Sword Impulse

The ZGMF-X56S/β Sword Impulse Gundam is a Mobile Suitin the series Gundam SEED Destiny.

Contents  [show]

Technology & Combat Characteristics

The ZGMF-X56S/β Sword Impulse is the ZGMF-X56S Impulseequipped with the β Sword Silhouette pack and is designed to serve as a close quarters mobile suit. As with most of the Impulse's technology the system was derived from the Earth Alliance's GAT-X105 Strike, specifically the GAT-X105+AQM/E-X02 Sword Strike. The primary difference is that the Sword Impulse is equipped two anti-ship swords, two beam boomerangs, and the grappling claw was removed. Additionally because of the Impulse's design whenever the chest flyer is launched it is equipped with the Impulse's shield and beam rifle. Though the shield remains in its folded state and the beam rifle is usually stored on the back of the waist in favor of the close quarters weapon, both items are easy to use, giving the Sword Impulse grater attack and defense capabilities when compared to the Sword Strike. Because of the dangers and weapons involved in close combat the VPS armor value is set for high defensive capabilities, signified by its light red color scheme.

Armaments

• "Excalibur" Anti-ship swords

The Sword Silhouette mounts two large MMI-710 "Excalibur" anti-ship swords, which are similar to the sword used on the GAT-X133 Sword Calamity. As the name implies, these swords are mainly used to attack ships in space and naval ships on Earth, although they can also be used against mobile suits and even used as a throwing weapon as seen when Shin battles the 3 Extendeds in Armory One. The swords can also combine to create a large dual-bladed ambidextrous form.

• "Flash Edge" Beam boomerangs

Similar to the old ZGMF-X09A Justice, the Sword Silhouette also mounts two RQM60 "Flash-Edge" beam boomerangs for added ranged combat.

• 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.

• 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-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. It usually is rather small, 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. When using the Sword Silhouette pack, the armor automatically takes a red, white, and black color scheme, which is the strongest variation of the Variable Phase Shift armor. This is due to the fact that the Sword Impulse mainly uses weapons with few energy requirements while at the same time fighting enemies at close range.

• 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/β Sword Impulse Gundam
Unit Type Prototype Close Quarters Combat Mobile Suit
Appearances
Anime	GSD
Profile
Model Number	ZGMF-X56S/β
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	19.37 meters
Standard Weight	78.93 metric tons
Power-plant	Ultracompact Energy Battery
Pilot Accommodations	Pilot only, cockpit in chest using YFX-M56S Core Splendor
Armor	Variable Phase Shift armor
[hide]Armaments 2 x MMI-GAU25A 20mm CIWS  2 x M71-AAK "Folding Razor" anti-armor knife  MMI-RG59V mobile shield  2 x RQM60 "Flash-Edge" beam boomerang 2 x MMI-710 "Excalibur" anti-ship sword MA-BAR72 high-energy beam rifle
[hide]Special Equipments and Features Deuterion Beam Energy Transfer System  Hardpoint  (for Silhouette packs) Core Splendor cockpit system