MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam
Gundam > Universal Century > Zeta Gundam > AEUG mecha
The MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam was a prototype transformable assault mobile suit developed by Anaheim Electronics for the AEUG.
The “MSZ” in the model code indicated that it was a mobile suit from Project Zeta. The “006” in the model code was to reflect its name Zeta, which was the sixth letter in the Greek alphabet.
Production overview
Model number: MSZ-006
Code name: Zeta Gundam
Type: Prototype transformable assault mobile suit
Completed: July UC 0087
First deployment: August UC 0087
Manufacturer: Anaheim Electronics
Operator: AEUG
Developed from
Developed into
- Half Zeta Gundam
- MSZ-006A1 Zeta Plus A1
- A/FMSZ-007II Zeta
- MSZ-007 Mass Production Type Ζ Gundam
- MSZ-007 Z Rapier I
Variants:
General characteristics
Crew: Pilot only
Cockpit: Panoramic monitor with linear seat cockpit in torso
Head height: Mobile suit: 19.85 m; Mobile armour: 18.61 m
Total height: Mobile suit: Unknown; Mobile armour: Unknown
Empty weight: 28.7 t
Gross weight: 62.3 t
Armour: Gundarium alloy
Sensors: Standard
Sensor range: 11,200 m
Performance
Power plant: Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor
Power output: 2,020 kW
Propulsion:
Rocket thrusters:
- 5 x 12,200 kg
- 2 x 10,600 kg
- 4 x 7,600 kg
Vernier thrusters: 8
Max speed: Unknown
180° turn time: Unknown
Thrust-to-weight ratio: Unknown
Equipment
Fixed
- 2 x 60 mm vulcan guns
- 2 x 2-tube grenade launcher
- 2 x hybrid beam sabre
- 1 x shield
Handheld
- 1 x (BOWA) XBR-M87A2 beam rifle
- 1 x hyper mega launcher
Optional
- 1 x grenade launcher cartridge
History
The AEUG engaged Anaheim Electronics to embark on Project Zeta to develop their next generation mobile suits during the Gryps Conflict. The goal of the project was to produce a transformable mobile suit. Anaheim Electronics produced three non-transformable prototypes, MSZ-006-X1 Prototype Z Gundam, MSZ-006-X2 Prototype Z Gundam, and MSZ-006-X3 Prototype Z Gundam. MSZ-006-X1 Prototype Gundam proved to be the best design after the intial tests and it became the basis for the transformable version MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam.
The Zeta Gundam served on board AEUG flagship Argama upon its completion in July UC 0087 as part of frontline assault unit during the Gryps Conflict. Kamille Bidan was the Zeta Gundam’s pilot, although other Argama crew piloted it on occasions too. The success of the Zeta Gundam led to Anaheim Electronics producing a simplified version for AEUG’s Earth-based allies Karaba.
After the Gryps Conflict, the Zeta Gundam continued participating in regular combat in the First Neo Zeon War. Judau Ashta was the pilot of Zeta Gundam. When he was assigned to the newer MSZ-010 ZZ Gundam, other Argama crew piloted the Zeta Gundam to support the ZZ Gundam in battle.
When Judau battled Mashymre Cello, Mashymre’s AMX-103 Hamma-Hamma blew off the head of the Zeta Gundam. In order to get Zeta Gundam back into the battlefield quickly, Iino Abbav attached a MS-06F Zaku II head on the Zeta Gundam. This hybrid earned itself the nickname “Zeta Zaku”. The rotating mono-eye of the Zaku rendered the panoramic monitor less useful as the monitor could only show the field of view the eye scanned. A replacement unit soon arrived to bring the Zeta Gundam back in full operation status.
The Zeta Gundam served through the war until it was destroyed in the battle in Neo Zeon’s asteroid base Axis.
Anaheim Electronics produced many variants of the Zeta Gundam, such as FA-006ZG Full Armor Zeta Gundam, MSZ-006PL1 Z Plutonius, MSZ-006-3A Zeta Gundam 3A Type, MSZ-006-3B Zeta Gundam 3B Type, MSZ-006-P2/3C Zeta Gundam P2/3C Type, and MSZ-006 Z Prompt.
Yurii Ajissah piloted the Zeta Gundam P2/3C Type. Mercenary pilot Johnny Ridden piloted another unit for a special mission against a terrorist group in UC 0097.
Several mobile suit designs were developed directly from the Zeta Gundam, including the Half Zeta Gundam, MSZ-006A1 Zeta Plus A1, A/FMSZ-007II Zeta, MSZ-007 Mass Production Type Ζ Gundam, and MSZ-007 Z Rapier I. The Zeta Gundam’s design inspired later designs, including the RGZ-91 Re-GZ in UC 0093 and the RGZ-95 ReZEL in UC 0096.
The Earth Federation recovered the Zeta Gundam and Hyaku-Shiki at end of the First Neo Zeon War. The Federation Forces restored the Zeta Gundam exclusively for flight demonstrations at the UC 0100 ceremony.
First Neo Zeon War
After the Gryps Conflict, the Zeta Gundam continued participating in regular combat in the First Neo Zeon War. Judau Ashta was the pilot of Zeta Gundam. When he was assigned to the newer MSZ-010 ZZ Gundam, other Argama crew piloted the Zeta Gundam to support the ZZ Gundam in battle.
When Judau battled Mashymre Cello, Mashymre’s AMX-103 Hamma-Hamma blew off the head of the Zeta Gundam. In order to get Zeta Gundam back into the battlefield quickly, Iino Abbav attached a MS-06F Zaku II head on the Zeta Gundam. This hybrid earned itself the nickname “Zeta Zaku”. The rotating mono-eye of the Zaku rendered the panoramic monitor less useful as the monitor could only show the field of view the eye scanned. A replacement unit soon arrived to bring the Zeta Gundam back in full operation status.
The Zeta Gundam served through the war until it was destroyed in the battle in Neo Zeon’s asteroid base Axis.
Post War
Anaheim Electronics produced many variants of the Zeta Gundam, such as FA-006ZG Full Armor Zeta Gundam, MSZ-006PL1 Z Plutonius, MSZ-006-3A Zeta Gundam 3A Type, MSZ-006-3B Zeta Gundam 3B Type, MSZ-006-P2/3C Zeta Gundam P2/3C Type, and MSZ-006 Z Prompt.
Yurii Ajissah piloted the Zeta Gundam P2/3C Type. Mercenary pilot Johnny Ridden piloted another unit for a special mission against a terrorist group in UC 0097.
Several mobile suit designs were developed directly from the Zeta Gundam, including the Half Zeta Gundam, MSZ-006A1 Zeta Plus A1, A/FMSZ-007II Zeta, MSZ-007 Mass Production Type Ζ Gundam, and MSZ-007 Z Rapier I. The Zeta Gundam’s design inspired later designs, including the RGZ-91 Re-GZ in UC 0093 and the RGZ-95 ReZEL in UC 0096.
The Earth Federation recovered the Zeta Gundam and Hyaku-Shiki at end of the First Neo Zeon War. The Federation Forces restored the Zeta Gundam exclusively for flight demonstrations at the UC 0100 ceremony.
Design
The success of the movable frame design in the RX-178 Gundam Mk-II led to Anaheim Electronic engineers using a similar design in the Zeta Gundam. The Zeta Gundam could transform into waverider mode that resembled a fighter. The waverider mode allowed the Zeta Gundam to fly at high speeds in the atmosphere.
Waverider mode
The Zeta Gundam could also function as a sub-flight system by carrying another mobile suit in the atmosphere. It could make atmospheric re-entry in waverider mode without having to use any re-entry equipment. The Flying Armour built on the back of the mobile suit is on the bottom in waverider mode, thus protecting the Zeta Gundam from the heat generated during atmospheric re-entry. The Flying Armour was developed from data gathered from the RX-178 Gundam Mk-II’s re-entry vehicle, the FXA-00 Flying Armor.
The suit had wing binders on its backpack for extra thrusters and to increase Active Mass Balance Auto-Control (AMBAC). The binders proved to be a success in the MSN-00100 Hyaku-Shiki.
Specifications
The Zeta Gundam was built with Gundarium alloy. It was a reproduction of the Luna Titanium alloy used by RX-78-2 Gundam that Zeon developed on Axis by Anaheim Electronics.
Eleven rocket thrusters with a combined output of 112,600 kg provided main propulsion for the Zeta Gundam. Eight sets of vernier thruster and apogee motors provided fine adjustments.
The Zeta Gundam had a standard panoramic cockpit with linear seat in its torso. The piloting system used a bio-sensor, a variant of the Psycommu system developed by Anaheim Electronics. The bio-sensor slowed a Newtype pilot to control the mobile suit with mental commands.
It had a set of custom sensors that gave it a detection range of up to 14,000 metres.
Armaments
The MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam’s standard weapons were beam sabres for melee combat and a beam rifle and grenade launcher for ranged attack. It could optionally equip a hyper mega launcher. The beam rifle was its main weapon in waverider mode.
60 mm vulcan guns
A pair of fire-linked MU-86G 60 mm gatling vulcan guns were mounted on either sides of the Zeta Gundam’s head.
Each vulcan gun was loaded with 600 rounds of ammunition and fired at a rate of 1,600 rounds per minute. It was used primarily against light-armoured support units. Sustained fire from the guns could damage mobile suits and were often used in close distance combat.
Grenade launchers
A 2-tube grenade launcher was built in the Zeta Gundam’s forearms. The launcher stored two grenades in each tube, arming the Zeta Gundam with eight grenades in total.
The grenade launchers could optionally load a grappling wire to immobilise enemy units for missions that required capturing the enemy.
Grenade launcher cartridge
It could optionally mount a grenade launcher cartridge to provide 19 extra rounds of grenades.
Beam sabers
The Zeta Gundam had a pair of A.E.BLASH XB-G-35/Du.105 beam sabers for close combat. These had output rated at 0.65 megawatts each, an upgrade from the Hyaku-Shiki’s 0.4 megawatts.
The beam sabers used an I-field to contain Minovsky particles within the shape of a blade. The beam sabers could cut through almost any material. Minovsky particles were channelled into the sabers through an energy capacitor (E-cap) attached to their hilts. The E-cap recharged with Minvosky particles from the Zeta Gundam’s reactor when the sabers were stored in the recharge racks in the rear waist armour of the mobile suit.
When in waverider mode, the beam sabers could be fired and functioned as beam rifles with a combined output of 1.3 megawatts.
Beam rifle
The (BOWA) XBR-M87A2 beam rifle was the Zeta Gundam’s primary weapon. The beam rifle had a power output rating of 5.7 megawatts, more than double that of the Hyaku-Shiki’s BR-M-87 beam rifle.
The beam rifle drew its rounds from energy capacitors (E-caps), clips of charged Minovsky particles. Minovksy particles broke down matter at a molecular level, allowing the beam rifle bolts to penetrate even the thickest armour. This meant that a single shot could destroy a mobile suit.
It had a beam sabre mode that allowed it to generate an I-field to contain the Minovsky particles to form a large beam sabre. The rifle had a retractable hook to store it on the Zeta Gundam’s backpack when not in use.
Hyper Mega Launcher
The FXA-03M2 hyper mega launcher was a mega particle cannon with power rated at 8.3 megawatts, giving the Zeta Gundam firepower greater that a battleship’s guns. It was developed from the Hyaku-Shiki’s mega bazooka launcher.
To provide such a large output, the launcher came with its own thermonuclear reactor. Even then, it required a considerable recharge time before each shot. The interval could be shortened by linking several mobile suits to tap on their power plants.
The hyper mega launcher had a beam sabre mode that lets it generate an I-field to contain the Minovsky particles to form a long beam sabre.
It could be fired in waverider mode from its mounting position below the shield.
Shield
The Zeta Gundam could optionally equip an FF-XV-SH-609Z shield for defence. It was mounted on he left forearm
The shield was able to block most ballistic and explosive projectiles. It was also effective in melee combat. It had a viewport that could be sealed with an internal blast plate.
During atmospheric re-entry by the Zeta Gundam, the shield was used to deflect heat from it and to protect the Zeta Gundam from the heat as well.
Known pilots
- Kamille Bidan
- Reccoa Londe
- Apolly Bay
- Judau Ashta
- Roux Louka
- Fa Yuiry
- Astonaige Medoz
- Iino Abbav
- Beecha Oleg
- Elle Vianno
- Mondo Agake
- Johnny Ridden
- Yurii Ajissah
Variants
- FA-006ZG Full Armor Zeta Gundam
- MSZ-006PL1 Z Plutonius
- MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam (Wave Shooter Equipment Type)
- MSZ-006-3 Zeta Gundam “Strike Zeta”
- MSZ-006-3A Zeta Gundam 3A Type
- MSZ-006-3B Zeta Gundam 3B Type
- MSZ-006-P2/3C Zeta Gundam P2/3C Type
- MSZ-006 Z Prompt
Behind the scenes
Kazumi Fujita was the original mechanical designer. Kunio Okawara planned the transformation sequence.
Appearances
Anime
Manga
- Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ Side Story: Mirage of Zeon
- Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam 1/2 UC 0087: Another Story
- Gundam MS Graphica
- Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam Define
Games
- Gundam: The Battle Master/Gundam Battle Assault
- Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam: AEUG VS Titans
- Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs Gundam
- Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs Gundam Next
- Dynasty Warriors: Gundam
- Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 2
- Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 3
- Dynasty Warriors: Gundam Reborn
- Mobile Suit Gundam: Climax UC
- Mobile Suit Gundam: Extreme vs
- Mobile Suit Gundam AGE: Universe Accel
- Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme vs Full Boost
- Gundam Versus
- MS Saga: A New Dawn