ZGMF-X56S/α Force Impulse Gundam is the Impulse Gundam fitted with the α Force Silhouette, a ZAFT prototype from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny (2004, C.E. 73). Shinn Asuka flies it first, and Lunamaria Hawke takes it later in the war.
What it does in the story
It first fights on 2 October C.E. 73, when Phantom Pain's Extendeds raid Armory One: Shinn launches in the Sword Impulse, loses the pack's weapons, and switches to Force. From the Minerva's descent to Earth onward the Force pack becomes the usual fit because it lets the suit fly in atmosphere, and Shinn uses the Force and Sword packs in sequence to bring down Kira Yamato's Freedom.
What makes it different
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The pack is the machine.
The Impulse changes role by swapping Silhouette packs instead of transforming, the same idea as the Strike's Striker packs. Force, Sword and Blast each bring their own weapons, and each one reprograms the Variable Phase Shift armour's colours and power draw.
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Force is the flight pack.
The Force Silhouette's high-output thrusters and large wings give the Impulse atmospheric flight and raise its mobility in space as well. It also adds a pair of MA-M941 Vajra beam sabers to the suit's standard fit, which is why the Force version fights better at close quarters than a bare Impulse.
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It recharges by beam.
The Deuterion Beam Energy Transfer System lets the Minerva top the suit up wirelessly once the two line up, taking seconds rather than a return to the hangar. It is still a few seconds of flying straight and slow, so it only works with someone else covering the suit.
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The suit arrives in three pieces.
The cockpit sits inside the YFX-M56S Core Splendor, a small transformable flyer, and the chest and legs travel as separate Chest and Leg Flyers. They join in midair after launch, then take the Silhouette from an automated Silhouette Flyer, which is how the Impulse re-arms without landing.
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Frequently asked questions
1. Why does the Force Impulse need a separate pack at all?
Because the Impulse was built to one airframe with interchangeable equipment rather than several specialised machines. The Force pack is the general-purpose option, and the Silhouette system also let ZAFT field one suit in several roles under the treaty limits on mobile suit numbers.
2. Can the Force Impulse fly in the atmosphere?
Yes. Atmospheric flight is the Force Silhouette's main contribution, which is why the pack is used so heavily after the Minerva reaches Earth. Its aerial combat performance is described as on a level with the Freedom Gundam's.
3. What happens if the Impulse is damaged in battle?
Only the damaged module has to be replaced. The Core Splendor, Chest Flyer and Leg Flyer can be swapped individually, so a suit that loses its legs can be rebuilt and launched again from the Minerva's catapult without waiting for a whole new machine.
4. Who else piloted the Force Impulse?
Lunamaria Hawke used it in the first half of the Battle of Heaven's Base before switching to the Sword pack on Shinn's advice. She flew it again during ZAFT's attack on Orb and at the Battle of Messiah, where it was damaged fighting the Infinite Justice.
Background sources: ZGMF-X56S/α Force Impulse Gundam — Gundam Wiki · Force Impulse Gundam — Gundam Official Website
