The UMF/SSO-3 ASH is a Mobile Suit in the series Gundam SEED Destiny.
Technology & Combat Characteristics
The ASH is ZAFT's newest underwater/amphibious combat MS, and unlike the earlier UMF-4A GOOhN and UMF-5 ZnO, which are not that effective outside of water, the ASH is nearly as effective on land as it is at sea due to its more humanoid design. Similar to its predecessors, the ASH can transform into a MA mode for high-speed underwater movements.
The suit is initially used for covert operations by ZAFT's special ops teams, hence the SSO in its model code, which stands for Support/Special Operations, but it is later put into production for use by normal forces. The ASH is heavily armed, it carries missile launchers on its back, beam cannons on its shoulders, phonon maser cannons on its body as well as machine guns and beam claws on its forearm. Due to its design and weaponry, it is equally adept at long range combat and close range combat.
Armaments
- GMF22SX Prototype Propeller and Multipurpose Missile Launcher
- Mounted on the ASH's back, it is a combination of an propulsion system and missile launcher as indicated by its name. The missile launcher can be loaded with torpedoes or missiles depending on the mission's needs.
- MA-M1217R High-Energy Beam Cannon
- A pair of high energy beam cannons are mounted on each shoulder armor. These beam cannons can be used in MA or MS mode, but for the latter, the shoulder armor has to be folded down like the MA mode before the beam cannons can be used.
- Type PJP3 Dual Phonon Maser Cannon
- The dual phonon maser cannon is mounted in the body, surrounded by the monoeye track. The phonon maser cannon is a versatile sonic weapon that is unaffected by water, allowing it to function as a effective weapon both on land and in the sea.
- M47 23mm Dual Machine Gun
- Mounted in each forearm, the dual machine guns are mainly for restricting enemy movements, to intercept incoming missiles or to destroy weakly armored enemy units.
- MX-RQB505 Beam Claw
- The ASH's arms are equipped with lethal close-combat weapons instead of normal manipulators, in the form of a pair of beam claws.
Special Equipment & Features
- Self-Destruct System
- When used by the special ops team, the ASH is equipped with a Self-Destruct System. This allows the pilot to destroy the MS in case it can not be brought back to base, preventing any secrets from falling into the enemy's hand.
History
The ASH is first seen when a ZAFT special operations force is sent to secretly kill Lacus Clyne. They manage to destroy the Athha estate, but are thwarted by Kira Yamato in the ZGMF-X10A Freedom Gundam. To prevent themselves from being captured and interrogated, the ASH pilots all self-destructed their units.
Later, several ASHs, sporting a new dark gray color scheme, are used in both the attack on LOGOS headquarters at Heaven's Base in Iceland and the invasion of Orb.
Gallery
Notes & Trivia
- The ASH was repeatedly depicted as firing beams from its machine guns. This error was not fixed even in the HD Remaster.
External links