The MA-05Ad Big Rang is a mobile armor from the OVA series Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO: Apocalypse 0079.
Technology & Combat Characteristics[]
Classified as a "mobile bridgehead", the Big Rang was made up of two parts: the control unit and the Ad unit ("Ad" being short for "ammunition depot"). The control unit was a repurposed MA-05 Bigro, specifically Bigro Unit 6, a late type unit with various improvements, inlcuding improved power output, added arm joints, and a new pair of claws that acted as large multi-purpose manipulators. This part contained much of the Big Rang's weapons, including its most powerful weapon, the mega particle cannon. Its cockpit was modified to incorporate the control systems for the Ad unit.[1]
The Ad unit was repurposed from a mobile armor whose development was halted. Originally concieved as a lightly armed frontline supply depot, it was capable of resupplying and repairing mobile weapons. Much of the Ad unit's functions were automated, though its control was still very complicated. It was propelled by the dreadnought-class armored booster, a high-power thermonuclear rocket engine that used heavy elements as propellant, originally designed for launching large mass objects from the moon.[1]
The Ad unit was equipped with anti-beam defenses and was extremely durable. Its surface armor, known as "skirt shell", was equipped with two beam dispersal missile launchers and one 3-tube large anti-ship missile launcher on either side. At the center of its back was a gondola lift for the landing and transportation of MP-02A Oggo. The beam dispersal launchers were essential to the Big Rang's survival due to its large profile and lack of mobility. Its exposed underside was the Big Rang's greatest weak point, since it was completely unarmored and unprotected.[1]
Armaments[]
- Claw Arms
- For Big Rang, its main and only form of close combat armament are a pair of large, sharp claws mounted on Bigro unit's long arms. The claw arms were modified version of Bigro's original with enhanced claw joints and forearm coolant tanks. They are normally used for grabbing at enemies and causing massive damage with a combination of the claw's strength and the momentum built up by the mobile armor.
- Mega Particle Cannon
- Mounted in the front of MA's Bigro control unit is a powerful mega particle cannon. This weapon has been shown to have enough power to destroy several Salamis-class cruisers with a single shot. The mega particle cannon is powered by Big Rang's powerful reactor which is supposedly to quickly replenish its energy supply. Actual combat had shown its power supply is unstable to render Big Rang to fire short bursts of low-power mega particle shots thereafter, but they are just as deadly against Federation's warships.
- 4-tube Missile Launcher
- Located just behind Bigro control unit's mega particle cannon are a pair of 4-tube missile launchers which serve as secondary weapons in situations when the cannon is in the process of charging or is ineffective against an opponent.
- Gatling Cannon
- Located on the left side of Bigro control unit is large-caliber multi-tube Gatling cannon which serves as the Big Rang's secondary weapon in situations when the mega particle cannon is ineffective or inappropriate against small, fast-moving opponents such as mobile suits or mobile pods. The Gatling Cannon has a high-rate of fire and it is able to damage the relatively light armor of a mass-produced Federation mobile weapons.
- 30-tube Beam Dispersal Missile Launcher
- The Big Rang was equipped with four Beam Dispersal Missile Launchers (30 tubes in a 6 x 5 array), with two each on either side of MA's Ad unit. Each missile could deploy a beam dispersal screen, which could withstand the beam cannons from the main guns of a Salamis-class for a limited time.
- 3-tube Large Anti-Ship Missiles
- Big Rang is equipped with 2 sets of 3-tube large anti-ship missiles, with each set being located at the rear of MA's Ad unit. A single missile is powerful enough to destroy a Federation's Salamis-class cruiser.
Special Equipment & Features[]
- Catapult/Hanger and Equipment Bay
- Inside Big Rang's massive Ad unit is a modified catapult/hangar which allowed several MP-02A Oggo mobile pods to dock, repair, and resupply simultaneously. This is to allow Oggo squadron to sustain long battle periods. However, the sheer size and weight of the armor-depot unit sacrificed the speed and maneuverability of the Bigro control unit.
History[]
Developed by the Zeon Engineering Department, the Big Rang was salvaged from several halted or abandoned projects that could be made battle ready in a short time, between several days and one week, with the Ad unit as the core of its development. As with the Oggo, it was a weapon rushed into production.[1]
On 31 December, U.C. 0079, during the Battle of A Baoa Qu, the 603rd Technical Evaluation Unit received the Big Rang from Granada and was ordered to assist in the defense of A Baoa Qu's E Field with the Kuspen Combat Battalion.
After arriving at the E Field, Oliver May was forced to pilot the Big Rang due to the lack of a formal test pilot. The Big Rang proved to be a formidable weapon, not only supplying the Oggos and protecting them with beam dispersal screens, but also sinking three Salamis-class cruisers with its mega particle cannon. The unexpected appearance of the Big Rang forced the Earth Federation Forces to temporarily withdraw from E Field.
A Baoa Qu's defense headquarters eventually issued a de fecto ceasefire order, signaling the end of the battle. However, Federation soldiers in the E Field continued attacking, driven by their hatred of Zeon. In order to protect the retreating Zeon forces, the Big Rang continued fighting, now joined by Monique Cadillac in a EMS-10 Zudah and Herbert von Kuspen in his MS-14A Gelgoog.
The battle was fierce, Kuspen died in battle protecting Oggos while the Big Rang's Ad unit was destroyed from the underside. However, May survived its destruction thanks to the Bigro unit being sent flying by the explosion and was rescued by Monique. Together with other surviving Zeon forces from the E Field, including two Oggo, they rejoined the Jotunheim and returned to Side 3.
Gallery[]
Notes and Trivia[]
- The Big Rang appears in the Extreme Vs. series. It is unique amongst the other bosses in that it is counted as a warship in the versus screen rather than a traditional boss.
References[]
External links[]