MS-06Z Psycommu System Zaku
Experimental Newtype-use mobile suit developed by the Principality of Zeon.
The MS-06Z Psycommu System Zaku, also known as the MS-06Z Bishop, was an experimental Newtype-use mobile suit developed by the Principality of Zeon as part of its Bishop Plan.
The “MS” in the model code meant it was a mobile suit, while “06” indicated it was part of the MS-06 Zaku II line. The “Z” suffix denoted it was a variant designed to test the psycommu system.
History
During the One Year War, the Flanagan Institute discovered that Newtypes emitted powerful thought waves. This led to the development of the psycommu system that could harness these waves to control computers.
The Principality of Zeon initiated the Bishop Plan to create psycommu-equipped mobile suits. Three MS-06Z units underwent testing at the Corregidor Zone, where the Ace Corps also tested the MS-14A Gelgoog. An Earth Federation patrol fleet destroyed one of these units.
A fourth unit, built from spare parts, was assigned to Annerose Rosenheim of the Marchosias Corps. She piloted it during the battles of Solomon and A Baoa Qu.
The Bishop Plan ultimately proved unsuccessful due to the unit’s limited 10-minute operating time caused by high energy consumption. This led to the development of the more energy-efficient MSN-01 High Mobility Psycommu System Zaku.
Design
While based on the MS-06F Zaku II, the Bishop retained only the main frame and a modified head unit. The head featured a rotating monitor camera that expanded its search range to the rear and top.
The mobile suit’s body was enlarged to accommodate internalized power pipes, similar to the MS-14 series. It housed a larger generator in the upper body and additional propulsion engines — one high-output rocket engine on each side of the chest and three on the back, achieving 388,000 kg of total thrust.
The legs served mainly for landing purposes and had limited utility in space combat. The unusually large arms, reminiscent of a mountain gorilla’s, supported detachable wire-guided beam cannons mounted below the elbows. These weapons were designed to match the specifications of the MSN-02 Zeong.
Armaments
The Bishop’s primary weapons were its wire-guided mega particle cannons.
Wire-guided 5-barrel mega particle cannon
Each of the Bishop’s forearms contained a 5-barrel mega particle cannon that could detach at the elbow for remote operation. The five barrels were mounted in the manipulator fingers and could be articulated to vary the spread of fire. These powerful weapons could sink a battleship with a single volley.
Special equipment and features
Psycommu system
The Bishop incorporated an experimental psycommu system that allowed Newtype pilots to control the mobile suit and its wire-guided weapons through thought alone. This man-machine interface marked an early attempt at implementing psycommu technology in mobile suit warfare.
Known pilots
- Annerose Rosenheim
- Yahagi Franziback
- Peche Montagne
Behind the scenes
Okawara Kunio was the original mechanical designer for the Mobile Suit Variations version. Takigawa Kyoshi designed the version that appeared in Mobile Suit Gundam Side Stories.
Appearances
Variation
- Mobile Suit Variations
Manga
- Mobile Suit Gundam Side Story: Missing Link
Games
- Mobile Suit Gundam Side Stories
External links
- MS-06Z Psycommu System Zaku on the Gundam Wiki
- MS-06Z Psycommu System Zaku on MAHQ