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MSM-03 Gogg

Mass-produced amphibious mobile suit developed by Zimmad for the Principality of Zeon.
Jenxi Seow Published 17 Jan 2014 Updated 7 Feb 2025
MSM-03 Gogg

The MSM-03 Gogg was a mass-produced amphibious mobile suit developed by the Zimmad for the Principality of Zeon. It was the first successful amphibious mobile suit.

The “MS” in the type code denoted that it was a mobile suit, while the “M” identified it as an amphibious model. The “03” in the model number indicated that it was the third design in the line.

History

During the One Year War, the Principality of Zeon developed the MS-09 Dom for ground combat. However, its nuclear reactor lacked sufficient output to power mega particle weapons. Increasing reactor output required better cooling capacity, and water cooling proved to be the most efficient method.

In November UC 0078, MIP Company and Zimmad received orders to develop an amphibious mobile suit that could use seawater for cooling. Such a suit would also allow Zeon forces to reach their destinations through the sea independently, enabling combat operations far from frontline bases.

After the failure of Zeonic’s MSM-01 Zaku Marine Type, Zimmad developed the Gogg as a purpose-built amphibious mobile suit rather than modifying an existing design. Production began in March UC 0079, with the first units deployed in May, primarily in the Mediterranean Sea and Gulf of Mexico.

Though initially successful with about 300 units produced, the Gogg’s technological limitations eventually restricted its combat effectiveness. Near the end of the war, Zimmad developed the MSM-03C Hygogg to address these shortcomings.

Design

The Gogg featured a streamlined head shape and internalized equipment to reduce water resistance. Its limbs could retract during underwater cruising. For propulsion, it used thermonuclear hydrojet engines that drew in water and heated it with reactor exhaust to create thrust.

When operating on land, cooling water was stored in internal ballast tanks, limiting operating time to 1-2 hours due to reactor cooling constraints. While not particularly agile due to its weight, the pressure-resistant design provided robust defense in close combat.

The Gogg carried the Freezy Yard system, which launched a gelatinous webbing from its head to safely capture underwater mines without detonation. However, as the webbing blocked water intake, it could only be used briefly before requiring removal of entangled mines.

Armaments

The Gogg’s standard weapons were mega particle guns for ranged attacks and iron nail claws for melee combat.

Mega particle guns

A pair of Kia M-23 mega particle guns were mounted in the center of the Gogg’s torso. Each gun weighed 38.7 tons and generated an output of 2.8 MW. These weapons drew power directly from the reactor rather than using energy capacitor technology, making the Gogg the first mobile suit to adopt this approach.

Torpedo launchers

The Gogg equipped a torpedo launcher on either side of its mega particle guns for underwater and coastal combat.

Iron nail claws

For close quarters combat, the Gogg had large hands equipped with “Iron Nail” claws. These extremely sharp claws could pierce even the Luna Titanium alloy armor of the RX-78-2 Gundam. Their high-output actuators enabled the claws to tear through aircraft carrier hulls.

Phonon masers

A pair of phonon masers mounted on the sides of the Gogg’s head fired beams that could intercept torpedoes underwater.

Known pilots

  • Marcy
  • Lasa
  • Lunan
  • Phillip Kaufmann
  • Raychel Ferguson

Behind the scenes

Okawara Kunio was the original mechanical designer. Ohtagaki Yasuo designed the version that appeared in the Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt manga.

Appearances

Anime

  • Mobile Suit Gundam
  • Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ
  • Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team
  • Gundam Build Fighters Try

Manga

  • Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt
  • Mobile Suit Gundam Side Story: MS Generation
  • Gundam Legacy
  • Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin MSD Cucuruz Doan’s Island

Novel

  • Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team: Trivial Operation

Games

  • Mobile Suit Gundam 0079: Zeonic Front
  • Mobile Suit Gundam Battlefield Record UC 0081
  • Mobile Suit Gundam: Bonds of the Battlefield
  • Mobile Suit Gundam: Federation vs Zeon DX
  • Mobile Suit Gundam: Journey to Jaburo
  • Mobile Suit Gundam: Pilot’s Locus
  • Mobile Suit Gundam: Target in Sight
  • Mobile Suit Gundam Side Story 0079: Rise from the Ashes
  • Mobile Suit Gundam Side Story: The Blue Destiny