FA-78-2 Heavy Gundam 2nd

Model number: FA-78-2
Code name: Heavy Gundam 2nd
Unit type: prototype general purpose mobile suit
Manufacturer: Earth Federation Forces
Operator: Earth Federation Forces
Rollout: UC 0079 (original FA-78-2 Heavy Gundam)
First deployment: UC 0081
Accommodation: pilot only, in standard cockpit in torso (later refitted units equipped with panoramic monitor/linear seat cockpit)
Dimensions: head height 18.4 meters
Weight: empty 52.2 metric tons; max gross weight unknown
Armor materials: Luna Titanium alloy
Powerplant: Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor, power output rating unknown
Propulsion: rocket thrusters: total output unknown
Performance: unknown
Equipment and design features: sensors, range unknown; biosensor
Fixed armaments: beam cannon, mounted on right shoulder; beam saber, stored in recharge rack in backpack behind left shoulder, hand-carried in use
Optional hand armaments: beam rifle; bazooka; frame launcher; shield, mounted on left forearm

Near the end of the One Year War, the Earth Federation Forces created the FA-78-2 Heavy Gundam as a redesign of the FA-78-1 Full Armor Gundam. However, development was halted in November UC 0079 and was not restarted until January UC 0081. The Heavy Gundam 2nd’s armaments were similar to the prototype unit, although its shell-firing cannon was upgraded to a beam version, and the suit could also carry a beam rifle, bazooka and shield. The Heavy Gundam 2nd was equipped with a biosensor that was less advanced than Zeon technology and displayed no performance improvements with regular pilots. After the resumption of development, three or four test units were completed. One unit was lost during an atmospheric entry test, and two others were assigned to a test corps for data gathering. One of these units participated in a mock battle against two RGM-79SC GM Sniper Custom units. By the time the Heavy Gundam 2nd units were completed, new plans for next generation mobile suits were proposed, and consequently the suit was never formally adopted. In UC 0090, a red colored unit was used in combat by the Cyber Newtype Ingrid 0. Her unit was modernized with new equipment like a panoramic monitor and linear seat cockpit. As a Cyber Newtype, she was able to take full advantage of the suit’s biosensor.

Pilot: Ingrid 0
First appearance: MSV-R
Original mechanical designer: Kunio Okawara (MSV-R version)

Rear view (Version 1)