ZGMF-X56S/ζ Gaia Impulse Gundam

ZGMF-X56/ζ Gaia Impulse is a variant of ZGMF-X56S Impulse from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny Astray.

Technology & Combat Characteristics
Unlike the standard forms, the Gaia Impulse is capable of transform into high speed quadruped mode. In order to use this silhouette, Impulse must use special leg flyer, which has large wing binders in place of the Folding Razor knives, each wing binder also housing Vajra beam saber. Gaia Impulse only transform its lower body, leaving its upper body fully functional. Its main armaments are pair of large cannon sword, which can use either as cannon in long range or slashing through enemies as Gaia Impulse run pass them with great speed.

Armaments

 * MMI-GAU25A 20mm CIWS


 * MA-M941 "Vajra" Beam Saber


 * Cannon Sword

System Features

 * Deuterion Beam Energy Transfer System


 * Hardpoints for Silhouette Packs


 * Variable Phase Shift Armor

History
In late CE 73, ZAFT created 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 banned 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. One of these new suits was the Impulse, a multi-role unit similar in concept to the Earth Alliance's old Strike. The Impulse was designed simultaneously with ZAFT's new battleship Minerva, which includes a catapult exclusive to its use. Using this smaller catapult, the Impulse launches with its modules divided, while combining in flight.

The idea behind Impulse was based on how many battles in the first war were weight greatly by skill of single ace pilot. By building a MS that can perform various roles, it's possible to let single ace pilots to operate in many different situations. In addition to standard Silhouete Pack, more packs are design to allow Impulse to operate in specify role. One of them is the ζ Gaia Silhouette, whcih focus on ground combat by utilizing high speed quadruped form. However, the developers figure out that Gaia Silhouette isn't very effective for its purpose. Thus the plans was scraped and redesign into separate MS, the ZGMF-X88S Gaia.