Model number: MS-06R-2 Code name: Zaku II High Mobility Type Unit type: prototype space combat mobile suit Manufacturer: Zeonic Company Operator: Principality of Zeon First deployment: UC 0079 Accommodation: pilot only, in standard cockpit in torso Dimensions: overall height 18.0 meters; head height 17.5 meters Weight: empty 49.5 metric tons; max gross 75.0 metric tons Powerplant: Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor, output rated at 1340 kW Propulsion: rocket thrusters: 60000 kg total Performance: maximum thruster acceleration 0.80 G Equipment and design features: sensors, range 5600 meters Fixed armaments: none Optional hand armaments: 120mm machine gun, drum-fed, 100 rounds per drum, spare drums can be stored on waist armor racks; 280mm Zaku bazooka, 4 round magazine, can be stored on rack on rear waist armor; heat hawk, battery powered, can be stored on waist armor rack
Technical and Historical Notes
The appearance of the Earth Federation Forces' beam weapon-carrying mobile suit prototypes in September UC 0079 forced the Principality of Zeon to make some serious changes in its mobile suit development programs. One of these programs was the MS-11 Acht Zaku, an intended replacement for the aging space combat MS-06F Zaku II. As the MS-11 project was cancelled and reorganized into development for the MS-14 Gelgoog, Zeon needed a temporary improvement in its spaceborne mobile suit forces until the Gelgoog could begin production. The result was the MS-06R-2 Zaku II High Mobility Type, based on the MS-06R-2P Zaku II High Mobility Test Type. An improvement over the MS-06R-1A, the R-2 featured lighter construction materials, better armored legs, and extra propellant storage. However, it did incorporate the R-1A's less-powerful reactor, and thus could not use beam weapons. Only four units were constructed, but soon the design lost out to Zimmad Company's space combat-revision mobile suit, the MS-09R Rick Dom. Three units were placed into combat, assigned to ace pilots Major Johnny Ridden, Lieutenant Colonel Gabby Hazzard, and Colonel Robert Gilliam, with the fourth unit assigned to the lunar Granada base for continued testing.