XM-X2 Crossbone Gundam X-2

Model number(s): XM-X2 (Crossbone Vanguard); F97 (Strategic Naval Research Institute)
Code name: Crossbone Gundam X-2
Unit type: prototype close combat mobile suit
Manufacturer: SNRI
Operator: Crossbone Vanguard
First deployment: UC 0133
Accommodation: pilot only, pilot only, in standard cockpit in torso with Core Block System using Core Fighter
Dimensions: head height 15.9 meters
Weight: empty 9.5 metric tons; max gross weight 24.8 metric tons
Armor materials: Gundarium alloy high ceramic composite
Powerplant: Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor, output rated at 5,280 kW
Propulsion: rocket thrusters: 100,000 ~ 120,000 kg total (4 x 25,000 kg (maximum 30,000 kg)); vernier thrusters/apogee motors: 34
Equipment and design features: sensors, range unknown; special weapons targeting sensor in head, can be deployed over right eye sensor/camera; dummy launchers in hands; optional ABC (anti-beam coating) mantle
Fixed armaments: 2 x vulcan gun, mounted in head; 2 x beam saber/beam guns, stored in shoulder recharge racks, hand-carried in use; 2 x heat dagger, stored in thighs, hand-carried in use, blades can extend or be launched from soles of feet; 2 x scissor anchor, mounted as front 
skirt armor; 2 x brand marker/beam shield, mounted one on each forearm, can be removed
Optional hand armaments: shot lancer with mounted 4-barrel heavy machine gun; buster gun, can launch grenades (standard and nuclear warhead type); beam zanber; zanbuster (combined buster gun/beam zanber); buster launcher

Originally developed by SNRI under the Formula Project as the Gundam F97, the Crossbone Gundam represented the Earth Federation Forces’ first earnest attempt at developing mobile suits for use outside of the Earth Sphere. Specifically intended to operate within Jupiter’s immense gravity well, the primary thrusters were mounted on flexible X-shaped limbs that could easily be reoriented for high speed or high maneuverability while still letting the machine retain low overall weight. This unique arrangement also allowed the Gundam to make use of a full-body anti-beam coating mantle without interfering with its thrusters. When the F97 was given to Berah Ronah’s Crossbone Vanguard, it was assigned the model number XM-X to obscure its origins. Fitting with their overall image as pirates, the Crossbone Gundam focused primarily on melee combat, equipped with beam sabers, heat daggers, scissor anchors, and beam shields which doubled as brand marker punching daggers.

The Crossbone Gundam’s unique weapons were the buster gun beam pistol and the beam zanber, a cutlass-styled weapon with high enough output to easily overwhelm standard beam sabers and shields. These two weapons could be combined into the zanbuster, which functioned as a standard beam rifle. Because of its emphasis on close combat, the Crossbone Gundam featured thick armor which retained a good deal of heat that needed to be vented through its faceplate often. Two standard Crossbone Gundams were produced and assigned to the Crossbone Vanguard’s ace pilots. The X-2 was the personal machine of Zabine Chareux, veteran and combat leader of the old Vanguard. It featured many customizations that reflected Zabine’s old XM-05 Berga-Giros, including the black and violet color scheme of the Black Vanguard Squad, a wing-like blade antenna, and its use of the Berga-Giros’ shot lancer as its primary weapon. The X-2 had another unique weapon: a high output beam launcher dubbed the buster launcher. When Zabine defected to the Jupiter Empire, the loss of the X-2’s Core Fighter forced them to upgrade the machine into the X-2 Kai.

Pilot(s): Zabine Chareux, Rosemarie Raspberry, Tobia Arronax
First appearance: Mobile Suit Crossbone Gundam
Original mechanical designer: Hajime Katoki
Note: Core Fighter custom color lineart by AmuroNT1

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