Technology & Combat Characteristics
The MRC-F20 SUMO (Strike Unit for Maneuver Operation) is a mobile suit used by the Queen of the Moon, Dianna Soriel's Royal Guard. In the model number, ‘MRC’ is an abbreviation for ‘Moonrace Commemoration,’ and ‘F20’ indicates that it is the twentieth registered fighter (main combat mobile suit). Although there are documents hinting at additional functionalities of the head unit, the specific details are not known. The slits located throughout the SUMO act as receptors for driving the I-Field beams, supporting the SUMO's high maneuverability and allowing the mobile suit to move instantly in any vector.
Like the ∀, the SUMO is a general-purpose mobile suit that can be used in any tactical environment. Even without its external armaments, it has significant combat power and is more than capable of handling opponents like the FLAT-L06D FLAT or NRS-P701 Gozzo with only its bare hands. The SUMO's operating system features a learning system similar to that of the ∀, allowing the onboard computer to learn from the pilot's habits with each use and simplify controls over time. The system fine-tunes the unit’s operations autonomously, sparing the pilot from manual adjustments. This is one of the factors that makes Harry’s Gold SUMO overwhelmingly stronger than other mobile suits. It is speculated that it incorporates technology derived from Turn-type MS. However, key features like the Moonlight Butterfly, psycho-sensory systems, and spatial transfer capabilities were not implemented in the SUMO. The precise origin of the SUMO remains unknown. It is said to have been developed by the Moonrace, but there is also a theory suggesting that it is a relic of the Dark History, excavated from the Lunar Mountain Cycle. According to this theory, mass production of the SUMO is considered impossible due to its creation with technologies far more advanced than those available to the Moonrace in the current era. As a result, the Moonrace developed specialized weaponry to complement the SUMO's capabilities.
History
When the Dianna Counter forces arrived on Earth in C.C. 2345, they deployed several MRC-F20 SUMO units as part of their initial landing and security operations. These mobile suits were assigned mainly to the Royal Guard, with the Silver Type serving as the standard production model. Early engagements involved clashes with the Inglessa Militia around Vicinity and the nearby settlements after the Moonrace landing provoked hostilities.
A custom Gold SUMO was operated by Royal Guard Captain Harry Ord. This unit first saw action when Harry intervened in the early confrontations between the ∀ and Dianna Counter. The Gold SUMO continued to appear throughout the Militia–Moonrace conflict, often encountering Loran Cehack’s ∀ in repeated skirmishes across the Inglessa region and later in the Luzianna territories.
As the conflict expanded, SUMO units participated in operations tied to the Willghem, the pursuit of Militia forces, and later the incidents triggered by Agrippa Maintainer’s coup. During the transit to the Sackträger, the Gold SUMO assisted the ∀ and supported the Willghem’s efforts to reach orbit via the mass driver. In the late stages of the conflict, SUMO units took part in the battles on the Moon around Genganam and the Winter Palace. In the final battle at the Lost Mountain, the Gold SUMO piloted by Harry led the Royal Guard’s SUMO fleet in an attempt to stop the Turn X, but the units were defeated and rendered unable to continue fighting.
