XM-X3 Crossbone Gundam X3 – MechaBay | Mobile Suit Crossbone Gundam

The XM-X3 Crossbone Gundam X3 was a prototype general purpose mobile suit produced by the Strategic Naval Research Institute for the Crossbone Vanguard. The “XM” in the model code indicated it was an experimental mobile suit developed by or for non-Federation forces, whilst the “X3” represented it as the third and most advanced unit in the Crossbone series.

History

Produced as a limited testbed model, the XM-X3 Crossbone Gundam X-3’s performance was roughly on par with the original two units but possessed a variety of new equipment. Originally developed by SNRI under the Formula Project as the Gundam F97, the X3 incorporated the same revolutionary thruster configuration designed for Jupiter operations whilst serving as a proving ground for next-generation mobile suit systems.

The sole unit produced was assigned to young Crossbone Vanguard pilot Tobia Arronax, who used it throughout the final battle with the Jupiter Empire. Despite his relative inexperience, Tobia proved capable of managing the X3’s complex systems and exploiting its revolutionary capabilities.

During combat with the Jupiter Empire’s automated mobile armour Elegolela, Tobia demonstrated the X3’s defensive capabilities by using the I-field on his left arm to block the mobile armour’s mega particle cannon. The tactical display showed him the remaining operational time, forcing him to alternate between the two I-field generators whilst engaging in close combat with the Muramasa Blaster.

Tobia used the X3 throughout the final battle with the Jupiter Empire, ultimately sacrificing the Gundam to destroy Crux Dogatie’s EMA-10 Divinidad mobile armour on Earth. In the climactic battle, Tobia charged toward Dogatie and emitted I-fields from both hands at full power before ejecting in the Core Fighter just before the collision created a massive explosion that destroyed both machines.

Design

The chest armour was strengthened and featured a pair of mega machine cannons to enhance its close combat abilities. However, the most important change was in the arms, which replaced the standard beam shields with a pair of I-field generators—a technological breakthrough that brought mobile armor-class defensive capabilities to a mobile suit platform.

While the I-field was originally too energy-intensive to be used in anything except mobile armors, the downsizing of mobile suits around UC 0123 saw the concept revisited. The X-3’s I-field could deflect, bend, or even reflect enemy beams depending on their strength, and could even withstand battleship-class mega particle cannons.

However, each arm unit only had an operational time of 105 seconds with a 120-second cooldown period, leaving a 15-second gap in the defences which the pilot needed to carefully mind. Even when alternating between the two I-field generators, the Gundam would still be defenceless for about 15 seconds—a critical vulnerability that required exceptional piloting skill to manage.

Like its predecessor F91 Gundam F91, the X3’s “mouth” could be opened as a vent to manage the substantial heat generated by its high-output systems. This was particularly important given the energy demands of the I-field generators and Muramasa Blaster.

Armaments

The Crossbone Gundam X3’s standard weapons were vulcan guns and mega machine cannons for ranged attacks, and beam sabers for melee combat.

Muramasa Blaster

The X-3’s main weapon was the muramasa blaster, a large metal sword mounting 14 beam saber emitters along its blade and a beam gun in its tip. The Muramasa Blaster is a unique weapon exclusive to the XM-X3 Crossbone Gundam X-3. It resembles a straight rapier with a gun handle in the guard and with a skull and crossbones painted on the sides.

The weapon is quite large, at least half the length of the X-3’s height if not longer. It mounts a total of 15 beam emitters, one beam gun on the tip of the sword that can also emit a beam saber and 14 beam blade emitters that line the sides, making it usable for both long and short range combat.

The Muramasa Blaster mounts 14 wide beam saber emitters along its sides, 7 to each side. The sabers emitted are quite short but are wider than average, giving the Muramasa Blaster an appearance similar to a sawed-tooth weapon. The blades were powerful enough that only the X-3’s own I-field could stop them, demonstrating their exceptional output.

Unfortunately, the Muramasa Blaster is a prototype weapon and because of its power intensive nature, it can only be used for a limited operational period. Due to its high energy output the blaster could not be used for an extended period of time and was thus designed to be useful even unpowered as a conventional metal sword.

I-field generators

Unlike the two other Crossbone Gundam units, the XM-X3 is drastically different. Instead of beam shields, it has arm-mounted I-field generators which could completely disperse beam attacks, even those from battleship-grade beam cannons and Variable Speed Beam Rifles (one thing that the beam shield cannot block).

A cockpit display indicates that the pilot can use the I-fields for 105 seconds, followed by 120 seconds of cooldown. Between both arms, this provides 210 seconds of total invulnerability to enemy beams, plus 15 seconds of complete exposure that must be carefully managed.

Mega machine cannons

The Crossbone Gundam X-3 is equipped with a pair of mega machine cannons in its chest and they are stronger than the vulcan guns. These weapons enhanced the unit’s close combat abilities, providing superior firepower against lightly armoured targets compared to the standard head-mounted vulcans.

Vulcan guns

These head mounted shell firing weapons have a high rate of fire, but little power and are generally ineffective against mobile suits. However, they can damage lightly armoured areas such as the sensors, and are ideal for shooting down small, lightly armoured targets such as missiles or small vehicles.

Beam saber/beam guns

The beam saber is the standard close-combat weapon of many mobile suits, it emits a blade of plasma contained by an I-field that can cut through any physical armour not treated to resist it. The Crossbone Gundam is equipped with two beam sabers stored in shoulder racks. They also serve as the beam guns for the core fighter.

Heat daggers

The heat daggers were stored in the mobile suit’s thighs and could be deployed in multiple ways. The blades could extend from the soles of the feet for surprise attacks or be launched as projectiles at medium range.

Scissor anchors

The scissor anchors served as multipurpose weapons mounted on the front skirt armour. These devices could be fired on chains to grapple enemy mobile suits, pull them closer for melee combat, or stabilise the Crossbone Gundam during combat manoeuvres.

Optional equipment

Like its brother units, the X-3 could be equipped with the beam shield/brand marker unique to the Crossbone Gundams, mounting them over the I-Field generators. However, these were never equipped to the X-3 before its first sortie, after which it was never properly resupplied with fresh weapons.

The X3 could also utilise the standard Crossbone weapons including the beam zanber, buster gun, and zanbuster combination when the tactical situation required conventional armament.

Known pilots

Tobia Arronax

Variants

The X3 had no direct variants, but its technology influenced later units:

Parts were later used to repair the XM-X1 Crossbone Gundam X1 Patchwork
I-field technology was incorporated into the XM-X1 Crossbone Gundam X1 Full Cloth

Behind the scenes

The XM-X3 Crossbone Gundam X3 first appeared in Mobile Suit Crossbone Gundam manga and was designed by Katoki Hajime. The mobile suit served as a showcase for advanced Universal Century technology, particularly the miniaturisation of I-field generators and the development of multi-beam weapons like the Muramasa Blaster.

The model number follows Universal Century conventions, with XM indicating an experimental mobile suit and X3 representing the third and most advanced unit in the series. The distinctive blue colour scheme helped differentiate it from its sister units whilst the Muramasa Blaster became one of the most recognisable weapons in the Crossbone Gundam series.

Appearances

Manga

Mobile Suit Crossbone Gundam (1994-1997)
Mobile Suit Crossbone Gundam: The Steel Seven (referenced)

Video games

Super Robot Wars Alpha 2
Super Robot Wars V
Super Robot Wars X
G Generation series
Gundam Vs series

Model kits

High Grade Universal Century 1/144 XM-X3 Crossbone Gundam X3
Master Grade 1/100 XM-X3 Crossbone Gundam X3 Ver. Ka
Metal Build XM-X3 Crossbone Gundam X3

External links

XM-X3 Crossbone Gundam X-3 on MAHQ
XM-X3 Crossbone Gundam X-3 on Gundam Wiki