Technology & Combat Characteristics
The MBF-P03 Gundam Astray Blue Frame was one of five identical prototype combat mobile suits developed using stolen data from the Earth Alliance's G Project and was designated for testing optional equipment. Its computer contains data and blueprints for various optional equipment. Most of the technologies from the G Project were successfully copied with the exception of Phase Shift armor. In its place, the five prototype Gundam Astrays were equipped with lightweight foaming metal armor. To compensate for the reduction in defensive power due to the weaker armor, the prototype Gundam Astrays were made to be lighter and more maneuverable than their G Project counterparts.
Originally, the Blue Frame was armed with the standard armament of the other prototype Gundam Astrays. These weapons include two head-mounted "Igelstellung" 75mm multi-barrel CIWS, two back-mounted beam sabers for close combat, a Type 71 beam rifle, and a single physical shield. However its mercenary pilot used his resources to outfit the Blue Frame with a wide variety of equipment to suit multiple combat situations and to meet the needs of different mission. Like the other prototype Gundam Astrays, Blue Frame's backpack can be lowered to the back skirt armor, allowing the mounting of additional equipment on its back.
History
The Orb Union's Morgenröte Inc. built five Astray prototype mobile suits at Heliopolis: the MBF-P01 Gundam Astray Gold Frame, MBF-P02 Gundam Astray Red Frame, MBF-P03 Gundam Astray Blue Frame, MBF-P04 Gundam Astray Green Frame, and MBF-P05 Gundam Astray Unit 5 (which was later modified into MBF-P05LM Gundam Astray Mirage Frame) based on the technology of the five G Project Gundams that they assisted the Earth Alliance's Atlantic Federation in creating. They successfully replicated the beam rifle and beam saber used by the Earth Alliance, but Morgenröte did not have access to the Phase Shift armor design, and compensated by making the Gundam Astrays lighter and more agile than their Alliance counterparts.
On January 25, CE 71, ZAFT's attack on Heliopolis to steal the Alliance Gundams also unknowingly interrupted the Astray project. In order to hide their progress, Orb's officials decided to destroy the Astray lab. Rondo Gina Sahaku, an Orb nobleman, disagreed and attempted to save the three Astray units, Gold Frame, Red Frame and Blue Frame, that were assembled. He ordered one of his subordinate to split all the Astray project data among the three MS and Blue Frame was uploaded with specifications for a variety of optional weapons and equipment. After the collapse of Heliopolis, Blue Frame was located by Junk Guild technician Lowe Guele, who soon had to use it to protect himself from mercenary pilot Gai Murakumo of the Serpent Tail company, who had been hired to eliminate all evidence of the Astray project. Over the course of the battle, Lowe abandoned the Blue Frame in a ploy to disable Gai's TS-MA2 Moebius. When the Serpent Tail were seemingly double-crossed by their employer (having seen the suits, Gai himself had become evidence of their existence), Gai commandeered the empty Blue Frame to defeat them, and after Lowe confronted him in Red Frame, Gai decided to leave Lowe and friends alone.
After the battle, Lowe decided to give Gai the Blue Frame for protecting his friends. The Blue Frame then became Gai's mobile suit, and several optional equipment were developed for it to aid in Gai's job. The Blue Frame was eventually severely damaged in battle against rogue "Combat Coordinator" Eleven Socius and Seven Socius in their GAT-01D Long Daggers, and upgraded into MBF-P03 Gundam Astray Blue Frame Second L.
