ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam

The ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam was a high performance general-purpose MS commissioned by PLANT Chairman Gilbert Durandal, who ordered it to be incorporated with the most advanced technology of the time, including technologies banned by the Junius Treaty. Based on the ZGMF-X56S Impulse Gundam and Shinn Asuka's combat data, it was designed to handle any combat situations with a single set of varied armament, a concept first tested on the ZGMF-X56S/θ Destiny Impulse. For close combat, it had two beam boomerangs that doubled as beam sabers, a pair of palm beam cannons, and a large beam sword. For ranged battle, it was equipped with a long-range beam cannon and a beam rifle. For defense, it mounted a small physical shield as well as two beam shield generators. Finally, it had a standard set of head-mounted CIWS.

For the Destiny Gundam to use its variety of weapons effectively and quickly, it needed to have a wider range of body movements and more flexibility. To achieve a wider range of body movements, the suit's basic structural components were split into smaller, movable pieces, while its armor was divided into smaller pieces in a manner similar to that of the ZGMF-X20A Strike Freedom Gundam's. The exposed gaps in the armor due to smaller armor pieces were remedied by mapping out the ranges of motion of the frame using Shinn's combat performance to determine the most efficient way to separate the armor parts. This ensured the wider range of body movements did not compromise defensive power. The Destiny's joints were constructed of the same material as Phase Shift armor. This gave its joints near-human flexibility when phase-shifted and produced a faint metallic glow when discharging excess residual energy within the body through the joints. Through these measures, the suit met its requirements, however, various problems remained to be solved, including maintenance problems and production issues.

Other special aspects are the Destiny's use of the new Voiture Lumiere propulsion system and the use of Mirage Colloid to create illusionary copies of itself. Destiny's Voiture Lumiere propulsion system was installed in the wings, which were improved version of the ZGMF-X10A Freedom Gundam's wings, and produced a special light effect known as Wings of Light during high speed movements. The Voiture Lumiere propulsion system was frequently used alongside the Mirage Colloid to confuse the enemy as the real Destiny set up for a high-speed attack. Like the ZGMF-X666S Legend Gundam, the Destiny Gundam was powered by the Hyper-Deuterion Engine and protected by Variable Phase Shift armor. Although classified as a "Second Stage Series" mobile suit, as indicated by the "S" in its model code, the Destiny should be a "Third Stage Series" instead based on its performance. This was done to hide the fact that it is a nuclear-powered suit and should have an "A" instead.

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