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.
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
Variants:
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.