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Striker Pack

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This article is about a fictional weapon from the Cosmic Era timeline of the anime Gundam metaseries.

Striker Packs are specially designed backpack units containing a specific set of equipment, intended for the Earth Alliance's mass-production Mobile Suit line. By fitting a mobile suit with a specific pack, it can be outfitted for a specific role quickly and easily.

Initially three Striker packs were developed, specifically for the multi-purpose Mobile Suit GAT-X105 Strike and the indended mass-production line, the GAT-01A1 105 Dagger. By the end of the second war in C.E. 73, the Earth Alliance built several more units compatable with the Striker Pack system; the GAT-02L2 Dagger L, GAT-04 Windam, and GAT-X105E Strike Noir, as well as additional Striker Packs. In addition, other organisations fielded their own Striker packs and compatable mobile suits, and similar but non-compatable systems:

ZAFT built the ZGMF-X12A Testament, but with no Striker pack.

The Junk Guild the ZGMF-X12 Astray Out Frame (which was built from a stolen incomplete ZGMF-X12A Testament frame), and a pair of Striker Packs for it.

Orb built the MBF-02 Strike Rouge (a duplicate of GAT-X105 Strike) and three Striker packs (one of which was a duplicate of an original) and two new packs. Later they built the ORB-01 Akatsuki, with two Striker packs.

ZAFT also develops the similar Silhouette system for ZGMF-X56S Impulse and the Wizard system for the ZGMF-1000/1001 Zaku Warrior/Phantom mass-production line and the cancelled mass-production ZGMF-XX09T DOM Trooper.

The GAT-X105 Strike was intended to be able to change weapon systems "on the fly" and several schemes were attempted to enable this, from launching the desired Striker Pack from Archangel's catapult to developing a specially designed support fighter (the FX-550 Skygrasper) to deliver the Striker Packs to the mobile suit, but none of them ever worked out quite the way the Alliance desired, not the least reason for which being that switching packs in a fight left Strike exposed during the change: Phase Shift armor had to be down while switching packs and the Striker packs themselves lacked any indepenant maneuvering capability, making the mobile suit very vulnerable while switching. Additionally, some Striker packs had additional components separate from the pack, that attach to the shoulder or arm - often requiring a much more complex docking operation and making these packs near-impossible to dock with in combat conditions. However, since the Strikers each contained a smaller back-up battery, in a few instances this technique was used successfully to extend the Strike's combat endurance.

ZAFT later used this concept for their Silhouette System, which utilized unmanned "Silhouette Flyer" vehicles to deliver Silhouettes for mid-battle changeovers. In addition, each Silhouette mounts all of its equipment on the pack, requiring only a single docking operation to mount the pack.

Striker Packs

Earth Alliance

Cosmic Era 71

At least two units were deployed with Morgan Chevalier's GAT-01A1 105 Dagger. It's possible that more units were built, but since the level of spatial awareness needed to use them is so rare it is unknown if any other Earth Alliance pilot could effectively use them.

Cosmic Era 73

  • P204QX Lightning Striker: A Striker Pack whose primary purpose is to increase the operating time of the battery-powered GAT-X105 Strike/MBF-02 Strike Rouge (piloted by Mu La Flaga and Cagalli Yula Athha respectively), as well as to improve its firepower to compete with the vastly more powerful ZGMF-X10A Freedom piloted by Kira Yamato. The Lightning Striker's primary armament is the Type 70-31 Electromagnetic Cannon, capable of accurately firing hyper-velocity projectiles at extreme ranges, which it carries split in two pieces on its forearms when not in use. The Lightning Striker was deployed once with the Strike Gundam for a test, but was heavily damaged in battle and never used again.
  • "Oowashi" Sky Pack: The "Oowashi" Sky Pack is one of two Striker packs developed by Orb specificaly for the ORB-01 Akatsuki. It is a flight pack armed with two high energy beam cannons, and can detatch and fly on its own. It is similar in function to the backpack/subflight lifter of the ZGMF-X09A Justice Gundam. In addition, it may be equipped with the same "Yata no Kagami" mirror coating as Atatsuki - which can reflect beam energy back to its source.
  • "Shiranui" Space Pack: The "Shiranui" space pack is the second Striker pack built for the ORB-01 Akatsuki. It contains a DRAGOON system, with seven DRAGOON units. Each unit has one beam cannon, two beam guns and a beam shield emitter - the DRAGOON units together are capable of forming a complete beam shield around something as large as a battleship. In addition, it may be equipped with the same "Yata no Kagami" mirror coating as Atatsuki - which can reflect beam energy back to its source.

ZAFT (CE 71)

While ZAFT did not develop striker pack technology during the Bloody Valentine War, its ZGMF-X09A Justice Gundam possessed a heavily-armed detachable backpack, the Fatum-00, which could convert into a "subflight lifter" (essentially a flying platform upon which the Justice Gundam could ride).

Junk Guild (CE 71-73)

The ZGFMF-X12 Astray Out Frame, built by Lowe Guele from the frame of an incomplete ZAFT mobile suit, has a back hardpoint identical to that of the Strike Gundam, allowing it to use Earth Alliance Striker packs. Alternately, it can use some custom-built packs designed by the AI unit 8.

In addition, Lowe Guele' MBF-P02 Astray Red Frame posessed a Striker-like detachable flight pack, upon which the non-fight-capable maneuverability packs of the MBF-M1 Astray were based.

Silhouettes/Wizards (CE 73)

ZGMF-X56S Impulse

After the end of the Bloody Valentine War, ZAFT designed its own Gundam based on the principles of the GAT-X105 Strike, called the ZGMF-X56S Impulse. The Impulse Gundam's mission packs are called "Silhouettes". A total of 8 exist, but only 7 have been revealed to date. Unlike the Earth Alliance's Striker packs, the Silhouettes have a dedicated delivery system. Launched using the specialised catapult installed on the Minerva, the Silhouette packs use a small flight unit to reach the Impulse and attach to the mobile suit using a laser guide. This way, different packs can be exchanged very quickly in battle. To date, the ZGMF-X56S Impulse is the only Silhouette-compatable mobile suit built (with the exception of the ZGFMF-X12 Astray Out Frame, who's Multi-Pack adapter allows it's Striker pack hardpoint to mount Silhouette and Wizard packs).

ZGMF-1000 ZAKU Warrior/ZGMF-1001 ZAKU Phantom/ZGMF-XX09T DOM Trooper

ZAFT's new standard mobile suit, the ZAKU Warrior/ZAKU Phantom, uses interchangeable packs known as "Wizards". In addition, the Clyne Faction's DOM Trooper is compatible with Wizard packs. Wizards differ from Silhouettes in that they must be equipped onboard the carrier and no facilities exist for changing them in mid-flight. The ZGFMF-X12 Astray Out Frame's Striker pack hardpoint can be made to equip Wizard packs, by means of a 'Multi-Pack' Striker pack that serves as an adapter.

Similar technologies

Assault Shroud (CE 71) - During the war, ZAFT developed a heavy armor system equipped with missiles and a shoulder-mounted rail gun for the stolen GAT-X102 Duel; this system was called the Assault Shroud and was in service on the Duel from early CE February 71 to the last day of the war (CE 25 November 71) when the armour was destroyed by the GAT-X252 Forbidden.

Fortresta Mode (CE 71) - A similar system was deployed by the Earth Alliance for the mass-production versions of the GAT-X102 Duel, the GAT-01D Long Dagger and GAT-01D1 Duel Dagger - called "Fortresta Mode." The Fortresta configuration mounted a clip-fed shell-firing cannon rather than Assault Shroud's railgun, and carried a slightly larger number of slightly smaller missiles.

Blue Frame packs (CE 71) - Serpent Tail leader Gai Murakumo's MBF-P03 Astray Blue Frame was fitted with numerous optional equipment backpacks. These included a giant booster rocket, a set of ZGMF-1017 GINN missiles and bazookas, and a scale system for underwater combat. After being upgraded to the Blue Frame Second, the mobile suit was given additional equipment options. In "Second L" mode, it mounted the multi-purpose "Tactical Arms" sword/Gatling cannon. As "Second G", its options included a long-range beam cannon and a "Full Armor Phase Shift" backpack which could either cover the mobile suit for added protection or fold up for use as a high-mobility thruster pack. Both modes could also carry a miniature "Lohengrin" positron blaster cannon, which was stored in two parts on the hips when not in use, and included a dedicated nuclear fission reactor on the rear waist.

METEOR (CE 71)

The METEOR (Mobile suit Embedded Tactical EnfORcer) support system is a large, unmanned vehicle created by ZAFT for use by the ZGMF-X09A Justice and ZGMF-X10A Freedom. The METEOR unit is propelled by powerful laser pulse thrusters, counteracting the considerable mass of the nearly 100 meter long vehicles. The METEOR is also extremely well-armed. Though the METEOR has its own internal battery, this only provides power for its thrusters; the weapons are powered by a direct connection to the embedded mobile suit's nuclear reactor. The support ship Eternal was designed to carry the two METEOR units externally. Only two METEOR units were built during the Bloody Valentine War. One was destroyed by Ex ZAFT commander Rau Le Creuset in battle against Freedom.

ZAFT also created a variant of the METEOR system, the Verne 35A/MPFM Multipurpose Flight Module, which lacks the METEOR's heavy armament but can be used as a booster for a variety of mobile suits and shuttles. In CE 73, Jean Carry piloted his MBF-M1 Astray with a modified Verne 35A unit, which was equipped with missile launchers and METEOR-style large beam swords, to drive off the ZGMF-YX21R Proto-Saviour.

In CE 73, it is shown that the Eternal had two new METEOR units (presumably new METEORs constructed by the Clyne Faction, as they identified as "METEOR 07 and 08" by radar). This new units were used by the ZGMF-X19A Infinite Justice and ZGMF-X20A Strike Freedom.

Verne 35A/MPFM Multipurpose Flight Module, Docked with ZGMF-X10A Freedom Gundam
Enlarge
Verne 35A/MPFM Multipurpose Flight Module, Docked with ZGMF-X10A Freedom Gundam
In Gundam SEED Destiny Astray, METEOR 05 and 06 are found inside GENESIS Alpha by Lowe Guele, who refits them with nuclear reactors and N-Jammer Cancellers. These METEORs were given to the Serpent Tail mercenaries and were used by Gai Murakumo and Elijah Kiel, docked with Gai's Astray Blue Frame and Elijah's custom ZAKU.

The METEOR is said to be the spiritual successor of the RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Orchis mobile armor in Universal Century, Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory.

Technical data

Manufacturer: Integrated Design Bureau
User: ZAFT, Clyne Faction/Three Ship Alliance
First Deployment: Cosmic Era 71
Dimensions: overall length 99.46 meters; overall width 60.12 meters
Weight: 552.42 metric tons (not including mobile suit)
Armaments: 2 x 120cm high-energy beam cannon, 2 x 93.7cm high-energy beam cannon, 2 x MA-X200 beam sword, 77 x 60 cm "Erinaceus" anti-ship missile launchers (22 per pod, 12 per arm unit, 9 on tail fin)

The ZGMF-X11A Regenerate's backpack, which contained the mobile suit's cockpit and laser pulse engines, was mounted like a Striker and was the only permanent part of the mobile suit. All other components were modular and would be ejected and quickly replaced if damaged. In an emergency, the backpack could be detached as an emergency escape pod. In addition, it could mount on the backs of other mobile suits and seize control of their computer systems, allowing the Regenerate pilot to use enemy mobile suits to his own advantage.

In addition, the MBF-P02 Gundam Astray Red Frame is equipped with a removeable flight pack, though it is unclear if this flight pack is compatable with the striker pack system. The non-flight backpacks of the MBF-M1 and MBF-M1A Astray mobile suits are based on this.

EF-24R Flight Rotor Shrike (CE 73) - In CE 73, the Orb Union upgraded some of its MBF-M1 Astray mobile suits with the 11.8 metric ton EF-24R Flight Rotor Shrike, which consisted of a pair of wings, each mounting a large helicopter-like rotor. This pack attaches the Astray's existing backpack and provides considerably enhanced aerial capability.

Similar technologies from other timelines

Full Armor - Various Unit

Several of Universal Century mobile suit can equipped with external armor. While all share aspect of increase the mobile suit's defensive and can be ejected, some of these armor also feature addition built-in weapon. The term Full Armor Type often used to called mobile suit equipped with these armor. The first Full Armor concept developed during the One Year War, a bolt-on system of armor and weaponry was designed for the prototype RX-78-2 Gundam, called the Full Armor Gundam. The Full Armor Gundam included a heavy cannon over the right shoulder, a 2-barrel beam gun on the right arm and several missile launchers in the shoulders and knees. However, the Full Armor Gundam was never built - due to the added weight, its mobility was greatly reduced. The design was eventually modified into the FA-78-2 Heavy Gundam, with the extra armour and weaponry designed as part of the mobile suit rather than an attached configuration.

The first complete Full Armor is Chobham Armor used by RX-78NT-1 Gundam Alex. Unlike Full Armor Gundam, Full Armor Gundam Alex doesn't has any addition weapon installed in it's Chobham Armor. There are also plan for RX-78-7 7th Gundam, which could equipped with improved Full Armor that won't reduce it's performance. This is accomplished with the addition of sub generators and propellant tanks in the Full Armor components. However, since the One Year War ends with only the 7th Gundam's basic frame being completed, the Full Armor components are never built.

The idea of Full Armor continue use throughout Universal Century timeline. Most notable in FA-010S Full Armor Enhanced ZZ Gundam and FA-100S Full Armor Hyaku Shiki Kai, the last mobile suit known to use the Full Armor is XM-X1 Crossbone Gundam Kai.

G-Fighter (UC 0079) - RX-78-2 Gundam

The G-Fighter is a large fighter developed by the Earth Federation during the One Year War as a support fighter for the RX-78-2 Gundam. The G-Fighter can separate into two parts. The front half is equipped with powerful beam cannons and missile launchers, while the back part contains powerful thrusters. The front part can dock with the Gundam's upper body to become the "G-Bull" tank, while the back part can dock with the FF-X7 Core Fighter and the Gundam's legs to become "G-Sky". The last mode is "G-Armor" where the G-Fighter's parts cover most of the Gundam's body. This form can work as both a tank and as a fighter. An addition mode, the "Gundam Sky" was improvised by combining the full body fo the Gundam with the G-Fighter's rear half. This allowed the Gundam to function with its usual weapons, but with increased acceleration due to the additional thrusters. In practice, the utility of the G-Bull and G-Sky were minimal, but the G-Armor proved useful as a means to rapidly deploy the Gundam over long distances.
The G-Fighter is only seen in the TV series. Its role was replaced by the FF-X7-Bst Core Booster (a simple heavy fighter, with no ability to combine with the Gundam) in the movie edition of Mobile Suit Gundam.

G-Defenser (UC 0087) - With the RX-178 Gundam Mk-II being outperformed by the Titans' many mobile suit designs, Anaheim Electronics developed a space fighter called the FXA-05D G-Defenser, which can dock with the Gundam Mk-II to become the RX-178+FXA-05D Super Gundam. In this form, the Gundam Mk-II can control the G-Defenser's weapons, including an extra long beam rifle capable of punching through a battleship in one shot. The Super Gundam also has added Gundarium armor and extra thrusters to offset the added weight. The G-Defenser can detach its cockpit from the Super Gundam, but its only armaments are a small pair of mini laser guns. The G-Defenser was destroyed at the end of the Gryps War, although the Gundam Mk-II would continue to serve in the First Neo-Zeon War.

Mission Pack (UC 0120) - F90 Gundam F90/F90II Gundam F90II

Built by the Earth Federation's Strategic Naval Research Institute (SNRI), the prototype Gundam F90 was equipped with a set of hardpoints for mounting mission specific equipment such as extra thrusters, weaponry or recon devices. A later revamp of the design called the Gundam F90II had two extra packs designed specifically for it. In addition, it was possible to create new configurations by mixing and matching components of the different mission packs.

SD-VB03A Overhang Pack (UC 0153) - LM312V04 Victory Gundam/LM312V06 Victory Gundam Hexa

During the Zanscare War, the League Militaire developed an option pack for their LM312V04 Victory Gundam to improve its performance. Known as the Overhang pack, Victory Gundams equipped with the pack were referred to as "V-Dash Gundam". The backpack mounted two powerful beam cannons called "overhang cannons", and featured additional verniers and thrusters to counterbalance the added weight. A hand-carried mega beam rifle replaced the standard beam rifle, allowing the V-Dash Gundam to act as a fire-support unit. If needs be, the Overhang pack can be ejected and the mobile suit can continue operate as a standard Victory Gundam. The Overhang pack can also be used by the commander-type LM312V06 Victory Gundam Hexa.

G-Falcon (pre-AW 0001) - 7th Space War Gundam

During the Seventh Space War, the Old Earth Federation developed the G-Falcon, a support unit for the Gundam type mobile suits. Armed with vulcan guns, homing missiles and a scattering beam cannon, the G-Falcon can work just as well on its own. The G-Falcon has the ability to dock with the GT-9600 Gundam Leopard, GW-9800 Gundam Airmaster and GX-9900 Gundam X, adding extra mobility and extended atmospheric flight. Only one G-Falcon is known to have survived the Seventh Space War, piloted by Paula Shisu in AW 0015. Later Gundam models such as the GX-9901-DX Gundam Double X, GT-9600-D Gundam Leopard Destroy and GW-9800-B Gundam Airmaster Burst retained the set of hardpoints necessary to dock with G-Falcon.


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