MS-06RD-4 Zaku II RD-4 Type
Prototype space combat mobile suit developed by Zimmad.
The MS-06RD-4 Zaku II RD-4 Type was a prototype space combat mobile suit developed by Zimmad for the Principality of Zeon.
The “MS” in the model code meant it was a mobile suit, the “06” designated it as part of the Zaku II series, “RD” indicated it was a Rick Dom development type, and the “4” suffix denoted it was the fourth iteration in the series. The model was also known as the High Mobility Prototype.
History
Requiring test data for its in-development space combat MS-09R Rick Dom, Zimmad modified a standard MS-06F Zaku II with a pair of larger, thruster-laden legs to increase its performance and simulate the characteristics of the Rick Dom. The RD-4 Type served as a crucial stepping stone in the development of Zeon’s next-generation space combat mobile suits.
The project that led to the creation of the Zaku High Mobility Test Type was said to have taken place one month before the MS-09 Dom entered mass production. The mobile suit was then used to field test the thermonuclear rocket engines that would later be used in the Rick Dom.
The prototype was assigned to Aina Sahalin for combat testing near Earth orbit. This unit was piloted by Aina Sahalin, but was destroyed during a test flight near Earth while fighting – much to everyone’s surprise – by a RB-79K Ball Type K on October 6, UC 0079. Fortunately for Zimmad, Aina managed to escape from the destroyed mobile suit with her test flight data intact. During the engagement, it shot down two RGM-79[E] GM Early Type deployed from Luna II and heavily damaged the GM Early Type piloted by Terry Sanders Jr. However, it was later destroyed by the RB-79K Ball Type K piloted by Shiro Amada, causing all of its combat data to be lost.
Design
The MS-06RD-4 Zaku II RD-4 Type was an experimental mobile suit said to have been created as the result of a top secret collaboration between Zeonic and Zimmad led by the Principality of Zeon military, with the goal of modifying the MS-09 Dom for space combat. The unit featured the upper body of a MS-06R series Zaku II and the lower body of what would become the MS-09R Rick Dom.
The RD-4 Type retained the basic frame and torso of the standard Zaku II but incorporated dramatically enlarged legs housing more powerful thrusters. These modifications gave the mobile suit enhanced mobility and acceleration compared to standard Zaku II variants, allowing it to better match the performance characteristics that would later define the Rick Dom series.
The MS-06RD-4 Zaku High Mobility Test Type is one of the few Zaku variations that does not come with a shoulder shield or shoulder spikes. This streamlined design reduced weight and drag, further enhancing the mobile suit’s mobility performance.
The mobile suit was powered by a Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor, output rated at 986 kW, providing sufficient power for the enhanced thruster systems while maintaining the compact profile necessary for effective space combat operations.
Armaments
The RD-4 Type’s armament was deliberately simplified to focus on mobility testing rather than combat effectiveness.
120 mm machine gun
The mobile suit could be equipped with a 120mm machine gun, drum-fed, 100 rounds per drum. This standard Zaku weapon provided basic ranged combat capability during testing operations. The ZMP-50D used a 100-round drum magazine, which is offset to the right. “ZMP” stands for “Zaku Machine Pistol”.
Heat hawk
The heat hawk was battery powered and could be carried on waist armor storage racks. An axe-shaped close combat weapon, it uses a super-heated blade to cut through the armor of enemy MS or vehicles. The thermal energy is generated by the power output of the Zaku II’s thermonuclear reactor and relayed through the MS’ hands.
Known pilots
Behind the scenes
The original mechanical designers were Kimitoshi Yamane (08th M.S. Team version) and Hajime Katoki (Gundam: The Origin MSD version). The mobile suit was designed to bridge the gap between the Zaku II and Rick Dom development programmes, serving both narrative and technical design purposes in demonstrating the evolution of Zeon mobile suit technology.
Appearances
See also
External links
- MS-06RD-4 Zaku II RD-4 Type on the Gundam Wiki
- MS-06RD-4 Zaku II RD-4 Type on MAHQ