MechaBay
MechaBay
Discord Mastodon Bluesky Twitter/X
Discord About us Support us

MS-07B Gouf

Mass production ground combat mobile suit produced by Zeonic.
Jenxi Seow Published 19 Mar 2013 Updated 7 Feb 2025
MS-07B Gouf

The MS-07B Gouf was a mass production ground combat mobile suit produced by Zeonic for the Principality of Zeon.

The “MS” in the type code indicated it was a mobile suit. The “07” model number denoted it was the seventh design for this type, and the “B” variant code meant it was the second of the design.

History

During the One Year War, the MS-06J Zaku II Ground Combat Type proved instrumental as Zeon pushed the Earth Federation back on many battle fronts on Earth. However, the J-type Zaku II was merely a ground combat variant modified from the successful MS-06F Zaku II.

Zeon created an improved design built specifically for ground combat to replace the J-type Zaku II. The YMS-07A Prototype Gouf emerged from Zeon’s research and was refined into the limited production MS-07A Gouf.

The A Type Gouf saw limited production before being replaced by the MS-07B Gouf. The A Type lacked the built-in weapons designed for the Gouf as these armaments were still under development and some parts were in short supply. The B-type represented the final version of the Gouf design.

The Gouf piloted by Ramba Ral notably overwhelmed the Federation’s RX-78-2 Gundam during their first encounter. Back on the White Base, Gundam pilot Amuro Ray tried to simulate the Gouf as an improved F-type Zaku II but the Gouf’s performance far exceeded anything the Federation had previously encountered.

The success of the design prompted Zeon to deploy the Gouf worldwide, including Australia and the Gobi Desert. A modified variant, the MS-07B-3 Gouf Custom, saw action in Southeast Asia and Europe.

Despite its impressive performance, Zeon felt that its manufacturing costs were too high. It was soon replaced by the cheaper and more capable MS-09 Dom as the mainstay of Zeon’s ground forces. However, the Gouf’s capabilities meant that it continued to serve in Zeon ranks even after the war ended.

In UC 0080, the South Seas Alliance deployed Gouf units equipped with hover packs that allowed them to achieve atmospheric flight. These units could also transport infantry, allowing the Gouf to serve as a mobile personnel carrier.

Design

Zeonic developed the Gouf line of mobile suits specifically for close-quarter combat on Earth. Using data and design elements from the leg-mounted thrusters of the YMS-08A High Mobility Test Type, the Gouf could perform jet-assisted jumps and demonstrated greater maneuverability thanks to its powerful backpack.

The Gouf had super hard steel alloy armor. Its rocket thrusters generated a combined output of 40,700 kg. The mobile suit had a standard cockpit in its torso. Its standard sensors provided a detection range of up to 3,600 metres.

Armaments

The Gouf’s standard weapons included a 5-barrel machine gun mounted as its left hand and a heat rod in its right forearm for close combat. It outperformed the MS-06F Zaku II in terms of speed, power output, and melee combat capability.

It could also use weapons designed for the Zaku II line. Many units equipped such weapons as Zeon faced parts shortages and could not produce newer weapons quickly enough.

5-barrel 75 mm machine gun

The fingers on the Gouf’s left hand functioned as the barrels of a 5-barrel 75 mm machine gun. This built-in weapon meant the Gouf could not be easily disarmed during combat. However, it prevented the use of handheld armaments with the left hand.

Heat rod

The Gouf featured a whip-like heat rod mounted in its right forearm. When superheated, the heat rod could cut through most armor. It also functioned as a grappling weapon capable of delivering powerful electric shocks to enemies.

The heat rod retracted into the arm for storage when not in use.

Heat Sword Type-βIV

The Heat Sword Type-βIV served as a battery-powered melee weapon designed specifically for the Gouf. Based on the Heat Hawk design, it took the form of a broadsword, providing longer reach and a larger cutting edge compared to the tomahawk form of the Heat Hawk.

Shield

The Gouf mounted a shield on its left arm for defense. While effective against conventional melee weapons and projectiles, the shield provided limited protection against beam weaponry. It also stored the Heat Sword when not in use.

120 mm machine gun

The ZMP-50D machine gun was developed for the Zaku II line. It used a drum magazine holding 100 rounds. While it required no power to operate, this reduced its effectiveness against heavy armor.

280 mm Zaku bazooka

The H&L-SB21K/280 mm A-P bazooka fired armor-piercing explosive rounds designed to penetrate enemy ship hulls. It required front-loading of single rounds, with a four-round magazine stored on the side hip armor. This limited ammunition capacity demanded tactical use.

The bazooka could be stored on the rear waist armor when not in use.

Known pilots

  • Ramba Ral
  • Habe
  • March
  • Visch Donahue
  • Renchef
  • Manning

Variants

MS-07B Gouf M’quve Custom

Colonel M’quve piloted a personalized Gouf decorated with ornate markings and engravings. It featured his trademark spearhead-shaped antenna later used on the YMS-15 Gyan.

MS-07B Gouf Thomas Kurtz Custom

First Lieutenant Thomas Kurtz piloted a custom-colored Gouf during his service with the 5th Terrestrial Mobile Division of Zeon’s Earth Attack Force.

MS-07B Gouf Visch Donahue Custom

First Lieutenant Visch Donahue, known as the Thunderclap in the Wilderness, used a custom Gouf that displayed his personal Wild Thunder emblem on its shield while serving under Commander Walter Curtis in Australia.

Gouf Custom

  • MS-07B-3 Gouf Custom

Behind the scenes

Okawara Kunio served as the original mechanical designer.

Appearances

Anime

Manga

  • Mobile Suit Gundam MS Generation
  • Mobile Suit Gundam F90
  • Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt
  • Mobile Suit Gundam: We’re Federation Hooligans!!
  • MS Battlefield Record Mobile Suit Gundam 0079 Side Story
  • Gundam Legacy

Games

  • Dynasty Warriors: Gundam
  • Gundam 0079: The War for Earth
  • Gundam Versus
  • Mobile Suit Gundam Battlefield Record UC 0081
  • Mobile Suit Gundam: Bonds of the Battlefield
  • Mobile Suit Gundam: Ex Revue
  • Mobile Suit Gundam: Federation vs Zeon DX
  • Mobile Suit Gundam: Journey to Jaburo
  • Mobile Suit Gundam: Lost War Chronicles
  • Mobile Suit Gundam: Operation Troy
  • Mobile Suit Gundam: Pilot’s Locus
  • Mobile Suit Gundam: Spirits of Zeon Dual Stars of Carnage
  • Mobile Suit Gundam: Target in Sight
  • Mobile Suit Gundam Side Stories
  • Mobile Suit Gundam Side Story: The Blue Destiny
  • Mobile Suit Gundam Side Story 0079: Rise from the Ashes
  • Mobile Suit Gundam 0079: Zeonic Front
  • Mobile Suit Gundam AGE: Universe Accel