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Technology & Combat Characteristics

Theis a mobile suit in the series. It is piloted by Rau Le Creuset

Like the other ZGMF-X series of Gundams created by ZAFT in CE 71, the Providence is equipped with Neutron Jammer Canceller and powered by a nuclear reactor. It is also armored with Phase Shift armor and features armaments reverse engineered from the stolen mobile suits of the Earth Alliance. Initially designed as a close combat unit with large beam sabers, the Providence is later changed into a DRAGOON system equipped unit when Rau Le Creuset is designated as its pilot and because it could be powered by the nuclear reactor[1], but it still retains the heavy armor of the former's design. As this change is made after the main body's design is completed, some of the new parts could not be integrated into the body.[2] An example is the six quantum communication cables running from the backpack to the chest that are mounted externally due to lack of interior space.[1] Though exposed, these cables still have solid protection as they are covered by Phase Shift armor.[2][1]

The DRAGOON system is the Providence's main weapon and is first tested on the YMF-X000A Dreadnought Gundam. It allows pilot with high spatial awareness, like Rau, to control multiple wireless guided weapon pods through quantum communication, hence enabling a single mobile suit to simultaneously battle with multiple enemies and attack from multiple directions, including its blindspot.[1] The Providence's DRAGOON system is mounted on the large backpack and the hips, and includes 11 weapon pods that mount a total of 43 beam gun. Paired with the Multi Lock-On System, it is virtually impossible for these weapon pods to miss its mark.[1] The suit's backpack has thrusters of different sizes to prevent loss of mobility caused by added weight of the DRAGOON Systems.[1] Other armaments of the suit include four CIWS guns, a shield with two beam guns and a large beam saber, and a hand-carried large beam rifle. It was considered one of the most powerful mobile suits in C.E.71.[1][2]

Armaments

MMI-GAU2 "Picus" 76mm CIWS Four CIWS guns are mounted on Providence, two on the head and two on the shoulders.[3] These guns are not powerful enough to seriously damage other mobile suits, but suitable for shooting down missiles and suppressive fire.

MA-M221 "Judicium" Beam Rifle A handheld weapon used by the Providence, the "Judicium" beam rifle is substantially larger than conventional beam rifles and is supported by the suit's shoulder when used.[1] Although it is quite unwieldy, its output is higher than the "Lupus" beam rifle used by ZGMF-X09A Justice Gundam and ZGMF-X10A Freedom Gundam.[3]

MA-MV05A Composite Armed Shield System The composite armed shield system is mounted on the left forearm and has both defensive and offensive properties. It is armed with a large beam saber and two beam guns.[1]

DRAGOON System The Disconnected Rapid Armament Group Overlook Operation Network System, also known simply as the DRAGOON System, is the main armament of the Providence and is mounted on the backpack and hips.[1] It consisted of multiple wireless guided weapon pods controlled by a pilot with high spatial awareness through a combination of the Multi Lock-On System and quantum communication, which is unaffected by the Neutron Jammer.[1][3] The DRAGOON System allows the Providence to battle multiple units simultaneously and attack from their blind spots.[1]

Large DRAGOON Pod A remote weapon pod sporting nine beam guns. One is mounted at the top of the backpack, the other two are mounted at right angles from it with a smaller DRAGOON Pod in between each.

Small DRAGOON Pod A smaller remote weapon with two beam guns. Two are mounted on the backpack, one pair on each side skirt armor and another pair on the back skirt armor. The ones on the backpack can flip forward to function as beam cannons when they are still attached.

Special Equipment & Features

Neutron Jammer Canceller As with the other four ZGMF-X Gundam units produced by ZAFT at its time, the Providence is equipped with a Neutron Jammer Canceller, which counters the effects of the ubiquitous Neutron Jammers and allows these suits to be powered by nuclear reactors. This gives them almost limitless combat endurance, even with Phase Shift armor activated.

Operating System The Providence uses the Generation Unsubdued Nuclear Drive Assault Module Complex operating system.

Phase Shift Armor Like the other four units, the Providence is equipped with Phase Shift armor. Thanks to its N-Jammer Canceller and nuclear reactor the PS armor is capable of being active for a lot longer than on non-nuclear powered suits such as the Strike.

Multi Lock-On System As implied by its name, this unique system allows Providence to target multiple enemies and attack them at once. To use this system effectively, the pilot must have high spatial awareness capability, which is rare even among Coordinators. The use of the Multi Lock-On System with the DRAGOON System's weapon pods ensure the Providence never miss its targets.[1]

History

First Alliance-PLANT War

In mid CE 71, ZAFT created a series of advanced mobile suits based on technology reverse-engineered from the captured Earth Alliance G Project suits. Like their EA predecessors, the ZAFT's Gundams were armed with advanced beam weaponry and protected by Phase Shift armor. However, an additional technology was incorporated as well: the Neutron Jammer Canceller, which counters the effects of the ubiquitous Neutron Jammers and allows these suits to be powered by nuclear reactors. This gives them almost limitless combat endurance, even with Phase Shift armor activated.

The last of this series was the ZGMF-X13A Providence Gundam, which did not enter service until the final day of the war, September 26, CE 71. It was used to great effect by Rau Le Creuset, who finally revealed his plot to destroy humanity in its entirety. He proved the Providence's power by overwhelming and severely damaging Mu La Flaga's GAT-X105+AQM/E-X01 Aile Strike Gundam and former subordinate Dearka Elsman's GAT-X103 Buster Gundam. He then heavily damaged Kira Yamato's ZGMF-X10A Freedom Gundam, destroying its METEOR unit in the process. However, Kira still ultimately prevailed, as Rau was mortally wounded when Freedom's beam saber pierced Providence's cockpit. The Providence was subsequently vaporized by the last shot of the GENESIS laser.

Second Alliance-PLANT War

During the Second Alliance-PLANT War, ZAFT creates a more advanced version of the Providence, the ZGMF-X666S Legend Gundam.

Variants

Gallery

Cockpit DRAGOONs on backpack Beam Rifle Composite Armed Shield System Deactivate mode in MS Hangar (HD Remaster) Eyes glowing upon activation Close up on head crest's "UNDICI" Vs Aile Strike Gundam Defeated by Freedom Gundam Obliterated by GENESIS' shot Face close up ( GBD Ep 10) Firing Beam Rifle (GBD Ep 10) Close up (GBD Ep 11) Firing several Dragoon pods (GBD Ep 11) Bottom left: Probable early version of Providence (note the lack of DRAGOONs-equipped backpack and quantum communication cables on its chest) in Gundam Versus As seen on the game Gundam Diorama Front 3rd From SD Gundam Ultimate Encyclopedia

1/144 "ZGMF-X13A Providence Gundam" (2004): box art 1/144 HG SEED "ZGMF-X13A Providence Gundam" (2004): box art 1/144 HG SEED "ZGMF-X13A Providence Gundam" (Remastered Version; 2012): box art 1/100 "ZGMF-X13A Providence Gundam" (2004): box art 1/100 MG "ZGMF-X13A Providence Gundam" (2017): box art 1/100 MG "ZGMF-X13A Providence Gundam (G.U.N.D.A.M. Premium Edition)" (2017): box art 1/100 MG "ZGMF-X13A Providence Gundam (G.U.N.D.A.M. Edition)" (2017): box art 1/100 MG "ZGMF-X13A Providence Gundam (Special Coating Ver.)" (P-Bandai exclusive; 2018): box art 1/100 MG "DRAGOON Display Effect for Providence Gundam" (P-Bandai exclusive; 2017): box art Sample of 1/100 MG "ZGMF-X13A Providence Gundam"

Action Figures

Notes and Trivia

Whereas the ZGMF-X09A Justice Gundam and ZGMF-X10A Freedom Gundam's head crests display their respective model number ("nove" (9) and "dieci" (10) respectively), Providence's head crest display "UNDICI", which means "Eleven" in Italian, this is despite its model number being "13". This is likely a reference to the Providence being the eleventh Gundam to appear in the series (after the five original Gundams, the three Earth Alliance second-stage Gundams, the Justice, and the Freedom).

The Providence is originally listed as having only two "Picus" 76mm CIWS although their locations are unknown. The 1/144 HG model kit shows them to be head-mounted, while in the anime, they are shown to be the shoulder protrusions during the battle with Freedom. Later, sourcebooks simply combine these two locations and state that Providence has four CIWS.

Despite its final boss-esque status, in all of the installations of the Gundam Vs series, it appears in, Providence's cost is always lower than that of its rivaling units. In the crossover games, it consistently holds a cost of 2000, the amount usually reserved for ace custom suits or starter Gundams while other mobile suits of its nature tend to have 2500 or 3000. However, in Extreme Versus Maxiboost it has elevated to cost 2500, and in Gundam Versus to cost 400, the same as the Freedom.

The backpack's thrusters are similar in arrangement to those found on the FF-X7 Core Fighter from the original Mobile Suit Gundam.

References

Information from Gundam Perfect File



