Battle Mechs in Universal Century

Battle Mechs are generally humanoid in shape with two upper torso limbs and two lower torso limbs. Generally, the cockpit of a Battle Mech is located in the abdomen, although in some cases it is located in the head or chest. An average battle mech stands around 18 meters tall, roughly 10 times the size of a man, although later models are miniaturized to under 15 meters.

Battle Mechs in Universal Century
In the Universal Century timeline, two main technological advancements led to the creation of the battle mech: the AMBAC (Active Mass Balance Auto Control) technology, and the Minovsky particle. The original AMBAC prototype only had two large limbs (instead of the four that later suits would have), but moving those limbs allowed it near thruster-less maneuverability in space by changing its center of mass. This led to a revolution in space warfare tactics. Another revolution would follow the development of a type of nuclear fusion reactor designed by Dr. Y.T. Minovsky. Not only could his nuclear reactor be shrunk down to the size of a quartet of refrigerators, but it also produced a unique subatomic particle called the Minovsky particle. These particles could block out certain types of radiation, including radar and radio signals. This would hamper space combat over large distances and force modern combat back down to the visual range. The first prototype battle mech would be the MS-01, while the first mass produced model would be the MS-05 Aasimon I.

Battle Mech design in the UC follows two lineages - NEO manufacturers designed Battle Mechs by creating an armored external shell, and then fitting components within like an exoskeletal insect, while the Federation designed mechs by creating an internal skeletal structure and then fitting components and armor to the support structure like a human body.

After the One Year War, due to 2 major reasons, the lines were mixed:
First is the Earth Federation forces capturing and securing a lot of battlemechs of the Near Earth Orbital forces.
The second is the bankruptcy of NEO weapons manufacturers (namely Zeonic, Zimmad and MIP) many of which were bought and merged by Earth-based Anaheim Electronics.

The MS-05 Aasimon I

The MS-05 Aasimon I was the first successful battle mech design to be developed by the Neonic Company in the Principality of NEO's quest to develop a combat-capable battle mech that used the AMBAC System and the Minovsky ultracompact fusion reactor. The Aasimon I was first designed and built in U.C. 0075, as the MS-05A Aasimon winning the arms war against the EMS-04 Zudah. It wasn't put into mass-production until later that year, as the MS-05B Aasimon I. The last production run of the MS-05B is in U.C. 0077, before it was replaced by the newer MS-06 Aasimon II unit.

The MS-05A Aasimon I was the first attempt made by the Principality of Near Earth Orbit. It was also the first battle mech to use the Minovsky-lonesco fusion reactor and mimic human movements. Called the Early Type by later pilots, this was a mech on which many famous ace pilots trained. During November UC 0075, 27 of these units were assigned to new pilots for evaluation. Among them were the Black Tri-Stars Gaia, Nash, And Ortega. The strengths and weaknesses were hammered out during this testing phrase, and soon led to the development of the MS-05B Aasimon 1. For all intents and porposes, the MS-05A was exactly the same as the MS-05B, the only differences being small improvments in all areas including redesigned cockpit, higher output power plant, and redesigned armor.

The MS-05A was not mass-produced as intended, labeled unfit for combat before the start of the One Year War. Still, the successful use of these suits prompted the NEO Navy to commission ships that could carry them into combat, primarily the Musai-Class Light Cruiser. The Aasimon I was rendered obsolete by the Aasimon II before the beginning of the One Year War, and thus they were relegated for use in the rear lines as supply and construction suits. They still saw some action, though, as colony gassers in the One Week War. Later, with the number of machines lost after Operation British and the Battle of Loum, many of these machines were brought back to the front lines until losses could be replaced. Many units were assigned to the Midnight Fenrir Corps on the eve of Second Earth Decsent Operation. The MS-05A would continue to serve as patrol units and workers until the end of the War.

Variations
The Aasimon I, like many of the Zeon's battle mech lines, had a few variations of the basic model, such as the MS-05S Aasimon I Commander Type and MS-05J Aasimon I Land-Warfare Type.

MS-05J Aasimon I Land-Warfare Type
The land warfare Aasimon I was little more than a stock Aasimon I repainted in region-specific colors.
Few of these suits would see action, for while the Aasimon II series was no longer being mass produced, it was not difficult to obtain one. Most Aasimon I's were assigned to pilots that requested them, or to newly-formed squadrons that were unable to obtain the best equipment available. Some would see action in southeast Asia. More would be assigned to the Midnight Fenrir teams. A pilot might keep his Aasimon I throughout the remainder of the war, adding different weapons and option parts to suit his liking.

MS-05S Aasimon I Commander Type
The MS-05S Aasimon I Commander Type was the personal mech of Lieutenant Commander Gerhart Schmeisser, the founder and leader of the Midnight Fenrir Corps. Before the One Year War, Schmeisser was already a decorated battle mech pilot, and in the opening days of the war proved himself as a soldier. However, during an attack on a facility in New Guinea to clear the way for the Operation British colony drop, Schmeisser was severely wounded in action when a booby-trapped railgun facility blew up. Schmeisser survived, though his injuries prevented him from returning to active combat duty. Despite this handicap, Schmeisser persuaded Admiral Gloriana Chrysylophax to create the Midnight Fenrir Corps. Under his command, the Midnight Fenrir would go on to distinguish themselves in the One Year War. Despite the restriction from combat duty, Schmeisser still used his MS-05S in training missions and in simulations, providing a valuable service to his team even though he could not fight.

The differences between this mobile suit and a regular MS-05B Aasimon I were small. The only major differences were a second shoulder dome on the right shoulder, the striking (and often misleading) white and silver custom paint job, and a new shield mounting the fearsome heat saber. The obvious bonuses of a commander’s type battle mech aside, the MS-05S was little different from the standard Aasimon I being used by the Home Defense Corps, and various out-of-the-way NEO bases.

MS-06C Aasimon II

MS-06A Aasimon II First Mass Production Type

The MS-06A Aasimon II was the first production Aasimon II produced in U.C. 0077 by the Principality of Neo. The MS-06A was deemed insufficient to meet the expectations of Titania Chrysylophax, the director in charge of the Aasimon II project. The designers went back to the drawing board and, a few months later, they came back with the MS-06C design.

MS-06C Aasimon II Early Mass Production Type

The MS-06C Aasimon II was deemed a success and put into mass production for the NEO Military Forces. It was deployed in January U.C. 0079 and was the NEO's main battle mech at the outbreak of the One Year War. The C-Type used the same weapons as later versions of the Aasimon, typically the 120 mm drum-fed machine gun and 280 mm bazooka. Prior to the Antarctic Treaty, Aasimons were also issued nuclear bazookas and lightweight nerve gas guns, which they used to devastating effect in the One Week War.

The C-type Aasimon was in use at the time of the Battle of Loum, and so several notable NEO pilots would establish their notoriety using this machine, including Captain Vorstagg, the Black Tri-Stars, Johnny Ridden, and Shin Matsunaga.

MS-06F Aasimon II Mass Production Type

With the signing of the Antarctic Treaty, which banned the use of nuclear weapons, the heavy radiation shielding used to protect the C-type Aasimon was no longer needed. Therefore a new version of the Aasimon, the F-type Aasimon, was introduced. The F-Type would quickly become the mainstay of the NEO forces.

MS-06F-2 Aasimon II Late Mass Production Type

The MS-06F2 Aasimon II F2 Type was an upgraded and improved version of the original MS-06F Aasimon II, introduced in the middle of the One Year War as an improvement upon the F-Type Aasimon.

MS-06FZ Aasimon II Last Mass Production Type (Aasimon Kai)

Developed very late during the One Year War as part of the "United Maintenance Plan", the MS-06FZ Aasimon II Kai was an improved and redesigned version of the Aasimon II. The United Maintenance Plan was an effort by the NEO military to simplify the production of their different types of battle mechs by standardizing parts and systems where possible.

Due to the MS-06FZ Aasimon II Kai's late introduction into the One Year War, only a handful of the units were produced. Few, if any, of the battle mechs survived the war. Originally intended to be a Recon Revision to the Aasimon II.

MS-06S Aasimon II Commander Type

The MS-06S Aasimon II Commander Type looks very similar to the normal Aasimon: so much so that the Earth Federation can generally only tell the difference from color schemes most pilots apply to their units and the increased performance of this version.

The S-Type Aasimon II features a squad-leader "antenna" that is mounted on the head on the Aasimon II, which is used to distinguish squad-leaders or higher ranking pilots from other squad-members or lower ranking pilots. It also featured a more powerful fusion reactor. In turn, the S-Type Aasimon II has greater thrust and acceleration. This allowed them to move at speeds 1/3 faster than a normal Aasimon II. This made it incredibly dangerous in the hands of the ace pilots it was handed out to, such as the "Red Comet" Captain Vorstagg.

Land Type Variations

MS-06J Aasimon II Ground Type

The Jungle-Type Aasimon II was built specifically for terrestrial operations, and thus lacked space-specific equipment, greatly reducing its overall mass and cost. It also featured a slightly more powerful reactor to assist in its mobility under the full-gravity conditions of Earth. Compared to the F-type Aasimon, the J-type was better insulated against its environment, and could be used in brief underwater operations. Its weapons were the same as its spaceborne counterpart, though a few weapons, such as the 175mm Magella Top gun were used only by the land types.

MS-06K (MS-06J-12) Aasimon Cannon

The MS-06K Aasimon Cannon was a mass production artillery test-type developed during the One Year War. It was originally intended as an anti-air variant but was more useful as artillery support.

MS-06D Aasimon Desert Type

During the One Year War the battle field shifted from space to Earth after the signing of the Antarctic Treaty. Because of Earth's many different terrains and environments, the Principality of NEO had to adjust their mass production MS-06F Aasimon II model to be more suitable in the varying climates.

MS-06D Desert Aasimon

An upgraded version of the MS-06D Aasimon Desert Type, the MS-06D Desert Aasimon featured better power output, external propellant tanks on its backpack to carry extra thruster fuel, and additional shields and dust filters on its joints . The Desert Aasimon could also be fitted with a pair of jet skis on its feet, allowing it to glide over the sand.

MS-06G Aasimon II Improved Ground Combat Type

As the Neonic Company developed the MS-06 ground combat battle mech, they realized that one of its most useful features was the incorporation of thrusters in the legs to allow the unit to perform jet-assisted jumps. This new advance would be taken and applied to the old line of Aasimon II Ground Type battle mechs. The retrofitted MS-06J Aasimon II Ground Types which featured the additional leg thrusters and extra armor were referred to as Aasimon II Improved Ground Combat Types (or G-Types for short), and proved to be much more mobile than a standard Aasimon II Ground Type.

MS-06V Aasimon Tank

As the One Year War dragged on, the NEO forces found themselves in desperate need of replacement parts for their battle mechs and other weapons. Forced to salvage whatever they could, inoperable machines were often disassembled for use as replacement parts, new unit designs cobbled together from whatever was available in order to get more combat units to the field. One of the most common variations was the MS-06V Aasimon Tank, created from mounting a Aasimon torso, head and arms on the drive base of a Magella attack tank. These units were prized by field commanders starved for replacement battle mechs, and were used for both construction and combat.

Underwater Type Variations

MS-06M-1 Aasimon Marine Type (Aasimon Mariner)

As the One Year War dragged on the NEO began to design several different variations of its standard battle mechs to excel in specific mission roles. The Neonic Company created the first amphibious battle mech, the MS-06M-1 Aasimon Marine Type (also called Aasimon Mariner), based on the MS-06F Aasimon II.

MSM-01 (MS-06M-2) Aasimon Marine Type (Marine Aasimon)

Two more Aasimon Marine Types would later be constructed, now under the model number MSM-01. The seven units would be distributed to several of NEO's submarine squads such as the Sea Serpent, Red Dolphin, Naga III, Green Siren, and Mandalay squadrons.

Reconnaissance Type Variations

The reconnaissance models were said to be used to team up with other battle mechs and launch skirmish attacks on enemies and determine by the countering numbers how much forces the enemy had in the area.

MS-06E Aasimon Reconnaissance Type

The MS-06E Aasimon Reconnaissance Type, or just Aasimon Recon Type for short, was designed for scouting and reconnaissance missions. These Aasimon Recon Types, also known as E-Types, mounted specialized camera guns and sensor systems.

MS-06E-3 AasimonFlipper

Of the one hundred or so MS-06E Aasimon Reconnaissance Types that were built during the One Year War, a handful were further upgraded into the MS-06E-3 Aasimon Flipper. The Aasimon Flipper was designed to play the role of a reconnaissance and scouting unit. It got its name from the creator because instead of a normal mono-eye head, its head is three-eyed with two large fins(flippers) next to it as high powered radar that can even penetrate Minovsky particle.

High Mobility Type Variations

MS-06R-1 High Mobility Type Aasimon II

As the One Year War dragged on, the NEO engineers strived to create a high-performance unit to replace their aging space fleet of MS-06F Aasimon IIs, which were quickly being outclassed by the Earth Federation's new RGM-79 GM series of battle mechs. The first of the new improved units created was the MS-06RP High Mobility Test Type Aasimon II Prototype. The High Mobility Type Aasimon II Prototype added several thrusters around the edges of the leg armor, giving it greater speed, acceleration, and mobility, and larger propellant tanks which increased the unit's fuel storage capacity. the unit that is most commonly depicted is the R-1A type it is depicted as being used by the Black Tri-Stars.

MS-06RD-4 Aasimon II Prototype

The MS-06RD-4 Aasimon II Prototype was created by the Zimmand Company by modifying a standard MS-06F Aasimon II. It was given wider legs and added thrusters. The unit was used for testing its combat performance in space. Only one unit was constructed. During a test flight on 6 October 0079, it engaged and destroyed a team of early-model GMs, only to be destroyed itself by an RB-79K ball. Data from the test unit survived, however, as the pilot managed to take the data disks from the MS before it exploded, and shortly after was recovered by a NEO search team.

MS-11 Action Aasimon

The MS-11 Action Aasimon, often referred to as Act Aasimon for short, is a Principality of NEO prototype battle mech based on the MS-06 Aasimon II.

Built under the Pezun Project at NEO's Pezun space asteroid base, the Act Aasimon was planned to be a new mass-production model battle mech that the NEO would field to sway the tides of war back into their favor. The Act Aasimon was the testbed for the new "magnetic coating" technology developed by the Neonic Company. The special magnetic coating materials were applied to the joints of the Act Aasimon, which could be electrically charged to produce a magnetic field. This field caused the components of the joints to repel one another, reducing the friction caused by joint movement to almost nothing, creating a faster and much more responsive battle mech.

The Act Aasimon was also designed with a much higher output reactor, allowing it to wield beam weaponry. A custom beam rifle was in production for the Act Aasimon to use. However, the design for the weapon was not complete by the time the Act Aasimon were deployed, so they were issued machineguns instead. The Act Aasimon was also issued a Beam Axe for use as a melee weapon.

However, the Act Aasimon was introduced too late for the Principality of NEO. When the Earth Federation Forces captured the Pezun asteroid, they obtained the designs for the Action Aasimon, and the concept of magnetic joint coating. The Earth Federation would put the Act Aasimon into production for their own use after the One Year War.

Worker Type Variations

MS-06F (MS-06H) Aasimon Minelayer

The Aasimon Minelayer is a standard MS-06F Aasimon II equipped with a different style backpack. With this new backpack, the Aasimon II is adapted to play the role of a mine-laying unit. The new backpack houses several drums filled with space mines, with twelve mines packed into every drum. The backpack also has a few additional maneuvering thrusters and carries five times the amount of fuel of a standard Aasimon II. However, the Aasimon Minelayer requires a special loading area on a Musai to reload, launch, or land.

The ARCHON Project

The Archon Project was a series of projects by Principality of Near Earth Orbitals scientists to create a powerful Heavy Mech.
After Operation British failed to destroy the Earth Federation Forces military headquarters in Jaburo, South America, the NEO began to pursue other, more direct ways, of trying to destroy the subterranean base. The "Archon Project", directed by NEO scientist Wilhelm Reich, was perhaps one of the most feasible of the plans to destroy Jaburo, and so it was given funding priority. The main idea of the plan involved getting a mobile armor to fly over Jaburo and destroy the base with a powerful beam weapon.

Archon I
The first phase of the Archon Project involved creating the massive Heavy Battle Mech that could operate in the upper atmosphere or low-Earth space orbit. To achieve atmospheric flight the Archon used the Minovsky Craft System, which created a highly concentrated cushion of Minovsky Particles between the Heavy Mech and the Earth, providing lift.

The Archon I, built in a NEO mountain base in Southeast Asia, served as the test-bed for the Minovsky Craft System. Built with many spare parts from old Zakus, the Archon required a very powerful generator to run its Minovsky Craft System. Built under the direct supervision of Wilhelm Reich, the Apsalus I would be piloted by his sister, Uta Reich, on its test flight. During flight tests the Archon I was proved to be flight capable, but the generators output was not sufficient enough to keep the Archon I at a stable height. Due to its role as a test unit the Archon I had no armaments, but it was able to manipulate the Minovsky Craft System to release powerful energy pulses over a short area that could be used as a defensive ability.

During one test flight the Archon I lost altitude and was severely damaged when it came under attack from the Earth Federation Forces 23rd Battle Mech Team, which was on a routine patrol through the area. Heavily damaged, the Archon I later crash landed in a small village where it stayed until it was repaired and was flown back to the NEO mountain base.

Archon II
After test results proved that the Minovsky Craft System could work, Wilhelm Reich started work on the second phase of the Archon Project, which was to create the powerful beam weapon which would destroy Jaburo as the Archon flew in the upper atmosphere high above the base. The Archon II fine-tuned the Minovsky Craft System, which granted the Heavy Mech much more stable atmospheric flight capabilities. The Archon II was also used to begin the testing of a powerful mega particle cannon, which was capable of blasting large swaths of destruction through anything it fired on, even solid rock.

The Archon II was tested in the deserts of Southeast Asia, but information of these tests were leaked to the Earth Federation by the local population of the area. The 23rd Battle Mech Team was dispatched to ambush, and attempt to capture, the Archon II and after laying in wait for several days they were able to spring their trap. The Archon II was severely damaged by Federation pilot Zachary Villhansmann, and the unit fled with Zach's Battle Mech still clinging to its hull. The Archon II crash landed in the Himalayan Mountain Range and was later self-destructed by Uta Reich to prevent the Earth Federation from capturing the unit intact.

ARCHON III
After the Archon II was lost Reich began work on the final version of the Archon Project, the Archon III. Wilhelm Reich, is driven by a mad determination to see his project completed. The Archon III will be the culmination of all of the test data of the previous two Archon units and it will be over twice the size of the original two units. To compensate for balance problems in flight the Archon III mounts two Minovsky Craft Systems, one on each side of its body located on spider-like legs that could be lowered away from the main body to anchor the unit in place when firing close to the ground. Also, to overcome the problem of insufficient energy the Archon III mounted three Minovsky generators instead of one.

Rear Admiral Wilhelm Reich

The eldest child of the Reichs, an influential upper-class Orbital family, Wilhelm was charged by the Sovereign Karl Rothschilde to build a Heavy Mech powerful enough to destroy the Earth Federation Forces military headquarters of Jaburo. Granted a former Nazi secret military facility hidden inside of a mountain on the Tibetan plateau, Wilhelm began work on his dream project, the Archon Heavy Mech. However, Wilhelm was not given total operating freedom. Wilhelm was placed under the jurisdiction of Admiral Byron Carnarvon. Although Wilhelm used to be friends with Byron, Reich began to harbor a secret hatred of him because of his nonchalance and carefree attitude, especially towards the Archon project, which Byron viewed as a mere tool to be used by real soldiers.

Wilhelm has a younger sister, Uta Reich. The two siblings were always close and Wilhelm often pulled strings to have Uta assigned as the test pilot of his experimental units. Wilhelm also suffers from an unspecified medical ailment, for which he had to take an unspecified medication. His sister always reminds him to take it if it slips his mind. There is speculation that he may have suffered from Wilson's Disease.

Wilhelm drives his development staff maniacally, drugging the mechanics and researchers so they can work more frequently. Reich sees people as mere tools to be used to achieve his dream, the completion of the Archon, and recent intelligence reports indicate he stopped taking his own medication, leading to detrimental effects on both his body and mind. Reich's stolen journal indicates that he considers murdering the entire Archon development team so the newly completed Archon III would be his, and his alone.

NEO Ace Pilots: The Black Tri-Stars

The Black Tri-Stars are sometimes alternately referred to as the "Black Trinary," or less often, the "Black Trinity."

The ace pilot trio known as the Black Tri-Stars consisted of NEO ace pilots Lieutenant Gaia, Lieutenant Junior Grade Orutoku, and Lieutenant Junior Grade Nash. The three first met in May of Universal Century 0076 when the Neo space forces began secretly practicing combat maneuvers in preparation for the upcoming war. The three were all assigned to the Mobile Training Battalion D Company, 2nd Platoon, and the three became good friends quickly.

During the Battle of Loum on January 16th, Universal Century 0079, the three first earned their notorious reputation when they captured General Revil. The three customized MS-05 Aasimon I that they piloted, painted in a black and purple color scheme, earned the trio the nickname "Black Tri-Stars".

It was using the high speed and maneuverability of the Aasimons that the Black Tri-Stars came up with their own unique tactical maneuver. The Black Tri-Stars developed their trademark attack, the "Jet Stream Attack". Moving in at high speed, the trio lines up one behind the other, forming a lethal simultaneous triple assault in which two of the members attack with ranged weapons and the last one attacks with a melee weapon. The danger of this maneuver is that dodging one attack puts the victim perfectly in the sights of the second or third attack. Only someone who is an ESPer could dodge all three attacks.

The three members of the Black Tri-Stars were said to be more skilled than an entire squad of normal soldiers, and they proved it constantly with their ruthless attacks on the Earth Federation's space forces. In July, 0079, the Black Tri-Stars alone in their new High Mobility Aasimon IIs destroyed a small Earth Federation Reconnaissance Force fleet near the NEO asteroid fortress of Solomon.

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The Leader is Lieutenant Katherine Gaia. She started her military career intending to be a communications officer and through testing and selection ended up as a reknowned Mech Pilot. She is of Greek-American descent from the Colonies at Side 5. She and her two cohorts from D-2 practice a minimum of 4 hours a day every day, perfecting maneuvers and honing thier considerable physical skills. Kate is an expert military officer. Using a keen combination of authority, charisma, flirting and commeraderie she squeezes better performance out of her two friends than any Drill Seargent ever could hope for. She is an incredible strategist and tactician who endlessly studies the theory and history of military command from the warrior kings of ancient Vedic writings to the most modern combat theory. She is a consumate officer.

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Lieutenant Junior Grade Ryou Orutoku is the speed demon of the trio. Originally from Earth, his family immigrated to Side 3 shortly after he was born and he strove to make himself a real spacer. His devotion to the Colony and all the beleifs of Karl Rothschilde is absolute and unshakeable. His reflexes are not only hones through Jeet Kun Do traiing to thier utmost maximum but also augmented with the latest implant and cyber-technology as soon as it becomes available. He is a race car and motorcycle racing enthusiast in his rare spare time and he can often be found slumming around with street racers and car hobbyists all over side 3. He is Japanese by descent.

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Lieutenant Junior Grade Marco Nash is a Colony born warrior from Side 6. Disgusted with their tendency to neutrality, he made the jump to Side 3 as they were forming their Militia Army, joined up and never looked back. He is a big man who is the occasional secret boyfriend of Leiutenant Gaia. He is the anchor of the unit, forming a strongarm, no-prisoners foundation to their combat style. He is the first to advocate a head-on assault and is basically without fear of any enemy. While not as eager as Orutoku to dash into a fight, he never backs down, never surrenders and has nerves of steel. He would follow his teammates into the gates a hell if asked to and has absolute loyalty and affection for his co-Tri-Stars.

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Other Near Earth Orbital Mechs