RMS-119 EWAC Zack – MechaBay | Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ

The RMS-119 EWAC Zack was a mass production reconnaissance mobile suit developed by the Earth Federation Forces as a reconnaissance variant of the RMS-106 Hi-Zack.

The “R” in the model code meant it was a Federation model¹ and the “MS” indicated it was a mobile suit. The “119” denoted it was the 119th design in this particular development line. “EWAC” stands for “Early Warning And Control”, reflecting its reconnaissance and surveillance role. The unit was also sometimes nicknamed the “Eye-Zack” due to its distinctive sensor equipment.

History

A reconnaissance variant of the RMS-106 Hi-Zack used during the Gryps Conflict, the Earth Federation Forces’ RMS-119 EWAC Zack could also be considered a distant relative of the old Principality of Zeon’s MS-06E Recon Type Zaku.

The EWAC Zack was originally built and operated by the Earth Federation Forces, but the invasion of Earth by Neo Zeon during the First Neo Zeon War in UC 0088 resulted in several of these units being captured by the enemy. At least one unit was also captured by the African Liberation Front rebel group, operated as part of their Blue Corps and painted in their distinctive light blue-on-blue colours.

Two other units were used by Mashymre’s forces, assisting his Zssa squadron with a long-range missile bombardment. The The Sleeves Neo Zeon faction also made use of the EWAC Zack during the Laplace Incident in UC 0096. These units had their cockpits converted from the Hi-Zack style to match the Neo Zeon standard and were repainted in the Sleeves’ distinctive colour scheme.

Design

The most visible physical difference between the Hi-Zack and the EWAC Zack was the large radome mounted on its head. This radome was equipped with a passive radar system, allowing the EWAC Zack to monitor enemy forces without giving itself away with active radar signals. The EWAC Zack was also equipped with various additional infrared, communications and visual sensors, allowing it to monitor the enemy in a variety of methods.

The radome also featured a second monoeye that ran on a track along the perimeter of its lower side, allowing the pilot to keep a lookout on the ground while flying or jumping overhead. An EWAC Zack variant featured improved sensors and an additional mono-eye type camera that could swivel across the entire circumference of the large radome.

The mobile suit was powered by a Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor rated at 1,430 kW and had a total thrust output of 32,400 kg. It featured titanium alloy ceramic composite armour and had an exceptional sensor range of 26,000 metres – significantly greater than standard mobile suits of the era.

The EWAC Zack was designed for long-range use, equipped with a pair of external fuel tanks for extended flight times. As a Federation Forces machine, the EWAC Zack’s development base was at Luna II unlike the Hi-Zack that was developed at Granada.

Armaments

The EWAC Zack was typically unarmed, focusing entirely on its reconnaissance role, though it could be equipped with standard Hi-Zack weapons if necessary.

Passive radar radome

The large radome mounted on the EWAC Zack’s head was its primary sensor system. This passive radar system allowed the mobile suit to detect enemy radar emissions from long range without revealing its own position. The radome integrated with the head was a large-scale passive radar system which precisely detected radar waves emitted from the enemy from long range.

Additional sensor systems

The EWAC Zack was equipped with various additional infrared, visual, and communications sensors mounted on the head, main body, and backpack. These systems allowed comprehensive surveillance of enemy forces across multiple spectrums simultaneously.

Data pods

The EWAC Zack was equipped with four data pods in its backpack, each of which carried recordings of the mobile suit’s intelligence data and could be either jettisoned or launched back towards friendly forces. In the case of capture by the enemy, the data in the pods was also encrypted, thus ensuring that valuable intelligence would not fall into the wrong hands.

The data pods continued to transmit an identification code on a special frequency for allied recovery but in instances where it was collected by the enemy, it was designed so that the data could not be obtained unless a decryption code was entered.

Optional weapons

Although typically unarmed, the EWAC Zack could be equipped with the weapons normally carried by a Hi-Zack if necessary, including:

Beam rifle

The standard beam rifle used by the Hi-Zack could be mounted when combat capability was required. This provided the EWAC Zack with reliable mid-range firepower.

Beam saber

A beam saber could be equipped for close combat situations. The weapon used an I-field to contain Minovsky particles within the shape of a blade.

Zaku machine gun

The EWAC Zack could utilise the Zaku machine gun custom, providing it with ballistic firepower that was unaffected by Minovsky particle interference.

Shield

A standard shield could be equipped for defence, often bearing the insignia of the operating force. The Sleeves’ EWAC Zacks used shields with the Neo Zeon insignia replacing the original Federation markings.

Known pilots

Aimee Diplome

Variants

Sleeves EWAC Zack

Used by the Sleeves during UC 0096, these units featured modified cockpits matching Neo Zeon standards and were repainted in the Sleeves’ colour scheme with distinctive unit markings. At least one EWAC Zack was deployed by the Sleeves at the asteroid base Palau and was ultimately destroyed by the Nahel Argama’s hyper mega cannon during Operation Billiard.

African Liberation Front EWAC Zack

At least one unit was captured by the African Liberation Front rebel group and operated as part of their Blue Corps, painted in their distinctive light blue-on-blue colours.

Behind the scenes

Katoki Hajime was the original mechanical designer for the Gundam ZZ and Gundam Unicorn versions, with Mika Akitaka providing cleanup for the Gundam ZZ version. Kenki Fujioka designed the A.O.Z Re-Boot version.

The EWAC Zack represents the Universal Century’s approach to electronic warfare and reconnaissance, showing how mobile suit technology evolved beyond pure combat roles to include specialised support functions.

Appearances

External links

RMS-119 EWAC Zack on the Gundam Wiki
RMS-119 EWAC Zack on MAHQ

Federation in Japanese is renpou, hence the use of “R”. ↩