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The ZGMF-X56S Impulse Gundam is a mobile suit introduced in the anime Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny. It was initially piloted by Shinn Asuka, and later by Lunamaria Hawke.

Technology & Combat Characteristics[]

The ZGMF-X56S Impulse Gundam is a prototype general-purpose mobile suit developed by ZAFT as part of their Second Stage Series. Unlike other units in the series, the Impulse Gundam is not designed for combat in a specific environment, instead it is designed to adapt to different combat situations by using back-mounted optional equipment packs known as Silhouette packs.

It was designed in this way as many battles in the first war were weight greatly by the skill of a single ace pilot, and ZAFT wanted a high performance suit that can perform various roles to give the single ace pilot the ability to operate in many different situations. The use of Silhouette packs also allows ZAFT to get around the restriction placed on mobile suit number by the Junius Treaty, and the packs themselves can be switched out in mid-battle as they are transported by an automated unit known as the Silhouette Flyer (an improved conceptual version of the Silhouette Flyer exists in the form of DRAGOON Flyer).

The Impulse Gundam is also unique in that it is made up of three different modules. The main module is the small transformable fighter plane, the YFX-M56S Core Splendor which contains the suit's cockpit. The other modules are the Leg Flyer and Chest Flyer, and they can be easily replaced if damaged or destroyed, enabling the suit to stay in combat longer. The Impulse Gundam is in its modular form when on standby or undergoing maintenance. As such, it can only be stored and launched from the battleship Minerva which has a specialized hangar and catapult designed for the suit. The three modules will combine in mid-air after launch and then the Impulse Gundam will receive the Silhouette pack from the Silhouette Flyer.

Weapon wise, the Impulse Gundam is armed with a pair of CIWS guns, two anti-armor knives, a beam rifle and a shield. Like the other units in the Second Stage Series, it is equipped with a new form of Phase Shift armor known as Variable Phase Shift armor, and is powered by a battery that could be recharged during battle using the Deuterion Beam Energy Transfer System. The Variable Phase Shift Armor will change color depending on the Silhouette pack attached to the suit.

Armaments[]

  • MMI-GAU25A 20mm CIWS
The Impulse mounts two physical projectile-firing CIWS guns in its chest and they have excellent rapid-fire capabilities. They are primarily used to intercept incoming missiles or enemy units, and to restrict enemy's movements. They are also capable of penetrating ordinary mobile suit armor in extreme close range.
  • M71-AAK "Folding Razor" Anti-armor Knife
For close combat, the Impulse is equipped with two M71-AAK "Folding Razor" anti-armor knives, which are stored in the suit's side armor when not in use. They are developed based on the data of the GAT-X105 Strike Gundam's combat knives. Its high hardness blade flips out of the handle during use, and can vibrate to enhance cutting capabilities. It can pierce through most armor, except PS armor or its variants, and does not draw power from the suit.
  • MMI-RG59V Mobile Shield
The Impulse can use a physical anti-beam coated MMI-RG59V mobile shield for defense, it can be mounted on the left forearm or handheld. The shield has an unique feature, it is normally in a collapsed form and can expand when required. Whether the shield is used in its collapsed or expanded state depends on the combat situations and which Silhouette pack is in use. The basic Impulse Gundam uses the shield in its expanded state.
  • MA-BAR72 High-energy Beam Rifle
The Impulse uses a MA-BAR72 high-energy beam rifle as its primary ranged weapon. An enhanced version of the ZGMF-X10A Freedom Gundam and the ZGMF-X09A Justice Gundam's beam rifle, it is developed using the ZGMF-X23S Saviour Gundam's beam rifle as the base model. It is designed with the Deuterion Beam Energy Transfer System in mind, and has an excellent balance of offensive power and rapid-fire capabilities. It is stored on the suit's rear skirt armor when not in use.

Special Equipment & Features[]

Variable Phase Shift is the latest version of Phase Shift armor and the most energy efficient. It allows the MS to automatically alter the strength and by extension the power consumption of the armor, depending on what combat configuration or situation that MS is in. As a result, the MS's colors changes. Unlike MBF-02 Strike Rouge's color-shifting PS, VPS is capable of changing its strength in the field, although this must be programmed beforehand. Impulse's VPS armor changes color according to what Silhouette pack it is using at the moment.
The Deuterion beam energy transfer system is a wireless energy transfer system built into the Second Stage Series and their support ship, the LHM-BB01 Minerva. 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 to recharge. The transfer system is 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.
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 Gundam 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. With further developments, the δ Chaos Silhouette, ε Abyss Silhouette, and ζ Gaia Silhouette, based on ZGMF-X24S Chaos Gundam, ZGMF-X31S Abyss Gundam and ZGMF-X88S Gaia Gundam could be created. However, they never materialized and ZAFT produced the θ Destiny Silhouette, which can be considered as a ZAFT counterpart to the Earth Alliance's IWSP. There is also a variation of the θ Destiny Silhouette, the ι Destiny R Silhouette.

History[]

In late C.E. 73, ZAFT created a new series of advanced prototype mobile suits known as the Second Stage Series to succeed their previous generation of Gundams, which were all lost in the previous war. One of these new suits was the ZGMF-X56S Impulse Gundam, a multi-role unit similar in concept to the Earth Alliance's GAT-X105 Strike Gundam. The Impulse was designed simultaneously with ZAFT's new battleship LHM-BB01 Minerva, which included a catapult exclusive for its use. Using this smaller catapult, the Impulse launches with its modules divided, while combining mid flight.

The Impulse was initially piloted by Shinn Asuka, who was selected personally by PLANT Supreme Council Chairman Gilbert Durandal.[1] Shinn performed very well with the Impulse, destroying over a dozen enemy warships and numerous mobile suits, including the stolen ZGMF-X31S Abyss Gundam.[2] He even managed to defeat the ZGMF-X10A Freedom Gundam.[3] After he received the new ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam, Impulse was reassigned to Lunamaria Hawke. Lunamaria first piloted the Impulse during Operation Ragnarök,[4] the invasion of Heaven's Base in Iceland, where it assisted Shinn's Destiny and Rey's ZGMF-X666S Legend Gundam in defeating the base's GFAS-X1 Destroy Gundam squad. Impulse was heavily damaged at the end of the Second Alliance-PLANT War in the battle of the Mobile Space Fortress Messiah by Athrun Zala's ZGMF-X19A ∞ Justice Gundam.

An additional four units were built during the course of the war. These four units were all equipped with θ Destiny Silhouette, with two units being piloted by Mare Strode and Courtney Heironimus. Courtney 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[]

Lineart[]

Anime[]

Gundam SEED Destiny[]

Gundam Build Fighters[]

Games[]

Action Figures[]

Notes & Trivia[]

  • Impulse's head crest displays the text "X-56S SEI", which means "Six" in Italian and is a reference to Impulse's series number.
  • The Master Grade Force Impulse Gundam model kit manual speculated that the Core Splendor system is inspired by the ZGMF-X11A Regenerate Gundam's modular system.
  • In the SRW series the Impulse originally had the ability to change packs but in later entries the ZGMF-X56S/α Force Impulse Gundam became the default unit with the ability to change packs taken away due too the LHM-BB01 Minerva not being used outside the SEED Destiny storyline.

Appearances[]

Television Series

References[]

External links[]

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This article is part of Project: SEED

Please read the linked project page before editing this article.

Project Leader: User:CD298


Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny Mechanics
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ZAFT
Mobile Weapon
Mobile Suit
AMA-953 BABI | AMF-101 DINN | AMRF-101C AWACS DINN | TFA-4DE GAZuOOT | TMF/A-802 BuCUE | TMF/S-3 GINN OCHER Type | UEMF/S-1 GINN WASP Type Custom | UMF-4A GOOhN | UMF-5 ZnO | UMF/SSO-3 ASH | UTA/TE-6P Geo-GOOhN | ZGMF-515 CGUE | ZGMF-601R GuAIZ R | ZGMF-1000 ZAKU Warrior | ZGMF-1000/A1 Gunner ZAKU Warrior | ZGMF-1000/K Slash ZAKU Warrior | ZGMF-1000/M Blaze ZAKU Warrior | ZGMF-1001 ZAKU Phantom | ZGMF-1001/A1 Gunner ZAKU Phantom | ZGMF-1001/K Slash ZAKU Phantom | ZGMF-1001/M Blaze ZAKU Phantom | ZGMF-1017 GINN | ZGMF-1017 GINN Ceremonial Decoration Type | ZGMF-2000 GOUF Ignited | ZGMF-X23S Saviour Gundam | ZGMF-X24S Chaos Gundam | ZGMF-X31S Abyss Gundam | ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam | ZGMF-X56S Impulse Gundam | ZGMF-X56S/α Force Impulse Gundam | ZGMF-X56S/β Sword Impulse Gundam | ZGMF-X56S/γ Blast Impulse Gundam | ZGMF-X88S Gaia Gundam | ZGMF-X666S Legend Gundam

Land Vehicle
Cargo Truck | Command Vehicle | Connected Armored Vehicle | PLANT Elecar | Mobile Command Truck | Supply Truck
Land Battleship
Compton-class | Lesseps-class | Petrie-class
Naval Ship / Submarine
Patrol Boat | Vosgulov-class
Aircraft / Spacecraft
Agile | Command Shuttle | Guul | Gyro Helicopter | Jet Fan Helicopter | Silhouette Flyer | Space Shuttle | YFX-M56S Core Splendor
Transporter / Supply Ship
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Earth Alliance
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GAT-01A1 Dagger | GAT-01A1+AQM/E-A4E1 Jet Dagger | GAT-01A1+AQM/E-X03 Launcher Dagger | GAT-02L2 Dagger L | GAT-02L2+AQM/E-A4E1 Jet Dagger L | GAT-02L2+AQM/E-M11 Doppelhorn Dagger L | GAT-04 Windam | GAT-04+AQM/E-A4E1 Jet Windam | GAT-04+AQM/E-M11 Doppelhorn Windam | GAT-04+Mk438/B Multi Striker Windam | GAT-333 Raider Full Spec | GAT-707E Forbidden Vortex | GFAS-X1 Destroy Gundam | RGX-01 Chaos Gundam | RGX-02 Abyss Gundam | RGX-03 Gaia Gundam
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TS-MA4F Exus | TS-MB1B Euclid | YMAF-X6BD Zamza-Zah | YMAG-X7F Gells-Ghe

Land Vehicle
Bulldog | Cargo Truck | Linear Gun Tank | Radar Truck | Self-Propelled Linear Howitzer
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Hannibal-class
Naval Ship / Submarine
Arkansas-class | Attack Submarine | Danilov-class | Des Moines-class | Fraser-class | Spengler-class
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Requiem
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MBF-M1 M1 Astray | MBF-M1+EF-24R M1 Astray Shrike | MVF-M11C Murasame | MVF-M11C Murasame Reconnaissance Type | ORB-01 Akatsuki Gundam

Land Vehicle
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Aegis-class | Kuraomikami-class | Rubber Boat | Takemikazuchi
Aircraft / Spacecraft
Albatross | Heli | Seiran Family Shuttle | Orb Union Shuttle
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Transport Ship
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Izumo-class
Three Ships Alliance
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Support Weapon
METEOR

Aircraft / Spacecraft
FX-550 Skygrasper | Investigation Shuttle | Orb Union Shuttle
Transporter / Supply Ship
Descent Capsule
Cruiser / Mother Ship
Agamemnon-class | Archangel-class | Drake-class | FFMH-Y101 Eternal | Izumo-class | Laurasia-class | Nazca-class | Nelson-class
Terrorists / Civilians
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Mobile Suit
ZGMF-1017M2 GINN High Maneuver Type II
Mobile Pod
Work Pod

Land Vehicle
Buggy
Aircraft
Press VTOL


Destiny Astray Mechanics
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Junk Guild / Civilians
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AMF-103A DINN RAVEN | MBF-P02 Gundam Astray Red Frame | MBF-P02 Astray Red Frame Mars Jacket | MWF-JG71 Raysta | YMF-X000A/H Dreadnought H | ZGMF-1001 Madigan's ZAKU Phantom | ZGMF-1001/AAL Madigan's Noctiluca ZAKU Phantom | ZGMF-1017 Works GINN | ZGMF-1017AS GINN Assault Type | ZGMF-X12 Gundam Astray Out Frame | ZGMF-X12A Testament Gundam | ZGMF-X12D Gundam Astray Out Frame D | ZGMF-X12D/θ Destiny Gundam Astray Out Frame D

Aircraft / Spacecraft
FX-550 Skygrasper
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Marseille III-class | Re.H.O.M.E.
Cruiser / Mother Ship
Agamemnon-class | Nazca-class
Serpent Tail
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MBF-P03secondG Gundam Astray Blue Frame Second G | MBF-P03secondL Gundam Astray Blue Frame Second L | ZGMF-1001 Elijah's ZAKU Phantom | ZGMF-1017 Elijah's GINN

Support Weapon
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United States of South America
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GAT-01 Strike Dagger | GAT-01A1 Dagger | GAT-333 Raider Full Spec | GAT-X133 Sword Calamity | GAT-X255 Forbidden Blue
ZAFT
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Mobile Suit
AME-WAC01 DINN Special Electronic Installation Type | AMF-101 DINN | UMF-4A GOOhN | YFX-200 CGUE DEEP Arms | ZGMF-600 GuAIZ | ZGMF-601R GuAIZ R | ZGMF-1000 Hospital ZAKU Warrior | ZGMF-1000 ZAKU Warrior | ZGMF-1001/K Slash ZAKU Phantom | ZGMF-1001/M Blaze ZAKU Phantom | ZGMF-1017 GINN | ZGMF-1017M GINN High Maneuver Type | ZGMF-X24S Chaos Gundam | ZGMF-X31S Abyss Gundam | ZGMF-X56S Impulse Gundam | ZGMF-X56S/α Force Impulse Gundam | ZGMF-X56S/β Sword Impulse Gundam | ZGMF-X56S/γ Blast Impulse Gundam | ZGMF-X56S/θ Destiny Impulse Gundam | ZGMF-X56S/ε Abyss Impulse Gundam | ZGMF-X56S/δ Chaos Impulse Gundam | ZGMF-X56S/ζ Gaia Impulse Gundam | ZGMF-X88S Gaia Gundam | ZGMF-X999A ZAKU Mass Production Trial Type
Mobile Armor
XMF-P192P Proto-Chaos

Aircraft / Spacecraft
Guul | Transport Helicopter | Silhouette Flyer | YFX-M56S Core Splendor
Cruiser / Mother Ship
LHM-BB01 Minerva | Nazca-class
Earth Alliance
Mobile Weapon
Mobile Suit
GAT-01 Strike Dagger | GAT-01A1 Dagger | GAT-01A1+AQM/E-X02 Sword Dagger | GAT-01A1+AQM/E-X04 Gunbarrel Dagger | GAT-02L2 Dagger L | GAT-02L2+AQM/E-X02 Sword Dagger L | GAT-02L2+AQM/E-X03 Launcher Dagger L | GAT-02L2+AQM/E-M11 Doppelhorn Dagger L | GAT-04+AQM/E-X01 Aile Windam | GAT-333 Raider Full Spec | GAT-706S Deep Forbidden | GAT-SO2R N Dagger N | GAT-X133 Sword Calamity | GAT-X255 Forbidden Blue | RGX-00 Testament Gundam | RGX-01 Chaos Gundam | RGX-02 Abyss Gundam | RGX-03 Gaia Gundam | RGX-04 Proto-Saviour | RGX-04+X11A Proto-Saviour+11
Mobile Armor
TS-MA4F Exus | TSX-MA717/ZD Pergrande | YMAG-X7F Gells-Ghe

Land Vehicle
Self-Propelled Linear Howitzer | Bulldog
Ship / Submarine
Spengler-class
Aircraft / Spacecraft
AQM/E-X04 Gunbarrel Striker
Cruiser / Mother Ship
Agamemnon-class | Girty Lue-class
Orb Union
Mobile Weapon
Mobile Suit
GAT-X133 Sword Calamity | MBF-M1A M1A Astray | MBF-P01-Re2AMATU Gundam Astray Gold Frame Amatsu Mina
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