EMS-10 Zudah
Prototype general purpose mobile suit developed by Zimmad.
The EMS-10 Zudah was a prototype general purpose mobile suit developed by Zimmad as an allegedly improved version of the EMS-04 Zudah, though it retained the same fatal engine flaws of its predecessor.
The “EMS” model number prefix is unusual among Zeon mobile suits, with only the EMS-05 Agg sharing this designation. The “10” indicated it was the tenth design in this experimental series, representing Zimmad’s continued development of the Zudah line.
History
Zimmad went back to the drawing board and rolled out the “improved” EMS-10 Zudah with its new Saturn engine in UC 0079. The Zudah was resurrected under the model number EMS-10, with some minor improvements and cosmetic differences from the original EMS-04. Its left shoulder was refitted with a movable shield that could be swung to the back, and it was equipped with spikes for melee combat. The EMS-10 was said to be fitted with the improved “Saturn” engine, previously used on the MS-09R Rick Dom (though whether this is true or merely propaganda is unknown).
Four units were assigned to the 603rd Technical Evaluation Unit on the Jotunheim for testing and use in Zeon propaganda against the Earth Federation Forces. They were the subject of an extensive Zeon propaganda campaign claiming that these were new “secret weapons” that would demolish the Federation’s mobile suits and lead Zeon to victory rather than hastily refitted 3-year-old prototypes.
When a unit was destroyed during testing, engineer Oliver May discovered that the EMS-10 was mainly a cosmetic upgrade and still suffered from the EMS-04’s design flaw. However, his superior informed Oliver of the truth about the Zudah; what Oliver thought was a new machine derived from the original EMS-04 Zudah was merely the same mobile suit with some minor modifications, as well as the same structural flaws.
They were used in at least three combat actions: the first one, against a Federation Salamis-class cruiser and several RB-79 Ball units, resulting in the retreat of the Federation forces from intimidation with losses to neither side. However, during a subsequent manoeuvrability tests conducted with a Musai-class cruiser, a Zudah and its test pilot, 1st Lieutenant Otchinan Shell, were lost due to the supposedly corrected engine overload error.
Jean Luc Duvall’s unit was later destroyed while defending Zeon survivors escaping into space following the loss at the Battle of Odessa. Because the Jotunheim lacked a regular mobile suit company, the remaining Zudahs were kept in service through the end of the war, with their pilots making sure not to over accelerate.
Design
The EMS-10 Zudah featured reconstructed arm parts with extendable forearms which are hinged at on respective shoulders. Its purpose is to retrieve weapons being mounted on calf’s hardpoints, such as 120 mm machine gun and heat hawk, for swift attacks against Federation targets in short time.
A notable improvement over the original EMS-04 Prototype Zudah, the EMS-10 version features these extendable forearms to quickly access weapons stored on the mobile suit’s legs. The Zudah was equipped with the Jupiter engine system completed from the prototype “Mercury engine” through the practical prototype system “Jupiter engine”. Wide-area propellant technology that uses heavy elements such as zinc and lead is used, and large thrust can be obtained compared to thrusters that use light elements. This allowed the Zudah to accelerate and decelerate at a speed of 200 m/sec in a short period of time, making it a machine that excels in shallow orbits and close quarters around the Earth.
However, the true extent of the changes from the EMS-04, if any, was unknown. The mobile suit still suffered from the fundamental design flaw where if the engines were overexerted, the suit would overload and break apart. Despite these improvements, the suit was still prone to breaking apart from overexertion.
Armaments
The EMS-10 Zudah’s standard weapons were a movable shield for defence and a selection of Zaku weapons for combat flexibility.
Shield
The Zudah’s left shoulder was refitted with a movable shield that could be swung to the back when not needed. The shield was equipped with spikes for melee combat and stored two sturm fausts for additional firepower. This shield provided both defensive capability and offensive options in close combat.
Sturm faust
Two sturm fausts were stored in the shield. These simplified, disposable rocket launchers were commonly used by Zeon mobile suits in the late stages of the One Year War, providing the Zudah with additional anti-mobile suit firepower.
Zaku machine gun
Also referred to as a “rifle” by Zeon soldiers, Zeonic was contracted to develop this weapon. Its internal development code is “ZMC38III”. It can switch between semi-automatic and automatic fire. Although useless against Luna Titanium Alloy, it can still destroy weaker armour material with multiple shots. The standard machine gun used by Zaku units, providing the Zudah with rapid-fire capability.
Zaku bazooka
The standard bazooka used by the Zaku II, it fired explosive rounds that were quite effective against the armour of Earth Federation battleships. However the bazooka could only be loaded with a single round at a time, thus it had to be used carefully.
135 mm anti-ship rifle
A new weapon added to the EMS-10’s arsenal, this anti-ship rifle was designed for long-range engagements against Federation vessels. The anti-ship rifle did not appear in the series, and was introduced in the MS IGLOO 603 manga. It was included as part of the Zudah’s weapons in some SD Gundam G Generation games, as well as the HGUC model kit.
Heat hawk
A melee weapon stored on the right leg that could be quickly retrieved using the Zudah’s extendable forearms. The heat hawk provided close-combat capability for situations where ranged weapons were ineffective.
Known pilots
- Jean Luc Duvall
- Hideto Washiya
- Monique Cadillac
- Wolfgang
Behind the scenes
Original mechanical designer: Yutaka Izubuchi
The Zudah’s backstory was based on the Heinkel He 100, which competed with the Messerschmitt Bf 109 to become the Luftwaffe’s main fighter and lost. The He 100 was later rebranded as the Heinkel He 113, a non-existent “ghost fighter” that appeared in various Nazi propaganda, paralleling the Zudah’s role as a propaganda weapon.
The Zudah’s anti-ship rifle did not appear in the series, and was introduced in the MS IGLOO 603 manga. It was included as part of the Zudah’s weapons in some SD Gundam G Generation games, as well as the HGUC model kit.
The EMS model number prefix is unusual among Zeon mobile suits. The only other Zeon mobile suit to share that prefix is the EMS-05 Agg. Usually, prototype mobile suits use the “YMS” prefix.
Appearances
- Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO: The Hidden One Year War
- Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO 603 (manga)
See also
External links
- EMS-10 Zudah on the Gundam Wiki
- EMS-10 Zudah on MAHQ