Design
Unlike many mobile suits developed by the SNRI, which are designed to operate around the Earth, the F97 is specifically designed to be used in Jupiter's strong gravitational field, which will generate serious propulsion problems. Among the Earth Sphere, the trend for high mobility involves putting numerous thrusters all over its body. However, under Jupiter's gravitational influence, this requires enlargement of the thrusters, which leads to an increase of the mobile suit is size and mass. In order to use the larger thrusters, a more powerful, thus, larger and massive generator must be built, but becomes deadweight when not in use, adding a further dilemma to the design.
To solve this problem, the F97 is equipped with a long variable X-shaped thrusters: with the addition of AMBAC, the main thrusters, composed of four thrusters that can be pointed at any direction, or combined into one huge rocket column for increased speed, allows the mobile suit high mobility around Jupiter's orbit without increasing the size and mass of the unit. Due to the fact it is designed specifically for use in Jupiter's orbit, the F97 can also be used on Earth, abeit with slight difficulty for the pilot. In order to increase pilot survival rate, the F97 is equipped with a plug-in type "core fighter", where the variable thrusters and the two standard beam sabers are attached.
Another new feature utilized by the F97 is the anti-beam coating cloak, which is stored in the back and unfolded when needed. When unfolded, it covers the entire body and disperses energy over the cloak. It can usually withstand five standard beam shots without using any energy, with an additional advantage of stealth. Armaments include standard beam sabers, heat daggers (underneath the feet), a "scissors anchor" (mounted on the front skirts as a hidden weapon), as well as two "brand markers", which acts as beam shields or a shorter beam saber. Like its F91 predecessor, the F97's mouth can open as a vent to dissipate excess heat from its bio-computer system.
In total, three F97 units were made and all given to the Crossbone Vanguard. In order to cover this under-the-table deal, the "F97" designation is re-assigned as the XM-X, and the three suits dubbed the Crossbone Gundam X-1, X-2 and X-3, respectively.
Read more about this topic: XM-X Crossbone Gundam
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