GAT-X370 Raider Gundam

The GAT-X370 Raider Gundam is a transformable Mobile Suit introduced in

the anime Mobile Suit Gundam SEED. It is controlled by the “Biological CPU” Clotho Buer.

Features

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, the Raider has improved anti-mobile suit capabilities in AM mode and its transformation system is greatly simplified. It is actually a variant of the GAT-333 Raider Full Spec and retains some of the features of its predecessor, such as a specialized MA mode for flight and two large "fighter jet" type wings that give it capabilities complete atmospheric flight. These wings also increase the Raider's rotational capabilities, and acceleration speed on land and in space, and allow it to serve as a flight unit for other Mobile Suits (usually the GAT-X131 Calamity Gundam). ). During battles, the Raider often uses rapid attacks and has Trans-Phase armor like other second generation machines. The Raider is armed with both energy and shell weapons (some of which are only usable in flight mode) and uses the "Mjolnir" Spherical Breaker, a wired mace, as a melee weapon.

• Trans-Phase Armor

A new version of Phase Shift armor (PS armor), Trans-Phase armor is a two-layer armor system with the PS armor placed behind the normal armor. The internal PS armor only activates when the normal armor is pierced, which significantly reduces energy consumption, and thus allows the Mobile Suit equipped with it, to have a longer operating time as well as to reserve more power for its weapons. Additionally, the machine equipped with Trans-Phase armor does not change color when its armor is activated, unlike the original PS armor.

Armaments

• "Ahura Mazda" Short-range Plasma Cannon: Usable only in Mobile Armor mode, they are mounted in the central part of the claws and have a short firing range. They can also generate a short beam type blade for close combat.
• Dual 52mm Hyper Velocity SHield Cannon: A shield with a built-in dual cannon, it can be used in MA and MS mode. It is mounted on the left shoulder in MA mode and on the right forearm in MS mode. The 52mm hypervelocity cannons have two firing modes, semi-automatic and automatic.
• M2M3 76mm Machine Gun: Two machine guns installed in the shoulders, they can only be used in MA mode.
• M417 80mm Machine Gun: Mounted in the nose of MA mode, and usable only in this mode. It is primarily used to restrict enemy movement during dogfights, but also has sufficient power to damage non-Phase Shift armored units.
• "Mjolnir" Spherical Breaker: An exceptionally dense spherical mass that can even damage an enemy with Phase Shift armor. The mace also has a thruster to increase its speed and impact power, and is attached to a handheld mount via a macromolecular cable coated with anti-beam coating. As a result, the "Mjolnir" can be spun quickly on its long cable to form a makeshift shield effective in blocking beams and barrages of projectiles. However, because the mace is not covered in an anti-beam coating, it can be cut in half by a saber. It is stored under the torso in MA mode.
• "Zorn" 100mm Energy Cannon: A short-range energy cannon mounted in the machine's muzzle, it is usable in MA and MS mode.

History

In mid-CE71, the Terran Alliance collaborated with Muruta Azrael's Azrael conglomerate to construct three second-generation MS GAT-Xs. These MS use more advanced technology, based on the old G Project machines, and are controlled by "Biological CPUs". One of these new MS is the GAT-X370 Raider Gundam. The Raider debuted during the Battle of Orb, alongside the GAT-X131 Calamity Gundam and the GAT-X252 Forbidden Gundam, and the trio fought against the ZGMF-X10A Freedom Gundam and the ZGMF-X09A Justice Gundam.

After the Battle of Orb, the Raider and his "Biological CPU", Clotho Buer, were sent into space and assigned to the Archangel-class assault ship, the Dominion, under Azrael's supervision. The Raider ultimately took part in several significant battles at the end of the First Alliance-PLANT War,

surviving until the Second Battle of Jachin Due. There, he met his fate and was destroyed by Yzak Joule in the GAT-X102 Duel Gundam using the hyper-impulse long-range sniper rifle from the GAT-X103 Buster Gundam.

Did you know?

• The Raider's head crest displays the text "OTTO X-370". "Otto" means "Eight" in Italian, and is likely a reference to the fact that the machine is the eighth GAT-X unit developed by the Earth Alliance.
• The Raider's Spherical Hammer is named after the Mjolnir hammer used by Thor, the Norse god of thunder.
• When the ZGMF-X10A Freedom Gundam was hit by the Raider's Zorn energy cannon, the beam was unable to penetrate the MS's PS armor, despite destroying one of the wings and plasma cannons. This is probably an oversight by the production team.