Technology & Combat Characteristics

One of the first in the series of Gundam-type mobile suits to be produced by the United Nations Earth Forces, the Gundam Leopard is also one of the most heavily armed mobile suits to be created at that time. In addition, the Newtype pilot that controlled the Gundam Leopard could also use the Flash System to control the FT-9600 GT-Bits to add to the suit's destructive power.

The suit's weaponry includes a missile rack in the right shoulder, grenade launchers on the right forearm, a beam knife stored in the right leg, two large leg missiles, two chest mounted Gatlings that are covered when not in use, a pair of head vulcans, a pair of head cannons and an inner arm Gatling mounted on the left side of the backpack that serves as the suit's main weapon. The suit can also be optionally equipped with a separate missile pod on the left leg, and during aquatic combat, the inner arm Gatling is replaced with an inner arm Torpedo launcher.

Unlike the other Gundams produced by United Nations Earth, Gundam Leopard isn't capable of flight. Instead, it has set of rollers in its feet, which allow it to travel at great speed. When operating in cold climate, Gundam Leopard can be fitted with a pair of Snow Dasher on the feet for moving over the snow. The suit could also be equipped with a S-1 Unit for aquatic combat.

History

Fielded close to the end of the 7th Space War an unknown number of Gundam Leopard units survived, only to fall into the hands of civilians or other groups. One such Gundam Leopard belonged to a woman who became friends with Roybea Loy, and eventually handed the Gundam over to him to use in his freelance career as a mobile suit pilot. Roybea joined the crew of the Freeden after aiding them a number of times, and his Gundam Leopard became part of the ships standing compliment of mobile suits.

While crossing the Pacific Ocean the Gundam Leopard fell into disuse on the Freeden, since it was not equipped for combat in water. This however was remedied by the Freeden's engineer Kid Salsamille, who was able to fit a salvaged S-1 Unit onto the Gundam Leopard, allowing it to take part in underwater assaults. This proved useful in the encounters the Freeden had with Orc vessels operation in the area.

While defending the Freeden from at attack by the NRX-010 Gable, the Gundam Leopard lost both of its arms disabling the beam deflection field generators of the mobile suit. This prompted an overhaul of the Gundam Leopard by Kid Salsamille and the rest of the technical crew of the Freeden, creating the GT-9600-D Gundam Leopard Destroy.