GAT-01 Strike Dagger

Model number: GAT-01
Code name: Strike Dagger
Unit type: mass production general purpose mobile suit
Manufacturer: Earth Alliance
Operator(s): Earth Alliance; civilians
First deployment: 25 May C.E. 71
Accommodation: pilot only, in standard cockpit in torso
Dimensions: head height 18.02 meters
Weight: max gross weight 55.31 metric tons
Armor materials: unknown
Powerplant: ultracompact energy battery, power output rating unknown
Propulsion: unknown
Equipment and design features: sensors, range unknown
Fixed armaments: “Igelstellung” 75mm multi-barrel CIWS, mounted in head; ES01 beam saber, stored in recharge rack on right shoulder, hand-carried in use
Optional fixed armaments: none
Optional hand armaments: M703 57mm beam rifle, features grenade launcher; shield, mounted on left arm

With ZAFT having pioneered mobile suit development through the introduction of the ZGMF-1017 GINN, the Earth Alliance was forced to quickly catch up and develop mobile suits to replace the ineffective mobile armor TS-MA2 Moebius. The end result of that effort was the GAT-01 Strike Dagger, a mass production mobile suit based on the GAT-X105 Strike Gundam. As a mass production suit, the Strike Dagger lacked many design elements present in the original Strike Gundam, such as the ability to mount Striker mission packs. It was armed with only one head vulcan, one beam saber and a beam rifle. The Strike Dagger also lacked EMP (electromagnetic pulse) shielding, which proved fatal in its debut at the Battle of Panama when ZAFT deployed its Gungnir System. These shortcomings were corrected later on with the GAT-01A1 Dagger. In terms of performance, the Strike Dagger generally exceeded the aging GINN in combat. The Alliance quickly produced a high number of Strike Daggers and sent them immediately to the front lines. Strike Daggers were used heavily during the assault on the Orb Union and later in space against ZAFT during the last battles of the war. Following the war, the Alliance produced an upgraded successor, the GAT-02L2 Dagger L.

Pilot(s): Saiga, Rinaldo, Edward Harrelson, Morgan Chevalier, Barry Ho
First appearance: Mobile Suit Gundam SEED
Original mechanical designer: Kunio Okawara

Cockpit

Head

M703 57mm beam rifle

Rear view

Shield

Torso