Technology & Combat Characteristics

The Rud-ro.A, also known as the "Roa", is an advanced high-performance mobile suit developed by the Kingdom of Foundation using ZAFT technology, built in small numbers as the mainstay unit of the Black Knight Squad. It utilizes many advanced technologies, such as the new Femto Technology Armor to defend against beam weaponry.

Each Rud-ro.A unit can be accompanied by multiple ZGMF-1017Q GINN-R or AMF-101Q/4 DINN-R unmanned drone mobile suits, which are controlled from the Rud-ro.As to act as wingmen. To facilitate this, each Rud-ro.A unit can from their eyes which can "paint" a target for their drone companions to attack.

History

In C.E. 74, after the Second Alliance-PLANT War, the Black Knight Squad Rud-ro.A "Spinel" engaged and disabled a hijacked ZGMF-X20A Strike Freedom Gundam, in an incident that earned the Kingdom of Foundation the gratitude of the Orb Union for resolving the incident.

In C.E.75, the Black Knight Squad's Black Knight Squad Rud-ro.A units deployed during a joint operation between the Foundation, the Eurasian Federation, and Compass to eliminate a Blue Cosmos base in Eldore. A scheme orchestrated by Orphee Lam Tao gives the Black Knights legal justification to destroy the STTS-909 Rising Freedom Gundam, and the Rud-ro.As sortied to enact their respective missions. The Rud-ro.A's overwhelming technological superiority allowed them to deal a massive blow to Compass' defending forces, not only helping to damage the Rising Freedom beyond repair, eliminating two ZGMF-2025/F GELGOOG Menaces (piloted by former ZGMF-XX09T DOM Trooper pilots Mars Simeon and Herbert Von Reinhard, respectively), and destroying the STTS-808 Immortal Justice Gundam, but also sinking the LCAM-01XA Archangel. All four Rud-ro.A units escaped before a nuclear missile destroyed the battlefield.

The Black Knights' Rud-ro.As would sortie again to defend Requiem against the forces of the LHM-BB03S Millennium. All four Rud-ro.A units would be intercepted by Shinn Asuka's ZGMF/A-42S2 Destiny Gundam Spec II and Hilda Harken's GELGOOG Menace. After an extended battle where neither side had the upper hand, Shinn unleashed the Destiny Spec II's unique capability to create a swarm of afterimages, which Hilda took advantage of to destroy Redelard Tradoll's Black Knight Squad Rud-ro.A "Garnet". This caused the remaining three Black Knights to fall into disarray, giving Shinn the opportunity to destroy all three remaining Rud-ro.A units in rapid succession.