MS-09 Dom
Mass-produced ground combat mobile suit developed by Zimmad Company.
The MS-09 Dom was a mass-produced ground combat mobile suit developed by the Zimmad Company for the Principality of Zeon during the One Year War.
The “MS” in the type code indicated it was a mobile suit. The “09” model number denoted it was the ninth design for this type.
History
During the One Year War, the Principality of Zeon’s ground-based mobile suits, including the MS-06J Zaku II Ground Type and the MS-07B Gouf, suffered from low deployment speed. After several failed attempts to solve this problem, Zeon introduced the Dodai YS as a stopgap measure while developing a new mobile suit design.
The Zimmad Company had developed the MS-07C-5 Gouf Test Prototype as an experimental ground combat mobile suit. Drawing from this experience, Zimmad designed the revolutionary YMS-09 Prototype Dom. Two prototype units were produced in the Zeon homeland and tested at California Base.
After successful field testing, the design was modified into the mass production MS-09 Dom. Production began at Granada and California Base in late September UC 0079. The Dom replaced the Gouf as Zeon’s mainstay ground combat mobile suit.
The first three units were assigned to Zeon’s ace pilot team, the Black Tri-Stars — Gaia, Ortega, and Mash. Using their new mobile suits, the trio launched a night attack on the White Base during resupply. Despite the Dom’s superior mobility and the team’s coordination, they were ultimately defeated by the RX-78-2 Gundam piloted by Amuro Ray.
Multiple Dom units participated in Operation Odessa. On 9 November UC 0079, two units guarding a Dobday-class land battleship were destroyed by Engineering Lieutenant Aline Nazon in an RTX-440 Ground Assault Type Guntank.
Design
The MS-09 Dom featured revolutionary mobility systems that set it apart from previous ground combat mobile suits. Thermonuclear jet engines mounted in its legs and under the waist armor allowed it to hover at speeds up to 381 kilometres per hour, significantly faster than the walking speed of contemporary mobile suits.
The mobile suit’s primary thrusters used the Saturn Engine, a thermonuclear engine that employed heavy elements like zinc and lead as propellant. This granted higher thrust compared to engines using lighter elements. Sensors located in front of its feet enabled traversal of uneven terrain while hovering.
For protection, the Dom adopted a distinctive “skirt armor” design to shield weak points like thrusters. This earned it the nickname “Skirted” from Federation pilots. The cockpit hatch armor, previously a weakness, was greatly enhanced. The head was merged into the chest to deflect and ricochet enemy projectiles.
Armaments
The Dom’s standard weapons were a 360 mm giant bazooka for ranged attacks and a heat saber for melee combat. It also featured a scattering beam gun in its chest for defensive purposes.
Scattering beam gun
A beam weapon mounted on the left side of the Dom’s chest, the scattering beam gun produced an intense flash capable of momentarily blinding human eyes and visual sensors. At close range, it could also dissipate I-fields, temporarily disabling beam-based weapons.
Heat saber
The Dom’s main close combat weapon used thermal energy to heat its blade to high temperatures, allowing it to melt through enemy armor. It featured an electrical discharge function utilizing Minovsky particle physics. The saber was stored on the back when not in use and was discarded after degrading from use.
360 mm giant bazooka
The H&L-GB03K/360 mm giant bazooka was fed by a 10-round magazine. It used liquid fuel supplied through the Dom’s hand as primary propellant, with additional acceleration provided by rocket motor ignition. A single round could severely damage most mobile suits.
880 mm rocket bazooka
The 880 mmRB-T27 Raketen bazooka featured powerful rocket-propelled rounds and an improved targeting sensor with protective cover. It was fed by a 5-round clip with spare clips carried on the mobile suit.
90 mm machine gun
The MMP-80 90 mm machine gun was developed under the United Maintenance Plan, improving upon the earlier Zaku machine gun design. It used a box magazine instead of a drum, with 32 rounds in standard magazines and 100 rounds in triple magazines. The reduced caliber improved accuracy while maintaining effective anti-MS firepower.
120 mm machine gun
The ZMP-50D 120 mm machine gun was a standard Zaku II firearm that did not require energy to operate. While ineffective against heavy armor, it could still damage lighter targets. It used a 100-round drum magazine.
Known pilots
- Gaia
- Ortega
- Mash
- Abraham
- Rayburn
- Ken Bederstadt
- Garsky Zinobaev
- Jake Guns
Variants
- MS-09 Dom Cold Climate Type
- MS-09F Dom Funf
- MS-09G Dwadge
- MS-09R Rick Dom
Behind the scenes
Okawara Kunio was the original mechanical designer. Yamane Kimitoshi designed the version seen in Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team.
The Dom made a cameo appearance in Mobile Fighter G Gundam clinging to a rocket after the destruction of the Devil Gundam.
The ZGMF-XX09T DOM Trooper from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny was a direct homage to the Dom.
Appearances
- Mobile Suit Gundam
- Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team
- Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO 2: The Gravity Front