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MS-06D Zaku Desert Type

Mass production desert combat mobile suit developed by Zeonic.
Jenxi Seow Published 20 Jun 2025 Updated 20 Jun 2025
MS-06D Zaku Desert Type

The MS-06D Zaku Desert Type was a mass production desert combat mobile suit developed by Zeonic and Principality of Zeon field engineers.

The “MS” in the model code indicated that it was a mobile suit. The “06” model number denoted that it was the sixth design in the Zaku series, and the “D” variant code identified it as the desert combat variant, also known as the Type D.

History

During the early months of the One Year War, Principality of Zeon military field engineers were developing variants of its standard MS-06F Zaku II mobile suit to operate in the varied and sometimes harsh climates on Earth. The battlefield had shifted from space to Earth after the signing of the Antarctic Treaty, forcing Zeon to adapt their mobile suits to different terrestrial environments.

One such variant was the MS-06D Zaku Desert Type, which was based on the standard ground combat MS-06J Zaku II Ground Type. The development was undertaken at Zeon’s captured California Base, where engineers worked to create a mobile suit specifically designed for Earth’s desert and tropical regions.

The Zaku Desert Type was first field tested in North Africa by Roy Greenwood’s Karakal unit. Operating an early type with two antennae on the head, the design soon proved itself in the harsh desert conditions. Based on the successful field tests, a newer version sporting only one antenna was produced shortly thereafter to simplify manufacturing and improve reliability.

In all, 114 Type D Zakus were produced, consisting of 43 two-antenna types and 71 one-antenna types. This made the Zaku Desert Type the backbone of Zeon’s Earthside forces in North Africa and the Middle East for many months. The mobile suit served effectively until the later produced MS-09 Dom line became Zeon’s main ground-combat mobile suit.

The success of the Desert Type led to further development, with a modified and improved version, the MS-06D Desert Zaku, being used by Zeon remnants around the world as late as UC 0096.

Design

The MS-06D Zaku Desert Type sported several new features to make it adaptable to desert and tropical climates. The design philosophy focused on heat management and improved mobility in sandy terrain whilst maintaining the combat effectiveness of the standard Zaku.

The most notable feature was the replacement of the standard thruster-laden backpack with a special heat-dissipating radiator backpack. This modification was crucial for operations in high-temperature environments where heat management became a critical concern. The radiator backpack allowed the mobile suit to operate for extended periods without overheating.

To compensate for the loss of the standard backpack thrusters, jet thrusters were added to the legs and skirt armour area to provide additional mobility. This configuration provided a total thrust output of 42,900 kg, enabling the mobile suit to achieve ground running speeds of up to 80 km/h.

The mobile suit featured additional power systems and reinforced armour to handle the stresses of desert combat. The cockpit remained a standard pilot-only configuration located in the torso, maintaining compatibility with existing Zaku pilot training and procedures.

Early production models featured two antennae on the head for enhanced communication capabilities in the vast desert regions, but this was later simplified to a single antenna design to reduce complexity and manufacturing costs.

Armaments

The Zaku Desert Type’s standard weapons were two vulcan guns for close-range defence and an M-120AS Zaku machine gun for ranged combat.

Vulcan guns

A pair of vulcan guns were mounted in the Zaku Desert Type’s head. These rapid-fire weapons had a high rate of fire but limited penetration power, making them ideal for shooting down small, lightly armoured targets such as missiles, attack vehicles, and aircraft. They were also employed as a deterrent against approaching enemy units and provided close-range defensive fire.

SA-712 cracker grenades

The mobile suit carried SA-712 cracker grenades stored in pods on the hip armour racks. These mobile suit-sized hand grenades could be used as throwing weapons in close combat situations. Up to four grenades could be stored in the hip compartments, providing the pilot with additional tactical options during engagement.

The cracker grenades were designed to explode into multiple submunitions over a wide area, making them effective against grouped enemies or for area denial tactics.

M-120AS Zaku machine gun

The M-120AS machine gun was specifically developed for the Zaku Desert Type. Changes from the standard M-120A1 model included a shortened barrel and stock, and the omission of the scope to reduce weight and complexity. The weapon was drum-fed and designed for reliable operation in dusty desert conditions.

This machine gun served as the primary ranged weapon for the Desert Type, providing effective firepower against enemy mobile suits and vehicles while being suitable for the harsh desert environment.

Heat hawk

The Zaku Desert Type could be equipped with a heat hawk for melee combat. This axe-shaped weapon featured a super-heated blade that could cut through enemy armour effectively. The heat hawk was battery-powered and could be stored on the waist armour when not in use.

Missile systems

The mobile suit could mount optional missile systems for enhanced firepower. The Ratsriver 3-tube missile pod could be mounted on the left forearm, providing medium-range fire support. Alternatively, the Ratsriver P-3 2-tube missile pod offered a more compact missile option for specific mission requirements.

These missile systems enhanced the Zaku Desert Type’s versatility and allowed it to engage targets at various ranges, complementing its machine gun and close-combat weapons.

Known pilots

  • Roy Greenwood

Behind the scenes

Okawara Kunio was the original mechanical designer for the MSV version, while Katoki Hajime designed the Gundam: The Origin MSD version.

The MS-06D Zaku Desert Type was first introduced in the Mobile Suit Variations design series, which expanded the One Year War setting with additional mobile suit variants tailored for specific environments and roles.

Appearances

See also