GW:TS - Aries 2

I totally forgot about this one. Originally done for a mechatalk art contest that I hosted and lost miserably, lol.

It is an upgraded Aries created for Gundam Wing: The Sword. Here is the profile:


ESDF-07AMS2 Aries II "Sky Scorcher"
Role: Aerial Weapons Platform Support Mobile Suit
Features: Enhanced communications antenna, flight/hover mode
Fixed Armaments: 80mm chest vulcan x2, planet defenser x8
Options: 200mm Anti-armor Gatling Cannon "Falsetto", GR-240, missile pod, scatter bomb, grenade, Chain rifle
Designers: ESUN R&D
Description:

Outperformed by the Taurus and eclipsed in number by Leos wearing flight packs, the OZ-07AMS Aries soon fell out of favor. In response to new conflicts the Earth Sphere Defense Force repurposed the Aries as a flight capable heavy weapons platform that could support ground units from low altitude. Critics doubted the use of such an expensive and high performance unit, but the A2 soon proved its worth and won favor among ESDF ground troops the world over.

The A2 "Sky Scorcher" uses a similar fuselage to the original Aries but carries a much larger onboard reactor to power all of its functions. To support the large reactor, the size of the mobile suit had to be increased, and the A2 stands much taller than the original, and has a head height close to that of the Tallgeese. The onboard reactor provides power to the A2's large weapons and heat to its thermonuclear jets. All 8 of the A2's jets are increased in size and thrust power, and the MS can maintain flight indefinitely so long as the reactor is functioning. The large thrust power allows the A2 to carry large weapons and heavy payloads and use all of them with high stability. The A2 is much faster than the original Aries, but has low acceleration when fully loaded due to high weight.

The A2's weapons are designed to attack armored ground units and fortifications. It can provide a strong offensive against troops and mobile armors but often requires air support due to low mobility against airborne units. A communications antenna increases the A2's contact range and facilitates communication with allied ground units who can call for the A2 to provide support and take out targets.

Special notes:

200mm Anti-Armor Gatling Cannon "Falsetto": The Falsetto is a weapon specifically designed along with the A2. It has an electric rotary motor powered through the mobile suit's hand plug, and has a variable rate of fire ranging from 2100 to 7000 rounds per minute. The gun has 7 rotating barrels and is air-cooled. It is loaded with a mix of High Incendiary Piercing rounds and High Incendiary Explosive rounds that obliterate ground troops and armored units. The strafing runs performed with this weapon are absolutely devastating. The ammo drum the A2 carries has a 2100 round capacity and can be mounted to either side of the gun so the weapon is ambidextrous.

GR-240: The GR-240 is an automatic grenade launcher hand carried by the A2. It is fed by a belt and box mounted on the wing behind the wielding arm. Each grenade has a blast radius large enough to take out a number of grounded mobile suits. With a fire rate of 240 rounds per minute, the GR-240 is the stuff of nightmares for enemy units. The gun is ambidextrous and can be fired with either hand.

Planet defensers: Because of its heavy weapons and low mobility, the A2 is outfitted with a set of 8 planet defensers to protect it from returning fire while it attacks from fixed hovering positions. The defensers can protect the A2 from ground troops below and also from anti-air units, but the shield can be overwhelmed if the pilot is not cautious. Even with this defense, A2 pilots often prefer to work in teams or to have airborne escorts.

Here are alternate colors and a size comparison:
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Original Aries design by Hajime Katoki.