OZ-12SMS Taurus

The OZ-12SMS Taurus was a high-performance mass-production space combat mobile suit developed by the Organization of the Zodiac in After Colony 195 to replace the aging Leo Space Type. The Taurus was historically significant as the first mobile suit to be mass-produced with an internal mobile doll artificial intelligence system, enabling autonomous operation without human pilots. Featuring superior mobility, defensive capabilities, offensive power, and a transformation system for high-speed cruising, it served as the reference design when the five captured Gundam Scientists developed the OZ-13MSX1 Vayeate and OZ-13MSX2 Mercurius.

Overview

The Taurus represented a revolutionary advancement in OZ mobile suit technology, combining enhanced performance with autonomous operation capability. The mobile doll version could fight at high speeds and perform incredible maneuvers that would kill human pilots from G-forces, making it far more dangerous than any piloted mobile suit of equivalent specifications.

The mobile suit could transform into flight mode for high-speed space cruising by reconfiguring its frame. With simple modifications, the Taurus could also operate on Earth and even fly in the atmosphere, as demonstrated by units later used by the Sanc Kingdom. This versatility made it effective across multiple environments despite its primary optimization for space combat.

The Taurus was primarily armed with a beam rifle and could mount a beam cannon when heavier firepower was needed. Unlike most mass-production mobile suits, the Taurus could optionally equip up to two beam sabres when necessary, as seen with the Sanc Kingdom’s units. The mobile doll version could also fight enemy units in close combat using its limbs like any mobile suit, demonstrating combat adaptability despite lacking dedicated melee weapons in standard configuration.

Different factions used slightly altered designations and colour schemes: OZ units retained the standard OZ-12SMS designation with purple/grey colouring, Sanc Kingdom units were designated SK-12SMS and painted white with red accents, White Fang units became WF-12SMS in reddish brown, whilst the Mariemaia Army retained the default OZ colours and designation.

Armament

Beam Rifle

The Taurus’ standard armament was a cartridge-type beam rifle capable of destroying a Leo with one shot. Usable in both mobile suit and flight modes, the beam rifle provided effective close-to-mid-range combat capability. Easy to wield with an excellent rate of fire, it was handheld in mobile suit mode and mounted on top or underneath when in flight mode.

Beam Cannon

An optional armament that could supplement or replace the beam rifle, the beam cannon was a large long-range energy weapon taller than the mobile suit itself. It required both of the Taurus’ hands to wield and was powered independently from the mobile suit’s reactor. The high-output weapon proved effective against Gundanium alloy, as demonstrated when Trowa Barton used a beam cannon whilst piloting a Space Leo to destroy the remains of the Gundam Deathscythe. Although developed specifically for space use, it could be used within the atmosphere after adjustments. The beam cannon mounted on the mobile suit’s backpack when not in use.

Beam Sabres

Used by Sanc Kingdom Taurus units, these optional melee beam weapons improved close-combat capability. Quatre Raberba Winner was seen briefly using two beam sabres simultaneously, though their storage location when not in use remained unclear. The addition of beam sabres made the Sanc Kingdom’s Taurus units more versatile than standard OZ configurations.

Laser Gun

Used by Taurus units defending Bulge from White Fang’s assault, the laser gun was a small-calibre weapon that fired laser beams. Although not as powerful as the beam rifle, it could penetrate the electromagnetic barrier generated by the WF-02MD Virgo II’s planet defensors, making it an effective counter to the otherwise nearly invulnerable mobile dolls. However, if not properly adjusted before use, it had a tendency to overheat and explode with sufficient force to destroy the mobile suit carrying it.

Special equipment

Mobile Doll Operating System

The Taurus was the first mobile suit to be mass-produced with an internal mobile doll AI control system, though several Leos had used external systems to test the mobile doll concept. With the mobile doll operating system, the Taurus could function independently, negating the need for a human pilot.

Because a computer controlled the mobile doll Taurus, its reactions were lightning-fast and it could fly at speeds where G-forces would normally crush a human pilot. This gave mobile doll units significant performance advantages over piloted mobile suits in raw capability.

However, as mobile dolls, the Taurus’ movements lacked innovation, relying on pre-programmed data to determine reactions in given situations. This made them predictable and vulnerable to tactics that exploited their programmed responses. Heero Yuy and Duo Maxwell demonstrated this weakness by manipulating the mobile doll operating system into recognizing OZ’s space suits and Leos as enemies, resulting in friendly fire as Taurus units attacked their own forces. However, such attacks could be stopped by accessing the mobile doll operating system and cancelling the targeting commands.

Operational history

Development and initial deployment

The Taurus was first seen when OZ’s Victoria training base was attacked by Chang Wufei and his Shenlong Gundam. The Taurus units were not used to defend the base as they were incapable of atmospheric flight at that time. Instead, base instructor Lucrezia Noin ordered all machines evacuated on a transport plane. Unfortunately, the Shenlong Gundam shot down this transport, ironically using the Taurus’ beam cannon, which it had acquired from two Aries that attempted to stop it.

Space operations and mobile doll deployment

As OZ moved to take control of space, the Taurus—both piloted and mobile doll versions—played a prominent role, replacing the aging Leo Space Type as their frontline unit. In battle, the Taurus easily defeated older mobile suits until the arrival of the Gundams. However, most Gundams had been designed for Earth operations and were not very fast or maneuverable in space initially. The mobile doll Taurus units easily outmaneuvered early-generation Gundams like the Gundam Deathscythe until the Gundam pilots received space-optimized units, allowing them to overcome the Taurus.

The mobile doll version of the Taurus appeared in episode 19, making it the very first AI-controlled mobile weapon deployed in actual combat—a watershed moment in mobile suit warfare.

Factional service

When White Fang launched its campaign against OZ, it acquired numerous Taurus units, redesignating them as WF-12SMS Taurus and repainting them in reddish brown. These units served White Fang throughout its conflict with OZ and the Romefeller Foundation, though they were eventually outmatched by the WF-02MD Virgo II that White Fang itself captured and deployed.

The Sanc Kingdom also operated customized white Taurus units designated SK-12SMS, piloted by Lucrezia Noin and other defenders. These units featured beam sabres for enhanced close-combat capability and were used to defend the kingdom from Romefeller aggression.

During the Mariemaia Incident in AC 196, mobile doll Taurus units were used by the Mariemaia Army, first to protect captured Colony L3 X-18999, then to distract the Preventers. Noin used her white Taurus to fight the Mariemaia Army in Brussels.

Appearances

The OZ-12SMS Taurus appeared in the following works:

Mobile Suit Gundam Wing (anime series, episodes 4-49)
Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz (OVA)
Gundam Build Divers Prologue (ONA)
Gundam Build Divers (anime, episodes 10+)
SD Gundam G Generation Cross Rays (video game)

External links

OZ-12SMS Taurus on the Gundam Wiki