PNUCU-01 Prototype Mobile Suit

Model Number: PNUCU-01
Code name: none
Unit Type: prototype neurological control system mobile suit
Manufacturer: Preventers
Operator: Preventers
First deployment: Late AC 216
Pilots: Mariemaia Khushrenada
Accommodation: pilot only, in standard cockpit in torso
Height: 16.5 meters
Weight: 7.4 tons
Armor: Reinforced titanium
Powerplant: Ultracompact fusion reactor, power output rating unknown
Equipment and design features: Head mounted sensors, range unknown; Neurological Uplink Control Unit ("Noo-koo" or "EnueCeeue" ) system in cockpit; optional flight booster, thruster output unknown
Fixed armaments: 2 x vulcan gun, fire-linked, mounted in head; 2 x vulcan gun, fire-linked, mounted on torso
Optional fixed armaments: none
Optional hand armaments: 2 x beam dagger, stored in charge racks on forearms, hand carried in use; 2 x beam saber, stored in charge racks on legs, hand carried in use, can be connected to form a double-ended saber; 1 x double-ended beam naginata/glaive, hand carried in use

Near the outbreak of the Venusian conflict, the Preventers began development on a mobile suit to serve as a testbed for a revolutionary new pilot interface system, the Neurological Uplink Control Unit. By using specially adapted neurological and sensory taps, a pilot using this system could in theory control a mobile suit as a physical extension of his or herself, the suit responding faster than conventional pilot interface systems, and possibly faster than a ZERO system equipped mobile suit, since the delay associated with a "twin-sticks and foot pedals" control system is eliminated. After the start of the conflict, development of the unit was ordered to cease by the ESUN Senate in favor of production of the Gryphon and Basilisk suits.

Mariemaia, the volunteer test pilot of the suit despite protests from her adoptive aunt Lady Une, continued to test the trial unit -designated PNUCU-01- despite the order, often taking the suit out in secret to hone her abilities with the system. The clandestine training would ultimately pay off when the PNUCU-01 entered combat on Earth in late AC 216 to defend the launching Preventer carriers from enemy forces during the Une Conflict. The suit was badly damaged and lost an arm in the battle, a "psychosomatic response" leaving Mariemaia's own arm paralyzed. The suit was upgraded on Mars to the PNUCU-02 Custom Mobile Suit and would serve as Mariemaia's personal unit through the end of the Venusian conflict.