Orbital Breakthrough

RX-78-2 SAL (Strategic Arms Loadout Type) Profile The RX-78-2 Strategic Arms Loadout (SAL Type) is a one-off, heavily armed variant of the RX-78-2 Gundam. Created in secrecy, the SAL Type was designed as a strategic-grade siege weapon capable of delivering compact nuclear payloads to dismantle Zeon’s defensive perimeter around the asteroid fortress Solomon. The SAL Type was deployed before the official Battle of Solomon, under a black-coded Federation operation called Operation Sol Breaker. Its mission was to secretly weaken the fortress’ exterior structure, allowing the later full-scale invasion to succeed. Because of its nuclear armaments, the SAL Type was never acknowledged in postwar documentation. History & Development As reconnaissance confirmed increasing fortification of Solomon’s outer shell, Federation tacticians determined that the upcoming battle would be devastating if fought head-on. Internal simulations predicted catastrophic EFSF ship losses. A covert R&D group proposed modifying the RX-78-2 with: • a nuclear-capable loading system, • heavy Chobham armor, • and strategic payload delivery equipment. The Federation’s high command approved the SAL project under sealed orders. Amuro Ray, due to his unmatched performance and rapidly emerging Newtype abilities, was chosen as the pilot. The SAL Type was constructed aboard Luna II under strict security before being delivered to White Base in modular components.