Model number: MSZ-010
Code name: ZZ Gundam
Unit type: prototype general purpose transformable mobile suit
Manufacturer: Anaheim Electronics
Operator: AEUG (Anti-Earth Union Group)
First deployment: UC 0088
Accommodation: pilot in panoramic monitor/linear seat cockpit in torso with Core Block System using FXA-07GB Neo Core Fighter; additional canopy-style standard cockpit located in double beam rifle for operation of G-Fortress mode and/or Core Top
Dimensions: mobile suit mode: overall height 22.11 meters, head height 19.86 meters; G-Fortress mode: overall length 30.13 meters, wingspan 18.52 meters; Core Top with Neo Core Fighter: overall length 19.91 meters, wingspan 18.52 meters; Core Base with Neo Core Fighter: overall length 22.06 meters, wingspan 15.93 meters
Weight: mobile suit and G-Fortress modes: empty 32.7 metric tons, max gross 68.4 metric tons, mass ratio 1.74; Core Top with Neo Core Fighter: max gross 30.9 metric tons; Core Base with Neo Core Fighter: max gross 49.1 metric tons
Armor materials: gundarium alloy
Powerplant: Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor, output rated at 7340 kW
Propulsion: rocket thrusters: 2 x 21700 kg (operable in mobile suit and G-Fortress modes and in Core Base only), 4 x 14400 kg (operable in mobile suit and G-Fortress modes and in Core Base only), 2 x 17300 kg (operable in G-Fortress mode and in Core Base only), 2 x 16300 kg (operable in G-Fortress mode and in Core Top only), 4 x 5240 kg (operable in Core Top only); vernier thrusters/apogee motors: 32
Performance: maximum thruster acceleration: mobile suit mode 1.48 G, G-Fortress mode 2.46 G, Core Top with Neo Core Fighter 1.73 G, Core Base with Neo Core Fighter 2.76 G
Equipment and design features: sensors, range 16200 meters; bio-sensor system; separable transformation components, G-Fortress mode can split into Core Top and Core Base
Fixed armaments: 2 x hyper beam saber, power rated at 1.1 MW each, stored in recharge racks in backpack, hand-carried in use in mobile suit mode only, both hyper beam sabers double as double beam cannon, fire-linked, power rated at 20 MW, mounted on main body in G-Fortress mode and on Core Base; 2 x 21-tube missile launcher (uses AMA-13S small missile), mounted on backpack in mobile suit mode and on main body in G-Fortress mode and on Core Base; high mega cannon, power rated at 50 MW, mounted in head, operable in mobile suit mode only; 2 x 60mm double vulcan gun, fire-linked, 400 rounds of ammunition per gun, mounted in head, operable in mobile suit mode only; 2 x missile launcher, mounted in main body of Neo Core Fighter, operable on Core Base only; 2 x shield, mounted on forearms, double as wing/control surfaces in G-Fortress mode and on Core Base
Optional hand armaments: double beam rifle, power rated at 21.2 MW total (2 x 10.6 MW), can be mounted on main body in G-Fortress mode or on Core Top

Technical and Historical Notes

A continuation of Anaheim Electronics' "Z Project", the MSZ-010 ZZ Gundam (read as "Double Zeta"), was a truly powerful mobile suit that was sorely needed by the battered AEUG forces when the First Neo Zeon War broke out in early UC 0088. The assault carrier Argama, single-handedly fighting against Haman Karn's forces, was finding its few remaining mobile suits becoming more and more outclassed by the wave of new mobile suit models being developed at Axis. Although the young new AEUG pilot Judau Ashta was holding his own with the MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam, the AEUG was in desparate need of flexible new units that could be operated by its troupe of new young recruits (and potential pilots).

Anaheim went back to the drawing board, developing the ZZ Gundam based on the advanced technologies introduced in the Zeta Gundam (including its mysterious "bio-sensor" system), but also returning to the Core Block System concept used in the original RX-78-2 Gundam. Centered around the new FXA-07GB Neo Core Fighter, the ZZ was a fully-transformable mobile suit, capable of changing into a fighter-bomber "G-Fortress" mode for additional speed and atmospheric flight. The G-Fortress could also separate into two separate flight-capable components, called "Core Top" and "Core Base." The Core Base was operated by the ZZ's Neo Core Fighter, while the Core Top could be operated from an extra cockpit located in the mounted double beam rifle, or by another docked Neo Core Fighter.

The ZZ also sported an impressive array of high-powered beam weaponry, as well as an extremely high-output reactor to power them. In addition to its high-powered "hyper beam sabers" and its large two-barreled double beam rifle, the ZZ mounted a devastating "high mega cannon" in its head - one of the single most powerful beam weapons mounted on a mobile suit of its size at the time, and capable of wiping out several enemies in a single shot. Its power requirements, however, were only barely able to be supplied by the suit's generator, and the ZZ would often find itself almost completely drained of power after using this weapon. Thus, despite its reactor output, the ZZ was limited in its operational time in the battlefield simply due to the power requirements of its weaponry.

Nonetheless, the appearance of the ZZ Gundam came as quite a shock to the Neo Zeon forces, and its performance spurred Neo Zeon to develop even more powerful mobile weapons. AEUG pilot Judau Ashta would become the ZZ's main pilot, operating this impressive mobile suit through to the end of the war. In the war's last days, the ZZ was slightly modified into the MSZ-010S Enhanced ZZ Gundam (and its hulking upgrade, the FA-010S Full Armor ZZ Gundam).

Miscellaneous Information

Pilot(s): Judau Ashta (all modes and components), Roux Louka (MS mode and Core Base), Beecha Oleg (MS mode and Core Top), Iino Abbav (MS mode, Core Top and Core Base), Elpeo Ple (MS mode and Core Base), Elle Vianno (Core Top and Core Base), Mondo Agake (Core Base), Chara Soon (Core Top), Milly Childer (Core Top)
Appearances: Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ; Mobile Suit Gundam in UC 0099: Moon Crisis; Mobile Suit Gundam: The Return of Zeon
Original mechanical designer(s): Makoto Kobayashi (principal design), Hideo Okamoto (cleanup), Mika Akitaka (transformation planning)

Lineart

Cockpit hatch
High mega cannon
Hyper beam saber
Double beam rifle
Missile binder