Aeshma Wing
Blaze Schneider x 1: An eloquent name for a simple weapon, this reinforced battle sword is a larger counterpart to the Aeshma Prime's heat hawk. Since its blade conducts heat more effectively, the weapon is excellent for energy-conscious pilots who want to keep their mobile suit's battery from draining too quickly. When not in use, the sword can be latched to either the Aeshma's hip or back.
Bombard Torpedo x 2: A heavy multi-missile system that is attached to each of the mobile suit's arms. Two of these launchers need to be equipped in order to keep the Aeshma on proper balance, though this is only a real issue when there is gravity in the environment. Each launcher carries a pair of large anti-warship missiles as well as two lighter warheads for taking care of smaller targets. Since they make movement so awkward, they are not usually equipped unless the pilot needs to take down a large target.
Net Gun x 1: A bazooka variant created for passive enforcement and non-lethal captures. It fires a mobile suit-sized net made of fibrous steel, enveloping the target. Pikes on its edges can secure to surfaces, for added effect. Though useful, this device does have a short range, which limits its capabilities. An ammunition canister contains five shots.
The Aeshma Wing also represents an aesthetic jump for mobile suits. While the earlier Prime model was a basic, humanoid machine that met the fundamental demands of its construction, designers have taken the time to make this new variation a bit more stylish. Its body and sensor head have been tailored after medieval suits of armor, complete with a crest-like sensor blister upon the "helmet." The inclusion of a heat sword rather than the older hawk furthers this mystique, adding definition to the martial flair of the Grand Cross.
Of course, the Aeshma Wing does more than just fly or look good. Its electrical battery, an upgrade of the original model installed in the Prime, has a greater capacity for supporting peripherals. While the basic life expectancy of the generator remains the same, between three and five hours, it is not as burdened by additional special armaments. This means that its top speed is not greatly effected, unless the large Bombard weapons are carried. Even then, however, any drop in attributes is offset by the gains in firepower, and balanced back out again when the weapons are depleted and ejected.
As noted above, the Aeshma Wing was gradually replacing the Prime as the primary attack mobile suit of the Grand Cross. As versatile as the latter had proven to be, the former was a superior machine, making up for most of the weaknesses of the Prime. However, this replacement began to lose momentum with the completion of several specialized Grand Cross units. One such machine was the Vayu, which could make up for the Prime's inability fly in an atmosphere even better than the Wing could. The issuing of A2 refit kits to all Prime units has been another blow the Wing's general purpose legitimacy, pushing it aside as more of a highly maneuverable space combat mobile suit than a frontline soldier. With this in mind, pilots of the Aeshma Wing have demanded that the unit receive some fine-tuning of its own. A recent refit issued by the Tresdemo Foundation has turned out a much faster machine.