Mobile Suit Engineering and Operation
Author: Tommy

Inside the Mobile Suit

The reactor is the core of a mobile suit, the most important part. The reactor is usually located in the torso of the mobile suit, providing power allocation to propulsion, beam weapons, actuators and joints, computers, electronics, and life support systems. The power distribution differs in every mobile suit of course but here are the typical allocations for space-based and ground-based mobile suits.

Space-based Mobile Suit

Propulsion - 40%
Weapon Maintenance - 20%
Weapon Activation - 20%
Kinematic Locomotion - 12%
Electronic Systems - 7%
Life Support - 1%

Ground-based Mobile Suit

Kinematic Locomotion - 40%
Propulsion (if avail) - 20%
Weapon Maintenance - 20%
Weapon Activation - 10%
Electronic Systems - 7%
Life Support (if available) - 1%

Kinematic Locomotion

The reactor generates electricity and powers the array of actuators and joints that allows the mobile suit to move its limbs. The first mobile suits use a cable-transmitted fluid pulse system to relay motive power from the reactor to the joints, while later developers equip its mobile suits with I-field-based field motors, to no particular advantage. Later a magnet coating process which improves the mobile suit's response time by reducing friction at its joints; this process is applied to the RX-78-2 Gundam, and is later used to speed the transformation of transformable mobile suits.

The first mobile suits are constructed along fairly conventional lines. Mobile suits use a monocoque construction, in which a rigid outer shell is packed with actuators, power systems, avionics, propellant tanks, and other vital systems. Later developers opt for a semi-monocoque construction based on an internal framework, to which individual armor plates are attached. But the introduction of mobile suits equipped with Beam Weapons renders these distinctions moot. Even the most heavily armored mobile suit is helpless against the devastating power of a beam rifle - the only defense is not to get hit, making agility and maneuverability the top priority for post-war mobile suit designers.

With this in mind, engineers decide to base their mobile suits on the movable frame, a fully articulated skeleton with armor attached only to the most vital areas. The movable frame has become a standard element of mobile suit design.

Another new feature is the binder, a movable attachment that can contain thrusters, maneuvering verniers, propellant, weapons and armor. Under the control of the mobile suit's AMBAC system, these binders can be used like an extra set of limbs to adjust the mobile suit's position.

Armor Materials

Of course, the combat-worthy mobile suit must be outfitted with armor, however feeble it may be against beam weapons. Super high tensile steel and titanium are the typical armor materials, with stronger titanium composites introduced in the following years. Later Luna Titanium was introduced, originally developed for use in reactor cores; this super-alloy is resilient enough to deflect a 120mm shell. However, the cost and effort of producing this material make it impractical for mass-produced mobile suits.

Later two versions of Luna Titanium alloy arose, Gundanium and Gundanium Gamma, both miraculously durable, lighter, and stronger than it's predecessors.

Sensor Systems

A mobile suit is controlled by a human pilot, assisted by powerful computers that automate most of the details of the mobile suit's movement. Though the mobile suit's cockpit is usually located in its chest, the cockpit display is set up to present the point of view of the mobile suit's head. Thanks to the widespread use of Minovsky particles, radar and sensors is virtually useless in combat, and infrared sensors are sufficient only to indicate the whereabouts of large heat sources, forcing the pilot is forced to rely on visual sensors. The mobile suit's computer extensively enhances the images shown on the cockpit displays, and when a mobile suit or other vessel can be positively identified, crisp computer graphics are substituted for low-quality visuals.

While mobile suits are studded with backup cameras and sub-sensors, the main camera is usually located in the head. Some of the first mobile suits use a distinctive track-mounted movable camera called a mono-eye for this purpose. Later mobile suits typically use either a single large mono sensor, or a dual sensor that resembles a pair of human eyes.

In the Cockpit

At first, mobile suits aren't equipped with any sort of ejection mechanism, leading to heavy pilot casualties. Later prototype mobile suits are equipped with a Core Block System, which allows the cockpit to eject and function as a small aerospace fighter called a Core Fighter. In addition to saving the pilot, this system also preserves the mobile suit's combat computer and its accumulated test data. However, the system is deemed to expensive for mass production and omitted from the subsequent designs.

In the years following, some key advances are made in the area of mobile suit cockpit design. The first of these is the introduction of the panoramic display, a 360-degree spherical monitor that surrounds the pilot and affords him an unobstructed field of view. This all-encompassing image is generated by combining data from all the mobile suit's cameras and sensors, with extensive computer enhancement. The panoramic display is usually combined with a linear seat, a pilot seat mounted on a shock-absorbing swivel arm. In addition to cushioning the pilot against sudden impact and acceleration, the linear seat can automatically turn to keep the pilot facing in the appropriate direction, regardless of the mobile suit's body movements. The linear seat and its enclosing panoramic display also serve as an ejection pod.

Later mobile suits introduce only modest refinements, we see linear seats equipped with spherical control grips called arm rakers rather than joysticks and levers, while shock balloons built into the pilot's control panel inflate to cushion the pilot against sudden impacts. Later the fad is for oversized control cylinders that serve as both joysticks and throttle controls, while inflatable air belts secure the pilot in the seat.

Propulsion Systems

The beam rotor generates a shield using spinning beam blades rather than a solid plane of energy. As a side effect, the rotating blades create lift in exactly the same fashion as a helicopter. This allows a beam rotor-equipped mobile suit to fly through the air without expending its finite propellant supply, while using just a fraction of the power required by a Minovsky craft system.

A far more advanced engine technology is the incredible Minovsky drive system. Much like the ion drive contemplated by real-world physicists, this system uses the particle-acceleration technology introduced by the VSBR (Variable Speed Beam Rifle) to boost Minovsky particles to relativistic speed. Now moving at a substantial fraction of the speed of light, the accelerated particles are redirected by an external I-field to create up to multiple times the speed of light of thrust in the desired direction. This drive can match Warp Speeds easily.

To counter the dubbed "Salsa Effect" of the high gee forces, there are inertial dampeners. What it does, is simply keep the pilot from being crushed by the awesome inertia.

For maneuvering, turning, and minor course adjustments, mobile suits are studded with small thrusters known as attitude control verniers or apogee motors. The AMBAC system works in concert with these maneuvering thrusters, using the mobile suit's body movements to conserve their limited fuel supply.