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In the anime series Gundam Seed Destiny, ZAFT creates a new series of advanced mobile suits to succeed their previous generation of Gundams, which were all lost in the previous war. Since the Treaty of Junius bans the military use of the Neutron Jammer Canceller, these new Gundams use conventional battery power instead. However, technological improvements over the last two years mean that battery efficiency is improved, and Phase Shift armor is less power intensive than it had once been. To further improve endurance, ZAFT also introduces the new Deuterion Beam Energy Transfer System, which allows a properly equipped battleship to remotely recharge a mobile suit's battery.
One of these new suits is the ZGMF-X56S Impulse Gundam, a multi-role unit similar in concept to the Earth Alliance's old GAT-X105 Strike Gundam. In its basic configuration, the Impulse Gundam is lightly armed, with only chest-mounted CIWS, two "Folding Razor" knives, and a beam rifle. However, its typically goes into battle using one of its three Silhouette packs. In addition to adding weapons and equipment for different mission profiles, these packs also reconfigured the Impulse Gundam's Variable Phase Shift armor.
With the α Force Silhouette, the VPS armor is in standard configuration, resulting in a blue, white, and red color scheme. While the only weapons added are a pair of "Vajra" beam sabers, the Force Impulse Gundam has multiple thrusters for improved mobility and wings for atmospheric flight, making it the most versatile configuration. In addition, in this mode the mobile suit's shield shifts to its expanded mode, which incorporates a beam-deflecting lightwave barrier similar to the Eurasian Federation's Hyperion Gundams.
With the close combat oriented β Sword Silhouette, the VPS armor is set to a strengthened configuration, resulting in a red, white, and black color scheme. The Sword Impulse Gundam's added weapons were two "Flash-Edge" beam boomerangs and two "Excalibur" anti-ship swords. In addition, an extra set of thrusters is added to compensate for the weight of the Silhouette pack, keeping mobility close to that of the basic configuration.
With the long range fire support γ Blast Silhouette, the VPS armor is put in reduced power mode to compensate for the power drain of its heavy weapons, resulting in a black, white, and blue color scheme. The Blast Impulse Gundam's weapons include two large "Kerberos" beam cannons, two "Deluge" railguns, and two 4-tube missile launchers, as well as a pair of "Defiant" beam javelins for short-range defense. While this Silhouette also includes thrusters, its mass renders it the least agile of the Impulse Gundam configurations.
The Impulse Gundam was designed simultaneously with ZAFT's new battleship Minerva, which includes a catapult exclusive to its use. Using this smaller catapult, the Impulse Gundam launches in three parts: the YFX-M56 Core Splendor, the upper body ("Chest Flyer"), and the lower body ("Leg Flyer"), followed by a Silhouette pack. Replacement Silhouettes, or in an emergency a replacement Chest or Leg Flyer, can also be launched if necessary. The Impulse Gundam is piloted by Shinn Asuka, who was selected personally by PLANT Supreme Council Chairman Gilbert Dullindal.
Specifications
ZGMF-X56S Impulse Gundam
Manufacturer: Zodiac Alliance of Freedom Treaty
User: Zodiac Alliance of Freedom Treaty
Unit type: prototype multi-mode mobile suit
Head height: 17.76 m
Weight: Max gross 63.54 t
Special equipment: Variable Phase Shift armor, Deuterion Beam Energy Transfer System, hardpoint for Silhouette packs
Powerplant: Ultracompact energy battery
Armament: MMI-GAU25A 20mm multi-barrel CIWS x2, M71-AAK "Folding Razor" anti-armor knife x2, MA-BAR72 high-energy beam rifle x1, MMI-RG59V mobile shield x1
Pilot: Shinn Asuka
ZGMF-X56S/α Force Impulse Gundam
Manufacturer: Zodiac Alliance of Freedom Treaty
User: Zodiac Alliance of Freedom Treaty
Unit type: prototype multi-mode mobile suit
Head height: 18.41 m
Weight: Max gross 78.30 t
Special equipment: Variable Phase Shift armor, Deuterion Beam Energy Transfer System, hardpoint for Silhouette packs
Powerplant: Ultracompact energy battery
Armament: MMI-GAU25A 20mm multi-barrel CIWS x2, M71-AAK "Folding Razor" anti-armor knife x2, MA-BAR72 high-energy beam rifle x1, MA-M941 "Vajra" beam saber x2, MMI-RG59V mobile shield x1
Pilot: Shinn Asuka
ZGMF-X56S/β Sword Impulse Gundam
Manufacturer: Zodiac Alliance of Freedom Treaty
User: Zodiac Alliance of Freedom Treaty
Unit type: prototype multi-mode mobile suit
Head height: 19.37 m
Weight: Max gross 78.93 t
Special equipment: Variable Phase Shift armor, Deuterion Beam Energy Transfer System, hardpoint for Silhouette packs
Powerplant: Ultracompact energy battery
Armament: MMI-GAU25A 20mm multi-barrel CIWS x2, M71-AAK "Folding Razor" anti-armor knife x2, MA-BAR72 high-energy beam rifle x1, RQM60 "Flash-Edge" beam boomerang x1, MMI-70 "Excalibur" anti-ship sword x2, MMI-RG59V mobile shield x1
Pilot: Shinn Asuka
ZGMF-X56S/γ Blast Impulse Gundam
Manufacturer: Zodiac Alliance of Freedom Treaty
User: Zodiac Alliance of Freedom Treaty
Unit type: prototype multi-mode mobile suit
Head height: 19.21 m
Weight: Max gross 84.68 t
Special equipment: Variable Phase Shift armor, Deuterion Beam Energy Transfer System, hardpoint for Silhouette packs
Powerplant: Ultracompact energy battery
Armament: MMI-GAU25A 20mm multi-barrel CIWS x2, M71-AAK "Folding Razor" anti-armor knife x2, MA-BAR72 high-energy beam rifle x1, M2000F "Kerberos" high-energy long-range beam cannon x2, MMI-M16XE2 "Deluge" hyper-velocity rail cannon x2, GMF-39 4-barrel missile launcher (AGM141 "Firefly" guided missile) x1, MA-M80 "Defiant" beam javelin x2, MMI-RG59V mobile shield x1
Pilot: Shinn Asuka
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