RB-79 Ball

General and Technical Data

Model number: RB-79

Code name: Ball

Unit type: combat support mobile pod

Manufacturer: Earth Federation Forces

Operator: Earth Federation Forces

Rollout: UC 0079

First deployment: UC 0079

Accommodation: pilot only, in standard cockpit in body

Dimensions: overall height 12.8 meters

Weight: empty 17.2 metric tons; max gross 25.0 metric tons

Armor materials: unknown

Powerplant: Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor, output rated at 400 kW

Propulsion: rocket thrusters: 24,000 kg total

Performance: 180-degree turn time 2.2 seconds

Equipment and design features: sensors, range 4,000 meters

Fixed armaments: 180mm recoilless cannon, mounted on body

Technical and Historical Notes

With the Earth Federation Forces on the offensive and taking the war to the Principality of Zeon's home territory, the EFF needed to field more guns to support its somewhat limited number of RGM-79 GM mobile suit units. Their answer was to refit approximately 1,200 civilian model SP-W03 Space Pods with armor plating and a 180mm recoilless cannon. Despite their limited firepower and low maneuverability, the EFF deployed this RB-79 Ball as mobile fleet defense units, protecting ships while the GM mobile suits went on the attack. The EFF also produced several variants throughout the war, including the RB-79C, RB-79F, RB-79G, RB-79K, RB-79[M] and RB-79M models. Although the Ball became obsolete once the EFF developed more GM variants, the C-type Ball remained in service as late as UC 0083 when Zeon's Delaz Fleet launched Operation Stardust.

Miscellaneous Information

Pilot(s): Hiden, Chiba, Paul Mercury

Appearances: Mobile Suit Gundam; Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory; Gundam Tactics Mobility Fleet 0079; Mobile Suit Gundam Side Story: The Blue Destiny; Gundam: The Battle Master/Gundam Battle Assault; Mobile Suit Gundam: Federation VS Zeon DX; Mobile Suit Gundam: Encounters in Space; Gundam Battle Assault 2; Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO: The Hidden One Year War; Gundam Evolve; Mobile Suit Crossbone Gundam: Skull Heart; Mobile Suit Gundam: Pilot's Locus; Mobile Suit Gundam: Spirits of Zeon ~Dual Stars of Carnage~; Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO: Apocalypse 0079; Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO 603; Dynasty Warriors Gundam; Mobile Suit Gundam: Extreme Vs.; Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. Full Boost; Mobile Suit Gundam 0083 Rebellion; Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt (manga); Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt (anime); Mobile Suit Gundam Side Story: Space Beyond the Blaze; Gundam Legacy; Mobile Suit Gundam Katana: Bond of the Battlefield UC 0084; Mobile Suit Gundam MSV-R: The Return of Johnny

Ridden; Mobile Suit Gundam Side Story: Missing Link; Mobile Suit Gundam: Far East Japan

Original mechanical designer(s): Kunio Okawara (Mobile Suit Gundam version), Yasuo Ohtagaki (Gundam Thunderbolt manga version)