Technology & Combat Characteristics
The GAT-333 Raider Full Spec is a mobile suit designed for long-range aerial assault and can transform into a flight-capable mobile armor. The GAT-X370 Raider Gundam is a hastily built version of the Raider Full Spec for use by the Biological CPU and enter combat service ahead of its base machine.
One of the Raider Full Specs' features that was omitted from the Raider Gundam's design is the sub-wing, an optional equipment that improves the mobile suit's travel range as well as flight capability. Held by the Raider Full Specs' claws, the sub-wing also has hardpoints to mount additional weapons or equipment to lengthen its operation time. Since the use of the sub-wing already enhances the mobile suit's flying capability in the atmosphere, the Raider Full Spec does not need thrusters on its legs like the Raider Gundam. The Raider Full Spec's main turbojet engine also has a higher output and its wings have added leading edge flaps and winglets.
Despite being designed for aerial assault, the Raider Full Spec has no problem functioning in space. When required, it can use an atmospheric re-entry pod during its assault mission. The Raider Full Spec is usually launched from the ground in its mobile armor mode using dedicated catapults and can be launched from water surfaces using a detachable float. In mobile suit mode, vertical take-off is possible, but not recommended as it consumes too much fuel. Some pilots prefer to first let the sub-wing take-off vertically, followed by vertical take-off of the mobile suit and then they combine in mid-air.
The armament of the Raider Full Spec consisted of two autocannons in the shoulders, two claw-mounted machine guns, two handheld machine guns that can be mounted on the sub-wing hardpoints, as well as several AIM-957F "King Cobra" infra-red guided missiles. A later version of the mobile suit, dubbed the 'Raider Full Spec Late Type', has improved anti-mobile suit capabilities thanks to being armed with the same claw-mounted plasma cannons as the Raider Gundam and the ability to use beam rifles.
History
Although the prototype GAT-X370 Raider Gundam was first produced, the GAT-333 Raider Full Spec was the design first developed by the Earth Alliance. After the production of the Raider, the Raider Full Spec was put into limited mass production.
One of the Raider Full Spec's test pilots was EA ace pilot Edward Harrelson, who used the mobile suit in Operation 8.8, an attack on ZAFT's Carpentaria Base on August 8, C.E. 71. When Edward defected from the Alliance to fight for the independence of his home country the United States of South America, he not only stole his GAT-X133 Sword Calamity Gundam, but also one Raider Full Spec unit. During the South American War for Independence, Edward destroyed three Raider Full Specs attacking an USSA military base using his Sword Calamity. He later used his Raider Full Spec to fight against Morgan Chevalier and his GAT-01A1+AQM/E-X04 Gunbarrel Dagger in space. Edward was subsequently defeated and pulled into Earth's gravity field by Morgan, an incident he barely survived.
Another Raider Full Spec was covertly transferred by Muruta Azrael to Orb's Sahaku family. During the Second Alliance-PLANT War, a Raider Full Spec was seen defending the Alliance's Heaven's Base in Iceland. This unit was quickly destroyed by Rey Za Burrel in his more advanced ZGMF-X666S Legend Gundam.
