Core Booster
The Core Booster (model number FF-X7-Bst) is an Earth Federation fighter craft featured in the Mobile Suit Gundam theatrical films and related works. Developed by Hervic, it is an upgraded combat configuration created by attaching a large booster unit to the FF-X7 Core Fighter. Designed to compensate for the original fighter's limited firepower and operational range, it serves as a highly versatile multi-role aircraft capable of operating both within atmospheric environments and in outer space.
Overview
The Core Booster (model number FF-X7-Bst) is an Earth Federation fighter craft featured in the Mobile Suit Gundam theatrical films and related works. Developed by Hervic, it is an upgraded combat configuration created by attaching a large booster unit to the FF-X7 Core Fighter. Designed to compensate for the original fighter's limited firepower and operational range, it serves as a highly versatile multi-role aircraft capable of operating both within atmospheric environments and in outer space.
Appearance
The aircraft measures 13.8 meters in length, 12.6 meters in width, and 6.75 meters in height. It consists of an FF-X7 Core Fighter at the front with its main wings and vertical tail folded, docked directly into a large rear booster unit. The nose contains barrels for machine guns, while the booster module houses two mega particle cannons alongside multi-warhead missile firing ports. Its armor is constructed from materials such as Universal Duralumin, Hyper Titanium, and Aero Ceramic III.
Abilities
Powered by a hybrid thermonuclear jet/rocket propulsion system, the craft reaches a maximum speed of Mach 5.38 and operates seamlessly in both atmospheric and space combat. Its armament includes two 25mm multi-barrel machine guns located in the nose, two mega particle cannons, two multi-warhead missile units, four standard missiles, and depth charges. These systems allow it to execute diverse combat roles, including air-to-air dogfighting, anti-mobile suit engagements, mobile suit fire support, and anti-submarine strikes.
Background
A total of 16 Core Boosters were manufactured during the One Year War, with six units deployed to active combat. Units 005 and 006 were assigned to the 13th Autonomous Force aboard the White Base, piloted by Sleggar Law and Sayla Mass. During the Battle of Solomon, Sleggar sacrificed his life by executing a ramming attack with Unit 005 against the mobile armor Big Zam. Unit 006 survived through the Battle of A Baoa Qu, where it was eventually abandoned undamaged. Introduced in the compilation movies to replace the TV series' G-Fighter, the concept has spawned numerous variations throughout subsequent series.
Relationships
The machine was primarily piloted by Sayla Mass and Sleggar Law during the One Year War. In operations such as the engagement at Cucuruz Doan's Island, the Core Booster piloted by Sayla Mass was used to transport Sleggar Law's GM mounted directly on top of the craft into battle.
Trivia
Created for the second compilation film, Mobile Suit Gundam II: Soldiers of Sorrow, the Core Booster was designed to replace the TV series' G-Fighter with a more realistic military design. It has been released as a 1/144 scale plastic model kit in lines such as the Best Mecha Collection. Flashback sequences in Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack and the Mobile Suit Gundam UC anime feature the Core Booster, visually establishing that those works follow the continuity of the theatrical movie trilogy.
