The RGM-79 GM is the standard mass production mobile suit of the Federation Forces. The ones used by the Moore Brotherhood in the Thunderbolt Sector differ from the standard issue model in several ways as they are customized for use in the area.
Sensors are added on the left and right of the head for better search capabilities in the debris-filled area. The GM (Thunderbolt Ver.) also has higher maneuverability and mobility thanks to apogee motors added in various body sections, including four on the circular parts on either side of the head, as well as a large backpack that has multiple thrusters. The large backpack and the machine's joints are covered in special seals to protect them from the debris.
The large backpack also has two sub-arms, which not only hold shields for defense, but can also retrieve spare weapons and ammunition stored in spots the main arms cannot reach. Weapon wise, the manga version has enhanced firepower with the use of the Twin Beam Rifle in addition to the Beam Spray Gun. As for the OVA version, it has a Beam Saber on the bottom of its small backpack that is covered by the large backpack.
In U.C 0079 The Moore Brotherhood deployed multiple units in the Thunderbolt sector to reclaim the area from Zeon forces' Living Dead Division. However, most of the units were heavily damaged or destroyed by the guarding MS-06 Zaku IIs (Thunderbolt Ver.) and a MS-09R Rick Dom (Thunderbolt Ver.) that were armed with Big Guns. Io Fleming managed to survived the destruction of his GM by ejecting his Core Block in time.