ZGMF-X56S Impulse Gundam

Model number: ZGMF-X56S
Code name: Impulse Gundam
Unit type: prototype multi-mode mobile suit
Manufacturer: Integrated Design Bureau
Operator: ZAFT (Zodiac Alliance of Freedom Treaty)
First deployment: 2 October C.E. 73
Accommodation: pilot only, in standard cockpit in torso using YFX-M56 Core Splendor
Dimensions: overall height 17.76 meters
Weight: max gross weight 63.54 metric tons
Armor materials: unknown
Powerplant: ultracompact energy battery, power output rating unknown
Propulsion: unknown
Equipment and design features: sensors, range unknown; VPS (Variable Phase Shift) armor; deuterion beam energy supply system, allows for remote recharging of energy with battleship Minerva; hardpoints for mounting Silhouette packs
Fixed armaments: 2 x MMI-GAU25A 20mm CIWS, mounted in chest; 2 x M71-AAK “Folding Razor” anti-armor knife, stored in hip armor, hand-carried in use
Optional fixed armaments: see ZGMF-X56S/α Force Impulse Gundam/ZGMF-56E2/α Force Impulse Gundam Spec II, ZGMF-X56S/β Sword Impulse Gundam/ZGMF-56E2/β Sword Impulse Gundam Spec II, ZGMF-X56S/γ Blast Impulse Gundam/ZGMF-56E2/γ Blast Impulse Gundam Spec II ; ZGMF-X56S/ε Abyss Impulse Gundam; ZGMF-X56S/δ Chaos Impulse Gundam; ZGMF-X56S/ζ Gaia Impulse Gundam; ZGMF-X56S/θ Destiny Impulse Gundam
Optional hand armaments: MA-BAR72 high-energy beam rifle; MMI-RG59V mobile shield, mounted on left arm

Following the Bloody Valentine War, ZAFT unveiled its Second Stage of advanced new Gundam mobile suits. One of these units was the ZGMF-X56S Impulse Gundam, which was ZAFT’s equivalent of the Earth Alliance’s GAT-X105 Strike Gundam. Like the Strike Gundam, the Impulse Gundam could adapt to various mission roles through the use of several Silhouette packs. However, the Impulse Gundam differed from the Strike Gundam in that its construction was modular. The central piece of the Impulse’s body was the YFX-M56 Core Splendor fighter, which transformed and served as the mobile suit’s cockpit. The Core Splendor then docked with the Chest Flyer and Leg Flyer via laser lock to form the complete mobile suit. This new modular design was first tested in the ZGMF-X101S ZAKU Splendor. In the event of damage, the Chest or Leg Flyer could be ejected and replaced. A laser lock was also used to dock the Impulse Gundam with its three Silhouette packs. The Impulse Gundam featured Variable Phase Shift (VPS) armor, which changed color depending on which Silhouette pack was in use. Because the Junius Treaty banned the use of N-Jammer Cancelers in mobile suits, ZAFT developed the deuterion beam energy supply system to recharge a mobile suit’s battery. When the Impulse Gundam’s energy ran low, it could receive the incoming energy beam from its mothership Minerva and completely recharge its battery. This new system allowed for longer combat time. In its basic configuration, the Impulse Gundam’s armaments included two vulcan guns, two folding combat knives and a beam rifle.

After extensive testing at the Armory One PLANT, the Impulse Gundam was assigned to “ZAFT red” elite pilot Shinn Asuka and made it combat debut on October 2, C.E. 73, when three pilots from the Alliance’s secret Phantom Pain unit infiltrated Armory One and stole three new prototype Gundam units. Following their escape, the Minerva began an immediate pursuit of the mysterious battleship Girty Lue, which was interrupted when a group of extremist Coordinators attempted to drop the remains of Junius Seven on Earth. The Break the World incident triggered the Second Bloody Valentine War. In this new conflict, Shinn’s Impulse Gundam played a critical role in battles at the Orb Union and in the Middle East on the front lines against the Alliance. After the completion of Operation Angel Down, Shinn was reassigned to the ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam by PLANT Supreme Council Chairman Gilbert Durandal. The Impulse Gundam was given to Lunamaria Hawke, and she first made use of it in Operation Ragnarok, a ZAFT offensive against the Alliance’s Heavens Base headquarters in Iceland. The Impulse Gundam served as Lunamaria’s mobile suit until the end of the war in early C.E. 74, when it was damaged in a fight with Athrun Zala’s ZGMF-X19A ∞ Justice Gundam. Soon after, the death of Durandal and the destruction of the space fortress Messiah marked the end of the war.

Pilot(s): Shinn Asuka, Lunamaria Hawke
First appearance: Mobile Suit Gundam SEED DESTINY
Original mechanical designer: Kunio Okawara

Cockpit

M71-AAK “Folding Razor” anti-armor knife

MA-BAR72 high-energy beam rifle

MMI-RG59V mobile shield

Rear view

Torso