MS-06J Zaku II Ground Type

The MS-06J Zaku II Ground Type was a mass-produced ground combat mobile suit developed by the Zeonic for the Principality of Zeon. It was a variant of the MS-06F Zaku II optimized for terrestrial combat.

The “MS” in the type code indicated that it was a mobile suit. The “06” model number denoted that it was the sixth design of this type, and the “J” variant code identified it as the ground variation in the famous Zaku II line. It was often referred to as the J Type Zaku II.

History

In late September UC 0078, the Zeonic rolled out the MS-06J Zaku II Ground Type at its Mahal factory alongside the F Type. By the time Zeon announced national mobilization in October of the same year, around 80 units had already been produced.

Full production began after Zeon launched its invasion of Earth in February UC 0079. Most units were manufactured at Granada and the captured California Base. During the First Landing Operation on 1 March UC 0079, more than half of the mobile suits that landed as part of the 1st Ground Mobile Division were MS-06F units, most of which were later modified into J Types during overhaul. By the Second and Third Landing Operations on 11 and 18 March, most of the mobile suits that landed were J Types.

The J Type Zaku saw extensive service throughout the ground campaigns of the One Year War, particularly in Southeast Asia, Australia and Europe. Notable deployments included Ramba Ral’s unit using them to attack the White Base on 3 November, seeking revenge for Garma Zabi’s death.

Following Zeon’s defeat during Operation Odessa on 9 December, retreating forces attempted to escape into space using heavy lift vehicles (HLVs). Several J Type Zakus exited their HLVs to engage attacking RB-79 Ball units from Luna II. However, lacking Active Mass Balance Auto-Control (AMBAC) systems for space maneuverability, many were destroyed. After Zeon’s retreat from Earth, J Type parts were repurposed for producing the MP-02A Oggo mobile pod.

Design

The J Type was based on the successful MS-06F Zaku II design but optimized for terrestrial combat. It removed redundant space-use equipment, reduced propellant oxidizer, and adopted an air cooling system, resulting in a completely different reactor structure. The removal of unnecessary systems made it lighter than the F Type, reducing power loss under gravity.

To compensate for atmospheric distortion, its monoeye sensor received updated light receptor semiconductor units and measurement software components, along with a more accurate infrared sensor. The manipulators featured improved sealing with soft material coating and new gravity-adjusted control software. While the AMBAC system was omitted, the leg sub-thrusters were replaced with anti-ground sensors. The foot-mounted sub-thrusters were retained to enhance mobility when used with the main thrusters, a feature that would influence the thermonuclear jet hover drive of the later MS-09 Dom.

Armaments

The J Type Zaku II’s standard weapons were a machine gun for ranged attacks and a Heat Hawk for melee combat. Due to recoil being less problematic under gravity, it could equip various optional equipment including leg-mounted missile pods, the Magella Top cannon, and cracker grenades.

120 mm machine gun

The ZMP-50D 120 mm machine gun was the J Type’s standard ranged weapon. It held 100 rounds per drum with spare drums stored on waist armor racks. Though it required no energy to fire, its effectiveness against heavy armor was limited.

280 mm Zaku bazooka

The H&L-SB25K/280 mm A-P Zaku bazooka fired explosive rounds effective against mobile suits and battleships. It could be stored on the rear waist armor when not in use.

Three-tube missile pod

A three-tube missile pod mounted on each leg provided additional ranged firepower. Despite limited ammunition capacity, these missiles proved effective against armored targets.

175 mm recoilless rifle

The ZIM/M·T-K175C recoilless rifle was modified from the Magella Attack tank’s main gun. It could fire both HEAT and APFSDS rounds for long-range ground combat.

Heat Hawk

The Type 5 Heat Hawk was an axe-shaped melee weapon with a super-heated blade powered by the Zaku’s reactor. It could be stored on the rear armor when not in use.

Cracker grenades

The MIP-B6 cracker grenades were explosive devices that detonated after a set time, breaking into multiple submunitions over a wide area. Up to four could be stored on the waist armor racks.

Shoulder shield

Mounted on the right shoulder, the shield provided basic defense against physical projectiles. Some units used a spiked shoulder shield variant that enhanced melee combat capabilities.

Knuckle shield

Some units used a modified Zaku II shoulder shield carried on the arm, with the curve of the armor fitting over the mobile suit’s hand. It featured three spikes on the plate resting in front of the hand, making it an effective bashing weapon.

Known pilots

• Elmer Snell
• Federico Czariano
• Fritz Bauer
• Charlotte Hepner
• Ken Bederstadt

Variants

• MS-06J Zaku II Cold Districts Type – Featured cold protection treatment on drive sections, spikes on feet, and additional sensor on left side of head
• MS-06JC Zaku II
• MS-06D Zaku Desert Type
• MS-06G Zaku II High Mobility Ground Type
• MS-06K Zaku Cannon

Behind the scenes

Okawara Kunio was the original mechanical designer.

In Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. 2 OverBoost’s popularity poll, Cucuruz Doan’s Zaku was voted as the most popular 1500 cost unit. His Zaku appears in the Extreme Vs series as a unique unit that uses throws and martial arts instead of conventional weapons, reflecting his famous fighting style from the anime.

When the original series aired, there was no distinction between space and ground-type Zakus. The book Gundam Century first used the MS-06J designation for ground units, which was later made official in Mobile Suit Variation.

Appearances

Anime

• Mobile Suit Gundam
• Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO: The Hidden One Year War
• Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO 2: The Gravity Front

Games

• Mobile Suit Gundam: Battlefield Record UC 0081
• Mobile Suit Gundam UC HARDGRAPH Iron Mustang

External links

• MS-06J Zaku II Ground Type on the Gundam Wiki
• MS-06J Zaku II on MAHQ