Model number: Fv-4
Code name: Schwert
Unit type: mass production general purpose mobile suit
Manufacturer(s): Helwan Mechano-Industries
Operator(s): numerous
First deployment: August UC 238
Accommodation: pilot only, in panoramic monitor cockpit in torso
Dimensions: overall height 23.0 meters
Armor materials: Gundarium alloy
Powerplant: ultracompact fusion reactor, output rated at 3340 kW
Equipment and design features: sensors, range unknown
Fixed armaments: 6 x vulcan gun, mounted in triples in head, each triple fire-linked; 2 x beam gun/beam saber, mounted in wrists in beam gun mode, hand-carried in beam saber mode
Optional fixed armaments: anti-beam shield, mounted on left arm, mounts 2-tube grenade launcher and 4 x missile
Optional hand armaments: beam machine gun, powered by replaceable energy pack, 30 round charge per pack, spare energy packs can be stored inside shield

Technical and Historical Notes

Among the major lunar corporations, the manufacturing conglomerate Helwan Mechano-Industries is likely the largest producer of weapon and defense systems, and is widely known among both colonial militias and security forces for its patrol ships and other combat vessels. In the mid UC 230s, the company began in-house development of mobile suits for security purposes at its manufacturing sites, including its main base of operations at Port Zeeman. After replacing the Tesla-manufactured armored modules used by their security force, Helwan began to retail the new design commercially as a means of further improving their profit margins.

The Fv-4 Schwert ("sword") is the most successful of these designs, and is a high performance if somewhat unremarkable mobile suit. With a Gundarium-armored body and large number of apogee motors, the Schwert offers a good combination of both maneuverability and defense, although its advanced systems and a variety of overly-complex components make it difficult to easily mass-produce. Thanks to its main vernier motors all being mounted on gimbaled actuators, its mobility compares very well to other maneuverable units, and can match an Earth Union GN-X in most areas.

Designed from the ground up to be capable of engaging multiple enemy units at once, the Schwert is very well armed with a rapid-firing beam machine gun and six vulcan guns in its head. A beam saber is stored in each wrist for hand-to-hand combat, and can also be used as short-range beam guns while mounted. A conventional anti-beam shield is provided for defense, although it can also store several missiles for a surprise attack. Against pirates and renegades armed with older mobile weapons, such as ex-ZAFT GINNs or surplus Tieren Space Types, the Schwert is capable of quickly reducing a numerically superior force with its heavy armament.

On paper, Helwan's mobile suit is an impressive combat machine, albeit lacking some versatility. However, as it is intended to defend bases and convoys, its combat endurance is rather low. The powerful thrusters quickly drain its limited fuel supplies, and its beam machine gun is especially power-hungry and rapidly exhausts its energy packs. Overall, most defense analysts have suggested that it is an excellent mobile suit for its defined role, but is lacking for long-range patrols or drawn-out battles due to its rapid fuel and power consumption.

Lineart

Beam gun/beam saber
Head detail
Rear view