Force Impulse

ZGMF-X56S/α Force Impulse Gundam is a Mobile Suit in the series Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny. It is analogous to the Earth Alliance's old GAT-X105+AQM/E-X01 Aile Strike Gundam. It is piloted by Shinn Asuka and later by Lunamaria Hawke

Contents  [show]

Technology & Combat Characteristics

Force Silhouette Flyer

The ZGMF-X56S/α Force Impulse is theZGMF-X56S Impulseequipped with the α Force Silhouette pack. As the Force Impulse the mobile suit is designed as a general purpose high mobility combat mobile suit. The α Force Silhouette pack grants the highest speed and maneuverability rating and allows the Impulse to fly under its own power in Earth's atmosphere. For combat the Force Impulse is equipped with a wide selection of weapons including the Impulse's standard chest-mounted CIWS guns, anti-armor knives, mobile shield, and beam rifle and also includes two Vajra beam sabers which are stored in the α Force Silhouette pack.

Armaments

• MA-BAR72 High-energy Beam Rifle

The Impulse usually uses a single MA-BAR72 high-energy beam rifle for ranged combat, a feature similar to most other advanced mobile suits. When not in use, this rifle is stored on the back of the suit, underneath the Silhouette pack

• MA-M941 "Vajra" Beam Sabers

Similar to the old GAT-X105+AQM/E-X01 Aile Strike, the Force Silhouette grants the Impulse access to two "Vajra" beam sabers as additional close combat weapons.

• M71-AAK "Folding Razor" Anti-armor Knife

For close combat, the Impulse is equipped with two M71-AAK "Folding Razor" anti-armor knifes, which are stored in the hip armor of the suit when not in use. While not realy effective against weapons like beam sabers, it is nonetheless capable of cutting into the armor of another mobile suit.

• MMI-GAU25A 20mm CIWS

Like most other mobile suits, the Impulse also mounts two MMI-GAU25A 20mm CIWS guns to shoot down incoming missiles or enemy units at close range. While most other suits have these CIWS guns installed in their heads, the Impulse instead mounts these guns in its chest.

• MMI-RG59V Mobile Shield

For defense, the Impulse mounts a single physical MMI-RG59V mobile shield on its left arm, a feature which is similar to most other suits. The Impulse's shield however is far more advanced than that on most other suits. In its standby mode the shield is folded in on itself, but it can expand and be reinforced by a beam-deflecting energy barrier which grants the shield enhanced defense, even against strong beam attacks.

System Features

• Variable Phase Shift Armor

Variable Phase Shift allows the MS to automatically alter the strength and by extension the power consumption of a Mobile Suit's PS Armor automatically, depending on what combat configuration that MS is in. As a result, the MS's colors changes. Unlike Strike Rouge's color-shifting PS, VPS is capable of changing its strength in the field.

• Deuterion Beam Energy Transfer System

The Deuterion beam energy transfer system is a wireless energy transfer system built into the Second Stage Series and their support ship, the Minerva-class battleship. The system allows a mobile suit that is properly lined up with the Minerva to receive a recharge while in the field, meaning that if the mobile suit runs low on power during a battle it can be quickly recharged without coming into the ship's hanger. The transfer system if very efficient requiring only a few seconds before the mobile suit is fully recharged. Still on a battlefield even a few seconds could mean death so it is advisable for a machine to only perform the maneuver when they have covering fire.

• Hardpoints for Silhouette Packs

While the other suits of the Second Stage series are capable of transforming into a mobile armor mode, the Impulse instead is similar to the Strike in the fact, that it can adapt to different situations by using exchangeable Silhouette packs. In addition to adding weapons and equipment for different mission profiles, these packs also reconfigure the Impulse's Variable Phase Shift armor.

ZGMF-X56S/α Force Impulse Gundam
Unit Type Prototype High Mobility Mobile Suit
Appearances
Anime	GSD
Profile
Model Number	ZGMF-X56S/α
Developed from	ZGMF-X56S Impulse Gundam
First Seen	October 2, 73 C.E.
Manufacturer	Integrated Design Bureau
Operator	ZAFT
Known Pilots	Shinn Asuka Lunamaria Hawke
General Characteristics
Overall Height	18.41 meters
Max Weight	78.3 metric tons
Power-plant	Ultracompact Energy Battery
Pilot Accommodations	Pilot only, cockpit in torso in YFX-M56S Core Splendor
Armor	Variable Phase Shift Armor
[hide]Armaments 2 x MA-M941 "Vajra" Beam Saber  2 x M71-AAK "Folding Razor" Anti-armor Knife  2 x MMI-GAU25A 20mm CIWS  MMI-RG59V Mobile Shield
[hide]Special Equipments and Features Deuterion Beam Energy Transfer System  Hardpoints  (for Silhouette Packs)
[hide]Optional Equipment MA-BAR72 High-Energy Beam Rifle