Mobile Suit
From Gwn
The Mobile suit is a highly maneuverable humanoid fighting machine. It is designed for short to long range combat. The typical mobile suit stands about 20 meters tall and is operated by a single pilot from the torso cockpit. The basic layout of the mobile suit falls into 5 catagories; construction, sensors, reactor, propulsion, and outside plating and armor. Mobile Suits can be further refined into Gundams, though not all mobile suits are Gundam units.
Contents |
Virtual Construction
Physical Construction
Construction
The construction of the mobile suit is based on a jointed skeleton that supports all the electronics, fuel tanks and output, and outward armor. Originally mobile suits were built without skeletons, but the reduced mass and higher quality of the skeleton, or 'movable frame' design overtook the original shell design. Aiding the skeleton are joints coated in a magnetic membrane, to reduce friction and enhance performance.
Sensors
The original sensors for mobile suits were single cameras coupled with sensors dotting the armor. The sucession of this was a unique type of sensor used in the heads of the Gundam suits. The dual sensor system consists of a pair of compound main sensors coupled with a multitude of minor sensors dotting the hull of the suit. This arrangement is highly effective for judging distances and three-dimensional positions in space, and its performance is many times better than that of the mono-camera setups.
To compliment the dual sensor system was a new cockpit display layout used in conjunction with a linear floating seat. The multiple panels of the panoramic screen make up a single 360-degree display, which covers the entire inner surface of the spherical cockpit. The image displayed on this screen is a computer simulation constructed from the sensors cameras distributed around the mobile suit's exterior. The viewpoint is that of the mobile suit's head, and the image is carefully edited to remove the mobile suit itself.
Another aspect of sensors include the auxilliary flight systems, which aid the pilot in controlling the suit. Contained usually in the torso of the mecha, the pilots controls are aided by flight systems. The usual combat computer/pilot interface system can be upgraded to a more intense version, exemplified by the ZERO system, however it can create strain on the pilot if not properly trained to use it. Such flight systems are always experimental, and often not viable for mass production. Psychic systems are also used, but a better description of them can be found with information about Newtypes.
Reactor
All mobile weapons use ultracompact fusion reactors, which produce high amounts of energy with only compressed gas used as a fuel. This type of reactor proves superior to the cheical fueled machines of the past, where fuel levels expended quickly, limiting the range and power of a suit.
Propulsion
Above the skeleton is mounted the propulsion suite of the suit. The suite is much more advanced than a simple back rocket, utilizing multiple exhaust systems called vernier thrusters. These devices, distributed across the machine's outer surface, are used for changing direction and performing fine movements - or attitude control, in technical jargon. These verniers are sometimes referred to by the nickname "apogee motor."
The main thrust of most modern mobile suits utilize ion thrusters. The byproduct of a suit's reactor is a gas, which is turned to a positive charge. The ions are accelerated, and electrons fire into the ion beam, resulting in a stream capable of thrusting a mobile suit forward at great speeds.
Plating/Armor
Armor plating is used to protect the vital areas of a mobile weapon, such as its cockpit, engines, and joints. Early mobile suits armored with super-hard metal alloys, such as steel, Gundanium, and Neo-Titanium. Later models, more modern models use hybrid armor made up of layers of metallic alloys, ceramic composites, and nano-webbing which offer better impact resistance and lighter weight.compared to solid metallic plating.
Below is a diagram of mobile suit's usual armor plating placement.
