MA-05 Bigro

The MA-05 Bigro was a space combat mobile armour mass produced by the Principality of Zeon. The “MA” in the model code refers to it being a mobile armour. The “05” in the model code indicates that it was the fifth design in the line.

History

The Principality of Zeon had a weapons design competition a few years before the One Year War . The MIP Company unveiled the MIP-X1 mobile armour but Zeon adopted the designs of the more agile and versatile mobile suit designed by the Zeonic Company .

At the beginning of the war, Zeon had a renewed interest in the mobile armour concept and the MIP-X1 design was improved to eventually become the MA-05 Bigro. Limited units were produced due to the high cost of the Bigro. The mobile armour distinguished itself in anti-warship duties during the war due to its high speed hit and run capabilities.

Ace pilot Tokwan attached to the Zanzibar piloted a Bigro. Three Bigro units were on duty for Zeon during the battle of A Baoa Qu. The Earth Federation deployed a captured Bigro in the Delaz Conflict in UC 0083 with Captain Ewen Bader as its pilot.

The MA-05R Big Ruf and the MA-05Ad Big Rang were two variants of the Bigro developed during the war.

MA-05 Bigro

Production overview

Model number: MA-05

Code name: Bigro

Type: Mass production space combat mobile armour

Completed: UC 0079

First deployment: 10 November UC 0079

Manufacturer: MIP Company

Operator: Principality of Zeon, Earth Federation

Developed from

MIP-X1

Developed into

MA-06 Val Walo

Variants:

MA-05R Big Ruf

MA-05Ad Big Rang

General characteristics

Crew: Pilot only

Cockpit: Standard with linear seat cockpit in main body

Head height: 45.5 m

Total height: 26.3 m

Empty weight: 125.5 t

Gross weight: 229.8 t

Armour: Super hard steel alloy

Sensors: Custom

Sensor range: 111,000 m

Performance

Power plant: Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor

Power output: 17,800 kW

Propulsion: Rocket thrusters: 136,100 kg total

Max speed: Unknown

180° turn time: 1.3 s

Thrust-to-weight ratio: 0.59 G

Armaments

Fixed

‣ 2 x claw

‣ 1 x large mega particle cannon

‣ 2 x four-tube missile launcher

Design

The Principality of Zeon improved on the MIP-X1 mobile armour design from the MIP Company to create the MA-05 Bigro. Zeon engineers added a pair of large claws to give it limited Active Mass Balance Auto Control (AMBAC) ability. It used a mono-eye sensor that was prevalent in the Zeon mobile suits.

The Bigro’s twin rocket thrusters gave it remarkable speed and acceleration. Its short body and AMBAC ability made it highly mobile, with an impressive 180-degree turn time of 1.3 seconds.

The mobile armour was equipped with a Minovsky particles scattering system for electronic countermeasure (ECM) purposes. It is powered by a high output Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor.

Like the other mobile weapons of its time, the Bigro had super hard steel alloy armour. It had a standard cockpit with linear seat in its body. Its custom sensors that boosted its detection range to an astounding 111,000 metres.

Armaments

The Bigro could only use its fixed weapons in battle. It used its claws for close-range combat and had ranged weapons built into its body.

Claws

It had a pair of claws that it could use to grapple its enemy in close range. The sharp claws coupled with the momentum from the Bigro’s speed meant that the claws had a deadly thrust.

Mega particle cannon

A large scattering mega-particle cannon was mounted on the Bigro’s main body. The cannon had enough power to destroy a battleship with a single shot. A retractable cover concealed the cannon when not in use.

Four-tube missile launchers

A four-tube missile launcher mounted in the Bigro’s body just behind the mega particle cannon provided the mobile armour with a ranged weapon. The missiles played an important role when the Bigro had to wait for its main cannon to cool down and charge in between shots.

Known pilots

Behind the scenes

Kunio Okawara was the original mechanical designer.

Appearances

Anime

Manga

Games