GT-9600-D Gundam Leopard Destroy

General and Technical Data
Model number: GT-9600-D

Code name: Gundam Leopard Destroy

Unit type: heavy weapons mobile suit

Manufacturer: Vulture (based on a design by the United Nations Earth)

Operator: Vulture

First deployment: August A.W. 0015

Accommodation: pilot only, in standard cockpit in torso

Dimensions: head height 16.8 meters

Weight: empty 8.6 metric metric tons; max gross weight unknown

Construction: lunar titanium alloy armor and frame

Powerplant: ultracompact fusion reactor, power output rating unknown

Equipment and design features: flash system, allows Newtype pilot to remote-control FT-9600 GT-Bit mobile bits; sensors, range unknown

Fixed armaments: 2 x twin beam cylinder, mounted on backpack, fits over arms when deployed; 2 x Gatling gun, fire-linked, mounted in chest; 2 x hornet missile, mountd in knees; 11-tube missile launcher pod, mounted on left shoulder; 2 x beam cannon, fire-linked, mounted in head; beam knife, stored in recharge rack in right leg, hand-carried in use; 2-barrel beam cannon, mounted on right shoulder; 5 x beam cannon, fire-linked, mounted on right arm; 4 x multi-use launcher, mounted on pairs on shoulders

Optional fixed armaments: 4-tube missile pod, mounted on left legOptional armament: heat axe x 1

Technical and Historical Notes
During a battle against the New UNE's massive (and beam weapon-proof) NRX-010 Gable mobile suit, Roybea Loy's GT-9600 Gundam Leopard was heavily damaged, as his was the only unit among the Freeden's mobile suit complement armed with a significant number of conventional, non-beam weapons. Following the battle, the Freeden's ever-resourceful mobile suit mechanic, young Kid Salsamille, set to work to rebuild Roybea's suit. The refurbished unit was renamed GT-9600-D Gundam Leopard Destroy, and its weaponry loadout was overhauled, replacing many of its old conventional arms with a greater number of beam weapons. As a result, the Leopard Destroy's armament was now considered more "well-balanced", thus helping Roybea to better use his Gundam against the increasingly powerful New UNE military.

The Leopard Destroy, now repainted in dashing red and white, had a more balanced artillery than its previous form. The single left-arm-mounted gatling was replaced with a pair of beam gatlings which were mounted over the Leopard Destroy's forearms. The standard grenade launcher, previously located on the right hand, was replaced by set of fire linked beam cannons. The shoulders had an 11-tube missile launcher and a twin-barreled beam cannon attached, and the head vulcans were removed to make way for beam vulcans.

The Leopard Destroy also had a few other special features which weren't made much use of. Presumably, the Flash System which allowed a Newtype pilot to control a set of Ft-9600 Gt-Bit Mobile Suits was still installed in the Leopard Destroy, despite Roybea Roy lacking the Newtype powers necessary to perform such a task. It also retained a set of hardpoints which allowed it to dock with Paula Shisu's G-Falcon, an Old United Nations Earth fighter designed to support the original Gundam trio fielded by the Federation. When docked with the G-Falcon, the Leopard Destroy could take to the skies and launch a bombing raid from above. This feature was only ever tested once, as the Freeden's crew made its way to space before long.

Miscellaneous Information
Pilot: Roybea Loy

Appearances: After War Gundam X

Original mechanical designer: Kunio Okawara