The ZGMF-X56/ε Abyss Impulse is an imaginary variant of the ZGMF-X56S Impulse Gundam introduced in the manga Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny Astray.
Technology & Combat Characteristics[]
The Abyss Impulse Gundam is a theoretical variant of the ZGMF-X56S Impulse Gundam equipped with a Silhouette Pack based off the ZGMF-X31S Abyss Gundam and specialized for underwater combat. In addition to the Impulse Gundam's chest-mounted CIWS, the Abyss Impulse is armed with a handheld beam lance and multiple weapons in the backpack: dual beam cannons, two M68 dual cannons, four guided torpedo launchers, two triple beam cannons. The Abyss Silhouette also provides the Abyss Impulse with a streamlined Mobile Armor Mode, which combined with an alternative Leg Flyer for propulsion, grants it increased speed and manuverability underwater. The Abyss Impulse is equipped with Variable Phase Shift armor that when active, becomes an all blue color scheme, allowing the Abyss Impulse to withstand underwater pressure.
Armaments[]
- MMI-GAU25A 20mm CIWS
- The Abyss Impulse mounts two MMI-GAU25A 20mm CIWS guns in its chest to shoot down incoming missiles or enemy units at close range. Usable only in mobile suit mode.
- M107 "Balaena Kai" Dual Beam Cannon
- An improved version of the ZGMF-X10A Freedom Gundam's M100 "Balaena" Plasma beam cannons, the dual beam cannon is mounted on the suit's back. In mobile suit mode, the dual beam cannon can be used to engage enemy units after flipping upwards, or all the way forward. In mobile armor mode, the dual beam cannon is flipped forward and can be used to shoot enemy units on the water when Abyss Impulse swims close to the surface. The beam cannons can also be flipped upward to shoot at aerial enemy units when the Abyss Impulse swims close to the water surface or alternatively, the Abyss Impulse can leap out of water and shoot at them with the beam cannons. The beam cannons are not used in the water as the environment reduces their power.
- MMI-TT101 Mk9 High-speed Guided Torpedo
- The suit mounts four MMI-TT101 Mk9 high-speed guided torpedo launchers on the shields attached to the sides of the backpack. In mobile suit mode, the shields can swing backwards to fire the torpedos at a target in front of the suit. In mobile armor mode, the launchers are at the front.
- M68 Dual Cannon
- Another long-range weapon of Abyss Impulse are its two M68 Dual Cannon. Mounted on the shields, these cannons can destroy a mobile suit with one shot and can be used in mobile suit and mobile armor mode.
- MA-X223E Triple Beam Cannon
- Abyss Impulse is equipped with two sets of MA-X223Es and they are located on the underside of the suit's shields. They are usable only in MS mode.
- MX-RQB516 Beam Lance
- Similar to the Abyss Gundam, Abyss Impulse is equipped with a handheld lance for close combat. The lance can generate a small beam blade at the end.
Special Equipment & Features[]
- 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.
- An improved version of Phase Shift armor, Variable Phase Shift armor is capable of automatically changing its strength, as well as color and power consumption in the field, although this must be programmed beforehand.
History[]
In late C.E. 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 was 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. Although not implemented, Courtney Heironimus in Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny Astray indicated that with further developments, it could be possible to create new Silhouette Packs based on ZGMF-X24S Chaos Gundam, ZGMF-X31S Abyss Gundam and ZGMF-X88S Gaia Gundam that would allow Impulse to have better performance in specific environment. Upon hearing this, Jess Rabble immediately imagines how ZGMF-X56S/δ Chaos Impulse Gundam, ZGMF-X56S/ε Abyss Impulse Gundam, and ZGMF-X56S/ζ Gaia Impulse Gundam might look like.
Gallery[]
.jpg "Gundam Seed Astray Masters (207).jpg (3.97 MB)")
Notes & Trivia[]
Appearances[]
References[]
External links[]