GAT-01A1 Dagger

Model number: GAT-01A1
Code name: Dagger (aka “105 Dagger”)
Unit type: mass production all-purpose multi-mode mobile suit
Manufacturer: Earth Alliance
Operator(s): Earth Alliance; civilians
First deployment: C.E. 71
Accommodation: pilot only, in standard cockpit in torso
Dimensions: overall height 18.00 meters
Weight: max gross weight 57.05 metric tons
Armor materials: unknown
Powerplant: ultracompact energy battery, power output rating unknown
Propulsion: unknown
Equipment and design features: sensors, range unknown; laminated armor (improved type of heat-resistant ablative gel DPX-30); hardpoints for mounting Striker packs
Fixed armaments: 2 x “Igelstellung II” 40mm multi-barrel CIWS, mounted in head; 2 x ES01 beam saber, stored in recharge racks in hips, hand-carried in use; 2 x 12.5mm anti-infantry gun, mounted in feet
Optional fixed armaments: see GAT-01A1+AQM/E-A4E1 Jet Dagger; GAT-01A1+AQM/E-X02 Sword Dagger; GAT-01A1+AQM/E-X03 Launcher Dagger; GAT-01A1+AQM/E-X04 Gunbarrel Dagger
Optional hand armaments: GAU-8M2 52mm machine gun

Although the Earth Alliance was slow to catch up to ZAFT in mobile suit development, it managed to produce several prototype mobile suits, including the GAT-X105 Strike Gundam. The GAT-01A1 Dagger was intended to serve as a mass production version of the Strike Gundam. However, due to the Alliance’s need to quickly field a mass production suit to fight ZAFT, they instead produced the intermediate GAT-01 Strike Dagger, a simpler, stripped-down design. Afterward, production continued on the Dagger (nicknamed “105 Dagger” after the Strike Gundam’s model number). Unlike the Strike Dagger, the Dagger could use the same Striker packs as the original Strike Gundam. In addition, the Dagger featured EMP (electromagnetic pulse) shielding, a critical feature lacking in the Strike Dagger. The Dagger was also coated with ablative gel similar to the Archangel class battleships, providing increased defense against beam weaponry. The Dagger’s armaments included two CIWS vulcan guns, a pair of beam sabers and several hand-carried machine guns.

The Dagger series entered combat late in the Bloody Valentine War and was assigned to ace pilots such as Morgan Chevalier. Morgan’s GAT-01A1+AQM/E-X04 Gunbarrel Dagger participated in the Second Battle of Jachin Due, the final battle of the war. After the war, Morgan fought with Alliance defector Edward Harrelson’s GAT-333 Raider Full Spec. In the postwar era, the Alliance introduced a slightly improved version of the Dagger, the GAT-02L2 Dagger L. Several new Striker packs were created for the Dagger L, which were compatible with the Dagger. Even after the introduction of the Dagger L and the newer GAT-04 Windam, the Dagger series remained in service during the Second Bloody Valentine War.

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

Rear view