XM-X1 Crossbone Gundam X-1 (Alpha)

The XM-001 Cutlass is a mobile suit from Mobile Suit Gundam Alpha. It is the flagship and entirely exclusive mobile suit of the Crossbone Vanguard.

Appearance
Exactly as it sounds, the Cutlass is the Alpha version of the Crossbone Gundam. Following that, the first and second units look like appear as the Ver. Ka. renditions of the X-1 and X-2, while the third unit falls in line with the latter pair but is painted in red, a la Dark Tiger Squadron.

Technology & Combat Characteristics
Being one of the first mobile suits to be developed straight off the Federation's RGX-780 Gundam, the XM-001 Cutlass is a high performance unit that surpasses almost all other types. Unlike its parent design, the Cutlass isn't meant for Newtypes (per se), but is very much on par regardless. Its defining feature is the long variable X-shaped thrusters on its back, which are composed of four Apollo Thrusters can be pointed at any direction. With the addition of AMBAC, the main thrusters allow for high mobility even under the strain of heavy gravity, while combined into one huge rocket column they largely increased the unit's top speed. This configuration makes the Cutlass otherwise difficult to control for average pilots, however.

As the Cutlass was meant entirely for the Crossbone Vanguard's usage, it was given extra emphasis on its close range combat abilities. With its high mobility, the Cutlass can easily outmaneuver most mobile suits, allowing it to close in at melee level within the blink of an eye. The Cutlass arsenal follows this orientation. With its standard armaments derived straight from the Gundam, the Cutlass is well equipped to fight at close-range, while also adding on the Cosmo Babylonian shot lancer and the more exclusive beam zanber and buster gun for further effectiveness.

Additionally, the Cutlass can be equipped with an Anti-Beam Cloak, which covers the entire body of the mobile suit as poncho. Impact being impacted with a beam, the cloak disperses the energy over itself, granting the Cutlass an additional defense outside its beam shields and mobility. Alongside, the cloak has the capability of bending sensor waves around itself as well, giving the Cutlass stealth capability alongside. Finally, the Cutlass has one other unique feature. The "mouth" of its Gundam derived faceplate can "open" to vent excess heat, as well as create a highly intimidating appearance. 

Three units in total were made, and all of them were given by the Federation to the Crossbone Vanguard.

Armaments

 * M242 Beam Vulcan
 * Standard weapons for Federation mobile suits descending from the Guncannon and Gundam lines, vulcans are miniature rapid-fire beam guns stored on the sides of the Cutlass ' head. Having the greatest rate of fire of all the Cutlass ' weapons, they are primarily used to ward off advancing enemies, shoot down missiles or hit other fast moving targets. They are also useful as anti-spacecraft and anti-personnel weapons. The vulcans however have a difficult time piercing heavier armor (though they are capable of destroying mobile suits when fired at close range) and thus are not often used against larger, more heavily armored foes. Still, the vulcans are useful in preserving energy for the Cutlass ' more powerful weapons.


 * MI98 Beam Gauntlet
 * Unique close-range weapons mounted within the Cutlass ' palms. Essentially hand mounted beam emitters, the beam gauntlets release powerful energy discharges, which can either act as a beam shot or be directed across the Cutlass ' hand manipulators to superheat them, giving them the destructive power and defensive measure of a beam saber. As such, they are either used as striking weapons or as back up melee weapons in case the beam sabers are otherwise unavailable.


 * MSD900 Beam Shield
 * Following its Gundam parent's example, the Cutlass is equipped with two beam shields, one in either forearm. These weapons are self-explanatory as their main function is to generate a plane of energy over the Cutlass ' arms, similar to the blade of a beam saber. They are powerful enough to deflect most types of attacks, though higher powered weapons, such as warship cannons, are more than capable of overwhelming and breaking through the shields.


 * SS892N Beam Saber
 * Another carry over from the Gundam, the Cutlass is equipped with two beam sabers, which are concealed in shoulder ports when not in use. The sabers are stored on the backpack. When activated, the hilts generate a focused blade of beam energy; this is revolutionary compared to standard melee weapons at that point, which can only generate a beam "edge" over a designated area. The blades can be shortened or lengthened at the pilot's command, allowing them to be utilized as daggers when necessary. Once activated, beam sabers do not rely on the mobile suit's reactor and can be thrown or discarded as decoys. The beam saber is most often used for close range combat or as an emergency weapon once all others have been depleted or lost.


 * SZ450 Beam Zanber


 * M505BG Buster Gun


 * SL400 Shot Lancer

System Features

 * Anti-Beam Cloak


 * Heat Vent

History
Coming Soon.