In the last days of the One Year War, the Principality of Zeon develops the MS-18E Kämpfer, a fast assault unit. The Kämpfer ("käempfer" being German for "fighter" or "champion") sacrifices armor protection in exchange for many thrusters and verniers, making it very fast and maneuverable. Armed with an array of giant bazookas, shotguns and panzer fausts, the Kämpfer can approach a target at high speed, make a fast strike, and quickly escape. This "hit-and-run" concept makes the Kämpfer a very powerful and deadly mobile suit; however, its speed and high number of thrusters result in high fuel consumption and a limited operational time. Despite this minor drawback, the Kämpfer is an excellent mobile suit. Unfortunately for Zeon, it is another case of "too-little-too-late," as the One Year War comes to an end and the Kämpfer never sees mass production. A Kämpfer unit is deployed late in the war, attacking an Earth Federation Forces research base in the neutral Side 6 Libot Colony during a failed attempt to destroy the RX-78NT-1 Gundam "Alex" prototype mobile suit on December 20, UC 0079. After the war, another Kämpfer serves as the personal mobile suit of Fabian Frischknecht, a pilot at Zeon's Axis asteroid base.


Info from Mecha domain.