Technology & Combat Characteristics
The RGM-86R GM III is a mass-produced mobile suit of the Earth Federation Forces developed in accordance with the "GM III Plan" as a successor to the RMS-179 GM II. By incorporating new technologies while maintaining productivity, the GM III acquired performance equal to or higher than the RX-178 Gundam Mk-II's in some areas. Its backpack is a mass production model of the Gundam MK-II's, and mobility and maneuverability have exceeded the level of existing mass production machines. Although this backpack has a slightly different shape, it maintains the same functions as the Mk-II's while improving cost performance, and the docking mechanism with the FXA-05D G-Defenser remains. The shoulders and waist can be equipped with missile pods and missile launchers respectively, allowing the GM III to function as an MS for medium- and long-range support.
History
The RGM-86R GM III was introduced during the First Neo Zeon War in U.C. 0088, and served as the mainstay mobile suit in the Earth Federation's military forces until U.C. 0090s. By then, the GM III was being slowly replaced by the new RGM-89 Jegan series. During the Second Neo Zeon War in U.C. 0093,
several GM IIIs were deployed by the Earth Federation Forces' 88th Fleet to assist in stopping Axis from dropping onto Earth. In U.C. 0096, the GM IIIs were still in service and fought against the Zeon remnant forces during the attack of Dakar, and later at the Torrington Base.
In U.C. 112, the Gleam Black Guns (GBG) mercenary group was hired by Oiel Raddegger to assist him in stealing data from F90 Team B's test mission. The GBG's customized GM IIIs, led by a Full Armor GM III and a Tigris, destroyed several FD-03 Gustav Karls and RGM-109 Heavyguns, as well as heavily damaging F90 Gundam F90 Unit 2, resulting in Team B's disbandment.