m0bILE sUIt m0dE In 0rIgInAl c0l0Ur


m0bILE sUIt m0dE In Andy wAltfEld c0l0ur


qUAdrUpEd m0dE In 0rIgInAl c0l0Ur


qUAdrUpEd m0dE In Andy wAltfEld c0l0Ur

Model number(s): ZGMF-X88S (ZAFT); RGX-03 (Earth Alliance)
Code name: Gaia Gundam
Unit type: prototype attack use transformable mobile suit
Manufacturer: Integrated Design Bureau
Operator(s): ZAFT (Zodiac Alliance of Freedom Treaty); Earth Alliance; Three Ships Alliance
First deployment: 2 October C.E. 73
Accommodation: pilot only, in standard cockpit in torso
Dimensions: overall height 17.80 meters (mobile suit mode)
Weight: max gross weight 69.85 metric tons
Armor materials: unknown
Powerplant: ultracompact energy battery, power output rating unknown
Equipment and design features: sensors, range unknown; Variable Phase Shift (VPS) armor; deuterion beam energy supply system, allows for remote recharging of energy with battleship
Fixed armaments: 2 x MMI-GAU25A 20mm CIWS, fire-linked, mounted in head; 2 x MA-M941 "Vajra" beam saber, stored on hips, hand-carried in use; MA-BAR71XE high-energy beam rifle, power rating unknown, stored on main body in quadruped mode, hand-carried in use; MMI-RS1 mobile shield, mounted on left arm; 2 x MA-81R beam assault cannon, mounted on shoulders; 4 x MMI-GAU1717 12.5mm CIWS, mounted on head of quadruped mode, operable only in quadruped mode; 2 x MR-Q17X "Griffon 2" beam blade, mounted on main body, operable only in quadruped mode
Optional hand armaments: none

In the postwar era, ZAFT unveils its "Second Stage" of advanced new Gundam mobile suits. The ZGMF-X88S Gaia Gundam is a transformable unit featuring a quadruped animal mode similar to the TMF/A-802 BuCUE. As with other Gundam designs, the Gaia Gundam is equipped with Phase Shift armor that blocks conventional weapon attacks. Because the Junius Treaty bans the use of N-Jammer Cancelers, ZAFT develops the deuterion beam energy supply system to recharge batteries on the battlefield. When energy reserves are low, the Gaia Gundam can receive an incoming energy beam from its mothership and recharge its batteries. Although the Gaia Gundam transforms into a BuCUE-like alternate form, its armaments are more varied. Weapons include two beam assault cannons, a beam rifle, vulcan guns, beam blades and beam sabers.

For its initial testing, the Gaia Gundam is assigned to ZAFT test pilot Riika Sheder. On October 2, C.E. 73, the Gaia Gundam is stolen from ZAFT's military PLANT Armory One by "biological CPU" Earth Alliance pilot Stella Loussier. After capturing the Gaia Gundam, the Alliance reverse engineers its design and creates the GAT-X399/Q Wild Dagger. On Earth, Stella attacks the Minerva alone when the ship discovers the Alliance lab that created the "biological CPUs" Lodonia, Eastern Europe. After a short battle with ZAFT pilots Shinn Asuka and Athrun Zala, Stella is captured and the Gaia Gundam is returned to ZAFT's custody. The Gaia Gundam is later used by former ZAFT ace pilot Andrew Waltfeld.