GAT-01D Long Dagger

Model number: GAT-01D
Code name: Long Dagger (aka “Duel Dagger”)
Unit type: prototype high performance mobile suit
Manufacturer: Earth Alliance
Operator: Earth Alliance
First deployment: C.E. 71
Accommodation: pilot only, in standard cockpit in torso
Dimensions: head height 18.02 meters
Weight: unknown
Armor materials: unknown
Powerplant: ultracompact energy battery, power output rating unknown; optional ejectable external Fortrestra armor
Propulsion: unknown
Equipment and design features: sensors, range unknown
Fixed armaments: 2 x beam saber, mounted in recharge racks on hips, hand-carried in use; 2 x “Igelstellung” CIWS, mounted in head
Optional fixed armaments: 115mm linear cannon, mounted on right shoulder in Fortrestra mode; 8-tube missile launcher, mounted on left shoulder in Fortrestra mode
Optional hand armaments: 57mm high-energy beam rifle, features 175mm grenade launcher; shield, mounted on left arm

The GAT-01D Long Dagger was a high performance mobile suit based on the prototype GAT-X102 Duel Gundam. Originally, the unit was codenamed Duel Dagger, but was redesignated after the Duel Gundam was stolen by ZAFT. Whereas the GAT-01 Strike Dagger was designed for the standard Natural pilot, the Long Dagger was intended for use by artificially enhanced pilots similar to the Extended pilots under the control of Blue Cosmos leader Multa Azrael. The Long Dagger’s design was also influenced by data from GAT-X105 Strike Gundam‘s battles with the Duel Gundam. As such, the Long Dagger was equipped with an armored Fortrestra mode similar to the Assault Shroud that ZAFT designed to upgrade the Duel Gundam. The Fortrestra mode featured armaments comparable to the Assault Shroud and was more powerful, but as a consequence of the extra armor it was less maneuverable.

Because the Alliance was short on enhanced Naturals, testing of the Long Dagger was conducted by Eleven Socius, a combat Coordinator from an earlier research project. However, with the outbreak of war with ZAFT, the Alliance suspended testing with Coordinators out of fear of where their loyalties truly where. These fears were proven correct when Eleven’s mental conditioning failed and he escaped with a stolen Long Dagger unit. To rectify the situation, the Alliance contracted the Serpent Tail mercenary group to hunt down Eleven and his stolen Long Dagger. Eventually, this led to a battle between Eleven and Gai Murakumo, pilot of the MBF-P03 Gundam Astray Blue Frame.

Pilot(s): Eleven Socius, Seven Socius, Jean Carrey
First appearance: Mobile Suit Gundam SEED MSV
Original mechanical designer(s): Koji Ogata (concept), Yoshihiko Machida (principal design)

Head

Linear cannon

Missile launcher

Rear view (Normal mode)

Rear view (Fortrestra mode)