STTS/F-400 Murasame Kai (2025)

The STTS/F-400 Murasame Kai (ムラサメ改) is a mobile suit introduced in the animated film Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom.

Technology & Combat Characteristics[]

An upgraded version of the MVF-M11C Murasame, while the basic frame and weapons remain unchanged, the shape and transformation mechanism have been significantly updated.^[1] In addition to being a part of the Archangel's fighting force, the Murasame Kai is also used by the Orb National Defense Force as their mainstay frontline mobile suit.^[1]

Armaments[]

• M2M5DE 12.5mm CIWS

A pair of rapid-fire point-defense guns mounted on the head, used to destroy lightly armored targets and incoming ordnance.

• Type 72 Beam Saber "Kanayago"

The Murasame Kai's primary close-combat armament.

• Type 73 High-Energy Beam Rifle "Honoikazuchi"

The successor to the old Type 72 Kai beam rifle, this is the Murasame Kai's primary ranged weapon held on the right hand. It is usable in both mobile suit and mobile armor modes, and in the latter mode the weapon is mounted on the right side skirt armor.

• Type 73 Assault Shield Beam Cannon "Iwatsusunowo"

A beam cannon mounted on the rear tail stabilizer, which can only be used in MA mode.

• Type 72 SRM

The Murasame Kai has four short-range missile launchers installed on its front skirt armors, which can be used in both MS and MA modes for short-range attacks.

• Type 68 AAM

One of the optional underwing ordnance available to the Murasame Kai, the Type 68 air-to-air missiles are used for engaging airborne targets at range.

• Type 70 ASM

Another optional underwing ordnance, the Type 70 air-to-surface missile is used to attack ground targets.

• Shield

The Murasame Kai carries a physical shield on its left arm able to defend against both kinetic and beam attacks. The shield becomes the nosecone of the MA mode when transformed.

Special Equipment & Features[]

• Mobile Armor Mode

Like its predecessor, the Murasame Kai is capable of transforming into an aerodynamic mobile armor (MA) form that grants it excellent air combat performance. The Murasame Kai can carry more ordnance in MA form via its hardpoints on the wings, improving its ranged bombing and cruising range capabilities.

• Drop Tanks

The Murasame Kai is able to equip two drop tanks under its wings, extending its operational range. They can be jettisoned to reduce weight.

History[]

The Murasame Kai became the main transforming mobile suit used by the Orb National Defense Force, supplanting the MVF-M11C Murasame in service. A squadron of Murasame Kais were also assigned to Compass as the primary mobile suits of the Archangel, with one of them being given to veteran pilot Mu La Flaga who uses a customized version with improved internal turning for enhanced performance. Mu's Murasame Kai would be heavily damaged by the Black Knight Squad during a battle in the Eurasian Federation, though his machine would remain operational long enough for him to evacuate Murrue Ramius from the Archangel moments before its destruction.^[2]

Several Murasame Kais, serving onboard the Orb space warship Kusanagi would later assist Compass in destroying the Kingdom of Foundation-controlled Requiem superweapon.^[2]

Gallery[]

Anime[]

Gunpla[]

Notes & Trivia[]

• Asides from relatively minor changes in its armor and color scheme, the most notable external change of the Murasame Kai from its predecessor is its swept-back wing, from the forward-swept wing of the MVF-M11C Murasame.

• The Murasame Kai lineart from Seed Freedom Official Website looks quite different than the one shown in the movie version.
  • First differences is the design between lineart and 3D Model are are that the shoulder armor, the lineart version is smaller, while the 3D model are bigger.
  • Second the front skirts, the lineart version are more boxier, while the 3D model are angular.
  • Third is ankle armor design, the lineart had less prominent horizontal rectangular design, whereas 3D model version had more prominent rectangular opening.
• The HGCE 1/144 Murasame Kai model kit is modelled after the movie 3D model design rather than the lineart version.

References[]

External links[]

• Profile on the Official Website (Japanese)