XXXG-01S2 Altron Gundam – Mobile Suit Gundam Wing

The XXXG-01S2 Altron Gundam was the upgraded version of the XXXG-01S Shenlong Gundam in Mobile Suit Gundam Wing. Piloted by Chang Wufei, who continued to call it “Nataku”, it was rebuilt by the five Gundam scientists at OZ’s lunar base in AC 195. The name “Altron” was derived from “Èrtóulóng” (二頭龍), meaning “two-headed dragon”, befitting its dual dragon fang weapons. Modified for space combat, it possessed twice the firepower and combat capabilities of its predecessor.

Overview

The XXXG-01S2 Altron Gundam was built from the damaged Shenlong Gundam, with the Gundam scientists quietly using OZ’s manufacturing facilities on the moon to upgrade the mobile suit with new equipment and weaponry. Like its predecessor, the Altron was a close-combat unit, but its new weapons granted it better ranged warfare capabilities.

Befitting its Altron name, meaning “two-headed dragon”, it was equipped with two dragon fangs, one more than the Shenlong. The original beam glaive was replaced with a double-ended twin beam trident. A twin beam cannon mounted on a movable tail was also added to its back, enhancing its ranged firepower. The Shenlong’s shield was left unchanged but renamed the Altron Shield and attached to its left shoulder.

Whereas Shenlong was primarily designed to operate under gravity, Altron was configured for space combat, with more thrusters and a pair of wing-shaped binders added to its back for greater mobility. Overall, Altron possessed twice the firepower and combat capabilities of its predecessor. Combined with Chang Wufei’s martial arts combat skills, the Altron was one of the most formidable mobile suits in close combat.

Design

Concept and development

After the XXXG-01S Shenlong Gundam was damaged and captured by OZ in AC 195, it was taken to OZ’s lunar base and mobile suit factory for storage. The five scientists who had built the Gundams were also at the lunar base, captured and forced to develop new mobile suits to secure OZ’s rule over Earth and the space colonies. Despite their apparent “cooperation”, the scientists also began rebuilding and upgrading both the Shenlong and the Gundam Deathscythe in secret, preparing for the day when captured Gundam pilots Chang Wufei and Duo Maxwell could return to the battlefield.

That opportunity came when the Romefeller Foundation—the political force behind OZ—became split over a number of issues, and the Treize Faction attacked the lunar base, which at the time was still under the control of Romefeller loyalists. During the chaos, Lady Une released both Duo and Wufei, who then escaped in their partially upgraded XXXG-01D2 Gundam Deathscythe Hell and XXXG-01S2 Altron Gundam.

The redesign focused on enhancing the original’s close-combat specialization whilst adding significant ranged firepower through the twin beam cannon system. The addition of a second dragon fang doubled the mobile suit’s grappling and flame attack capabilities. Like the original, the Altron was constructed from Gundanium alloy.

Technical features

The Altron Gundam’s most significant enhancement was the addition of a second dragon fang, giving it dual claw weapons on both forearms. Each dragon fang could extend for medium-range combat, with the arms possessing additional segments folded in the shoulders. The flamethrowers built into the dragon fangs were several times more powerful than those on the Shenlong and could be used in the vacuum of outer space.

The twin beam cannon, mounted on a flexible tail with a rotatable turret on the Altron’s back, was developed using technology from the Vayeate’s beam cannon. This weapon provided significant ranged firepower, addressing the original Shenlong’s lack of long-range capability.

Configuration for space combat included additional thrusters and a pair of wing-shaped binders added to the back for greater mobility in zero gravity. The fighting sight sensor system was retained but optimized for space operations.

The cockpit configuration remained unchanged from the original Shenlong, with a spherical capsule located in the torso.

Armament

Twin Beam Trident

An upgrade from the Shenlong’s beam glaive, the double-ended twin beam trident possessed more power and versatility. Technology from the Mercurius’s crash shield was utilized in this close-combat weapon, resulting in a significant improvement in the weapon’s output by accelerating and amplifying the beam particles. When not in use, the trident’s handle retracted and was stored on the left wing binder. The weapon could be activated with one or both blade ends, providing tactical flexibility.

Twin Beam Cannon

A pair of beam cannons installed at the end of a flexible tail mounted on a rotatable turret on the Altron’s back. Developed using technology from the OZ-13MSX1 Vayeate’s beam cannon, they provided powerful ranged attack capability. The flexible tail allowed the cannons to target enemies in virtually any direction, making the Altron dangerous from any angle.

Dragon Fangs

Equipped on each of the Altron’s forearms, these were large, claw-like weapons shaped in the form of dragon heads that flipped forward when in use. The dragon fangs could be extended for medium-range combat as the arms had additional segments folded in the shoulders. Like the Shenlong Gundam’s dragon fang, the Altron’s dragon fangs were equipped with flamethrowers. The dual dragon fangs allowed for devastating coordinated attacks.

Flamethrowers

A short-to-medium range weapon, a pair of flamethrowers were built into the sides of each dragon fang, totaling four flamethrowers. The flamethrowers on the Altron Gundam were several times more powerful than those on the Shenlong Gundam and could be used in the vacuum of outer space—a significant improvement enabling space combat operations.

Altron Shield

The same shield as used by the Shenlong Gundam, it was recoloured, renamed, and attached to the Altron’s left shoulder as both forearms were equipped with dragon fangs. The shield was often used as a ramming device and to protect the Gundam from incoming fire when charging towards a target. Despite its relocation, it remained an effective defensive tool.

Vulcan Guns

A pair of shell-firing armaments built into the head. Whilst possessing low offensive power, they were used to restrict enemy movement and lay down suppressive fire due to their rapid-fire capability.

Special equipment

Fighting Sight

The same unique system used by the Shenlong, but optimized for space operations. Installed in the shoulders and chest, it instantly calculated the precise position, movement, and weak points of an opponent during combat. This system provided significant tactical advantage in close-quarters engagements.

Self-destruct system

The Altron Gundam was built with a self-destruct system that the pilot could activate via a remote detonator in the cockpit. The system was designed to overload the mobile suit’s power systems and had sufficient explosive power to destroy several city blocks.

Operational history

Return to battle

After escaping from OZ’s lunar base during the Treize Faction attack with the partially upgraded Altron Gundam, Chang Wufei continued using his mobile suit against OZ and later the White Fang during the Eve Wars. Henceforth, the Altron Gundam would be a menace to enemy forces, with its enhanced capabilities proving devastatingly effective in space combat.

The Altron’s dual dragon fangs and twin beam trident made it exceptionally dangerous in close combat, whilst the twin beam cannon provided effective ranged attack capability. Wufei’s martial arts skills combined with the mobile suit’s enhanced capabilities made the Altron one of the most formidable units in the conflict.

Eve Wars

The Altron Gundam participated in the final battles of the Eve Wars, fighting against White Fang’s forces and helping to prevent the Libra space fortress from dropping on Earth. During the final conflict, the Altron engaged and defeated Treize Khushrenada’s OZ-00MS2 Tallgeese II in single combat, demonstrating its superior close-combat capabilities.

Production

Design and development

The Altron Gundam was designed by Okawara Kunio for the 1995 anime series Mobile Suit Gundam Wing. The design expanded on the Chinese dragon aesthetics of the original Shenlong, with the dual dragon fangs and flexible tail-mounted beam cannon reinforcing the “two-headed dragon” theme.

The name “Altron” derives from “Èrtóulóng” (二頭龍), Chinese for “two-headed dragon”, perfectly describing the mobile suit’s dual dragon fang weapons. Wufei continued to call it “Nataku” after his deceased wife, maintaining the emotional connection from the original Shenlong.

Reception

The Altron Gundam became popular amongst fans for its distinctive dual dragon design and enhanced combat capabilities. The mobile suit has been featured extensively in model kit releases, including an HGAC version released as a P-Bandai exclusive in 2024. It appears as a playable unit in various video games, including Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. Maxi Boost and SD Gundam G Generation Cross Rays.

Specifications

Specification	Details
Model Number	XXXG-01S2
Code Name	Altron Gundam
Unit Type	Custom close-quarters martial arts combat mobile suit
Manufacturer	The Gundam Scientists
Operator	G Team
Pilot	Chang Wufei
Overall Height	16.4 metres
Weight	7.5 tonnes
Armor Material	Gundanium alloy
Power Plant	Ultracompact fusion reactor
Accommodation	Pilot only, in spherical cockpit in torso
Fixed Armament	2 × vulcan gun; twin beam cannon; 2 × dragon fang with 4 × flamethrower; Altron shield
Hand-carried Armament	Twin beam trident
Special Equipment	Self-destruct system; fighting sight

Appearances

The XXXG-01S2 Altron Gundam appeared in the following works:

Mobile Suit Gundam Wing (anime series, episodes 25-49)
Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz (replaced by EW version)
Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Glory of the Losers (manga)
Gundam Build Divers Re:RISE (episode 25)
Various video games including Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. Maxi Boost, Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. Full Boost, and SD Gundam G Generation Cross Rays

External links

XXXG-01S2 Altron Gundam at The Gundam Wiki