MS-04 Prototype Zaku

The MS-04 Prototype Zaku was a prototype general purpose mobile suit developed by Zeonic for the Principality of Zeon. It was an improved version of the MS-03 Prototype Zaku.

The “MS” in the type code indicated that it was a mobile suit. The “04” denoted that it was the fourth design of this type.

History

Zeon embarked on an ambitious mobile weapons programme as part of its aggressive militarisation in preparation for war with the Earth Federation.

The first mobile suit design was the MS-03 Prototype Zaku. Due to performance problems, the design was scrapped as Zeon searched for a workable design. In UC 0074, Zeonic developed the MS-04 Prototype Zaku as an big improvement. The most significant advancement was the incorporation of the revolutionary Minovsky ultracompact fusion reactor, which doubled the mobile suit’s power output compared to its predecessor, allowing the Prototype Zaku to function well enough to be used in combat.

Expensive and complex features were stripped from the Prototype Zaku to make it cheaper and easier to mass produce. This mass production model was the MS-05A Zaku I Early Type.

Zeonic conducted extensive testing of the MS-04 in various environments including space, lunar surface, and within colonies. These trials helped evaluate its performance in basic manoeuvres, long-range and close combat scenarios. The data collected proved instrumental in the development of the MS-05 Zaku I, Zeon’s first combat-oriented mobile suit.

However, due to its high production costs, the MS-04 underwent further refinements before evolving into the mass-produced MS-05B Zaku I.

Design

The MS-04 Prototype Zaku marked a significant advancement in mobile suit technology with its ZAS-X7 prototype Minovsky fusion reactor. This powerplant, manufactured by Zahra Al Saad (ZAS), generated 953 kW of output—more than double that of the MS-03. Despite its heavy armor made of super-hard steel alloy, the improved power output enabled superior mobility.

The mobile suit featured a standard cockpit housed in its torso, accommodating a single pilot. Its sensor system had an operational range of 2,950 metres.

Armaments

The Prototype Zaku only had a ranged weapon. The development of the prototype focussed heavily on the performance and mobility of the mobile suit. Hence, only one weapon was developed for use by the prototype before it was replaced by the mass-produced MS-05A Zaku I Early Type.

100 mm machine gun

The electrically-operated 100 mm machine gun was the first weapon developed specifically for mobile suit use, demonstrating the versatility of humanoid-shaped mobile suits. It was capable of rapid fire but dealt little damage against warships. This led to the development of a bazooka to combat warships.

However, combat simulations revealed that its firepower was insufficient, particularly against warships. The machine gun was later developed into the ZMP-47D/105 mm machine gun that was used by the Zaku I, setting the foundation for the development of more powerful armaments for subsequent mobile suit models.

Known pilots

• Elliot Rem
• Mion Hoshioka

Behind the scenes

Okawara Kunio was the original mechanical designer.

The MS-04 Prototype Zaku appeared in Okawara Kunio’s M-MSV original design series and the manga Developers: Mobile Suit Gundam Before One Year War.

Appearances

• M - MSV (Okawara Kunio Collection)
• Developers: Mobile Suit Gundam Before One Year War

External links

• MS-04 Prototype Zaku on the Gundam Wiki
• MS-04 Prototype Zaku on MAHQ