Gundam Aerial Rebuild
The XVX-016RN Gundam Aerial Rebuild is a mobile suit featured in Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury. Upgraded by Shin Sei Development Corporation after suffering severe damage during a duel with the Grassley House, it is an overhauled version of the original Gundam Aerial. Designated with the "RN" suffix to denote its renewal, the machine retains Suletta Mercury as its primary pilot, while also being operated by Prospera. Reinforced with redesigned exterior armor and specialized high-output weaponry, it represents a combat-optimized iteration built for maximum battle efficiency.
Overview
The XVX-016RN Gundam Aerial Rebuild is a mobile suit featured in Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury. Upgraded by Shin Sei Development Corporation after suffering severe damage during a duel with the Grassley House, it is an overhauled version of the original Gundam Aerial. Designated with the "RN" suffix to denote its renewal, the machine retains Suletta Mercury as its primary pilot, while also being operated by Prospera. Reinforced with redesigned exterior armor and specialized high-output weaponry, it represents a combat-optimized iteration built for maximum battle efficiency.
Appearance
Designed by JNTHED, the Gundam Aerial Rebuild trades the rounded features of its predecessor for a bulkier, more angular, and linear armor structure. Its head features twin pairs of blade antennas, narrowed green eye cameras, and a faceplate with a red motif and traditional vents. The back is equipped with a pair of wing-like flight units, housing two beam sabers mounted on the upper backpack. Glowing shell units are integrated across the torso to reinforce the cockpit region, and the overall height and weight are noticeably increased compared to the original design.
Personality
Beyond being a mechanized weapon, the machine possesses its own sentient awareness due to the consciousness of Ericht Samaya residing within its core. It displays a protective, sisterly affection toward its pilot, Suletta Mercury. While showing decisive dominance during battle, the entity inside the mobile suit ultimately demonstrates selflessness, choosing to disconnect Suletta from its system to spare her from being further drawn into their mother's vengeful plot.
Abilities
Equipped with a wing-like flight pack, the unit achieves enhanced spatial mobility and turning efficiency. Its main Beam Rifle features an extended long-range sniper mode, omitting the previous blade function. The Escutcheon platform consists of 11 GUND-BIT staves that can act as a defensive shield, attach to the body in Bit-on Form, or connect entirely to the Beam Rifle to assemble the high-output GUND-BIT Rifle capable of devastating long-range fire. Auxiliary armaments include head-mounted vulcan guns and twin beam sabers. Utilizing its GUND Format, the machine can exercise spatial control and override opposing enemy remote weapons.
Background
Created after Ericht Samaya's biological consciousness was integrated into a mobile suit following the Vanadis Incident, the machine was initially tested at the Asticassia School of Technology to raise its Permet Score through duels. Following severe damage in combat against the Grassley House, it underwent comprehensive repairs and armor additions by Shin Sei Development Corporation. It subsequently proved its overwhelming power during terror attacks and the Rumble Ring exhibition. Later, as part of an arrangement between Prospera and Miorine Rembran, the suit's functions were remotely shut down during a duel, resulting in its first defeat against Guel Jeturk. After being repaired, it was transported toward Earth to serve as the central pillar of the Quiet Zero initiative.
Relationships
Suletta Mercury is the suit's primary pilot, regarded with affection by the entity Ericht Samaya residing within it. Prospera Mercury treats the machine as her daughter's physical vessel and the centerpiece of her Quiet Zero initiative. Miorine Rembran utilizes the unit as a symbol for GUND-ARM Inc. while taking decisive action to shut it down to free Suletta from its burden. It engages in fierce combat against Earth-aligned GUND-ARM pilots Sophie Pulone and Norea Du Noc, and faces Guel Jeturk's Darilbalde in a pivotal duel.
Trivia
The machine was designed by mechanical artist JNTHED. While officially named Gundam Aerial Rebuild in English materials, characters in the anime typically refer to it simply as Aerial. The mobile suit has been featured across various merchandise lines, including High Grade Gunpla kits, ROBOT魂 figures, G-Frame FA, and Gundam Converge series. Additionally, it appears as a playable unit in video game titles such as Mobile Suit Gundam EXTREME VS. 2 INFINITE BOOST and Super Robot Wars Y.
