The ORX-005 (ORX-05, CRX-005) Gaplant is a prototype general purpose transformable Mobile Armor, it was featured in the anime Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam.
Technology & Combat Characteristics
This transformable mobile weapon was developed by the Augusta & Oakland Research Institutes as a space-use mobile suit, but it also proved to be highly efficient in atmospheric flight. The Gaplant proved to be one of the fastest and most agile mobile weapons when in mobile armor mode and thanks to its thrusters equipped movable shield binder, it was able to change direction easily. However because of the extreme G-forces which pressed on the pilot during high speed flight, the Gaplant could only be used by the physically toughest humans or by an enhanced cyber-Newtype. Another problem was its high fuel consumption. Because of this the Gaplant was equipped with an external booster in MA form when it needed to fly longer distances.
A unique feature of the Gaplant is that is possesses two cockpit hatches. The first is the standard mobile suit hatch located in the middle of the torso, which is the hatch used in mobile suit mode. The second hatch is used only while the Gaplant is in mobile armor mode and is located in the back of the head. The reason for the second hatch is because the first hatch is inaccessible when in mobile armor mode.
Armaments
- Beam Rifle
- The standard ranged armament of many mobile suits is the beam rifle. The particle beam fired from a beam rifle can penetrate almost any armor that has not been treated with specific counter-measures. The ORX-005 Gaplant is equipped with two beam rifles integrated into the arm-mounted movable shield binders. Unlike most beam rifles of the day, the Gaplant's draw energy straight from its reactor as opposed to an E-Pac, as such their output are higher.
- Beam Saber
- The standard close range armament for most Titans mobile suits. The beam saber is a small cylindrical device held in the mobile suit's hands when operated and is powered by an energy capacitor that is recharged from special racks. The beam saber is capable of cutting through any metal that has not been treated with anti-beam coating. The Gaplant is equipped with a pair of Beam Sabers, and can only be used in MS mode.
Special Equipment & Features
- Movable Shield Binders
- Mounted on the arms, it is a composite equipment that can function as a beam rifle, shield and thruster units. As these thruster equipped binders are movable, they allow the suit to change direction during flight without the need of changing the direction of its nose. The binders can function as shields as their surface are anti-beam coated.
- Optional Booster
- While the thrusters allow the Gaplant to attain incredibly high acceleration, they consume fuel at a high rate. To compensate, the Gaplant can be equipped with an optional long-range booster in MA mode, which substantially increases the amount of fuel the Gaplant can carry, thus increasing its operational flight time. When the fuel is depleted, the booster can be ejected to decrease mass.
History
Although it isn’t known how many Gaplants were produced only two units were seen during the Gryps War. The first was piloted on Earth by Cyber Newtype Rosamia Badam, and was deployed against the AEUG following the attack on Jaburo, when she attacked the Audhumla. The second was used in space some time later by Titans pilot Yazan Gable.
In U.C.0203, the remains of one Gaplant washed up on the shore of a southern island, where it was found by Afranche Char, who subsequently became determined to fight against the Federation.
Variants
Gallery
.jpg "Gaplant (4).jpg (285 KB)")
Gunpla
Notes & Trivia
- The 1/144 HGUC Gunpla of Gaplant includes the optional booster unit and display base.
References
External Links
Template:Early Universal Century Mobile weapons Template:Late Universal Century Mobile weapons