FXA-08R Mega Rider – MechaBay | Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ

The FXA-08R Mega Rider was an innovative mobile suit support weapon and sub-flight system developed by Anaheim Electronics for the AEUG during the First Neo Zeon War. This unique vehicle combined the characteristics of an armed sub-flight system with super-large firearms, creating an unprecedented support platform that resembled a massive hoverbike for mobile suits.

History

The FXA-08R Mega Rider was developed by Anaheim Electronics based on the experimental FXA-08R-X1 Proto Mega Rider, which had undergone operational testing in the early stages of the First Neo Zeon War. The Proto Mega Rider had been subjected to sabotage by Zeon sympathisers within Anaheim Electronics during final testing at an abandoned colony in the reef space of New Side 4, resulting in the total destruction of the test facility. However, the prototype itself survived the incident and was judged to have no functional problems, leading to the development of the production model.

The Mega Rider represented a unique fusion concept that combined a high-powered heavy beam weapon, similar to the AEUG’s FHA-03M1 Mega Bazooka Launcher, with a sub-flight system capable of carrying mobile suits in atmospheric combat. This innovative design philosophy resulted in a distinctive vehicle that allowed mobile suits to straddle the mega launcher-equipped platform in a manner similar to riding a motorcycle, hence the “Mega Rider” designation.

The vehicle was deployed to the AEUG battleship Argama to address the organisation’s strength deficit during the war against Neo Zeon. The Mega Rider was put into active combat service and remained operational throughout the conflict, being utilised by several pilots of the “Gundam Team” aboard the Argama.

During its service, the Mega Rider was most commonly employed in conjunction with the RX-178 Gundam Mk-II, which was the least advanced Gundam in the team’s arsenal. Elle Vianno, who served as the usual pilot of the Gundam Mk-II during the war, frequently operated the Mega Rider system, utilising its enhanced firepower to compensate for her mobile suit’s limitations compared to the more advanced units deployed by her teammates.

Design

The FXA-08R Mega Rider represented a revolutionary approach to mobile suit support systems, combining multiple operational capabilities within a single platform. At 59.7 metres in overall length and weighing 137.4 metric tonnes when empty, the vehicle was substantial enough to serve as a mobile field base whilst maintaining the manoeuvrability necessary for combat operations.

The Mega Rider’s most distinctive feature was its ability to accommodate two mobile suits simultaneously. The primary mobile suit was positioned centrally on the main body, directly controlling the vehicle’s operations, whilst a second mobile suit could be carried in tow. The abundant thrust generated by the vehicle’s propulsion systems enabled it to transport multiple mobile suits without significant performance degradation.

The vehicle’s design incorporated a spacious cockpit block that doubled as living space, complete with accommodations for pilots and storage for food, supplies, and ammunition. This feature allowed the Mega Rider to function as a mobile base of operations for mobile suit teams conducting extended missions far from their parent vessels.

The Mega Rider could be operated through multiple control methods. Direct control was possible from a riding mobile suit, allowing the mobile suit pilot to operate both their own machine and the support vehicle simultaneously. Alternatively, the vehicle could be controlled via remote signal from a mobile suit, or manually operated from the cockpit within the main body.

The vehicle featured weapon racks for carrying the armament of embarked mobile suits, ensuring that pilots had access to their full arsenal of weapons and equipment. This capability was particularly valuable during extended operations where resupply opportunities might be limited.

Propulsion was provided by powerful rocket thrusters distributed throughout the vehicle’s structure. The high thrust output enabled the Mega Rider to achieve impressive acceleration and manoeuvrability despite its substantial size and weight, making it an effective platform for both transport and combat operations.

Armaments

The FXA-08R Mega Rider’s armament was designed to provide mobile suit teams with significant fire support capabilities whilst maintaining the vehicle’s transport and support functions.

Mega launcher

The primary armament of the Mega Rider was a large mega particle beam cannon mounted on the front of the main body. This weapon provided firepower equivalent to battleship-class beam cannons, giving mobile suit teams access to capital ship-level firepower in a mobile platform.

Due to the weapon’s high energy consumption, the Mega Rider alone could only fire the mega launcher four times intermittently before requiring recharging. However, the system was designed to receive energy supply assistance from riding mobile suits, enabling continuous fire when supported by an attached mobile suit’s power plant. This energy-sharing capability significantly enhanced the weapon’s tactical utility in sustained combat operations.

The mega launcher’s output made it capable of engaging heavy targets that might otherwise require dedicated capital ship support, providing mobile suit teams with unprecedented tactical flexibility in independent operations.

Laser guns

Two laser guns were mounted on the main body of the Mega Rider, providing additional defensive firepower and engagement capabilities against lighter targets. These weapons served as secondary armament, offering rapid-fire capability for engaging multiple targets or providing suppressive fire during combat operations.

The laser guns were positioned to provide coverage for the vehicle’s flanks and rear approaches, ensuring that the Mega Rider maintained defensive capabilities from multiple vectors whilst the primary mega launcher was oriented towards the main threat axis.

Known pilots

Behind the scenes

The FXA-08R Mega Rider was originally designed by Akitaka Mika with a transformation capability that would have allowed it to convert into a mega launcher gun platform. However, due to the vehicle’s substantial size making it unsuitable for release as a plastic model kit, director Tomino Yoshiyuki advised Akitaka to eliminate the transformation gimmick from the final design.

The Mega Rider’s unique “motorcycle” configuration was a distinctive design choice that set it apart from conventional sub-flight systems and support vehicles, reflecting the increasingly innovative approach to mobile suit support systems during the late Universal Century period.

Appearances

Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ

External links

FXA-08R Mega Rider on the Gundam Wiki
FXA-08R Mega Rider on MAHQ