YMS-09R-2 Prototype Rick Dom Zwei – MechaBay

The YMS-09R-2 Prototype Rick Dom Zwei was a prototype space combat mobile suit developed by Zimmad for the Principality of Zeon under the United Maintenance Plan.

The “Y” in the model code indicated it was a prototype model, the “MS” denoted it was a mobile suit, and the “09R” showed it was developed from the MS-09R Rick Dom. The “2” suffix meant it was the second prototype in the line, whilst “Zwei” is German for “two”.

History

The YMS-09R-2 Prototype Rick Dom Zwei was the predecessor of the MS-09R-2 Rick Dom II, a mobile suit created as part of the Principality of Zeon’s United Maintenance Plan. The plan’s goal was to upgrade and improve existing mobile suit designs and to make its own manufacturing capabilities more streamlined by incorporating similar parts and systems in several different mobile suit lines. This standardisation approach also helped mobile suit pilots transition more easily between different mobile suit types, as all units produced under the United Maintenance Plan shared similar operational characteristics.

Late in the One Year War, Zeon military leadership recognised the need to improve upon the successful MS-09R Rick Dom design. The high performance and combat effectiveness of the Rick Dom inspired the development of an enhanced version that would become the Rick Dom II. The YMS-09R-2 served as the developmental testbed for this improved design.

After the One Year War, Cima Garahau became enraged when superior officer Asakura ordered her to hand over her ship, the Lili Marleen, as compensation to the Earth Federation Forces. She attempted to kill Asakura with her MS-14Fs Gelgoog Marine, but Anavel Gato launched in a Prototype Rick Dom Zwei to stop her. This incident demonstrated the continued use of the prototype by Zeon remnants after the war’s end.

Design

The YMS-09R-2 Prototype Rick Dom Zwei incorporated the design philosophy of the United Maintenance Plan, which sought to create standardised mobile suit systems that could be mass-produced efficiently. Based on the successful Rick Dom series, the prototype featured improvements in thruster performance and overall combat capability whilst maintaining the distinctive Zimmad design aesthetic.

The mobile suit featured the characteristic monoeye sensor system common to Zeon designs, housed in a movable sensor housing that provided excellent battlefield awareness. Its armour construction used super hard steel alloy, providing good protection whilst maintaining acceptable weight distribution for space combat operations.

The prototype’s power plant was a Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor rated at 1,219 kW output, providing sufficient power for both movement and weapons systems. The propulsion system generated 107,500 kg of total thrust, giving the Prototype Rick Dom Zwei excellent acceleration and manoeuvrability in space combat scenarios.

Armaments

The YMS-09R-2 Prototype Rick Dom Zwei’s standard weapons were a diffuse beam cannon for ranged attacks and heat sabers for melee combat.

Diffuse beam cannon

The prototype mounted a single diffuse beam cannon in its torso, providing the mobile suit with reliable ranged firepower. The output of the beam gun has been increased, allowing it to be used as a close-range weapon in addition to blinding enemies. This weapon drew power directly from the mobile suit’s reactor, ensuring consistent performance throughout extended combat operations.

Heat saber

The Prototype Rick Dom Zwei carried two heat sabers for close combat engagements. These battery-powered weapons were stored in recharge racks on the mobile suit’s back when not in use. The Prototype Rick Dom II’s main close combat weapon, it uses thermal energy to superheat its blade to melt through the armor of an enemy machine. The thermal energy was generated from the mobile suit’s reactor and transferred through the manipulator to the weapon’s blade.

Raketen bazooka

The prototype could be equipped with a raketen bazooka for heavy assault missions. This clip-fed weapon used 5 rounds per clip, with spare ammunition clips stored on waist armour storage racks for quick reloading during combat.

MMP-80 machine gun

As an alternative ranged weapon, the Prototype Rick Dom Zwei could carry an MMP-80 machine gun. This clip-fed weapon held 32 rounds per clip, with spare clips also stored on the waist armour storage racks. The machine gun provided sustained fire capability against lightly armoured targets and could be effective in suppressing enemy formations.

Known pilots

Anavel Gato

Behind the scenes

The YMS-09R-2 Prototype Rick Dom Zwei was designed as part of the expanded Universal Century timeline, first appearing in Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory. The design served to bridge the gap between the original Rick Dom and its improved successor, the Rick Dom II.

Appearances

Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory

External links

YMS-09R-2 Prototype Rick Dom Zwei on MAHQ
YMS-09R-2 Prototype Rick Dom II on the Gundam Wiki