Technology & Combat Characteristics
A mass-produced mobile suit of the Earth Federation Forces based on the RGM-89 Jegan. The Gustav Karl was developed with the aim of enlarging a mobile suit and applying heavy armor to it without hindering its versatility. Additionally, its design placed a heavy emphasis on operability under gravity. Large output generators were installed to counteract the mobile suit's weight, and a large number of thrusters and posture control verniers were placed throughout its body to maintain mobility and maneuverability. It was armed with standard armaments seen in Earth Federation Forces' mobile suits such as beam rifle, beam sabers, and shield, and were mostly rid of fixed armament to obtain high operability. Although it had impressive performance, the cost to produce each unit was relatively high and only small numbers of units were produced.
History
In U.C. 0097, three Gustav Karls were stolen by the anti-Federation organization EARM. They were destroyed by a MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam reproduction unit piloted by freelance mercenary "Lightning" (who was heavily implied to be Johnny Ridden).
In U.C. 0105, the Gustav Karl is part of the Kimberley unit stationed in Davao, Philippines. This unit was later renamed Circe Unit, and the Gustav Karl acted as escort mobile suits for the unit's RX-104FF Penelope while also serving as the unit's main fighting force throughout the Mafty Uprising. (The FD-03-00 Gustav Karl Type-00 is the type seen in the film adaptation, Hathaway's Flash.)
In U.C. 112, the Gustav Karl was still in service while the Earth Federation Forces began its transition to fielding miniaturized MS such as the RGM-109 Heavygun. Several Gustav Karls were assigned to the 13th Experimental Squadron Team B as escort units for the F90 Gundam F90 Unit 2 while testing the F90S Gundam F90 Support Type at Catskill Mountain Training Ground in North America. Unfortunately, the test was sabotaged, and the artillery unit comprised of several D-50C Lotos and RXR-44 Guntank R-44 Powered Weapons Types fire live rounds at the Gundams and Gustav Karls. The Gustav Karls managed to hold out thanks to their tough armor, giving the Gundam F90 Support Type enough time to locate and defeat the artillery unit.
A few months later, five Gustav Karls were deployed in space as aggressor units during a mock battle against the F90K Gundam F90 Keep Type and its escort units. However, the Gustav Karls and the escort units were soon ambushed and defeated by several heavily modified RGM-86R GM IIIs belonging to the infamous mercenary group known as Gleam Black Guns. Meanwhile, the Gundam F90 Keep Type was lured into a trap elsewhere and survived the encounter.
