ZGMF-X56S Impulse Gundam
General and Technical Data
Model number: ZGMF-X56S
Code name: Impulse Gundam
Unit type: prototype multi-mode mobile suit
Manufacturer: ZAFT (Zodiac Alliance of Freedom Treaty)
Operator: ZAFT
First deployment: 2 October C.E. 73
Accommodation: pilot only, in standard cockpit in torso using
YFX-M56 Core Splendor
Dimensions: overall height 17.76 meters
Weight: max gross weight 63.54 metric tons
Construction: 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
Minerva
Fixed armaments: 2 x MMI-GAU25A 20mm CIWS, fire-linked, mounted in
chest; 2 x M71-AAK "Folding Razor" anti-armor knife, stored in hip
armor, hand-carried in use; MMI-RG59V mobile shield, mounted on
left arm
Optional fixed armaments: see ZGMF-X56S/α Force Impulse
Gundam,
ZGMF-X56S/β Sword Impulse Gundam, ZGMF-X56S/γ Blast Impulse
Gundam
Optional hand armaments: MA-BAR72 high-energy beam rifle, power
rating unknown
Technical and Historical Notes
In the postwar era, ZAFT unveils its "second stage" of advanced new
Gundam mobile suits. One of these units is the ZGMF-X56S Impulse
Gundam, which is ZAFT's equivalent of the Earth Alliance's famous
GAT-X105 Strike Gundam. Like the Strike Gundam, the Impulse Gundam
can adapt to various mission roles through the use of several
Silhouette packs. However, the Impulse Gundam differs from the
Strike Gundam in that its construction is modular. The central
piece of the Impulse's body is the YFX-M56 Core Splendor fighter,
which transforms and serves as the mobile suit's cockpit. The Core
Splendor can dock with the Chest Flyer and Leg Flyer via laser lock
to form the complete mobile suit. In the event of damage, the Chest
or Leg Flyer can be ejected and replaced. A laser lock is also used
to dock the Impulse Gundam with its three Silhouette packs. The
Impulse Gundam features Variable Phase Shift (VPS) armor, which
changes color depending on which Silhouette pack is in use. Because
the Junius Treaty bans the use of N-Jammer Cancelers in mobile
suits, ZAFT develops the deuterion beam energy supply system to
recharge a mobile suit's battery. When the Impulse Gundam's energy
runs low, it can receive the incoming energy beam from its
mothership Minerva and completely recharge its battery. This new
system allows longer combat time. In its basic configuration, the
Impulse Gundam's armaments include two vulcan guns, two folding
combat knives and a beam rifle.
The Impulse Gundam is assigned to "ZAFT red" elite pilot Shinn
Asuka and makes it combat debut on October 2, C.E. 73 when three
Alliance pilots infiltrate ZAFT's Armory One PLANT and steal three
new prototype Gundam units. Following their escape, Shinn's
mothership Minerva begins an immediate pursuit. However, their
pursuit of the mysterious battleship Girty Lue in interrupted when
a group of extremist Coordinators attempt to drop the remains of
Junius Seven on Earth. The "Break the World" incident triggers a
new war between the Alliance and ZAFT. In this new conflict,
Shinn's Impulse Gundam plays a critical role in battles at the Orb
Union and in the Middle East on the front lines against the
Alliance.
Miscellaneous Information
Pilot(s): Shinn Asuka, Lunamaria Hawke
