MSM-07 Z’Gok

MSM-07 Z’Gok from Mobile Suit Gundam

The MSM-07 Z’Gok 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 “07” in the model code indicates that it was the seventh design in the line.

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.

Not to be outdone by its competitor, the MIP Company developed the MSM-07 Z’Gok that went down in history as the most successful amphibious mobile suit design. It wast fast and agile both on land and water. Z’Gok units were used by Zeon remnants more than a decade later.

When Zeon sprang its assault on the Earth Federation underground headquarters of Jaburo on 30 November UC 0079, one of the primary attack groups consisted of many Z’Gok units bypassed the base defences via a secret underwater entrance.

Zeon Remnants deployed several Z’Gok units in the Antarctic Circle in UC 0080. The Z’Gok also served in the South Seas Alliance defence forces around that time. Billy Hickman piloted a unit at the Tail volcano base.

In UC 0096, several units were used in an attack on the Torrington Base in Australia .

The success of the Z’Gok prompted the MIP Company to improve its design with the experimental MSM-07E Z’Gok-E and the MSM-07S Z’Gok Commander Type.

MSM-07 Z’Gok from Mobile Suit Gundam

Production overview

Model number: MSM-07

Code name: Z’Gok

Type: Mass production amphibious mobile suit

Completed: August UC 0079

First deployment: September UC 0079

Manufacturer: MIP Company

Operator: Principality of Zeon, Zeon Remnants, civilians, mercenaries

Developed from:

MSM-04-1 Prototype Acguy

Developed into:

MSM-04G Juaggu

MSM-04N Agguguy

Variants:

MSM-07Di Ze’Gok

MSM-07E Z’Gok-E

MSM-07F Z’Gok Crab

MSM-07N Ram Z’Gok

MSM-07S Z’Gok Commander Type

MSM-08 Zogok

General characteristics

Crew: Pilot only

Cockpit: Standard with linear seat cockpit in torso

Head height: 18.4 m

Total height: Unknown

Empty weight: 65.1 t

Gross weight: 96.4 t

Armour: Titanium ceramic composite

Sensors: Standard

Sensor range: 5,200 m

Performance

Power plant: Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor

Power output: 2,480 kW

Propulsion:

‣ Hydrojet thrusters: 2 x 35,000 kg, 1 x 13,000 kg

Max speed: 103 knots (water), 70 km/h (ground)

180° turn time: Unknown

Thrust-to-weight ratio: 0.86 G

Armaments

Fixed

‣ 6 x 240 mm rocket launcher

‣ 2 x mega particle cannon

Design

Both the MSM-03 Gogg designed by the Zimmad Company and the MSM-04 Acguy designed by the Zeonic Company used ballast water tanks to cool their reactors. However these tanks were bulky and weighed the mobile suits down. Thus, the MIP Company developed the MSM-07 Z’Gok to use a propeller cooling system in place of the ballast tanks.

When the Z’Gok was submerged in water, the propellers drew water into the mobile suit from its surroundings to remove the heat from the reactor. When the Z’Gok was out of water, the propellers sucked in air to cool the reactor. This allowed the power plant to be cooled sufficiently regardless of whether the mobile suit was in or out of water.

The improved efficiency of the propeller cooling system meant the Z’Gok could use a more powerful reactor. Its Minovsky fusion reactor was much more powerful than that of the Gogg and Acguy, allowing it to operate two mega particle cannons.

It used hydrojet thrusters with a total output of 83,000 kg for propulsion. Despite having less powerful thrusters, than the Gogg and Acguy, it was much lighter without ballast tanks. It beats its competitors hands down with a maximum speed of the Z’Gok wa 97 km/h on land and 103 knots in water.

The mobile suit used a modular forearm system that allowed it to switch its weapons. This allowed different Acguy units to be suited for different combat situations, making a team of these mobile suits a versatile strike force.

Unlike the Gogg and Acguy that used super hard steel alloy armour, the Z’Gok had the next generation titanium ceramic composite 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 5,200 metres.

Armaments

The Z’Gok equipped ranged weapons on its forearm and used a claw for close range combat.

Claws

The Z’Gok had a pair of claws that it used for melee combat. By using the momentum generated by the mobile suit’s powerful thrusters, the claws were able to destroy a Federation RGM-79 GM with a single blow.

Missile launcher

There were six 240 mm missile launchers built into the top of the Z’Gok’s head. Each launcher carried five rounds of magazines, giving the pilot a healthy supply of thirty missiles.

Mega particle cannon

The Z’Gok had a mega particle cannon built into each forearm. These made it more natural for the pilots to aim and gave the cannon a larger firing angle. These cannons were powered directly by the Z’Gok’s reactor. The efficient cooling system gave the cannons a high firing rate without the risk of over heating.

Known pilots

Variant

Behind the scenes

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

Appearances

Anime

Manga

Novel

Games