Gundam (Universal Century)
Gundam is the name for three prototype mobile suits built by the Earth Federation's secret Project V. Designated RX-78, and designed by engineer Lt. Tem Ray, the Gundam series of mobile suits were highly advanced, built with the new, super-durable gundanium alloy.
An attack by the Principality of Zeon, led by Char Aznabel on Project V's base- the Side 7 space colony- destroyed two of the suits. The last, RX-78-2, was commandeered by Ray's son, Amuro Ray, who repelled the Zeon assault. He was assigned to pilot the RX-78-2 for the remainder of the One Year War, with White Base as his base of operations.
The RX-78-2 Gundam was designed with many innovations for its time, including the energy cap-based beam rifle, and a learning computer that enabled the suit to learn from its pilot. The battle data from RX-78-2 was incorporated into the RGM-79 GM mass-produced series of mobile suits created later in the One Year War.
Amuro's abilities as a Newtype often pushed the Gundam beyond its design limits, burning it out. To rectify that problem, an electromagnetic solution was added to the joints that allowed them to match Amuro's reflexes. After many successful battles- victories that turned the Zeons' attentions more towards the suit rather than towards the Federation- the RX-78-2 was destroyed in battle with Char Aznabel at the Battle of A Bao A Qu. The Gundam rightfully became the most famous mobile suit of the One Year War, creating a legend that would endure for centuries.
