MESS-S1cD-012 Storm

Technology and Combat Characteristics
Being a Test Unit, Storm wasn’t too heavily equipped in terms of combat capabilities. However, it was given a pair of retractable Vulcan Guns in order to ward off attacking enemies when in low-atmosphere. It was also given chest-mounted barrage Missile silos in order to test a Garrisai’s ability to make a timed bombing run.

Armaments
- Retractable 30mm Forearm Mounted Vulcans: A 6-barrel vulcan gun is mounted on each forearm, concealed behind an armored gauntlet. When activated, it is exposed from the armor and can fire up to 20 rounds per second.

- Barrage Missile Silos: There are small swarmfire/barrage missile silos mounted on the Storm's upper arms, back, and chest. They can be locked on to ground targets, and are best used in airstrikes and bombing runs for an overwhelming series of blasts.

- Striker Missile Pods: Each side skirt armor has a pair of large missiles that can be automatically fired using the Eye of the Storm, or manually aimed at smaller targets. They are used in bombing runs for large single blasts and aerial dogfights.

Special Equipment and Features
- Eye of the Storm: When activated, this targeting sensor is capable of detecting targets on the ground and allows the Storm to attack units using a homing system. It is primarily paired with its missile systems, and sometimes during low-altitude runs with its vulcans. It uses a mono-eye sensor to sight targets while the pilot focuses on other things.

History
Storm was one of the two units running the experimental High-Mobility Type (HMT) Thruster System of the AEGIS Program, with the other prominent experimental System being the Heavygun System. Storm diverged away from its sister unit Rocket in that it would instead be prototyping a flight-capable version of the HMT System. Initial tests were unsuccessful primarily due to the sheer amount of weight the thrusters had to lift off of the ground. Eventually, after the unit’s armor and frame were slimmed down to their thinnest, it was decided that the thrusters would be built directly into the legs of the Garrisai, instead of being mounted on the sides. The result of this modification meant that the Storm would be unable to walk on land, due to the Thruster legs being unable to bend. The following test runs were successful, and the Storm eventually got its well-needed walkability in its successor, the Storm II.

Trivia
- The Storm’s new design is similar to the S Gundam’s improvised Thruster Legs. Its general aesthetic was inspired from Air Force Fighter Jets, notably the thrusters and vent intakes.