Raider Gundam
The Raider Gundam, designated GAT-X370, is a transformable mobile suit featured in Mobile Suit Gundam SEED. Developed by the Atlantic Federation and the National Defense Industry Association as part of the second-stage GAT-X series, the unit is piloted by the Biological CPU Clotho Buer. Built specifically for high-speed assault tactics, it seamlessly transforms into a Mobile Armor mode to confuse enemy forces before closing in for decisive strikes. Serving alongside the Calamity Gundam and Forbidden Gundam, it acts as a primary strike unit for the Earth Alliance forces.
Overview
The Raider Gundam, designated GAT-X370, is a transformable mobile suit featured in Mobile Suit Gundam SEED. Developed by the Atlantic Federation and the National Defense Industry Association as part of the second-stage GAT-X series, the unit is piloted by the Biological CPU Clotho Buer. Built specifically for high-speed assault tactics, it seamlessly transforms into a Mobile Armor mode to confuse enemy forces before closing in for decisive strikes. Serving alongside the Calamity Gundam and Forbidden Gundam, it acts as a primary strike unit for the Earth Alliance forces.
Appearance
The Raider Gundam features a transformable frame that switches between a humanoid Mobile Suit form and a bird-like Mobile Armor form. Its head includes an energy cannon mounted directly in the mouth area beneath its camera. The unit is fitted with broad wings, shoulder armors containing machine guns, and a backpack with a machine gun at its tip. Large claws attached to the waist side skirts sit inside the main wings during Mobile Suit mode and underneath the fuselage in Mobile Armor mode. It also carries a shield integrated with a twin-barreled cannon and a spiked metallic sphere linked to a wire.
Personality
Reflecting its design focus on surprise assault, the unit relies on high-speed hit-and-run tactics to disrupt enemy formations. In battle, its operational style is defined by relentless close-quarters aggression, utilizing its mobility to attack targets from unexpected angles before retreating rapidly. Driven by its pilot Clotho Buer's volatile and provocative demeanour, the machine engages adversaries with frantic, unpredictable maneuvers that leave little room for retaliation.
Abilities
The Raider Gundam is equipped with the 100mm energy cannon Zorn in its mouth, allowing head-directed beam strikes. Its primary melee weapon, the Mjolnir spiked sphere, uses high-density compressed material to crush Phase Shift armor, while its beam-coated wire can be swung to deflect incoming beam and physical projectiles. For defense and rapid fire, it wields the 2-barrel 52mm shield cannon in both forms. MA mode grants access to the backpack-mounted 80mm M417 machine gun and shoulder-mounted 76mm M2M3 machine guns. Additionally, its waist claws house the short-range plasma cannon Ahura Mazda and possess enough strength to restrain enemy units or transport allied mobile suits.
Background
Developed by the Atlantic Federation and the National Defense Industry Association, the Raider Gundam was constructed as a customized prototype machine for Biological CPUs ahead of the standard production model GAT-333 Raider, specifically to meet the deadline for the Orb Liberation Operation. Operational data collected from its combat deployment was later incorporated into the GAT-333 project. The unit took part in numerous high-intensity engagements alongside the Calamity Gundam and Forbidden Gundam, severely pressuring both ZAFT and the Three Ships Alliance. Following the sinking of the mothership Dominion, the Raider was eventually destroyed in combat by Yzak Jule's Duel Gundam while attempting to assault the Buster Gundam.
Relationships
The Raider Gundam is piloted by Clotho Buer, a Biological CPU under the Earth Alliance. It frequently operates in tandem with the Calamity Gundam (piloted by Orga Sabnak) and the Forbidden Gundam (piloted by Shani Andras). In its Mobile Armor form, the Raider frequently serves as a flight transport for the heavy Calamity Gundam. In combat, it faced off against the forces of the Three Ships Alliance, ultimately being brought down by Yzak Jule piloting the Duel Gundam.
Trivia
The name of the Zorn energy cannon derives from the German word for anger, while the Mjolnir breaker is named after the legendary hammer of Thor from Norse mythology. The unit has been released in various plastic model lines, including the 1/144 HG series and the detailed 1/100 FULL MECHANICS line. Notably, when the real-world U.S. stealth bomber B-21 was unveiled with the codename Raider, its sleek wing design led fans to draw comparisons to the Raider Gundam's Mobile Armor form.