The GAT-X105E Strike E was a Mobile Suit introduced in the manga Mobile Suit Gundam SEED C.E. 73 Δ Astray.
Technology & Combat Characteristics[]
An improved variant of the GAT-X105 Strike Gundam, the Strike E was developed as part of the Actaeon Project, an Earth Alliance mobile suit development project led by Actaeon Industries. The E in its name stood for "Enhanced".[1] While maintaining the basic performance of the original Strike, major improvements were made to operability and power saving, and together with the improved control AI, Strike E had became a machine that was extremely easy to pilot even for Naturals.[2][3]
As with the original Strike, the Strike E's greatest characteristic was the ability to mount Striker Packs, allowing it to reduce unnecessary weight by switching to different loadouts depending on the mission. Unlike the original Strike, however, the Strike E was equipped with Variable Phase Shift armor, allowing the power supply to its Phase Shift armor to be adjusted depending on which Striker Pack is equipped.[1] In addition, the Strike E was equipped with a power extender developed by Morgenröte, increasing its operational time.[2][4]
Due to the use of an improved head-mounted CIWS and an enhanced integrated sensor system, its head layout was redesigned. Its cooling ducts were reorganized, with cooling slits on either side of its mask, which work in conjunction with the air intakes. Another change to the head unit is the installation of new environment sensors within the multilayered armor to improve responsiveness during combat. Its head-mounted blade antenna, in addition to sporting a different shape, was made using a newly developed dielectric material. This was an update to support the short range digital burst communication system used by Phantom Pain, which increased data linking reliability with wingmates during close combat.[2]
Its four limbs were equipped with new anchor launchers, which had a variety of uses, from maneuvering to striking or capturing enemy mobile suits. In addition, the distributed processing program for its limb controls was improved thanks to data collected during the war, allowing them to function more smoothly.[1] Finally, the Strike E was equipped with a pair of newly developed handgun-sized beam rifles called M8F-SB1 Beam Rifle Shorty.[2]
The Strike E's shoulders were equipped with additional sub-thrusters. Because of these, it was unable to equip the Sword Striker and the Launcher Striker due to the sub-thrusters interfering with shoulder-mounted equipment. As such, new versions of the two Striker Packs, the Another Trial Sword Striker and the Another Trial Launcher Striker, were developed specifically for it.[4]
Armaments[]
- M2M5 "Todesschrecken" 12.5mm Automatic CIWS
- A pair of shell-firing armament built into the head. Compared to its predecessor, the "Igelstellung", the caliber of the "Todesschrecken" was vastly reduced due to its role as an anti-personnel and light vehicle weapon, instead prioritizing ammo capacity.[5] Due to the change in ammunition, its rate of fire was higher than its predecessor.[2]
- M8F-SB1 Beam Rifle Shorty
- A shortened, more compact version of a full-sized beam rifle. The Beam Rifle Shorty was essentially a mobile suit-sized handgun. It was designed to maximize maneuverability during close combat. However, since the barrel length, which was vital for beam convergence and direction, was massively reduced, its effective range was reduced by 15% compared to the full-sized model.[2] The Strike E carried a pair of these weapons on its side skirt armor.
- 57mm High-Energy Beam Rifle
- One of two optional beam rifles that Strike E can use. It is the same beam rifle as used by the GAT-X105 Strike Gundam.
- 57mm High-Energy Beam Rifle w/ 175mm Grenade Launcher
- The other optional beam rifle that Strike E can use. Originally developed for the GAT-X102 Duel Gundam, this was the OMNI Enforcer's oldest model of directed energy weapon. Due to its use by ZAFT pilot Yzak Joule, the weapon was well-regarded by both the OMNI Enforcer and ZAFT. In particular, its ability to fire both beam and grenades was highly praised by experienced pilots. As such, despite being a prototype weapon, this weapon's production number rivaled mass production weapons.[2]
Special Equipment & Features[]
- Power Extender
- Developed by Morgenröte, the power extender, as its name suggested, was a power pack enhancement system that extended the operating time of the mobile suit.[2][6]
- Like its predecessor, the Strike E includes hardpoints for Striker Packs. While it can mount both the old and new Striker Packs, the Strike E has a custom pack that is designed specifically for it, which is the "Noir Striker" and results in the GAT-X105E Strike Noir Gundam. Additionally, the Strike E also has a new series of Striker Pack which is called Another Trial. The new Sword Striker now has two beam boomerangs and two rocket anchors, both mounted on specialized packs on the forearms, while the new Launcher Striker has the anti-ship vulcan and gun launchers relocated to a modified backpack as Strike E cannot mount them on the shoulder.
- A new version of Phase Shift armor with greater energy efficiency. The voltage applied to the armor can be adjusted, and this changes the armor's strength and color to meet the needs of the mobile suit and its pilot. These settings can change automatically if programmed beforehand. Strike E's Variable Phase Shift armor changes its colors according to the Striker Pack it is equipped with at the moment, but this only applies to the Noir Striker and Another Trial Striker Packs.
- EQS1358 Rocket Anchor
- A rocket-propelled anchor of the model EQS1358 is mounted in each hand, and in the front and back of each sole, for a total of six. These anchors can be used for various purposes, such as for maneuvering or grappling a unit and throwing it over a short distance. The attached cable is coated with a special polymer that allows the pilot to adjust the physical properties (thickness, strength, etc.) of the cable upon firing.
History[]
During the First Alliance-PLANT War, the Earth Alliance's Atlantic Federation created the GAT-X105 Strike Gundam as part of its G Project. After the war, as part of the "Actaeon Project" MS development plan, at least one other Strike Gundam was re-manufactured. This unit was piloted by Phantom Pain pilot, Sven Cal Bayang, in the form of GAT-X105+AQM/E-M1 Strike Gundam IWSP. Data collected from Sven's Strike Gundam IWSP eventually lead to the base Strike Gundam being upgraded into the Strike E and later, the GAT-X105E Strike Noir Gundam. An unknown number of Strike Es were produced by Actaeon Industries.
Sven's Strike E seems to be initially equipped with the IWSP, before switching over to the Noir Striker. Sven's unit often operated as part of a special combat platoon with three or more other mobile suits, including the GAT-X1022 Blu Duel Gundam and GAT-X103AP Verde Buster Gundam. Phantom Pain also had at least two more Strike Es for testing the Another Trial Striker Packs. These two units are later used by Phantom Pain pilots, Dana Snip and Emilio Bloderick.
Another unit, piloted by Lukas O'Donnell, appeared alongside Xist Elwes and his ZGMF-515 CGUE, as a backup for the Serpent Tail and Alliance forces stationed in East Asia's Forest Preserve No. 13. Lukas used his unit several times to fight against ZAFT forces stationed in the area.
Variants[]
Gallery[]
Linearts[]
Notes & Trivia[]
- While the Strike E technically debuted in Mobile Suit Gundam SEED C.E. 73: STARGAZER as the base unit of the Strike Noir, detailed background for it did not exist until the Δ Astray manga. Notably, the High Grade Gundam SEED Strike Noir Gundam instruction manual, released before Δ Astray, simply referred to Strike Noir's base unit as "X105E Noir".
Appearances[]
- OVAs and ONAs
- Mobile Suit Gundam SEED C.E. 73: STARGAZER
- Episode 1, STAGE 1
- First Appearance (as Strike Noir)
- Episode 1, STAGE 1
- Manga
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Master Grade GAT-X105E Lukas's Strike E + I.W.S.P. (2008) instruction manual
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Master Grade GAT-X105E Strike Noir Gundam (2007) instruction manual
- ↑ Great Mechanics Special O.M.N.I Enforcer Gundam GAT Series & Orb Union Mobile Suit, p.27 (2020)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny - MS Encyclopedia, p.106 (2008)
- ↑ High Grade Gundam SEED Blu Duel Gundam (2006) instruction manual
- ↑ HGSEED MBF-02 Strike Rouge + I.W.S.P. (2004) instruction manual
External links[]