Technology & Combat Characteristics
To enable the atmosphere-use Avalanche Exia to operate in space, it is equipped with the newly developed Dash Unit on its legs, becoming the Avalanche Exia'. Like the Avalanche Exia's Avalanche Unit, the Dash Unit is installed with GN Condensers and their stored GN Particles can be discharged through verniers for improved mobility. The Dash Unit also enhances the Gundam's AMBAC capabilities.
The High Mobility Mode enhances the Gundam's AMBAC capabilities (a form of attitude control via movement of mass) through a combination of the unfolding of the Avalanche Dash Unit's parts mounted on the shoulders, knees and back of the legs, causing them to be positioned further away from the machine's center of gravity, and the mass manipulation effect of the GN Particles within the Avalanche Dash Unit's GN Condensers. This mode is particularly useful for close combat in space, enabling fine movements at high speed without consuming any particles. In High Speed Mode, sections of the Avalanche Dash Unit unfold for the full deployment of the verniers, maximizing the high-speed movement capabilities of the Avalanche Exia'. It is not an exaggeration to say this mode is the reason for equipping the Avalanche Dash Unit. While the Avalanche Exia has to link its shoulder and arm parts together to reduce air resistance during high-speed movements in the atmosphere, this is not necessary for the space-use Avalanche Exia'.
Besides High Mobility and High Speed Modes, Avalanche Exia' also has a "Burst Mode". In this mode, Avalanche Exia' has improved short-range mobility and creates a favorable combat environment for itself by scattering GN Particles at a high density in the battlefield. Like the Avalanche Exia, the Avalanche Exia' retains the normal Exia's characteristic seven swords, with most of them stored on the back-mounted weapon holders known as "Weapon Arms". The Avalanche Exia' also has added weapons in the form of a pair of GN Claws mounted in the tips of the Dash Unit, and these claws have built-in GN Beam Sabers. As a result, the Avalanche Exia' can fight with a maximum of four swords, one in each limb. The data of the Avalanche Exia' was later used to develop the GNR-001D GN Arms Type-D and GNR-001E GN Arms Type-E.
History
===Mobile Suit Gundam 00V: Battlefield Record Chapter 8===
The Gundam Avalanche Exia' was first deployed during the "Meteor Nacht" incident (previously mentioned in Mobile Suit Gundam 00V Chapter 6 and 00V Battlefield Record Chapter 2). In this incident, an explosion of unknown origin caused one of the larger asteroids at Lagrange Point 1 to head on a collision course with Earth. Although Veda did not support the deployment of the Gundams in response to the incident, the Gundam Meisters nevertheless decided to do their part in reducing the potential damage dealt to Earth. According to the plan, Setsuna and his Avalanche Exia' would serve as the vanguard and try to fragmentize the asteroid in space, Allelujah and his GN-003/af-G02 Gundam Kyrios Gust would intercept asteroid fragments that did not burn up in the atmosphere, and finally, Lockon and his GN-002 Gundam Dynames would provide assistance from the ground by shooting with the Super Substratospheric Altitude Gun.
Since this was Setsuna's first time piloting Avalanche Exia', Ian explained the Dash Unit's main features. When Ian asked if he had understood his explanation, Setsuna only replied with a simple "yes". Deciding to believe in Setsuna, Ian sent him off with a smile. As Avalanche Exia' approached the asteroid, Setsuna shot at it repeatedly using the GN Sword's Rifle Mode. However, he soon felt that while this method kept him safe, it was too inefficient. The Avalanche Exia' then moved closer and started attacking using two GN Beam Sabers in its hands and another two GN Beam Sabers emitted from the Dash Unit's GN Claws. This not only fragments the asteroid, but chopping off pieces of the asteroid can also alter its center of gravity, thereby changing its atmospheric entry angle and increasing the chance of it burning up in the atmosphere. Furthermore, this better suited Setsuna's combat style. In the few minutes left, Setsuna swung the four sabers as many times as he could, resulting in numerous fragments falling into the atmosphere. Having done his best, Setsuna retreated using the High-Speed Mode of the Avalanche Exia', leaving the rest in the capable hands of his fellow Gundam Meisters.