Suicide Gekko

Suicide Gekko is suicide variant of the original Gekko, the mass-produced biomechanical fighting vehicles in use during the time of the War Economy in 2014. Like, its original model, they were also produced by AT Corp, and employ a combination of the technologies used in the production of Metal Gear REX and Metal Gear RAY. Unlike the original Gekko, the Suicide Gekko has the abilities of a nuclear demolition charge, as well as designed to be closer in role and armament to an infantry fighting vehicle, with multiple units acting as a coordinated team in support of ground forces.

Physical characteristics
The Suicide Gekko is a variant of the Gekko model designed for self-destruction, consisting of a stripped-down Gekko frame with a nuclear demolition charge located in the head area. They have highly limited offensive abilities for conventional warfare, when compared with the standard model. The Suicide Gekko also have a substantial arming pause before detonation during which they are completely inert, with an audible warning countdown.

The Suicide Gekko communicate in sounds modeled after animals, mooing and bellowing like cows and sometimes chirping like cicadas like the original model.

Usage
In 2014, the Suicide Gekko units were deployed in Shadow Moses and arrived just after Old Snake defeated Vamp. Just as several units were about to self-destruct, Raiden arrived and saved Snake. While Raiden and Vamp engaged in knife compact for their final showdown on top of Metal Gear REX, Snake used his railgun to destroy the Suicide Gekkos that were attacking and/or self-destructing. After Raiden's victory over Vamp, Otacon (via the Metal Gear Mk. III) used the reactivated REX's missiles the destroy the oncoming Suicide Gekkos. After Naomi Hunter's death, Snake (with Otacon's directional advice) used REX to escape the facility while Raiden cut a path for Snake and REX. While Snake and REX were able to get away, the combinated blasts from the Suicide Gekkos caused the building to fall on Raiden.

Behind the scenes
The term "gekkou" comes from 月光, the Japanese word meaning "moonlight", while the U.S. codename "IRVING" stems from the American codename for the Nakajima J1N "Gekko" twin-engine night fighter aircraft from WWII. During an interview, Hideo Kojima stated that the Gekko were not the titular Metal Gear of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, stating that they are more like a jeep or a tank compared to the actual Metal Gear.

The weapons mounting of a Gekko is similar, but not identical to, the M151 Remote Weapon Station used by real-life armoured vehicles. It is unclear how a Gekko's heavy weapons are restocked, since it has no obvious capacity for reloading its own weapons in the field; presumably they must withdraw once the fixed armament is depleted, though in the context of the game they have infinite ammunition.

Gameplay
Gekko are heavily armored and highly agile, capable of making great leaps, swift sprints and climbing vertical walls. They are capable of attacking with their legs, their whip-like manipulation arms and whatever mounted weaponry they have, which typically consists of at least one machine gun housed in the "beak", and may also include machine guns on the shoulders and anti-tank missiles. Some examples also mount a white electronic warfare device on one of the shoulder hardpoints; this is capable of spoofing incoming missiles, sending them off-course or detonating them prematurely.

Be wary when hiding from a Gekko, as if it is aware of Old Snake's approximate location, after a while it will produce a hand grenade with its manipulator tentacle and throw it.

Gekko are vulnerable to immobilization following damage to their legs; one leg damaged will immobilize the Gekko but still allow it to pivot its head to fire, while both will render it completely helpless temporarily. The actual vulnerable point on a Gekko is on the top of its head near the sensor unit; shots to this area with any weapon will damage it. Anti-tank missiles and RPGs will damage a Gekko regardless of aim, though if not immobilized it may dodge them.

It is extremely easy to destroy a Gekko with the railgun, as the projectile typically travels too quickly for them to dodge, and a single fully charged shot to any part of the head will kill a Gekko instantly. It is also possible to tranquilize a Gekko. It takes about four to five shots on the front of the legs and one to two in the back of the knee of the Gekko using the tranquilizer gun. It's best to take caution when combating a Gekko because even though it's machine guns will not kill you instantly, a kick from the Gekko's legs can.

Appearances

 * Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots