Template:Infobox/Mobile Weapon Ver.2 The GAT-X370 Raider Gundam is a transformable Mobile Suit, which was featured in the series; Mobile Suit Gundam SEED.
Technology & Combat Characteristics
The Raider is a transformable mobile suit and the only second generation GAT-X machine to adopt the X300-series frame used by the GAT-X303 Aegis Gundam. Compared to the Aegis, Raider has improved anti-mobile suit capabilities when in MA mode and its transformation system is greatly simplified. It is actually a variant of the GAT-333 Raider Full Spec and maintains some of its characteristics, like a MA mode that is specialized for flight and the two large fighter plane-like main wings that give it full flight capabilities in the atmosphere. These wings also boost Raider's turning capabilities and acceleration speed on earth and in space, as well as allow it to serve as a subflight lifter unit for carrying other mobile suits (usually the GAT-X131 Calamity Gundam). During battles, Raider often utilize hit-and-run attacks and has Trans Phase Armor like the other second generation machines. Armament wise, the Raider is armed with both energy and shell-firing weapons (with some of them being usable only in flight mode) and uses the "Mjolnir" Spherical Breaker, a wire tethered mace, as its handheld weapon.
Armaments
- "Ahura Mazda" Short-range Plasma Cannon
- Usable only in MA mode, they are mounted in the middle portion of the claws and have a short firing range. They can also generate a short beam blade for close combat.
- 2-barrel 52mm Hyper Velocity Shield Cannon
- A shield with a built-in double barrelled cannon, it can be used in both MA and MS mode. It is mounted on the left shoulder when in MA mode and on the right forearm when in MS mode. The 52mm hyper velocity shield cannons have two firing modes, semi-auto and full-auto.
- M2M3 76mm Machine Gun
- Two machine guns installed in the shoulders and are usable only in MA mode.
- M417 80mm Machine Gun
- Mounted in the MA mode's nose and usable only in this mode. It is mainly used to restrict enemy's movements during dogfight, but also has sufficient power to damage non-PS armored unit.
- "Mjolnir" Spherical Breaker
- An exceptionally dense spherical mace that can even damage enemy with Phase Shift armor. The mace also has a thruster to increase its speed and impact power, and is attached to a handheld holder via an anti-beam coated macromolecular cable. As a result, the "Mjolnir" can be spun rapidly on its long cable to form a makeshift shield effective at blocking both beam and projectile barrage. However, as the mace is not anti-beam coated, it can be cut in half by a beam saber.
- "Zorn" 100mm Energy Cannon
- A short range energy cannon mounted in the suit's mouth, it is usable in both MA and MS mode.
Special Equipment & Features
- A new version of the PS armor, Trans Phase armored suits do not change color when the armor is activated. It is a two-layer armor system with the PS armor in the inner layer activating only when the outer armor is breached. This design thus helps to reduce energy consumption and allows the equipped suit to have a longer operational time as well as for more power to be reserved for the suits's weapon.
History
In mid CE 71, the EA collaborates with Muruta Azrael's Azrael Conglomerate to build three second-generation GAT-X mobile suits. These suits used more advanced technology based upon the old G suits and were piloted by "Biological CPUs". One of these new suits was the GAT-X370 Raider Gundam, a transformable mobile suit with a fighter-like MA mode specializing in aerial combat. It was created in a hurry for the invasion of Orb and was actually a simplified and rearmed variant of the GAT-333 Raider Full Spec. After the attack on Orb, the Raider and its "Biological CPU", Clotho Buer, was sent to space and assigned to the Archangel-class assault ship Dominion under the supervision of Muruta Azrael. The Raider eventually took part in several important battles at the end of the First Alliance-PLANT War, surviving until the Second Battle of Jachin Due. There it met its fate and was destroyed by Yzak Joule in the GAT-X102 Duel (Gundam SEED) and by Dearka Elsman in the GAT-X103 Buster (Gundam SEED Special Edition) using the Buster's hyper-impulse long-range sniper rifle.
Variants
- GAT-X370γ Raider Lagoon
Gallery
Gunpla
Action Figures
Notes and Trivia
- Raider's head crest displays the text "OTTO X-370". "Otto" means "Eight" in Italian, and is likely a reference to the suit being the eighth GAT-X unit developed by the Earth Alliance.
- When the ZGMF-X10A Freedom Gundam was hit with the Raider's Zorn energy cannon, the beam was not able to penetrate the suits' armor. This may either be an oversight by the production team, or a demonstration that the sheer firepower of Raider's Zorn is not enough to pierce Phase Shift Armor powered by a Nuclear Reactor.
- The Raider's Spherical Breaker is named after the Mjolnir Hammer used by Thor, the Norse God of Thunder.
References
External links