MS-09F/Trop Dom Tropen – MechaBay

The MS-09F/Trop Dom Tropen was a localised ground combat mobile suit developed by Zimmad for the Principality of Zeon.

The “MS” in the model code meant it was a mobile suit, the “09” designated it as part of the Dom series, “F” indicated it was based on the Dom Funf variant, and “Trop” denoted its specialisation for tropical environments. The name “Tropen” is German for “tropical”.

History

The Zeon military introduced the MS-09F/Trop Dom Tropen late in the One Year War, designed to operate exclusively in localised desert and tropical regions on Earth. Although the MS-09 Dom was developed for ground combat, it was expected that the MS would wear out and break down rapidly in desert and hot areas such as Africa, so development of a localised warfare version was also underway at the same time.

A redesigned version of the MS-09F Dom Funf, the Dom Tropen was developed to operate exclusively in tropical regions on Earth, in particular the desert areas. Introduced by the Zeon military late in the One Year War, it also incorporated data taken from the MS-09 Dom and YMS-09D Dom Tropical Test Type.

Though the exact production numbers of the Dom Tropen were unknown, many units survived the war. Two Dom Tropen units participated in the theft of the Earth Federation Forces’ RX-78GP02A Gundam GP02A Physalis in October UC 0083 during Operation Stardust. Four units aided in the defence of Zeon’s underground Kimberlite mine in eastern Africa. More than a decade later, Zeon remnants used the Dom Tropen in an attack on Australia’s Torrington Base in UC 0096.

Design

The Dom Tropen featured several major design differences from the standard Dom. The basic structure of the head unit is closer to that of the MS-09R-2 Rick Dom II than to that of the Dom, and the top of the head is equipped with a sub-sensor. Compared to previous Doms, it is a machine that takes into consideration aerodynamic shape and maintainability.

In addition to sand protection filters to protect its equipment and powerful cooling systems to overcome the desert heat, the Dom Tropen featured special sand protection filtered intakes for its leg-mounted thermonuclear jet engines, allowing the mobile suit to retain its high ground hovering speeds without fear of sand ruining the engines. It also sported specialised block-shaped armor designed to help keep sand from getting inside and to facilitate the removal of sand that enters the interior.

The mobile suit featured modified intake filters for its leg-mounted thermonuclear jet engines, allowing it to retain its high ground hovering speeds without fear of sand ruining the engines. In addition to dustproof air filters and enhanced cooling devices in various parts of its body for desert and hot weather specifications, the Dom Tropen has specialised block-shaped armor designed to facilitate the removal of sand that enters the interior.

The Dom Tropen was powered by a Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor, output rated at 1,199 kW. It had rocket thrusters generating 58,600 kg total thrust (2 x 22,000 kg, 2 x 7,300 kg), providing excellent ground hovering capability with a maximum ground hovering speed of 360 km/h.

Armaments

The Dom Tropen’s standard weapons were a diffuse beam cannon for ranged attacks and a heat saber for melee combat.

Diffuse beam cannon

The diffuse beam cannon was mounted in the torso and served as the Dom Tropen’s primary ranged weapon. This weapon fired a spread beam that was effective against multiple targets or for area denial, making it particularly useful in desert combat where enemy positions might be obscured by sand and dust.

Heat saber

The heat saber was battery powered, stored in recharge rack on back, and hand-carried in use. The beam saber used an I-field to contain Minovsky particles within the shape of a blade. Minovsky particles broke down matter at a molecular level, meaning the heat saber could cut through almost any material.

Raketen bazooka

The raketen bazooka was clip-fed, 5 rounds per clip, with spare clips able to be stored on waist armor storage racks. This was a powerful anti-mobile suit weapon that fired rocket-propelled warheads. A bazooka for MS that fires rocket-propelled 360mm physical rounds. Liquid fuel supplied through a pipe from the Dom Tropen’s hand is injected as a primary propellant, and then the projectile’s speed is increased by rocket motor ignition. It is fed by a 10 rounds magazine, and a single round can blow the torso off of an enemy mobile suit.

MMP-80 machine gun

The MMP-80 machine gun was clip-fed, 32 rounds per clip, with spare clips able to be stored on waist armor storage racks. The machine gun could be stored on rear skirt armor storage rack when not in use. This weapon provided sustained fire capability for engaging lightly armoured targets or suppressing enemy positions.

Sturm faust

The sturm faust was a rocket-propelled warhead that could be stored on waist armor storage racks. A simplified, disposable rocket launcher. As the warhead is not equipped with a guidance device, it is extremely hard to use the Sturm Faust to hit a moving target accurately. However, it is still a highly destructive portable weapon.

Known pilots

Gaily
Adamsky
Sophie Fran

Behind the scenes

Katoki Hajime was the original mechanical designer for the Gundam 0083 version. The Dom Tropen was designed to address the limitations of standard Dom units in harsh desert environments, incorporating specialised systems to maintain the Dom’s signature hovering capability in challenging conditions.

Appearances

External links

MS-09F/Trop Dom Tropen on the Gundam Wiki
MS-09F/Trop Dom Tropen on MAHQ