Technology & Combat Characteristics
The RGM-79 GM is a mass-produced mobile suit based on the RX-78(G)E Gundam EX. It features better overall performance than Zeon's Zaku II series while reducing its production cost by using less durable Titanium Alloy as body armor, and the less powerful but still effective Beam Spray Gun in place of a Beam Rifle.
The GM's head design features built-in compound sensors with movable circular tracking mechanism similar to Zeon mobile suit's monoeye. Its visor can be rotated upward for utilizing a retractable special sensor for laser-guided precision targeting. Its body armor is made with Titanium alloy, which is less durable compared to the Gundam's Luna Titanium but also less expensive, and it is able to block direct strikes from Zeon's thermo-based melee weapons.
The GM is primarily armed with a beam spray gun, a less powerful version of the Gundam EX's beam rifle but could still destroy Zeon's MS in one shot. It could also use rocket launcher or a hand-held 180mm cannon for heavier firepower. For close combat, the GM comes equipped with a pair of beam sabers, and a shield similar to the one used by the Gundam EX. Lastly, the GM has a pair of head-mounted vulcan guns for intercepting missiles, small vehicles or to stop enemy MS from closing in. This version of GM is part of the RGM series that remained the mainstay of the EFF's mass production mobile suits until the end of the Federation itself.
History
The EFF began the mass-production of GM in the later half of U.C. 0079 and had been deployed by its ground force to counter Zeon's mobile suit forces across Europe, in anticipation of its main offensive to capture Zeon's main base in Odessa. The GMs had been used extensively to suppress Zeon's strongholds in central Romania, including an attack against Zeon's recycling centre managed by Brigade Support Command in November, U.C. 0079. The intruding GM, along with Gundam EX, inflicts substantial damage and casualties to the centre before they were repelled by the joint effort of Iria Solari and Kneeland LeSean with their refurbished Zaku IIs, with the GM later destroyed by the pursuing LeSean's Zaku with its pilot escaped and rescued by Gundam EX.
Sensing the turning tide of war in EFF's favor, Maj. Gen. Yuri Kellerne of Zeon European Army tasked Cpt. Iria Solari of the Red Wolf Squadron to steal a couple of GMs for thorough examination to find out their weaknesses. Solari, accompanied by Alfee Zydos, Ander Heaton and Hailey Arhun, infiltrated an EFGF military base near the Olt. Solari and Zydos were able to activate the GMs with the command keys given by Kellerne, with Alfee destroying the remaining GMs with his stolen unit's beam spray gun. Both were surprised by the presence of Gundam EX in the base, and Zydos's GM was seriously damaged by the Gundam's beam rifle shot. Solari used her stolen GM to duel with Gundam EX but was overwhelmed and critically damaged. Kneeland LeSean and his Zaku II came to Solari's rescue at the cost of his own life and his mobile suit destroyed.
The GMs were later deployed as part of the EFF's advancing force to capture Odessa's spaceport on November, U.C. 0079, with one unit attempting to bombard Maj. Rolph Ronet's convoy but was destroyed by a Gouf Custom of the Midnighters Squadron.
