MSA-007 Nero

MSA-007 Nero

Overall Height: 20.20m
Head Height: 19.02m
Base Weight: 34.1t
Loaded Weight: 60.5t
Power Generator Output: 1,650kw
Maneuvering Rocket Propulsion: 10,200kg x4
Attitude Adjustment Verniers: 8
Sensor Effective Radius: 12,000m
Armor Materials: Gundarium Composite
Fixed Armament: Beam Saber x2 (Output 0.9MW
The Nero plan combines the lower half of the ι (Iota) Gundam (=S Gundam) with the upper half of the λ (Lambda) Gundam to create a comparatively high class mass production unit.  Thus, it is able to boast the same slender silhouette as the S Gundam, something rarely seen in the GM line of mass production units.



Task Force Alpha was deployed with 9 units on each Salamis-Kai, and three on the Pegasus III, for a total of 39 units, though as this was a special mission unit it should be noted that it received priority in equipment.

A number of option parts were also prepared for these MS, for example the Lunar Surface Descent Equipment (Landing Devices) were used to allow the MS to descend to the Lunar Surface without assistance.

The backpack depicted above is the Lunar Landing Device, with large propellant tanks equipped on the back and calves.

The Federation's mass production Mobile Suits in the Postwar era tend to fall into one of two categories:  First, the 'Zeon type MS' created with technical knowledge gained from Zeon after the one year war, falling into the "Zaku/Dom/Gelgoog' lineage.  The other line were the general purpose 'GM line' created with the excellent combat results of the high-performance Federation Mobile Suit 'Gundam'.   While generally these two lines tended to not have much influence on the other in terms of technology, there were cases where design concepts outside of these two main lines would appear.

After the war, Anaheim Electronics carried on the 'Gundam' code name with a series of Greek lettered units, creating the 'Anaheim Gundams'.   Utilizing state-of-the-art technology from their very inception, these Anaheim Gundams incorporated cutting-edge ideas (e.g. the wing binder system), creating MS with unsurpassed close combat capabilities that few other MS could boast. 

Details on the Nero's head.   The mass production model's head does not have any vulcans, and has covers installed instead over the muzzles.  However the indentations on the 'ear' portions allow for a vulcan pod to be equipped.

The 'Zaku line' can be characterized as units intended for mass deployment with a 'We will just incorporate new technology as we go' concept, as opposed to the GM line's 'We will start with a high performance, high cost experimental machine and then simplify it for production' approach.

The Nero plans utilized the wealth of data gained from the progress of the Gundam line after the One Year War.  

After the One Year War, the Federation utilized low cost but effective units like the GM II and Hizack to form the core of its depleted forces, and the many experimental Next Generation MS deployed in the Grypps conflict provided a rare opportunity for a great deal of technical feedback with these mass production units.

The Beam Rifle used by the Nero.  Very similar in form to the RX-78's Beam Rifle, the sensor installed on the right side is the same type used on the S Gundam's Beam Smart Gun.

The Nero design incorporates the lower half of the ι (Iota) Gundam with the upper half of the λ (Lambda) Gundam to create a relatively high level mass production unit.   The movable frame that can be glimpsed through the shoulder openings allows for binders to be equipped, and dependent on tuning, could feature performance levels rivaling even a higher class MS.    This high level of potential can be said to be the merits of the Gundam-based GM line of MS.

What could be called the 'Mass Production S Gundam', the Nero.  The movable frame that can be glimpsed through openings in the shoulder and face allows for binders and other equipment to be attached, with many supported standard options.   The additional chest ducts are telling of a large generator.

Source: Gundam Wars III: Gundam Sentinel　Model Graphix, 1989