MS-06E Recon Type Zaku – MechaBay

The MS-06E Recon Type Zaku was a mass production reconnaissance mobile suit developed by Zeonic for the Principality of Zeon.

The “MS” in the model code indicated it was a mobile suit, whilst the “06” denoted that it was part of the Zaku II series. The “E” suffix designated it as a reconnaissance variant modified from existing Type C and Type F units.

History

As the One Year War raged on, the Principality of Zeon military continued to develop variants of its mass produced MS-06F Zaku II mobile suit for specific mission roles. One such variant was the MS-06E Recon Type Zaku, which was modified from existing Type C and Type F units.

Due to the effects of Minovsky particle dispersion, vision-based combat had become the norm, making reconnaissance more important than it was in the past. The development of the Recon Type Zaku addressed this critical need for intelligence gathering in the new combat environment created by Minovsky particle interference.

Roughly 100 of these machines were produced, and sent on a variety of scouting missions, gathering information from behind enemy lines and giving the Zeon forces good intel on enemy movements, strengths, and tactics. These units proved invaluable to Zeon’s military operations, providing crucial intelligence that helped commanders make informed tactical decisions.

The Earth Federation Forces also highly rated this machine’s performance, and after the war, some of the surviving units were requisitioned and upgraded by the Earth Federation Forces and the Titans task force for their own recon operations. The Titans operated these captured units as late as UC 0087, demonstrating the enduring value of the design.

Design

The MS-06E Recon Type Zaku was specifically optimised for reconnaissance missions whilst maintaining the proven Zaku II platform. These units were designed for scouting and reconnaissance missions, and mounted specialized cameras and sensor systems on its head, shoulders and front pelvic skirt armor.

It was also built for speed and long range, incorporating the thrusters from a higher performance Type S, an additional pair of thrusters mounted in the chest for fast retreats, and a larger propellant storage capacity. This enhanced propulsion system allowed the reconnaissance unit to reach observation positions quickly and escape when detected.

Since the E-Type’s missions required it to enter dangerous areas to retrieve and return with accurate and clear information, it was equipped with a backpack which was improved upon the S-Type’s. Small thrusters and verniers for emergency evacuation were also added to its body, and its propellant storage capacity was increased to further its operating range and prolong its operational time.

The mobile suit featured an enhanced sensor suite compared to standard Zaku variants. As for recon equipment, the Zaku II’s head-mounted mono-eye sensor was replaced with a highly complex and enhanced model, and optical cameras were added to its shoulders and front pelvic armor. This comprehensive sensor array provided 360-degree surveillance capability.

When the One Year War ended, the Earth Federation Forces - including the Titans - would requisition a number of these mobile suits and provide some upgrades of their own, such as improved sensing and thruster devices, and a panoramic cockpit and linear seat.

Armaments

The Recon Type Zaku’s standard equipment prioritised intelligence gathering over combat capability.

Camera gun

The Zaku Recon Type was also literally unarmed, carrying only a handheld camera gun for additional intelligence gathering observation and recording. The E-Type also utilized a small handheld “camera gun” for recording its findings, which was essentially a mobile suit-sized camcorder for detailed surveillance work.

This specialised equipment allowed the pilot to record high-quality visual intelligence whilst maintaining the mobile suit’s stealth profile. The camera gun’s design prioritised image quality and data storage capacity over any combat functionality.

120 mm machine gun

could be equipped with standard Zaku armaments such as the 120mm machine gun when needed. As a recon unit, it was often mistaken for lacking combat ability, though its goal was to avoid combat while still having enough combat capability to break through enemy lines.

Though primarily a reconnaissance unit, the MS-06E could mount the standard Zaku machine gun when the mission required additional firepower. This weapon provided emergency defensive capability whilst maintaining the unit’s primary reconnaissance focus.

Shield

Optional fixed armaments: shield, mounted on either forearm

The mobile suit could optionally mount a shield for additional protection during reconnaissance missions in contested areas. The shield provided defensive capability without significantly compromising the unit’s mobility or sensor performance.

Known pilots

No specific pilots are recorded for the MS-06E Recon Type Zaku in available sources.

Variants

The RMS-119 EWAC Zack “Eye-Zack” could be considered a distant relative of the Zaku Reconnaissance Type.

Of the one hundred or so MS-06E Zaku Reconnaissance Types that were built during the One Year War, a handful were further upgraded into the MS-06E-3 Zaku Flipper.

Behind the scenes

Okawara Kunio was the original mechanical designer for the MSV version. Yasuo Ohtagaki created the Gundam Thunderbolt manga version.

First appear as part of Mobile Suit Variations and later got animated in Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, design by Kunio Okawara.

Appearances

External links

MS-06E Recon Type Zaku on MAHQ
MS-06E Zaku Reconnaissance Type on the Gundam Wiki