Gundam

MSM-03 Gogg

★

By Jenxi Seow

Published

Updated

The MSM-03 Gogg was an amphibious mobile armour mass produced by the Principality of Zeon. The “MS” in the model code refers to it being a mobile suit, while the “M” identifies it as a marine model. The “03” in the model code indicates that it was the third design in the line.

Contents

History

During the One Year War, the Principality of Zeon started to push its ground offensive on Earth. It had developed the MS-09 Dom for ground use, but its fusion reactor was unable to power mega particle weaponry. A fusion reactor with sufficient power output would require a more efficient cooling system, and the solution Zeon identified was to use seawater as a coolant. This meant developing an amphibious mobile suit.

Besides allowing the use of mega particle weaponry, such a suit would also allow Zeon to gain sea superiority and advance its territories on Earth.

On the back of its successful MS-06 Zaku II models, the Zeonic Company developed the MS-06M Zaku Marine Type variant for underwater combat. However, it proved to be a failure when deployed in battle. Thus, Zeon command ordered the MIP Company and the Zimmad Company to develop an amphibious mobile suit.

Instead of modifying an existing mobile suit, the Zimmad Company decided to design an amphibious mobile suit from scratch. The company developed the MSM-03 Gogg and it revolutionised Zeon’s approach to underwater combat. Several successor models were produced and all these amphibious mobile suits provided Zeon with an effective way launching assaults at Earth Federation forces from the sea.

Zeon deployed the Gogg mainly in the Mediterranean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.

The Zimmad Company improved on the design of the Gogg and developed the MSM-03C Hy-Gogg for Zeon near the end of the War.

MSM-03 Gogg

Production overview

Model number: MSM-03

Code name: Gogg

Type: Mass production amphibious mobile suit

Completed: UC 0079

First deployment: 11 May UC 0079

Manufacturer: Zimmad Company

Operator: Principality of Zeon, civilians

Developed from

‣ MSM-03-1 Prototype Gogg

Developed into

‣ MSM-03C Hygogg

Variants:None

General characteristics

Crew: Pilot only

Cockpit: Standard with linear seat cockpit in torso

Head height: 18.3m

Total height: Unknown

Empty weight: 82.4 t

Gross weight: 159.4 t

Armour: Titanium ceramic composite

Sensors: Standard

Sensor range: 5,400 m

Performance

Power plant: Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor

Power output: 1,740 kW

Propulsion:

‣ Hydrojet thrusters: 2 x 38,000 kg, 3 x 15,000 kg

Max speed: 74 knots (water), 50 km/h (ground)

180° turn time: Unknown

Thrust-to-weight ratio: 0.76 G

Armaments

Fixed

‣ 2 x claw

‣ 2 x mega particle cannon

‣ 2 x torpedo launcher

Design

The MS-06M Zaku Marine Type was the first underwater-use mobile suit used by the Principality of Zeon . However, being a modified MS-06F Zaku II, the Zaku Marine Type performed poorly and was condemned as a failed model. The MSM-03 Gogg was designed from scratch for use underwater and on land.

The Gogg had heavy armour that could withstand deep sea pressures. It also equipped a large Minovsky fusion reactor that used sea water as a natural heat sink. This allowed the Gogg to be equipped with built-in beam weaponry that drew power directly from the reactor.

The body of the mobile suit contained ballast tanks that it used to surface and dive. Water in the tanks radiated reactor heat when the mobile suit was out of the water.

It used hydrojet thrusters for propulsion. Its two main thrusters and three auxiliary thrusters provided a total output of 121,000 kg. The maximum speed of the Gogg was 50 km/h on land and 75 knots in water.

The Gogg carried freezy yard, a gel that allowed the mobile suit to capture underwater mines without detonating them. It launched the freezy yard a capsule from its head. The capsule would then open to cover the Gogg in the gel. However, the freezy yard would block the water intake, so prolonged use was not feasible.

Like the other Zeon mobile suits of its time, the Gogg had super hard steel alloy armour. It had a standard cockpit in its torso. The cockpit was later refitted with linear seat with panoramic monitor in its body. Its standard sensors with detection range of 5,400 metres.

Armaments

The Gogg was equipped with mega particle guns and torpedo launchers for ranged combat. It had to rely on its claws for melee combat.

Claws

The Gogg had a pair of claws instead of hands. It used these for melee combat. While they might appear unassuming, they could tear through the hull of an aircraft carrier. The claws were able to pierce the luna titanium alloy of the RX-78-2 Gundam and they could catch the Gundam Hammer without being damaged.

Mega particle cannon

A pair of Kia M-23 mega particle guns were mounted on the centre of the Gogg’s torso. Weighing a total of 38.7 tons, these guns drew energy directly from the mobile suit’s powerful reactor. And had an output of 2.8 MW each.

They were cooled by the sea water so they could be fired rapidly without risk of overheating. However, this worked only if the Gogg remained in the water. The pilot had to be wary of overheating when using the guns while the Gogg was out of water.

Torpedo launchers

The Gogg mounted a torpedo launcher next to each mega particle gun. These were mainly use for sea-to-sea and sea-to-land bombardment.

Known pilots

Behind the scenes

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

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