ガウ級攻撃空母
GAW-CLASS ATTACK CARRIER

[AIRCRAFT DATA]
Overall Length: 62m (others 50m)
Weight: 980t
Propulsion System: thermonuclear jet engines x 18
Maximum Speed: M0.9
Crew: 34
Armament: twin barrel mega particle cannon x 2, twin barrel cannon x 1, bombs
Unit Loadout: mobile suits x 3 (others 4), Dopp x 8

The second phase of the Earth invasion strategy, the Earth landing operations, necessitated the Principality’s military to employ weapons unlike those used in space combat, including ground-based and aerial weaponry. The lack of expertise in aerial armament resulted in an ‘armchair theory’ that defied conventional aviation norms, leading to the peculiar appearance of these crafts.

The Gaw-class attack carrier, true to its name, was developed as an airborne base ship.

The Dopp, chosen as the main fighter of the Principality’s army, had an operational range of a mere 1200km. Due to its structural characteristics, the Dopp was forced into an odd position as a tactical fighter for local warfare despite being the backbone of the aerial force. Strategically, ‘legs’ that could extend this craft’s operational range were necessary to deploy the Dopp to the frontline.

Furthermore, the operational range of the mobile suits as ground forces was an early point of concern. While land transport vehicles such as the Samson Trailer were developed to assist the movement of mobile suits to the frontlines, they proved inadequate for flexible and rapid deployment.

The Gaw-class attack carrier was designed with the purpose of transporting and deploying these two types of weapons. Specifically, it was based on a strategic goal of launching Dopp formations, neutralizing enemy air forces in the area, deploying mobile suits, and taking control of the ground.

Dopp Hangar. The illustration on the left depicts the back of the hangar. In the center, you can see the blast deflector. Due to the Dopp’s shape, it is quite large. The specifications vary depending on the aircraft. The illustration on the right depicts the launch bat.

The completed Gaw-class carried three mobile suits in a central hangar, four Dopp on each wing, and reconnaissance aircraft such as the Luggun and the Komusai in the rear. This colossal craft, with a length of 62m and a wingspan more than twice that, weighed in at a staggering 1000 tons when fully loaded. To enable the flight and propulsion of this gigantic airborne carrier, 18 nuclear jet engines were adopted. In the initial plans by the developers, the powerful thrust and fuel efficiency of these nuclear jet engines were believed to enable the craft to circle the Earth several times without refueling. However, in reality, like other Principality aircraft, the Gaw-class was a product of ‘armchair theory.’ It possessed wings exceeding 100m, but the lift obtained for flight was far from sufficient. Even when the Gaw-class was at full speed, it had to obtain lift through the downward thrust of the nuclear jet engines, which accounted for more than 30% of the total lift.

Mobile Suit Launch Bay. This hatch is located at the front of the craft and the doors slide open.

The mobile suit launch bay was positioned at the front, and the Gaw-class had to slow down during deployment. This reduced speed to around 100km/h, a remarkably low speed for an aircraft. The powerful lift generated by the nuclear jet engines enabled this type of slow flight.

Vertical tail fin. On the right is the attachment section for the rudder. It is undoubtedly very challenging to change the direction of the massive Gaw-class solely with this rudder. The Gaw-class is extremely sluggish, and this, along with other factors, contributed to it becoming a target for the Federation’s ground forces.

However, the low-flying, massive airborne carrier made an excellent target for the Federation Ground Forces. This vulnerability was evident during the Jaburo landing operation, where a large formation of Gaw-class was deployed. Not only the mobile suits in mid-descent but also the Gaw-class carriers carrying them fell prey to the anti-aircraft fire from the Federation Headquarters at Jaburo.

European Front Suppression Forces. The mega particle cannons on this craft differ in shape from others.

While the Gaw-class is an airborne carrier, it also had the capability for ground-based attacks as well. This craft was equipped with a large nuclear reactor for power, as well as a twin mega particle cannon. These cannons, located under the wings, are believed to be ground weaponry (Discrepancies about the number of mega particle cannons can be found in various sources, stating two, three, or five. Recent confirmations of different Gaw-class carrier specifications depending on production locations and periods have made these discrepancies explainable).

Mega Particle Cannon. The shape of the Gaw-class mega particle cannon varies depending on the production base and period of the aircraft, but fundamentally, it is a single-seat design with the gunner boarding the cannon.

While it’s difficult to say that the Gaw-class assault carrier fully realized the envisioned concept, it became an instrumental weapon in the Principality’s Earth strategy. This craft’s range enabled the deployment of mobile suits and aerial forces beyond the Principality’s controlled territories. Additionally, the Gaw-class, equipped with a mega particle cannon and a bomb bay for ground attacks, was used as a heavy bomber. Despite several fatal flaws, this flying fortress posed a significant threat to the Federation Forces until the end of the One Year War.

The Gaw-class assault carrier can be described as a peculiar masterpiece, embodying all characteristics of the Principality’s aircraft. However, to the Federation Forces, who only possessed transports equivalent to the Medea, the concept of this craft was incredibly novel. After the One Year War, during the Gryps War, they commissioned a super-large transport craft that far surpassed the Gaw-class, the gargantuan Garuda-class, with a total length of 317m and a wingspan of 517m. This craft was primarily designed as a mid-air relay base to launch shuttles from low earth orbit but was also capable of launching mobile suits and shuttles from hatches under both wings and the rear hatch. Moreover, this craft didn’t need the inefficient lift generation of the Gaw-class. It was a brilliant achievement, marrying the Federation’s aviation know-how with the new concepts left by the Principality.

The Principality’s aviation ideology was peculiar, resulting in no successors, and often overlooked in the history of aircraft development. Only the Gaw-class assault carrier carried on a part of its unique concept.

Rear Launch Bay. The Komsai, Luggun, and other aircraft can take off and land here. Inside the control booth attached to the ceiling, operators lie prone and give instructions to the landing aircraft from this position. Landing is possible at relative speeds of around Mach 0.78 or below, and it is performed based on laser locks from the Gaw-class’s side, which are received and synchronized by the landing craft’s laser sensors (the illustration on the right shows the control booth on the ceiling, covered with pressure-resistant glass).

Bridge. The Gaw-class, classified as an “assault carrier,” still features a “bridge.” The cockpit, sometimes referred to as the control seat, is located here. The illustration omits the commander’s chair. The hatch at the rear center serves as an entrance and exit, while the ones on the left and right are maintenance hatches that double as elevators. In the illustrations below depict the type used by the European Front Suppression Forces. It has some differences in details, such as the placement of the control seat levers on each side.

Bridge Rear Floor. Beyond the doors at the back of the bridge lies a room. There are several specifications for the Gaw-class assault carrier, and not only the armament but also the internal structure of the aircraft vary significantly. Many differences can be observed in this regard.

Imaging Room. Inside, a dedicated room was provided for analyzing the information obtained by reconnaissance aircraft. This indicates that the aircraft was intended to be operated as an airborne operational command center.