Combat Frame Data: CF-016 Grenzmark III

Model number: CF-016
Code name: Grenzmark III
Nickname: Grenthree
Classification: mass production multipurpose combat frame
Manufacturer: Zeklov Corporation
Operator: Earth Governments in Exile
First deployment: CY 1
Crew: 1 pilot in cockpit in chest
Height: 17.5 meters
Weight: dry weight 57.5 metric tons, full weight 72.1 metric tons
Armor type: titanium alloy/aeorgraphene/ceramic composite
Powerplant: cold fusion reactor, max output 1582 KW
Propulsion: rocket thrusters: 2x 50,000 kg, 2x 25,750 kg, 2x 24,250 kg; top speed 1750 kph; maneuvering thrusters: 18, 180° turn time 0.85 seconds; legs: top ground speed 190 kph
Sensors: Halo radar/optical target acquisition and identification system mounted under grilled radome “head”
Fixed armaments: x2 2-Tube missile launcher, mounted on legs
Hand armaments: 115mm machine gun, 40 rounds per magazine; plasma lance, main head rated at 0.60 MW, secondary head rated at 0.40 MW, stored on recharge rack on back, hand-carried in use

The EGE found themselves in dire straits when ZoDiaC reneged on their agreement to fund the exiled Earth governments’ own combat frames. The Coalition’s introduction of the CF-014 Ein Dolph and CF-015 Zwei Dolph seriously tipped the already lopsided balance of power in the SOC’s favor. The EGE military needed a solution–and fast–if there was to be any hope of thwarting the Kazoku-driven grounder genocide.

EGE Private Tod Ritter stepped forward with a long-gestating combat frame concept of his own. Sieg Friedlander had given valuable input on the design before Ritter’s conscription into the EGE, and legendary weapons engineers Maximus Darving and Zane Dellister added their own finishing touches. With funding guarantees from SOC Governor Prem Naryal, the EGE approached Zeklov Corporation with a contract to mass-produce Ritter’s CF-016 Grenzmark III.

At first glance, the Grenthree appeared to be nothing more remarkable than an upgraded Grenzmark II. More than one Kazoku pilot proceeded from that mistaken assumption and paid with his life. Despite their surface similarities, the Grenthree not only far outclassed the Grento in every respect, it rivaled the Coalition’s prized Zwei Dolph. As Naryal herself observed, the Grenthree’s overall combat performance may have been slightly superior. Its only shortcoming was its main ranged weapon–an old style Grento machine gun retained at Ritter’s insistence. Dellister argued for equipping the Grenthree with a current-generation plasma rifle, but budget constraints caused Naryal and Zeklov to side with Ritter. Still, the Grenthree’s trademark plasma lance instantly became the most feared close combat CF weapon on the battlefield. A pair of missile launchers was added to compensate for the Grento rifle’s relative lack of ranged firepower.

The Grenzmark III saw only one deployment during the last major CF engagement of the Kazoku War. There, the EGE’s new Grenthrees proved Naryal correct, triumphing over a (smaller, admittedly) Zwei Dolph force with EGE losses well within the acceptable range. A notorious Grenthree would see combat twice more the next year during the fight for Neue Deutschland’s liberation.

See the Grenthree in action! Read Combat Frame XSeed: