MS-09R-2 Rick Dom II – MechaBay

The MS-09R-2 Rick Dom II was a mass production 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 “09” designated it as part of the Dom series, “R” indicated it was designed for space combat (Rick), and the “2” suffix denoted it was the second iteration. The mobile suit was also known as the Rick Dom Zwei (German for “two”).

History

Late during the One Year War, the Principality of Zeon military launched its United Maintenance Plan to upgrade and improve existing mobile suit designs and to make its own manufacturing capabilities more streamlined by incorporating similar parts and systems in several different mobile suit lines. This plan also served to help mobile suit pilots easily make the transition from one type of mobile suit to another, as all of the suits produced under the United Maintenance Plan were similar to each other in terms of operation.

One of the mobile suit types to be redesigned under this plan was the MS-09R Rick Dom, the spaceborne variant of Zimmad’s original ground-pounding MS-09 Dom, which was in service for only a few months. The high performance and success of the Rick Dom inspired the Zeon military to improve the design even further as the MS-09R-2 Rick Dom II.

Based on the YMS-09R-2 Prototype Rick Dom Zwei, the primary improvement was an increase in its overall thruster acceleration and the addition of more attitude control verniers for added manoeuvrability. The increased thrust and fuel consumption was offset by the addition of a pair of external propellant tanks, allowing it to operate in the field for longer periods of time.

However, due to its late introduction into the war, only a small number of Rick Dom IIs were produced, with some operating in the skirmishes against the Earth Federation Forces stationed in the Side 6 area in December UC 0079. A few Rick Dom IIs survived the war and made their way into the service of the Delaz Fleet, although these units were downgraded in terms of number of thrusters and acceleration (possibly due to the unavailability of replacement parts).

During the Delaz Conflict of UC 0083, the Delaz Fleet operated a large number of Rick Dom II. These units would participate in the attack on the Federation naval review and the colony drop on Earth.

Design

Developed late into the One Year War as part of the United Maintenance Plan, the Rick Dom II was an improved model of the MS-09R Rick Dom. Unlike its predecessor, which was based on the ground-use MS-09 Dom, the Rick Dom II was designed from the ground up with space-use in mind, and thus did not take aerodynamics into account.

Its armor was redesigned to use a more planar structure, which made it possible to install a more powerful generator and thrusters with higher output. The Rick Dom II featured upgraded titanium ceramic composite armor compared to the super hard steel alloy used in earlier Dom variants. In addition, it was equipped with more vernier thrusters for increased mobility, and a pair of propellant tanks for increased operating time.

The Rick Dom II was powered by a Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor with an output rated at 1,219 kW, representing an improvement over the original Rick Dom’s 1,199 kW output. The One Year War version featured rocket thrusters generating 110,000 kg total thrust (5 x 21,000 kg, 2 x 2,500 kg) plus 9 vernier thrusters/apogee motors. The post-One Year War version had reduced thruster output of 56,000 kg total (2 x 21,000 kg, 2 x 7,000 kg), likely due to parts availability issues.

Armaments

The Rick Dom II’s standard weapon was a diffuse beam cannon for ranged attacks.

Diffuse beam cannon

The diffuse beam cannon was mounted in the torso and served as the Rick Dom II’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 space combat where multiple enemy units might approach from different vectors.

Giant bazooka

The giant bazooka was clip-fed and fired rocket-propelled 360mm physical rounds. Liquid fuel supplied through a pipe from the Rick Dom II’s hand was injected as a primary propellant, and then the projectile’s speed was increased by rocket motor ignition. It was fed by a 10 rounds magazine, and a single round could blow the torso off of an enemy mobile suit.

H&L-GB05R/360mm giant bazooka

A new heavy bazooka which features powerful rocket-propelled rounds, and improved targeting sensor with protective cover for aiming. It was fed by a 5 rounds clip and spare clips could be carried.

Panzer faust

The panzer faust was a rocket-propelled warhead that could be stored on waist armor storage racks. This disposable anti-armor weapon provided the Rick Dom II with additional close-range firepower for engaging enemy mobile suits.

MMP-80 machine gun

The MMP-80 machine gun was clip-fed and provided sustained fire capability for engaging lightly armoured targets or suppressing enemy positions. This weapon was particularly useful in extended engagements where the pilot needed to conserve the more powerful bazooka ammunition.

Sturm faust

The sturm faust was a rocket-propelled warhead that could be stored on waist armor storage racks. A simplified, disposable rocket launcher, the sturm faust was extremely hard to use against moving targets accurately due to its lack of a guidance device. However, it remained a highly destructive portable weapon for close-range engagements.

External propellant tanks

The Rick Dom II was equipped with 2 external propellant tanks that were ejectable and mounted on the backpack. These tanks greatly extended the mobile suit’s operating range and enabled it to stay in combat longer, addressing one of the key limitations of earlier Dom variants in extended space operations.

Known pilots

Karius
Guy Helmuth
Mallet Sanguine
Lilia Flaubert
Huyman Carlyle
Gusta Piper
Ailos Bade

Behind the scenes

The original mechanical designers were Yutaka Izubuchi (Gundam 0080 version) and Kyoshi Takigawa (Gundam Side Stories version). The Rick Dom II was designed to represent the culmination of Dom development during the One Year War, incorporating lessons learned from both ground and space combat operations.

The large heat saber used by Guy Helmuth’s Rick Dom II is similar to the one used by the MS-09F/Gb Dom Gross Beil. A prototype heat weapon developed specifically for anti-ship warfare, its large size and high output allows it to slice Federation warship in two.

Appearances

External links

MS-09R-2 Rick Dom II on the Gundam Wiki
MS-09R-2 Rick Dom II on MAHQ