GAT-X105 Strike Gundam
Earth Alliance prototype with modular striker pack system.
The GAT-X105 Strike Gundam was an Earth Alliance prototype mobile suit developed as part of the G Project in Cosmic Era 71. The Strike Gundam’s defining feature was its revolutionary striker pack system, which allowed the mobile suit to adapt to different combat scenarios by equipping specialised packs for aerial combat, close combat, or long-range artillery support. The mobile suit was piloted by Kira Yamato after he was forced to use it to protect his friends during ZAFT’s attack on Heliopolis.
Model Code Explanation: The “GAT” designation indicated an Earth Alliance General-purpose Assault Tactical mobile suit, whilst “X” denoted an experimental prototype. The “105” model number indicated it was part of the G Project’s five mobile suit development programme.
History
The Strike Gundam was one of five mobile suits developed by the Earth Alliance’s Atlantic Federation as part of the G Project, a secret programme designed to create advanced mobile suits capable of matching ZAFT’s superior Coordinator technology. The G Project aimed to develop mobile suits that could compete with ZAFT’s existing forces by incorporating advanced technologies like Phase Shift Armor and the innovative striker pack system.
During ZAFT’s attack on Heliopolis to steal the G Project mobile suits, the Strike Gundam was left behind when the other four units—Aegis, Blitz, Duel, and Buster—were successfully captured. Kira Yamato, a civilian Coordinator student with exceptional piloting abilities, was forced to activate the Strike Gundam to protect his friends. Despite having no military training, Kira’s natural aptitude allowed him to quickly master the mobile suit’s systems.
The Strike Gundam became the primary mobile suit of the Earth Alliance vessel Archangel, participating in numerous battles throughout the First Alliance-PLANT War. Kira’s philosophy of fighting without killing led him to develop tactics focused on disabling enemy mobile suits rather than destroying them, utilising the Strike Gundam’s versatility to adapt to different combat situations.
The mobile suit was eventually destroyed during combat, but its design and combat data influenced the development of later mobile suits, including the MBF-02 Strike Rouge, a modified version piloted by Cagalli Yula Athha.
Design
The Strike Gundam’s design emphasised versatility and adaptability through its modular striker pack system. The base mobile suit featured Phase Shift Armor, an energy-absorbing system that provided superior protection against physical attacks by hardening its surface when activated. The mobile suit’s basic frame was designed to be compatible with multiple striker pack configurations, allowing it to fulfil different combat roles.
The cockpit utilised a standard linear seat system with multiple display screens, providing the pilot with comprehensive information about the mobile suit’s status and combat environment. The Strike Gundam’s sensor systems were comparable to other G Project mobile suits, enabling effective combat in various environments including space, Earth’s surface, and underwater.
The mobile suit’s power plant consisted of an ultracompact energy battery, which provided sufficient power for standard operations but limited the Strike Gundam’s operational time compared to nuclear-powered mobile suits like the Freedom and Justice Gundams. This limitation required careful energy management during extended combat operations.
Striker Pack System
The Strike Gundam’s most innovative feature was its striker pack system, which allowed the mobile suit to equip specialised equipment packs that dramatically altered its combat capabilities:
- Aile Striker Pack: Provided enhanced mobility and flight capabilities, making the Strike Gundam effective in aerial and space combat.
- Sword Striker Pack: Equipped the mobile suit with additional close-combat weapons, including a large anti-ship sword and additional beam sabres.
- Launcher Striker Pack: Converted the Strike into a long-range artillery unit with powerful beam cannons and missile launchers.
The ability to swap between striker packs during combat or between sorties gave the Strike Gundam tactical flexibility unmatched by other mobile suits of its era.
Armaments
The Strike Gundam’s standard armament consisted of a combination of fixed weapons and handheld equipment that provided balanced combat capabilities. The mobile suit carried a beam rifle for ranged attacks, two beam sabres for close combat, and a shield for defence. Additional armament varied depending on the equipped striker pack configuration.
Beam Rifle
The Strike Gundam’s primary ranged weapon was a standard beam rifle that fired concentrated energy beams. The weapon was effective against most mobile suits and could be used in both space and atmospheric environments.
Beam Sabres
Two beam sabres were stored in the mobile suit’s backpack when not in use. These melee weapons generated plasma blades capable of cutting through most materials, making them effective for close combat. The beam sabres were particularly useful when equipped with the Sword Striker Pack, which provided additional melee weapons.
Shield
The Strike Gundam carried a physical shield that could be mounted on either arm. The shield provided protection against both physical and beam attacks, though its effectiveness was limited against powerful weapons like ZAFT’s GINN mobile suits’ heavy weapons.
Striker Pack Weapons
Each striker pack configuration added specialised weapons:
- Aile Pack: Enhanced thrusters and flight capabilities
- Sword Pack: Anti-ship sword “Schwert Gewehr” and additional beam sabres
- Launcher Pack: Agni 320mm hyper impulse cannon and missile launchers
Known pilots
Variants
- MBF-02 Strike Rouge – Modified version piloted by Cagalli Yula Athha
Behind the scenes
The Strike Gundam was designed by Kunio Okawara for Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, serving as the main protagonist mobile suit of the series. The striker pack system was created to provide the mobile suit with versatility and to create merchandising opportunities through different pack configurations.
The design incorporated elements from previous Gundam series whilst updating the aesthetic for the 21st century. The Phase Shift Armor system was created as a visual effect to demonstrate the mobile suit’s defensive capabilities, with the armor changing color when activated.
Appearances
- Mobile Suit Gundam SEED – Primary appearance
- Various video games including SD Gundam G Generation series
External links
- GAT-X105 Strike Gundam on MAHQ
- GAT-X105 Strike Gundam on the Gundam Wiki
Don't miss our next mobile suit analysis
Get technical specs, variants, battle history and pilot profiles delivered to your inbox.