Model
number: MS-06D Code name: Desert Zaku Unit type: mass production desert combat mobile suit Manufacturer: Principality of Zeon Operator(s): Principality of Zeon; African Liberation Front Accommodation: pilot only, in panoramic monitor/linear seat
cockpit in torso Dimensions: overall height 19.6 meters; head height 18.5
meters Weight: empty 44.7 metric tons; max gross 69.5 metric tons Armor materials: super-hard steel alloy Powerplant: Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor,
output rated at 1440 kW Propulsion: jet thrusters: 2 x 4200 kg; additional jet
ski jet thrusters: 2 x 3800 kg Performance: maximum thruster acceleration: mobile suit
only 0.12 G, 0.23 G with jet skis Equipment and design features: sensors, range 8800 meters;
2 x external propellant tank, ejectable, mounted on backpack;
2 x optional jet ski, fits on feet, provides high-speed mobility
over desert sand Fixed armaments: 2 x 60mm vulcan gun, fire-linked, mounted
in head Optional hand armaments: 290mm rocket launcher, 8 round
magazine; 120mm machine gun, drum-fed; cracker grenade, can be
stored in optional 2-slot cracker pod on hip armor; heat hawk,
battery powered, can be stored on waist armor storage racks
Technical
and Historical Notes
A modified
and improved version of the original MS-06D
Zaku Desert Type, the MS-06D Desert Zaku featured better
power output, external propellant tanks on its backpack to carry
extra thruster fuel, and additional shields and dust filters
on its joints to facilitate burying the mobile suit under the
sand for ambushes. The Desert Zaku could also be fitted with
a pair of jet skis on its feet, making it easy to glide at high
speed across the desert sand. Though normally used by Zeon remnants
led by "Desert" Rommel in North Africa, a few Desert Zakus also
landed in the hands of the African Liberation Front group, with
one unit operating as part of their "Blue Team" and painted
in their distinctive light-blue-on-blue colors.