RB-89 Ball II

[b]Fixed Weapons:[/b] (2) 120mm Recoiless Cannon (20 Rounds Per), 60mm Vulcan (100 Rounds), Rocket Winch [b]Optional Weapons:[/b] [b]Add. Thrusters:[/b] [b]Equipment:[/b] N/A [b]Other:[/b] N/A

[b]Extra Power Use:[/b] 0 / 300 kW [b]Extra Weight:[/b] 0 / 11.8 Metric Tons

[img]http://imageshack.us/a/img411/8496/1144ballinbase3.jpg[/img] [b]Model:[/b] RB-89 "Ball II" [i][b]10 Points[/b][/i] [b]Unit Type:[/b] Mobile Pod [b]Manufacture:[/b] Earth Federation Forces [b]Operator:[/b] Earth Federation Forces [b]Layout:[/b] Single-Seat Pod; 10m Tall [b]Armor:[/b] Gundarium / Titanium Alloy [b]Stock Weight:[/b] 13.2 Tons [b]Powerplant:[/b] Minovksy Type Ultracompact Fusion; 700 kW Output [b]Propulsion:[/b] Thrusters: (3) 15,000kg, (6) Verniers, Explosive Strip Thrusters [b]Performance:[/b] Max Acceleration 2.10G [b]Electronics:[/b] Sensors w/6,000m Range

[b]Description:[/b] After a certain point it became impractical to continue upgrading RB-79s considering their inexpensive, second-line nature, so a requirement was set for an entirely new combat support pod. The discreet purchase was unnoticed to all but the support units, and the RB-89 has not seen major use in any battle so far. The design makes use of lighter, more durable materials and a more efficient reactor, making the Ball faster and harder to hit. A significant change was the addition of a universal mount for weapons typically hand-carried by mobile suits, allowing it to make use of beam rifles, hyper bazookas and so forth. "Block 2" models had the interior modified into a sort of miniature panoramic cockpit, increasing efficiency in combat - not to mention decreasing the claustrophobic feel of the machine, but causing some to name the RB-89 the "Glass Ball."

A slightly smaller shell allowed the addition of slat armor with a thick anti-beam coating, with layers of thermal insulation between the armor and the actual hull. Field trials showed this new development was relatively effective against mobile-suit size beam weapons, though mobility was still the best option for survival - especially with the speed granted by the new upgrades Despite the modifications, a Ball will nearly always lose to a mobile suit at close range, so they're generally a last resort. Units like the 7th Reserve Mobile Pod Battalion often customized units with anti-beam smoke dispensers and rocket pods for better long-range use. Variants include the "M," a missile / mine layer platform and the "K," equipped with a single beam cannon rated for 2.9 MW. Other exotic variants have been used underwater, where the ball's smaller target and sensor profile shines. The RB-89Y "Miniball" has also seen use during boarding actions and scouting of asteroids.

[b]Fixed Weapons:[/b] (2) 120mm Recoiless Cannon (20 Rounds Per), 60mm Vulcan (100 Rounds), Rocket Winch [b]Optional Weapons:[/b] [b]Add. Thrusters:[/b] [b]Equipment:[/b] N/A [b]Other:[/b] N/A

[b]Extra Power Use:[/b] 0 / 300 kW [b]Extra Weight:[/b] 0 / 11.8 Metric Tons