RAS-96 Anksha

The RAS-96 Anksha was a transformable general purpose mobile suit developed by Anaheim Electronics as the successor to the NRX-044 Asshimar.

The “R” in the model code meant it was a Federation model, the “AS” indicated it was an Asshimar-type mobile suit, and the “96” denoted its development in UC 0096.

History

The RAS-96 Anksha was developed as the successor to the NRX-044 Asshimar used by the Earth Federation Forces and the Titans during the Gryps Conflict in UC 0087. However, the Anksha shared many interior components with the RGM-89 Jegan. This enhanced maintenance and production efficiency, as well as reduced manufacturing cost.

To streamline production and maintenance, the Anksha was designed to be compatible with the standards of the Earth Federation Forces’ current mass production mobile suit, the RGM-89 Jegan. The Anksha specialised in high altitude unassisted flight in Earth’s atmosphere.

In UC 0096, the Anksha was developed and produced by Anaheim Electronics for the Earth Federation Forces. A squadron of Anksha were stationed aboard the Garuda-class carrier Garuda during the Laplace Conflict.

Several Ankshas were deployed when the Garencieres attacked the Garuda. Some of the Ankshas supported the RX-0 Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee and attacked the RX-0 Unicorn Gundam, while the others attacked the Garencieres in an attempt to destroy the Zeon freighter. Most of the Ankshas deployed by the Garuda were damaged or destroyed during the battle.

Several Ankshas were later seen providing air cover when Alberto Vist, Martha Vist Carbine, and Ronan Marcenas were heading to the Cheyenne Air Defense Command Base in North America.

In UC 0097, several Ankshas were deployed alongside a FD-03-13 Gustav Karl Type-13 and some RGM-89D-ESC Jegan Type D Escort Types to escort Martha Vist Carbine. Jona Basta and his MSK-008 Dijeh engaged one of the Ankshas in a fierce duel, and managed to heavily damage the transformable mobile suit. However, the Anksha’s pilot refused to give up and continued fighting until the mobile suit was shot down by another Dijeh.

Design

Like the Asshimar, the Anksha was capable of high-altitude atmospheric flight without the help of a sub-flight system while in its mobile armor mode. With the application of magnetic-coating technology on its joints and moving parts, the Anksha could transform between mobile suit and mobile armor modes in a matter of seconds. The Anksha was able to serve as a sub-flight system for other mobile suits in the same fashion as a Base Jabber. It was also able to respond flexibly to high-altitude interceptor missions.

Unlike the Asshimar and more like Federation suits of the era, the Anksha abandoned its predecessor’s mono-eye sensor in favour of the typical compound sensor unit as seen on the Jegan and RGZ-95 ReZEL. Similar to the Asshimar, the head was equipped with internal differential pressure sensors and air traffic control radar.

Other enhancements made to the Anksha from the Asshimar’s original design included a larger number of stabilizers and flight-surfaces, increasing the unit’s stability during flight. The suit also incorporated technology from ORX-005 Gaplant in the form of the forearm-mounted movable shield binders which also contained the suit’s beam rifles.

The Anksha had an ultracompact Minovsky fusion reactor that generated an output of 2,200 kW. It had rocket thrusters that generated 79,600 kg of total thrust. The mobile suit had a standard cockpit in its torso with a panoramic monitor and linear seat.

Armaments

The Anksha’s standard weapons were twin beam rifles integrated into its movable shield binders, and twin beam sabers for melee combat.

Vulcan guns

A pair of shell-firing weapons built into the head. Though not powerful, their high rate of fire meant they were employed to intercept incoming missiles and provide close-range defensive fire.

Beam rifles

The Anksha’s beam rifles were integrated into the forearm-mounted movable shield binders and directly connected to the suit’s generator, improving their output. The beam rifles were operable in both mobile suit and mobile armor modes, providing versatility in combat.

Beam sabers

The standard close range armament for most Federation mobile suits. The beam saber was a small device held in the mobile suit’s hands when operated and was powered by a rechargeable energy capacitor. It emitted a blade of plasma contained by an I-Field and could cut through any armor not treated with anti-beam coating. The Anksha was equipped with two beam sabers stored in the knees.

Movable shield binders

Derived from the equipment of the same name on the ORX-005 Gaplant, these forearm-mounted binders enhanced the Anksha’s aerial mobility while in mobile armor mode and could function as shields. These binders also housed the Anksha’s beam rifles and could rotate about their forearm mounts.