ESP-005 Champion

The ESP-005 Champion (aka Champion) is a mass production ground mobile suit used by the ESPF. It is the first mobile suit mass produced by Erde Industries.

Technology & Combat Characteristics
Based largely of the frame design of the MSXU-001, the Champion is the first mobile suit of the Solar Era produced on a large scale. The construction of the Riesen provided an effective design platform to base the ESP-005 on, eliminating the balance and weighting issues previously encountered in prototype machines. The Champion also features improvements over its predecessor, most notably a more streamlined microwave energy array system, reducing the need for external receiver antennae and improving the suit's operational time. This allows the suit to operate outside of emitter range for extended periods of time. The larger limbs also improve the suit's defence and also accommodate larger actuators. As the mobile suit can cross ground terrain more easily than other units the Champion is often provided for fire support in a variety of situations, frequently backed up with aerial or naval support. Due it's considerable hight and high rate of fire the suit saw most use in anti-air warfare, missile interception and escort, while enemy mobile suits were not common at the time the unit was equipped with close combat weapons for that situation.

Armaments

 * CMT/054T "Trident" 250mm Linear Rifle
 * The standard ranged weapon, the linear rifle accelerates rounds with magnetic fields to fire them at enemies with high accuracy and damage.


 * ENX/02 "Raigo" 60mm Vulcan
 * Two fire-linked 60mm vulcan guns are built into the suit's head, they're usually used for missiles interception and targeting light vehicles.


 * MT/02 Titanium Polycarbon Alloy Shield
 * A defensive piece of equipment, the shield is fashioned from the same material as the suit's armour but is considerably thicker.


 * RS/05 Titanium Polycarbon Alloy Dagger
 * Two close quarter combat backup weapons are stored in the forearms, each dagger extends past the suit's fist when active and are used to pierce armour during punches.


 * RSX/02E Hybrid Plasma Beam Sword
 * A prototype weapon later developed into the RSX/02 Plasma Beam Sword, this weapon is a regular titanium allow sword modified to project a plasma field over its surface to increase cutting ability.

History
The Champion served as the first line of mobile suits developed by Erde Industries, marking a new age in unit development. Generally the suit was deployed for heavy ground support as well as functioning as a mobile anti-air suppression unit. Early on in the Solar Era there was little combat involving mobile suits however, the Champion's refined design became a useful stepping stone to creating mobile suits capable of functioning in space effectively.