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 units within the multi-purpose Mobile Suit GAT-X105 Strike, that allowed one single mobile unit to fit for a number of different roles.
During the Bloody Valentine War (Cosmic Era 11 February 70 to Cosmic Era 2 November 71), no fewer than six Striker Packs were developed for the GAT-X105 and its derivative, the GAT-01A1 Dagger mobile suit.
After the war, Striker Packs and similar derivative weapon systems become mainstays of both the Alliance and ZAFT armed forces: The Alliance continues developing Striker Packs, ZAFT weapon systems become known as "Wizards" and "Silhouettes."
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, making the mobile suit very vulnerable to enemy fire. In the end, changing Striker Packs on the fly was left as a design curiosity that never quite panned out.
Striker Packs
Earth Alliance (CE 71)
- AQM/E-X01 Aile Striker: This Striker Pack was designed for mobility and flight, allowing the GAT-X105 Strike Gundam enhanced mobility and maneuverability in space, and increased mobility while boosting in the atmosphere (later on, the Aile Striker was upgraded by the Orb Union to allow atmospheric flight). Aile was the most commonly used of the Striker Packs (especially by early Strike pilot Kira Yamato), and generally the one that Strike would sortie with. Aile Striker was equipped with the traditional Gundam armament of twin beam sabers, a shield and a beam rifle, as well as high-powered thrusters. Since the Aile Striker's weapons fit has the least additional weaponry over the base GAT-X105/GAT-01A1, it has the highest endurance.
- AQM/E-X02 Sword Striker: This Striker Pack was designed for close combat, with a very large (15.75 meter long) beam-enhanced anti-ship sword (Schwert Gewehr), a "rocket anchor" (Panzer Eisen) and a beam boomerang (Midas Messer). Of the Striker packs, being equipped solely for close combat, Sword Striker was seldom used by either Kira Yamato or Mu La Flaga, usually relegating the weapon package to Archangel's Skygrasper No. 2 (whether that was piloted by Cagalli Yula Athha or Tolle Koenig at the moment), and probably contributing to the bad-luck reputation that unit possessed.
- AQM/E-X03 Launcher Striker: This Striker Pack was designed for long-range assault, primarily equipped with a 380mm Super-High Impulse Cannon (Agni), also carrying a 120mm anti-ship Vulcan and two 350mm gun launchers (unlike the Buster Gundam's gun launchers, the Strike Gundam's launchers appeared to fire rocket propelled grenades). The "Agni" Impulse Cannon had enough firepower to punch through a colony wall, or slag an enemy mobile suit with a single hit, even a Gundam. Due to its incredibly heavy firepower, Launcher Striker was the preferred weapons package of Skygrasper No. 1 pilot Mu La Flaga, though when he became the Strike's pilot he, like predecessor Kira Yamato, switched to favor the Aile Striker. The final use of the Launcher Striker occurred during Archangel's escape from Mendel Colony during late CE October 71.
- AQM/E-X04 Gunbarrel Striker: This Striker Pack was specifically designed for use by Mu La Flaga, but as he defected with Archangel to the Orb Union, it was instead used for GAT-01A1 105 Dagger mobile suits. The AQM/E-X04 Gunbarrel Striker was a modified version of the TS-MA2mod.00 Moebius Zero, with similar equipment (four wired gunbarrels of a slightly modified design, armed with a beam gun and a pair of missiles each, and a four-barrel Gatling gun). At least two units were deployed with Morgan Chevalier's Dagger, though it's probable that more units were manufactured, although it is unknown if any other pilot could effectively use them since great spatial awareness is required to use the gunbarrels effectively.
Orb Union (CE 71)
- P202QX IWSP Integrated Weapons Striker Pack: The IWSP Striker Pack was an Orb Union design to combine the primary characteristics of the Aile, Sword and Launcher Striker Packs into a single unit. As such it was very heavy, very powerful... and very, very expensive. It included two 9.1m anti-ship swords (possibly inspired by the MBF-P02 Gundam Astray Red Frame's "Gerbera Straight"), two 115mm rail guns, two 105mm cannons, one Midas Messer beam boomerang and one shield-mounted 30mm six-barrel Gatling. It was never used because Cagalli Yula Athha was unable to master the complicated weapon controls in the short time between its completion and the war's end. However, it should be noted that in SEED Destiny Cagalli's Strike Rouge is seen in the opening sequence with this pack. Kira Yamato later uses the IWSP Striker Pack with the Strike Rouge for a brief period of time following the destruction of his Freedom Gundam.
- 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, but was heavily damaged in battle and never used again.
In addition, the MBF-M1 and MBF-M1A Astray mobile suits' flight packs, while not removable, were based heavily on the AQM/E-X01 Aile Striker pack.
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-02, which could convert into a "subflight lifter" (essentially a flying platform upon which the Justice Gundam could ride).
Junk Guild (CE 71)
While the Junk Guild did not create any Striker packs of its own, MBF-P02 Gundam Astray Red Frame pilot Lowe Gear did modify the flight pack of an MBF-M1 Astray to mount on Red Frame as a Striker-like optional high-mobility pack. In addition, the Gundam Astray Out Frame, built by Lowe Gear 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 mount heavy manipulator arms and a large storage backpack on this hardpoint.
Earth Alliance (CE 73)
- AQM/E-A4E1 Jet Striker: Designed for the GAT-02L2 Dagger L and used in CE 73. The Jet Striker is derived from the original AQM/E-X01, and is used to grant atmospheric flight capability. It also includes four hardpoints for missiles and rocket pods, additional propellant tanks, and other mission-specific equipment. It is also is compatible with the GAT-04 Windam.
- AQM/E-M11 Doppelhorn Striker: Designed for the GAT-02L2 Dagger L used in CE 73. Doppelhorn Striker is a vastly simplified version of the Launcher Striker, equipped with a pair of recoilless cannons mounted on a backpack. So far, the Doppelhorn Striker seems be only available for space combat.
- Nuclear (?) Striker: Designed for the GAT-04 Windam used in CE 73. Nuclear Striker carries two nuclear missiles and thrusters to properly balance the Windam against the additional weight. First deployed in the Battle of Aprilius One.
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 "Striker Packs" are called "Silhouettes".
- /α Force Silhouette: (analogous to the AQM/E-X01 Aile Striker)
- /β Sword Silhouette: (analogous to the AQM/E-X02 Sword Striker) This was an improvement over their older counterpart. The Sword Impulse Gundam still carries its beam rifle as well as its array of swords and beam boomerangs. By comparison, the Sword Strike Gundam had only its close-ranged Midas Messer beam boomerang for ranged combat,
- /γ Blast Silhouette: (analogous to the AQM/E-X03 Launcher Striker). This was an improvement over their older counterpart. the Blast Impulse Gundam carries a beam javelin, making it more strongly equipped for close-range combat if the enemy gets in close to it. By comparison, the Launcher Strike Gundam could only resort to the Armor Schneider anti-armor knives in close combat
- /θ Destiny Silhouette: (which includes extra forearm pieces mounted on the shield hardpoints) serves as a testbed for some of the weapons and systems of the ZGMF-X42S Destiny, including the beam wing propulsion system and beam shields. While the Destiny Silhouette effectively duplicates the functions all three original Silhouettes, its very high power consumption makes it unsuitable for combat use on a battery-powered mobile suit.
ZGMF-1000 ZAKU Warrior/ZGMF-1001 ZAKU Phantom
ZAFT's standard MS, the ZAKU Warrior/ZAKU Phantom, uses "Wizard" packs, ZAKU Wizards include the sniper-type Gunner Wizard (often used by Lunamaria Hawke and Dearka Elsman), high-mobility type Blaze Wizard (used by Rey Za Burrel and Athrun Zala) and rapid assault Slash Wizard (used by Yzak Joule). Two more rarely used packs, the Noctiluna Wizard and Command Wizard, are intended specificially for the amphibious assault and C3 variants of the ZAKU.
Similar technologies
Assault Shroud (CE 71) - GAT-X102 Duel
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 it was destroyed by the Forbidden Gundam.
Fortresta Mode (CE 71) - GAT-X102 Duel/GAT-01D Long Dagger/GAT-01D1 Duel Dagger
A similar system was deployed by the Earth Alliance for the mass-production GAT-01D Long Dagger and GAT-01D1 Duel Dagger mobile suits, called "Fortresta Mode." 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.
EF-24R Flight Rotor Shrike (CE 73) - MBF-M1 Astray
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 helicoptor-like rotor. This pack attaches the Astray's existing flight unit backpack and provides considerably enhanced aerial capability.
Similar technologies from other timelines
FA-78-1 Gundam Full Armor (UC 0079) - RX-78-1 Gundam
In the Universal Century calendar, during the One Year War, the prototype RX-78-1 Gundam had a bolt-on system of armor and weapons called Gundam Full Armor. The Gundam Full Armor 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. The Gundam Full Armor was never a success, it was too heavy for its propulsion and its space mobility was cut back to little better than that of a Zaku. The design was eventually modified into the FA-78-2 Heavy Gundam, into which the heavy armor system and powerful attack-design armaments were integrated from the beginning rather than being add-ons; the FA-78-2 was more powerful and considerably faster, but eventually fell by the wayside in favor of other Gundam variants. It was involved in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent Zeon from stealing the super-heavy "Burstliner" beam cannon, which was eventually recovered by the Australian MS team "White Dingo."
G-Fighter (UC 0079) - RX-78-2 Gundam
G-Fighter is large fighter developed by Earth Federation during One Year War as RX-78-2 Gundam's assist unit. G-Fighter can separate into two parts call "G-Module" or "G-Part", the front part equipped with powerful beam cannons and missile launcher while the back part has its thruster. The front part can dock with Gundam's upper body to become "G-Bull" tank while the back part can dock with core fighter and Gundam's legs to become "G-Sky" which is use to increase speed and add protection to Gundam during its combination. The last mode is "G-Armor" which has G-Fighter's parts cover most of Gundam body and can work as both tank and fighter. The G-Fighter is only seen in TV series, its role were replaced by FF-X7-Bst Core Booster in movie edition of Mobile Suit Gundam.
Defensor Unit (UC 0087) - RX-178 Gundam Mark II/RMS-099S Rick Dias S
With RX-178 Gundam Mark II become outdated. Anaheim Electronics develope a fighter called FXA-05D G-Defenser, which can dock with Gundam Mark II to become RX-178+FXA-05D Super Gundam. In this form, Gundam Mark II can control most of G-Defenser's weapons. Super Gundam also has addition acceleration and Gundarium armor. Pilot of G-Defenser can detach its cockpit from Super Gundam, but has only small laser guns as weapon. While only single G-Defenser was seen in action, there is record about Super Dias which is combination of RMS-099S Rick Dias S and Defenser unit similar to G-Defenser.
Mission Pack (UC 0120) - F90 Gundam F90/F90II Gundam F90II
Universal Century's counter-part of striker pack. Gundam F90 feature total number of 8 mission pack that could equip to make it fit for multiple environment. When the Gundam F90 Unit 2 was converted into Gundam F90II, 2 more mission pack are creat specify 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
The Overhang pack is optional backpack for LM312V04 Victory Gundam to become V-Dash Gundam in order to improve its weaponary. This backpack mounted with powerful beam cannon call "Overhang cannon", also feature addition verniers and thrusters. A hand-carried mega beam rifle also add for more firepower. These allow V-Dash Gundam to take a role as fire-support unit as well. If need, the Overhang pack can be ejected and the mobile suit can continue operate as Victory Gundam. The Overhang pack can be used by commander-type LM312V06 Victory Gundam Hexa as well.
G-Falcon (pre-AW 0001) - 7th Space War Gundam
During 7th Space War, the Earth Federation has develope large fighter call G-Falcon as support unit of their Gundam series. Armed with vulcan guns, infared-guided homing missile and scatter beam cannon, G-Falcon can be operate as sole-unit as well. What make it a support unit is ability to dock with Gundam series, the GT-9600 Gundam Leopard, GW-9800 Gundam Airmaster and GX-9900 Gundam X.(Gundam Airmaster must be in fighter form to dock with G-Falcon) G-Falcon would increase their mobility (G-Falcon is powerful enough to make Gundam Leopard flying) and the Gundam also able to use G-Falcon weapons. It's unknown how many G-Falcon were build during 7th Space War, but single unit was seen piloted by Para Zis of Satelicon in AW 0015. It turn out that G-Falcon can dock with GX-9901-DX Gundam Double X without any modification. Later, Kid Salsamil, chief mechanic of Freeden modify Para's G-Falcon so it can be dock with GT-9600-D Gundam Leopard Destroy and GW-9800-B Gundam Airmaster Burst as well.