Technology & Combat Characteristics
This machine is based on the Rick Dom, and was heavily modified to operate the bit that was put to practical use in the former Zeon army's MA Elmeth in a MS. Since it was originally intended to install the psycommu system that was installed in the large MA into the MS, the psycommu control unit connected to its back alone is as huge as the MS. Even so, it has been downsized to 1/3 the size of the Elmeth.
The bits are not mounted on the fuselage, but are operated by a device called the "Bit Carrier", which is launched from the mothership. This bit carrier is also huge, about the size of an MS, and it ejects eight bits mounted inside on command from the MS side to perform all-range attacks. It has no fixed armament when equipped with a psycommu control unit, but it can use a heat saber when its backpack is replaced.
The legs are shaped specifically for space combat, and the backpack has thrusters as well, but the heavy psycommu control unit makes it less maneuverable than conventional MS. For this reason, the backpack and shoulder blocks can be detached in emergency situations (such as when the bit cannot be used). In addition, although improvements were made to its mobility, such as increasing the output of the attitude control thrusters (120% higher than before), they were not enough, and it was not able to achieve the original purpose of installing the psycommu in a MS. This is thought to have led to the development of the funnel, a fundamental revision of the bit system.
History
The "Schnee Weiss" was created in U.C. 0080 as part of Axis' continuing study of Newtypes and the psycommu system. Its assigned pilot was 14-year-old Haman Karn, one of the most powerful, if not the only, Newtype living in Axis who was also the subject of intense study. Near the end of the year U.C. 0080, Axis came under attack by an Earth Federation fleet that had been lured there by Axis soldiers who sought to rekindle the war for independence. The attack came suddenly and with little warning (to the majority of Axis) during the crowning of the one-year-old Mineva Lao Zabi. While Admiral Karn was debating the proper course of action, Haman, seeing the confusion and panic of the people proclaimed that she would go out and fight on her own if necessary. With the people rallied Haman launched in the "Schnee Weiss" which had only been recently completed. The "Bit Carrier" was also launched to provide the "Schnee Weiss" with weapons, however the psycommu had not been fully synchronized and two of the bits did not respond to Haman.
Out in the battlefield that was in Axis' S-Field, the "Schnee Weiss" proved invaluable as it was the only unit to inflict heavy casualties against the Federation's upgraded GMs. Haman used the "Schnee Weiss" to break through the battlefield and enter the asteroid field where the Federation fleet was hiding. However, the bits were at a disadvantage, where several were destroyed by ramming into rocks. On the other side Haman encountered the Federation fleet and managed to destroy one more GM before the last of her bits were destroyed. Out of weapons and damaged from a nearby explosion, she purged the psycommu equipment, however that caused a system error and the "Schnee Weiss" was rendered unable to move. The "Schnee Weiss" would have been destroyed had Char Aznable piloting the AMA-00GR Zero GR not arrived and rescued the stricken suit.
Several weeks later Haman Karn had little choice but to launch in the "Schnee Weiss" again to intercept three Federation pilots, who were part of a mass escape of prisoners, that had managed to retrieve several GMs that the Axis forces had prepped to conduct test flights. In the battle the "Schnee Weiss" was only equipped with a heat saber. With the "Schnee Weiss" Haman was able to destroy one GM after a protracted saber fight, after which she proceeded to intercept a captured Magellan-class battleship named Naiad that the Federation prisoners managed to regain control of. However, she was intercepted by the remaining two GMs that were armed with beam rifles. With their teamwork and weapons the GMs' pilots managed to capture the "Schnee Weiss" and forced Haman to come out of the cockpit. From there one of the GMs held Haman in its hand as they retreated.