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GP02AA Gundam Unit 2 "Physalis"
Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory
Anavel Gato
Additional Information
The GP02A, also known as "Gundam Unit 2," and "Physalis," was a product of the Gundam Project, with the purpose of developing mobile suits following the success of the RX-78-2 Gundam during the One Year War. While at least three mobile suits were produced from this project, each one was designed for specific functions and roles. In the case of GP02A, its function was a heavy assault mobile suit - specifically, it was designed to deliver a tactical nuclear warhead on a target - a breach of the Antarcic Treaty, which stipulated the ban on nuclear weapons among things. For the Earth Federation, it is argued that the Antarctic Treaty was signed with the Principality of Zeon, a now non-existent state following the end of the One Year War, not to mention that the treaty stipulates a ban only on the use of nuclear weapons, and not on the development or storage of them. For the Zeon remnants, the GP02A is a symbol of the Federation's hypocrisy, and willingness to break the Antarctic treaty to wipe out Zeon once and for all.
The GP02A has very few weapons. Aside from its head mounted vulcan guns, it has a pair of beam sabers stored in its skirt armor. Being a prototype, the energy output of these beam sabers can be adjusted at will. It also comes equipped with a shield that serves not only to protect the Gundam from enemy fire, it also serves to house part of GP02A's main weapon, in addition to functioning as a cooling unit to protect from a nuclear blast.
However, its most dangerous weapon is its Atomic Bazooka, which is used to deliver a tactical nuke. The bazooka is made of two components, with the warhead loaded in a chamber which is mounted on a swivel on the mobile suit's right shoulder, while the barrel that is stored in the shield will connect to the chamber when it is ready to fire. Despite only being capable of carrying one warhead, the destructive power is considerable.Being designed to deliver a tactical nuclear weapon, the Gundam GP02A has considerably thicker armor and more thrusters than typical mobile suits. The armor serves to protect the Gundam and its pilot from high heat and nuclear blasts, while the shoulder binded thrusters serve to quickly get the Gundam as far away as possible from the nuclear blast after firing its payload.
The GP02A "Physalis" is a symbol of the post-war period - for the Federation it is meant to serve as a deterrent against any Zeon forces thinking to start trouble again; for the Zeon remnants, it is seen as a sign of the Federation's hypocrisy in the face of the Antarctic Treaty, and the beginning of the Federation's corruption. In either case, whoever possesses this Gundam has the potential power to change the course of history.