skirmishes was clearly apparent, and the rapid training of pilots and adaptation to localized battles remained a top priority. To adapt to fighting in the desert, all the joints and intakes of the Desert GM received anti-dust treatment. The Desert GM also featured improved defense against projectiles, but rather than being equipped with heavy armor that would restrict mobility on exposed desert terrain, it was instead fitted with reactive armor. Such armor incorporated explosive charges that detonated outward on impact, reducing the internal damage sustained, increasing survival rates, and as a result allowing for improved collection of combat data. Similar to the GM Land Combat Type, the Desert GM is armed with a beam saber, railcannon and an optional beam spray gun.
Armaments[]
- Beam Saber
- The standard close range armament for most mobile suits, it 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. The Desert GM has one beam saber stored on the left side of its backpack.
- YHI YF-RC155 Railcannon
- A further development of the YHI YF-RC180 Railcannon used by the GM Land Combat Type. Its size was reduced compared to its predecessor, allowing for easier handling as well as allowing YHI to use surplus Type-61 tank barrels for the weapon. Various sub-weapons can be mounted to compensate for its reduction in stopping power. Options include a 4-tube missile launcher, 8-tube small missile launcher, super napalm dispenser, etc.[1]
- 4-tube Missile Launcher
- One of the sub-weapons that can be mounted on the Railcannon. It is also known simply as "Missile Pod".
- BOWA BR-M-79C-2D Beam Spray Gun
- While the BR-M-79F-1 Beam Spray Gun used by the GM Land Combat Type aimed to improve beam convergence (in single-shot mode) by adding a battery pack, the BR-M-79C-2 Beam Spray Gun, developed around the same time, was designed as an improved version of the BR-M-79C-1 Beam Spray Gun used by the RGM-79 GM. The barrel was lengthened to accommodate an extended beam accelerator, and the carrying handle was eliminated in favor of a new dedicated firing sensor. This allowed the weapon to assist in fire control, which previously relied on the mobile suit's head sensors, and appears to have improved accuracy. Furthermore, BR-M-79C-2 models with the "D" suffix feature a ceramic cover attached to the barrel. This dust cover was added for use in arid regions such as deserts.[1]
- 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.
- BLASH HB-L-03/N-STD Hyper Bazooka
- A general purpose fire support rocket launcher platform for mobile suits. With considerable destructive power owing to the high explosive yield in each warhead, the weapon was primarily used to destroy less maneuverable targets such as warships, satellites, land battleships, bunkers, and buildings.
History[]
The RGM-79F Desert GM was mostly deployed in the Middle East and Northern Africa during the One Year War.
Gallery[]
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Notes and Trivia[]
- Some sources list the Desert GM's model number as RGM-79SP (same as the GM Sniper II) or simply RGM-79.
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