Technology & Combat Characteristics
The GAT-X303AA Rosso Aegis Gundam is a modified GAT-X303 Aegis Gundam produced as part of the "Actaeon Project", a joint development between several companies led by Actaeon Industries and Phantom Pain. Like the the original Aegis, the Rosso Aegis is a transformable mobile suit that can switch between "MS mode", "MA cruise mode" and "MA attack mode". The "AA" in its model number stands for "Advanced Acceleration", and fittingly, the MA modes of the Rosso Aegis have improved mobility thanks to the pair of newly added wing binders on its back. These binders also allow Rosso Aegis to transform into three new modes: "Flight mode", "Shooting mode", and "Multi-leg mode".
In Flight mode, the wing binders are positioned above the shoulders and mimic the Jet Striker equipment, allowing Rosso Aegis to fly in the atmosphere while in MS mode. The Shooting mode allows Rosso Aegis to fire the hidden beam cannon while in MS mode by lifting up the front torso section, which cannot be done in the original Aegis. Furthermore, the cannon's beam is bendable due to the magnetic field generators mounted in the wing binders, which can be positioned at the sides of the cannon. For "Multi-leg mode", the Rosso Aegis retains the use of the MS mode's upper body while having the mobility of a four-legged MA. In this mode, the legs are bent close to 90° while the wing binders are flipped upside down, with the top components morphing into an additional set of feet.
While the new modes enhanced the Rosso Aegis' combat capabilities, they also caused in its internal structure to be more complex and is thus a source of concern. Additionally, the pilot needs to have a higher level of skill so as to use the different modes effectively. Another modification to the Rosso Aegis is the replacement of the Aegis' side binders with normal side armors. Besides the torso-mounted beam cannon, the Rosso Aegis' other weapons included beam sabers built into its limbs, and a handheld beam rifle. The Rosso Aegis is protected by Variable Phase Shift armor, and although it is battery powered, Phantom Pain plans to convert it into a nuclear powered unit and has already set aside a space in the MS for doing so.
History
During the First Alliance-PLANT War, the Earth Alliance collaborated with Orb Union's Morgenröte in creating their own series of mobile suits. One such unit produced under this so-called G Project was the GAT-X303 Aegis Gundam, which, together with three other units, was stolen by ZAFT in CE 71. After the war, as part of the "Actaeon Project" MS development plan, another Aegis was re-manufactured and piloted by Phantom Pain pilot, Emilio Bloderick. This unit was later upgraded into the GAT-X303AA Rosso Aegis Gundam.
Dispatched against the Martian visitors in the Second Alliance-PLANT War, the Rosso Aegis and the GAT-X207SR Nero Blitz gained the upper hand against their opponents, but the table was turned when repeated provocation by the MMF-JG73L ∇'s pilot Ergnes Brahe caused Emilio to go berserk. After both Rosso Aegis and Nero Blitz were defeated, their wreckages were retrieved by the Junk Guild and examined.
