The RGM-96X Jesta is a mobile suit based on the RGM-89 Jegan, and it is introduced in Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn.

Technology & Combat Characteristics

The RGM-96X Jesta is a high performance special operations mobile suit of the Jegan series developed by Anaheim Electronics to escort the RX-0 Unicorn Gundam, as the Unicorn Gundam’s operating time in its Destroy Mode is limited. Aside from escorting the Unicorn Gundam, the Jesta’s intended mission also consisted of dispatching ordinary enemy forces, creating “situations” in which the Unicorn Gundam can directly confront and destroy enemy Newtype weapons.

The Jesta is fitted with a backpack capable of tremendous thrust so as to keep up with the Unicorn Gundam. Although the Jesta’s weapon loadout is similar to the Jegan’s, it features improved and more advanced weapons, such as the customized beam rifle and backpack-mounted movable shield, which like the Jegan’s shield, contains four missiles. In addition to its advanced weaponry, the Jesta also carries three spare magazines for the beam rifle on the right forearm, and a beam saber on its left forearm.

Although intended to be an escort unit, the Jesta’s performance surpasses most Federation mobile suits of its time, overwhelmingly exceeding the Jegan type of the same period, with its performance reaching 90% of the RX-93 ν Gundam’s. The Jesta is essentially a product of the UC Project, however this fact has been kept hidden even within the Earth Federation Forces.

History

Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn

In U.C. 0096, 12 RGM-96X Jestas were assigned to the Londo Bell’s flagship, Ra Cailum, for evaluation tests. During the Zeon Remnants’ assault on Torrington Base that year, three Jestas piloted by Ra Cailum’s “Tri-Stars Team” were deployed on Base Jabbers to assist the base’s defenders in pushing back the attackers. Later, when the commander of Londo Bell, Bright Noa, launched an investigation of Cheyenne Base, multiple Jestas were launched from the Ra Cailum to disable the local MS garrison.