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MS-05L Zaku I Sniper Type

Limited production sniper mobile suit developed by the Principality of Zeon.
Jenxi Seow Published 19 Mar 2013 Updated 6 Feb 2025
MS-05L Zaku I Sniper Type

The MS-05L Zaku I Sniper Type was a limited production sniper mobile suit developed by the Principality of Zeon during the One Year War. It was a variant developed from the MS-05B Zaku I.

The “MS” in the type code indicated that it was a mobile suit. The “05” denoted that it was the fifth design of this type, and the “L” variant code identified it as the long-range variation.

History

After the death of Garma Zabi, Zeon forces on Earth requested more effective long-range weapons, as their existing Magella Top Guns lacked precision and firepower. While the Zeon homeland experimented with Psycommu all-range weapons for sniping missions, support was largely cut off after the loss of Odessa.

When the One Year War broke out, the MS-05B Zaku I was five years old and considered an obsolete model. It saw limited action with auxillary duties such as training, construction and supplies transportation. Using portable beam weapon technology first developed for the MS-14 Gelgoog, California Base refitted the outdated MS-05 Zaku I units into the MS-05L Zaku I Sniper Type.

During the final days of the One Year War, the Zaku I Sniper Type employed guerilla tactics against the Earth Federation Forces’ massive counterattack, helping to slow their advance. In December UC 0079, one unit singlehandedly fought off an entire RGM-79 GM squadron at S3 Point as Zeon forces prepared to evacuate California Base.

Some units remained in service with Zeon remnants after the war. In UC 0096, Yonem Kirks piloted a Zaku I Sniper Type during the Zeon remnants’ attack on Torrington Base, providing aerial cover from a Fat Uncle. Despite its age, the unit proved effective against modern Federation mobile suits before being destroyed by Londo Bell’s Black Tri-Stars team in their MSJ-06II-A Jesta units.

Design

The MS-05L Zaku I Sniper Type was essentially a retrofitted MS-05B Zaku I optimised for long-range precision attacks. Its head unit was fitted with the same type of composite monoeye as the MS-06E Zaku Reconnaissance Type, providing enhanced targeting and sensor range necessary for sniping operations. The sensor had night and thermal vision capabilities, and the lenses were designed for high magnification use.

The head of the Zaku I Sniper Type was redesigned to be more durable and provide the pilot with increased visibility. An antenna was attached to its head for short-range wireless communications and to evaluate environmental conditions that may affect sniping.

A unique feature was the foldable strut installed in its right knee, which could deploy to stabilise the mobile suit in sniping mode. This effectively turned the Zaku I Sniper Type into a self-propelled long-range mega particle cannon turret.

The mobile suit was powered by a Minovsky ultracompact fusion reactor with an output of 899 kW. As its power plant was insufficient to power the beam sniper rifle, the rifle drew on an external auxiliary reactor mounted on the backpack instead.

Developed from technology used in the MS-14C Gelgoog Cannon, this auxiliary generator had a power output of 700 kW, nearly matching the mobile suit’s main reactor. However, due to rushed development, it required lengthy cooling periods between uses, though this could be mitigated by connecting to external cooling devices.

Armaments

The Zaku I Sniper Type’s standard weapons were a beam sniper rifle for long-range attacks and vulcan guns for defence.

Beam sniper rifle

The MIP-Z79-E0 type beam sniper rifle was a Musai-class beam rifle with a built-in beam oscillation device, similar to the prototype beam rifle used by MS-14G Gelgoog Ground Type. It also had an electronic targeting system linked to the mobile suit.

The beam sniper rifle was the Zaku I Sniper Type’s primary weapon, developed by Zeon near the end of the One Year War. It drew power from the dedicated generator in the backpack and worked in conjunction with the enhanced targeting system for precise long-range attacks.

The barrel required replacement after several shots due to overheating. The unit piloted by Yonem Kirks was equipped with a rifle modified with a quikck-change barrel for rapid firing.

Vulcan guns

The Zaku I Sniper type had a pair of shell-firing vulcan guns mounted in the head. Though they had low offensive power, their rapid-fire capability made them useful for restricting enemy movement and providing suppressive fire.

Known pilots

  • Yonem Kirks

Variants

Behind the scenes

Katoki Hajime was the original mechanical designer. The design first appeared in Harmony of Gundam variations and was later featured in Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn and Model Suit Gunpla Builders Beginning G.

Gunpla

Bandai has released several gunpla versions of the Zaku I Sniper Type:

  • 1/144 HGUC MS-05L Zaku I Sniper Type (2006)
  • 1/144 HGUC MS-05L Zaku I Sniper Type (Yonem Kirks Custom) (2012)
  • 1/144 HGGB MS-05L Zaku I Sniper Type GPB Color (P-Bandai exclusive) (2011)

Appearances

  • Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn
  • Harmony of Gundam
  • Model Suit Gunpla Builders Beginning G