ZGMF-X20A Strike Freedom Gundam

Model number: ZGMF-X20A
Code name: Strike Freedom Gundam
Unit type: prototype assault mobile suit
Manufacturer: ZAFT (Zodiac Alliance of Freedom Treaty)
Operator(s): Three Ships Alliance; Orb Union
First deployment: C.E. 73
Accommodation: pilot only, in standard cockpit in torso
Dimensions: overall height 18.88 meters
Weight: max gross weight 80.09 metric tons
Armor materials: unknown
Powerplant: ultracompact hyper deuterion nuclear reactor, power output rating unknown
Propulsion: “Voiture Lumiere” propulsion system
Equipment and design features: sensors, range unknown; VPS (Variable Phase Shift) armor; Neutron Jammer Canceler
Fixed armaments: 2 x MMI-GAU27D 31mm CIWS, mounted in head; MGX-2235 “Callidus” multi-phase beam cannon, mounted in torso; 2 x MA-M02G “Super Lacerta” beam saber, stored on hips, hand-carried in use; 2 x MMI-M15E “Xiphias 3” rail cannon, folded underneath hips, spread out in use; 2 x MX2200 beam shield generator, mounted on forearms
Optional fixed armaments (docked with METEOR): 2 x 120cm high-energy beam cannon, 2 x 93.7cm high-energy beam cannon, 2 x MA-X200 beam sword, 77 x 60cm “Erinaceus” anti-ship missile launchers (22 per pod, 12 per arm unit, 9 on tail fin)
Optional hand armaments: 2 x MA-M21KF high-energy beam rifle, stored on hips, hand-carried in use, can be combined
Remote weapons: EQFU-3X Super DRAGOON (Disconnected Rapid Armament Group Overlook Operation Network) mobile weapon wings (mounts 8 x MA-80V beam assault cannon)

During the Bloody Valentine War, ZAFT’s ZGMF-X10A Freedom Gundam came to be known as one of the most powerful mobile suits ever created. In the C.E. 73, ZAFT created a successor unit, the ZGMF-X20A Strike Freedom Gundam. However, the Strike Freedom was stolen by Terminal, a secret organization associated with followers of Lacus Clyne. The Strike Freedom was a major improvement over the original Freedom Gundam in various respects. The wings featured new high output thrusters developed from the “Voiture Lumiere” propulsion system used by the GSX-401FW Stargazer Gundam. The Strike Freedom was powered by the hyper deuterion nuclear reactor technology developed by ZAFT. This new design stored power in deuterion form, providing a continuous deuterion charge and, in theory, an endless power supply. However, it was possible for the suit’s power to be expended before the reactor could replenish it. The Strike Freedom featured a pair of new beam shield generators, similar to ones used by the ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam. The Strike Freedom retained a set of hip-mounted rail cannons, although the cannons could swivel behind the main body and swap places with a pair of hip-mounted, combinable beam rifles (similar to the old GAT-X103 Buster Gundam). The Strike Freedom was also armed with a chest beam cannon, head-mounted vulcan guns and a pair of beam sabers. The biggest change in armaments, however, was in the Strike Freedom’s wings. Where the original Freedom Gundam carried a pair of plasma beam cannons, the Strike Freedom featured eight DRAGOON (Disconnected Rapid Armament Group Overlook Operation Network) units. The DRAGOON units housed in the wings utilized an improved quantum communications system, allowing normal pilots without expanded spatial awareness to use them. Also, like the original Freedom Gundam, the Strike Freedom was capable of docking with the METEOR mobile weapons platform.

In late C.E. 73, the original Freedom Gundam was destroyed in a fierce battle with Shinn Asuka’s ZGMF-X56S Impulse Gundam. The Strike Freedom first entered combat when Kira Yamato flew into Earth orbit in the MBF-02 Strike Rouge to assist the Eternal, under attack by ZAFT forces. Afterward, Kira, accompanied by Lacus Clyne in the ZGMF-X19A ∞ Justice Gundam, returned to Earth and rendezvous with the Archangel. With ZAFT’s attack on the Orb Union in full swing, Kira joined in the defense of Orb and engaged Shinn’s new Destiny Gundam. When the Three Ships Alliance headed to space to counter ZAFT’s forces, Kira participated in the final battle over the Moon. During the battle, he caused heavy damage to Rey Za Burrel’s ZGMF-X666S Legend Gundam. Using the METEOR, Kira also heavily damaged ZAFT’s mobile space fortress Messiah. Soon after, the death of PLANT Supreme Council Chairman Gilbert Durandal and the destruction of Messiah marked the end of the war. After the war, the Strike Freedom was transferred to the peacekeeping organization COMPASS, where it was upgraded and redesignated as the ZGMF/A-262B Strike Freedom Gundam Type II.

Pilot: Kira Yamato
First appearance: Mobile Suit Gundam SEED DESTINY
Original mechanical designer: Kunio Okawara

Head

MA-M02G “Super Lacerta” beam saber

MA-M21KF high-energy beam rifle

MGX-2235 “Callidus” multi-phase beam cannon

MMI-M15E “Xiphias 3” rail cannon

Rear view