Technology & Combat Characteristics

Thought to have been developed since the Jupiter War for the invasion of Earth, the Elcopty was designed for long-distance flight within the atmosphere and for transporting mobile suits. It was able to carry a mobile suit in each hand. To lower its energy consumption, it adopted the new Beam Rotor technology. Howeer, since the technology was not as perfect as the ones later used by the Zanscare Empire, it was used alongside a physical rotor.

In order to lower production cost, instead of installing a separate drive frame for the beam rotor, the beam rotor projectors were installed in the Elcopty's legs, which were otherwise unused during flight. Because of this, the Elcopty would have to turn upside down when taking off and landing, making it extremely difficult to use. This was because the designers of Jupiter lived in zero gravity environment most of the time and considered this nothing more than a change in direction, not understanding that Earth was an environment constantly under gravity.

History

In U.C. 0136, two Elcopty, each carrying two Amakusa, accompanied Callisto's Shadow when he confronted Tobia Arronax in the town where Giri Gadeucca Aspis lived. After seeing that the "Icarus" was not there, Callisto decided to leave aboard one of the Elcopty. However, Europa Dogatie chased after him and boarded his Elcopty and Tobia grabbed onto it just as it took off.

After a brief scuffle, Callisto opened a hatch, causing Europa and Tobia to fall out of the Elcopty. The two were saved by Bernadette Briett in the XM-X1C Crossbone Gundam X-1 Patchwork (riding on the Nozzle piloted by Mitchell Derek Nar). Immediately after, the other Elcopty and the two Amakusa holding onto it attempted to fire at the Crossbone Gundam. However, they were disarmed by the Mass Production F91 piloted by Harrison Madin.

Tobia attempted to shoot down Callisto's Elcopty with the Zanbuster and the Nozzle's beam cannons. However, since his vision was still blurry from falling, he missed. Meanwhile, Harrison destroyed the other Elcopty.

Later, another Elcopty carried Callisto's Impulse Cornix and an Amakusa to the Great Canyon in North America, where "Icarus" – in truth the Anaheim Electronics prototype Speed King – crash landed. The Elcopty and the Amakusa engaged Harrison's MP F91 piloted by Minoru Suzuki. Though Minoru was able to crtically damage the two, they headed for the Speed King in a last-ditch attempt to destroy it. However, just as the Elcopty was about to crash into the Speed King, Derek intervened in a RGM-119 Jamesgun, destroying the mobile armor and saving the Speed King.