The MVF-X08R2 Eclipse Gundam Unit 2 (MVF-X08R2 エクリプスガンダム 2号機?), also referred to as Eclipse Gundam Reactor 2, is a Mobile Suit introduced in the manga Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Eclipse.
Technology & Combat Characteristics[]
The greatest difference between the MVF-X08R2 Eclipse Unit 2 and Unit 1 is its nuclear-powered specifications. The Eclipse, which is equipped with beam rifles, beam sabers, and beam shields, as well as a Mirage Colloid stealth system, requires a large amount of energy due to its equipment and functions. Therefore, despite its high functionality, its short operating time was a major weakness. However, this is also proof that the unit was originally designed to be supplied with power by a nuclear engine. In this sense, Reactor 2 is the true Eclipse. In addition to this, the high mobility of the machine created a problem in which the pilot's body could not withstand the enormous G-force. Only when a pilot with the strength to cope with this problem is on board is the Eclipse able to carry out the purpose for which it was developed—a preemptive attack on an enemy base.
It was designed to function as a bomber unit with its high scouting capability and its night camouflage design, and was created to validate the ability to deter military aggression from other countries by establishing technology capable of preemptive strikes, but its development was shut down before it had achieved this goal. Its production was discontinued for political reasons and the unit was sealed away, kept without an operating system, ostensibly only to provide a source of spare parts for Eclipse Unit 1. No information regarding the unit was ever released to the public. It can be said that this unit symbolizes the gap between the two world wars, where confusion has yet to be resolved.
Armaments[]
- R2-W1 Beam Rifle
- A beam rifle for nuclear-powered machines, developed based on data from the top-secret ZGMF-X10A Freedom. Due to the suspension of operation of the main unit, the development of Reactor 2 was halted and only the data on its armaments remained. For this reason, no names were given to the armaments, only development codes. It can be mounted onto the hip when not in use. A dedicated shield is also attached onto the beam rifle, which serves as both a defensive option and as an airfoil in mobile armor mode.
- R2-W2 Real Sword
- A long physical sword developed based on combat data from the GAT-X105+AQM/E-X02 Sword Strike. The technology for the blade is diverted from the ZGMF-1017 GINN. It can be mounted onto the hip when not in use. A dedicated shield is also attached onto the sword, which serves as both a defensive option and as an airfoil in mobile armor mode.
- PS-02 Beam Shield
- Beam Shields were equipped on both arms. They could be used as defensive armaments and as Arm Swords.
Special Equipment & Features[]
- Multipurpose Sensor Unit
- The head is equipped with an improved version of the GAT-X303 Aegis multipurpose sensor unit.
- The Eclipse was developed using the Freedom's frame structure that incorporated the Mirage Colloid Stealth System. Its compability with various equipment enabled it to suppress various battlefields at astounding speeds.
- The Neutron Jammer Canceller counters the effects of the ubiquitous Neutron Jammers and allows the Eclipse Gundam Reactor 2 to be powered by a nuclear reactor. This helps the suit to meet the high energy consumption of the Mirage Colloid Stealth System and to use it for an unlimited amount of time. This feature is also in violation of the Junius Treaty, which bans the use of Neutron Jammer Cancellers by MS.
- Like Eclipse Unit 1, Reactor 2 incorporates Phase Shift technology into its armor, rendering it virtually immune to physical attacks, and with the limitless power of a nuclear reactor, the Reactor 2 can use Phase Shift for an unlimited time without a conventional battery-power mobile suit's concern for running out of energy.
- Like Eclipse Unit 1, Unit 2 is also compatible with the pack system, allowing for highly expandable combat options.
- Operating System
- The Eclipse Unit 2 uses the Generation Unsubdued Nuclear Drive Assault Module Complex operating system (OS).[1] As a fail-safe, the Eclipse Unit 2's OS needed to be re-installed every week, or its self-destruct sequence will be activated.[2]
History[]
Originally, following Orb's embarrassing occupation by the Earth Alliance during the First Alliance-PLANT War, the Eclipse Gundam was planned as a strategic bomber in hopes it would deter future attacks on the island nation if they had the ability to strike military bases preemptively. But after the end of the war, it was decided that it would undermine the basic principles of Orb, so Eclipse Unit 2 was mothballed in an incomplete state, without an OS, and its very existence was considered top secret.[3]
The Eclipse Unit 1's master OS was copied and installed onto Unit 2 by Ken Norland Suse, who betrayed Orb and defected to Anti-factice with it.[1][4][5][6] Anti-factice would then recreate the weapons for Reactor 2 based on data that remained in its systems from when it was designed.[7]
During a conversation between him and Miyabi Oto Kiou, Joel Jeanmaire-Giraud, the leader of Anti-factice, revealed his plan: Ken will pilot the Unit 2, until the self-destruct sequence have detonated its nuclear reactor in a suicide attack.[8]
Gallery[]
Lineart[]
Gunpla[]
Notes & Trivia[]
Appearances[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Eclipse Chapter 13
- ↑ Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Eclipse Chapter 22
- ↑ Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Eclipse Chapter 25
- ↑ Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Eclipse Chapter 14
- ↑ Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Eclipse Chapter 15
- ↑ Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Eclipse Chapter 16
- ↑ Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Eclipse Chapter 19
- ↑ Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Eclipse Chapter 28