The GNX-704T/FS Ahead Forcing Scout Type (aka Ahead Forcing Scout Type, Ahead Long Tail, Long Tail) is a variant of the GNX-704T Ahead. Introduced in Mobile Suit Gundam 00V, one unit was piloted by Amy Zimbalist.
Technology & Combat Characteristics[]
A force reconnaissance variant of the Ahead, the Ahead Forcing Scout Type was designed for conducting long-range, long duration reconnaissance operation independently, without any accompanying ship.[1][2][3][4] This mobile suit is more commonly known as "Long Tail", and the add-on parts that differentiate it from the normal Ahead are located on its upper body and rear waist.[1][2][4][5] To enhance the Long Tail's reconnaissance abilities, it is fitted with a new sensor unit on its head that covers the main cameras.[2][4] This delicate sensor unit is equipped with multiple sensors such as E-Sensor, optical sensor, etc., granting it high search capabilities even when GN Particles are scattered.[2][4]
To increase the mobile suit's operating time, its GN Drive Tau is adjusted to produce a fixed amount of GN Particles continuously for an extended period.[1][2][4] This is similar to how the GNX-609T GN-XIII ESF Type lengthened its operating time by lowering its output.[4][6][7] Other measures to extend the Long Tail's operating time included the equipping of additional GN Condenser, and a large battery mounted in front of the chest that can be used for powering the GN Drive Tau.[1][2][4] As a result, the mobile suit can operate independently for nearly a week without resupply.[2][3][4][5] However, if the Long Tail uses large amount of GN Particles instantaneously, like the normal Ahead during combat, it is necessary to draw on the particles stored in the GN Condenser, and this would limit the mobile suit’s activities.[2][4]
The cylinders mounted on the back of the Long Tail's waist are composite tanks.[2][4] These tanks store GN Particles, as well as water that is used for attitude control and as a propellant.[2] Both of these resources are indispensable for long-range travelling.[2] The mobile suit is also additionally equipped with large GN Verniers on its back, and they are designed to generate maximum thrust using a small amount of GN Particles.[2][4] The downward-pointing, wing-like part at the bottom of the GN Verniers is a microwave receiver antenna, enabling the mobile suit to receive electrical energy when within transmission range of a power generating satellite.[2][4] Optional, long-range boosters units for the normal Ahead were later developed using data from the Long Tail.[2][4]
Thanks to a widened cockpit, the Long Tail's pilot has more space for stretching their body, and furthermore, the pilot is administered with special nanomachines to maintain their physical conditions.[2] In terms of armament, the Long Tail is equipped with the normal Ahead's standard weaponry consisting of a GN Beam Rifle that is convertible into a GN Submachine Gun, GN Beam Sabers, GN Vulcans and GN Shield.[2][4] The mobile suit also has its own unique weaponry, the back-mounted GN Beam Cannons, which are ultra-large beam cannons with extremely high firepower.[2][4] However, these beam cannons are only used at the right timing due to their intense GN Particle consumption, and because of the availability of the other weapons.[2][4]
Armaments[]
- GN Beam Cannon
- Mounted on the back, the pair of 18m long GN Beam Cannons are the largest class of beam cannon used by mobile suits.[2][4] These ultra-large beam cannons have extremely high firepower, allowing the Ahead Forcing Scout Type to be used for base assault.[2][3][4] However, they also consume an enormous amount of GN Particles, and their use are therefore limited.[2][4] The ability of the Ahead Forcing Scout Type to use the normal Ahead's weaponry also ensures the GN Beam Cannons are only used at the right timing.[4] GN Particles meant for propulsion can be diverted to power these cannons.[2][4] The GN Beam Cannons are normally in an upright position so as not to hinder movements, they flip down to a horizontal shooting position only when firing.[4]
- 30mm GN Vulcan
- The Ahead Forcing Scout Type retains the normal Ahead's head-mounted GN Vulcans. The pair of 30mm caliber beam guns have low firepower, but can be rapid-fired intermittently and have high utility value. They are used for restricting enemy's movements, creating a barrage, intercepting missiles, etc. Usages of the Ahead Forcing Scout Type's GN Vulcans are restricted as the added sensor unit on the head is a delicate equipment.[2][4]
- GN Beam Saber
- Melee weapon that emits a beam blade made of GN Particles when drawn. The Ahead Forcing Scout Type is equipped with two GN Beam Sabers like the normal Ahead, one stored in each shoulder, and they slide out of the orange-colored shoulder compartments for grabbing by the mobile suit's hands. Their performance is equal to the ones used by the Gundams.
- GN Beam Rifle
- The same beam firearm as used by the normal Ahead, its firing range and destructive power are several times that of the rifle used by the GNX-603T GN-X. Two shots from this GN Beam Rifle can destroy a Virginia-class transport ship used by Katharon. A pair of cylindrical-shaped GN Condensers are equipped on the sides of the rifle, and the weapon can be stored on the thighs' hardpoints when not in use.
- GN Submachine Gun
- The GN Submachine Gun is the GN Beam Rifle without the long barrel and the pair of GN Condensers. Although its firing range and destructive power are inferior to the GN Beam Rifle's, it is still capable of destroying non-GN Drive-type mobile suits in one shot. Furthermore, it has better rapid-firing performance, and is also compact as well as easy to wield. Like the GN Beam Rifle, the GN Submachine Gun can be stored on the thighs' hardpoints when not in use.
- GN Shield
- The same forearm-mounted physical shield as used by the normal Ahead. It is made of E-Carbon and a GN Field effect is applied to its surface, allowing it to achieve high defensive capability. This GN Shield has the same performance as the ones used by the Gundams.
History[]
Mobile Suit Gundam 00V Vol.014 GNX-704T/FS Ahead Forcing Scout Type[]
Following the destruction of the asteroid base he was assigned to by the GN-006/SA Cherudim Gundam SAGA, Amy Zimbalist was reassigned to an anti-Celestial Being reconnaissance team. He was then given a mission: to pilot the Ahead Forcing Scout Type and search for the enemy's secret base independently. After spending nearly a week in the mobile suit, Amy was reaching his mental limits. Alone in the cockpit, he lamented that the machine's developers had not considered the pilot's mental state, and wondered why they did not turn it into a twin seater when they widened the cockpit.
He fantasized that if the mobile suit is a twin seater, he would get a female co-pilot and then the cockpit's tight space might deepen their relationship, bringing about love. He had not considered that his co-pilot might not be a female. The Ahead Forcing Scout Type was reaching its limits too. Amy's commander had ordered him not to return until he found the enemy's base, however he did not think the commander would want him to deplete the mobile suit's energy and be left drifting in space. Finalizing his decision to give up, Amy vowed to get back at the Gundam, but the mobile suit's enhanced senor unit suddenly detected a weak heat source emanating from an asteroid in front.
Amy grumbled about lady luck's poor timing, but he still conducted his duties professionally. He sent out a warning and when there was no response, he hardened his resolve and diverted all of the mobile suit's remaining GN Particles to its GN Beam Cannons. The asteroid was easily shattered by the GN Beam Cannons' powerful beam, and at the same time, the Ahead Forcing Scout Type became immobile. Amy then prayed that his comrades would come and rescue him as soon as possible upon receiving his distress signal. He also hoped that the asteroid he destroyed contained an important facility and that this would lead to a promotion.
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Gundam 00V Official Website Mechanic Page
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 2.21 2.22 Mobile Suit Gundam 00V Vol.014 GNX-704T/FS Ahead Forcing Scout Type
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Profile in Magazine's modelling page
- ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 4.15 4.16 4.17 4.18 4.19 4.20 4.21 4.22 The Official Gundam Perfect File Vol. 131– GNX-704T/FS Ahead Forcing Scout Type Mechanic File
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 'Dengeki Data Collection - Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Side Stories' Book
- ↑ Gundam 00 Official Website GN-XIII profile
- ↑ HG00 1/144 GNX-609T GN-XIII ESF Type model kit manuals
External links[]