RX-78AL Atlas Gundam

Template:Infobox/Mobile Weapon Ver.2The RX-78AL Atlas Gundam is a prototype mobile suit from the Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt series and is piloted by Io Flemming.

Technology & Combat Characteristics

A prototype ground combat mobile suit developed by the Earth Federation Forces, the Atlas Gundam is very versatile and capable of underwater combat.^[1] It is also meant for data collection and has various special features.^[1] It has a unique spherical joint system known as 'Globe Joints' which is developed based on the Principality of Zeon's amphibious mobile suits, and meant for underwater-use.^[1] In addition, its feet is also equipped with water jet thrusters which deliver great underwater mobility.^[1]

Another special feature of the Atlas Gundam is the waist mounted "Sub Legs" support equipment.^[1] They allow the Atlas Gundam to change into 'Flight Mode' for high-altitude atmospheric combat, or into 'Submarine Mode' for underwater combat.^[1] The suit is armed with a heat-resistant blade shield, a prototype railgun, two beam sabers and several assault rifles. Its cockpit block can function as an escape block and is fitted with a panoramic monitor.^[1]

Armaments

Railgun: A prototype handheld weapon exclusively for the Atlas Gundam, it is capable of destroying amphibious mobile suits in a single shot.^[1] Can be utilized as electromagnetic pulse guard.^[1]

Assault Rifle: A bullpup style firearm, it is equipped with a grenade launcher underneath its barrel.^[1] Stored in the Sub Legs' container section when not in use.^[1]

Beam Saber: The standard close range armament for most Federation mobile suits. The beam saber is a small cylindrical device held in the mobile suit's hands when operated and is powered by a rechargeable energy capacitor. It is capable of cutting through any metal that has not been treated with anti-beam coating. The Atlas Gundam is equipped with two Beam Sabers, one stored in each shoulder armor, which opens up when the saber is drawn.^[1]

Blade Shield: A large, heat-resistant shield, it is covered in small, blade like parts.^[1] The shield combines with the Sub Legs when the Atlas Gundam transitions into Submarine mode.^[1]

Special Equipment & Features

Sub Leg: Mounted on the waist via arm units for a wide range of movement, the pair of Sub Legs are versatile support equipment exclusively for use under Earth's gravity.^[1] In Flight Mode, the Sub Legs swings down and attach to the Atlas Gundam's feet, and its thrusters help the suit to ascend into the air.^[1] In Submarine Mode, the Sub Legs combine with the blade shield to create a platform for the Atlas Gundam to ride on, and the suit can cruise underwater at around 40 knots.^[1]

History

Funded by the Moore Brotherhood, the Atlas Gundam was prepared by Monica Humphrey for the top secret Operation Thunderbolt. The Gundam and its pilot, Io Fleming, were flown to the Sydney crater via Medea to be assigned to the Pegasus-class assault carrier Spartan. When a Musai in orbit launched a kamikaze Komusai at the Spartan, the Atlas flew up to intercept the Komusai and bisected it with its beam saber, destroying it and saving the Spartan.

The Atlas Gundam was later used in the defense of the landing crafts in the Antarctic Circle, where it launched from the Spartan to assist the other MS. It took out several MSM-07 Z'Gok (Thunderbolt Ver.) and then dived underwater to pursue the Zeon remnant's submarine, but was intercepted by a MAM-07 Grublo (Thunderbolt Ver.). After a fierce battle, the Atlas Gundam took the MA out but could not surface due to damage sustained to its thrusters. Io then used the Atlas' beam sabers to propel his MS towards the surface, but the right beam saber ran out of energy due to its use in the battle. He was then rescued by Bianca Carlyle in her damaged RX-77AQ Guncannon Aqua.

Due to damages received in this sortie, the Atlas Gundam was forced to sit out the battle between the South Sea Alliance's Border Patrol and the Spartan, with Io piloting a RGM-79C［G］ GM Ground Type-C instead.

In the manga, the Atlas Gundam participated in the operation to capture the Psycho Zaku pilots at the Rig. While the Atlas Gundam displayed exceptional performance, taking out an entire team of Z'Goks and Zaku Marine Types, Fisher Ness's quick thinking allows the Prober-class submarine carrying the pilots to escape after luring the Gundam to the Zock operated by Daryl Lorenz's team, which fired on the Gundam and forced it to evade, losing the submarine in the process (much to Io's and Monica's chagrin).

Following the failure at the Rig, the Atlas Gundam was loaded into a landing craft and used to stop the launch of the Psycho Zaku at the Taal volcano base. The landing craft is shot down by Daryl's Big Gun, but he and Bianca escape at the last moment and attempt to find a way in the volcano base while defeating enemy units underwater.

Gallery

Gunpla

Notes and Trivia

Reference

↑ ^1.00 ^1.01 ^1.02 ^1.03 ^1.04 ^1.05 ^1.06 ^1.07 ^1.08 ^1.09 ^1.10 ^1.11 ^1.12 ^1.13 ^1.14 ^1.15 ^1.16 1/144 HGGT "RX-78AL Atlas Gundam (Gundam Thunderbolt Ver.)" instruction manual, BANDAI, 2017

External links

Navigation

Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt Mechanics
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Earth Federation Forces/Moore Brotherhood
Mobile Weapon
Mobile Suit FA-78 Full Armor Gundam \| RGC-80 GM Cannon \| RGM-79 GM \| RGM-79/GH Gundam Head \| RGM-79C[G] GM Ground Type-C \| RGM-79[M] GM Marine Type \| RX-75 Guntank \| RX-77 Guncannon \| RX-77AQ Guncannon Aqua \| RX-78AL Atlas Gundam \| RX-79[GS] Gundam Ground Type S
Mobile Pod RB-79 Ball \| RB-79[M] Ball Marine Type‎

Aircraft / Spacecraft Core Fighter \| FF-X7-Bst Core Booster \| G-Fighter \| Corvette Booster
Transporter Columbus-class \| Gunperry \| Medea \| Public-class \| Space Launch
Cruiser / Mother Ship Magellan-class \| Pegasus-class \| Salamis-class
Principality of Zeon/Zeon Remnants
Mobile Weapon
Mobile Suit MS-05 Zaku I \| MS-06 Zaku II \| MS-06R Zaku II High Mobility Type (Reuse "P" Device) \| MS-09R Rick Dom \| MS-14A Gelgoog \| MSM-03 Gogg \| MSM-04 Acguy \| MSM-07 Z'Gok \| MSN-01 Psycommu Test High Mobility Type Zaku II \| MSN-02 Zeong
Mobile Armour MA-04X Zakrello \| MA-05 Bigro \| MAM-07 Grublo
Mobile Pod MP-02A Oggo

Aircraft / Spacecraft Dopp \| Gattle \| Luggun
Support Weapon Big Gun
Transporter Komusai \| Papua-class
Cruiser / Mother Ship Musai-class
South Seas Alliance
Mobile Weapon
Mobile Suit MS-07B Gouf \| Perfect Gundam \| RGM-79C[G] GM Type C Ground Type Float Equipped \| SRf-06 Dahle

Aircraft Dodai YS
Support Ship Minesweeper

[hg_atlas-1] 1.00 ^1.01 ^1.02 ^1.03 ^1.04 ^1.05 ^1.06 ^1.07 ^1.08 ^1.09 ^1.10 ^1.11 ^1.12 ^1.13 ^1.14 ^1.15 ^1.16 1/144 HGGT "RX-78AL Atlas Gundam (Gundam Thunderbolt Ver.)" instruction manual, BANDAI, 2017

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