Technology & Combat Characteristics
The experimental Elmeth mobile armor was produced by the Principality of Zeon's Flanagan Institute as a Newtype-use mobile armor. Among the Elmeth's capabilities were its Psycommu control system, which allowed a Newtype-pilot to control the 12 large "bit" remote weapons using brainwaves. The bits had their own on-board reactor and were also equipped with thrusters and a beam gun. With the bits, the Elmeth could attack targets over great distances and they were its primary weapon. The mobile armor also had two mega particle guns on its body and was a very fast unit. However, it lacked limbs and only maneuvered around using its main thrusters, which made it unsuitable for direct combat.
History
The MAN-08 Elmeth was developed in U.C. 0079 under the orders of Rear Admiral Kycilia Zabi, who believed that Newtype research was key to defeat the Earth Federation Forces' advance. Developed and built by the Flanagan Institute, it was given to Newtype Lalah Sune under the command of Char Aznable, who was also her lover.
The mobile armor attacked the Earth Federation Forces' fleet stationed at the recently captured asteroid base Confeito (the former Solomon). With its bits and the ability to strike nearly unseen, Lalah Sune earned the nickname "Ghost of Solomon". However, the Elmeth then had to fight against the RX-78-2 Gundam, piloted by Amuro Ray. Char intervened and fought against Amuro. Lalah moved the Elmeth between their mobile suits and was killed when the Gundam's beam saber pierced the mobile armor's cockpit, destroying it in the process. The Elmeth later served as the basis for the development of the AMX-001 Prototype Qubeley.
Depending on sources, a second unit was piloted by Newtype pilot Kuzco Al in the war.
The battle between Elmeth and the Gundam was also seen when Banagher Links and Full Frontal were experiencing a shared vision through the use of the NZ-999 Neo Zeong's Psycho Shard.