MS-06D Desert Zaku

Template:Infobox/Mobile Weapon Ver.2The MS-06D Desert Zaku is a mass-production desert combat mobile suit, it was first featured in Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ, the design was later updated and featured in Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn. The unit is piloted by Niki and Karahan.

Technology & Combat Characteristics

Sharing the same model number and a similar name the MS-06D Desert Zaku serves as an improved version of the MS-06D Zaku Desert Type. Featuring much of the same technology the Desert Zaku has been improved by redesigning the joints to include more sand filters and armor to block the sand of the desert. This equipment allows the Desert Zaku to be buried in the sand without the worry of sand clogging its equipment, thus allowing the unit to lie in wait for enemy forces and ambush them. The unit also features better power output, external propellant tanks on its backpack to carry extra thruster fuel, and additional shields for defense.

To improve mobility the Desert Zaku a pair of jet skis can be mounted on the units feet that allow the Desert Zaku to propel itself over the sand in a manner similar to a skier on snow.

Armaments

• 60mm Vulcan Gun

A pair of head-mounted shell firing weapons, they have a high rate of fire but little penetration power. They are ideal for shooting down small, lightly armored targets such as missiles, attack vehicles, etc. They are also often employed as a deterrent against closing in enemy units.

• Shoulder Shield

Mounted on the right shoulder, it is a simple defense used to block most physical projectiles.

• 290mm Rocket Launcher

A handheld weapon seen only on the Desert Zaku, it fires rocket-propelled explosives at its target and can hold up to eight rounds in its magazine. When not in use, the rocket launcher can be stored on the shoulder shield.

• M-120AS 120mm Machine Gun

A machine gun developed for the Zaku Desert Type. Changes from the M-120A1 model include shortened barrel and stock, and omission of the scope. Its handling properties are improved through the reduction in weight.

• 3-tube Missile Launcher

A small missile launcher attached to the left forearm.

• Heat Tomahawk

A large, double-bladed heat weapon.

• Cracker Grenade

Basically a mobile suit sized hand grenade. Up to two of them can be stored in a compartment on its hip armor.

• Hand Grenade

Throwing weapon used an alternative to the Cracker Grenade. These waist mounted grenades can be thrown like regular grenades and set to detonate upon impact with the target or timed to explode after a preset time. They come in multiple variants, allowing them to perform different roles in battle.

Special Equipment & Features

• External Propellant Tank

Attached to the unit's back are a set of propellant tanks intended to give the mobile suit longer use of its thrusters.

• Jet Ski

To increase its mobility on land, the Desert Zaku can be equipped with a pair of Jet Ski's on its feet. When in use, they give the Zaku mobility on par with the Dom series. Each jet ski has its own propellant tank and a set of thrusters.

History

During U.C. 0088 a number of Desert Zakus would be deployed in North Africa by Zeon remnants led by Desert Rommel, these units would engage in guerrilla activity against the Earth Federation army in Africa, all the while stealing weapons and materials from nearby federal military bases. A few Desert Zakus would also land in the hands of the African Liberation Front rebel group, with one unit operating as part of their Blue Team and painted in their distinctive light-blue-on-blue colors. In U.C. 0096, at least one of these suits was used by Zeon remnants to attack the Federation's Torrington Base in combination with a MS-09F/trop Dom Tropen and a MS-09G Dwadge. Its group would later be destroyed by the regrouping Federation Forces during the Federation counterattack.

Variants

• MS-06DRC Desert Zaku Rommel Custom

Gallery

Hip-mounted Cracker Grenades: line art

M-120AS 120mm Machine Gun: line art

290mm Rocket Launcher: line art

Jet Ski: line art

Rommel Corp's MS as seen on Sega Saturn's Gihren's Greed video game. From left: MS-09H Dwadge Custom, Desert Zaku and MS-09G Dwadge

Rommel Corp's Desert Zakus in action, firing 290mm rocket launchers (from Gundam ZZ TV series)

Desert Zaku and RMS-119 EWAC Zack (left) of African Liberation Front, featuring destinctive blue coloring scheme (Gundam ZZ)

Zeon remnant's Desert Zaku, armed with 290mm rocket launcher and hand grenades (from Gundam Unicorn OVA)

Close-up of Zeon remnant's Desert Zaku (left) and Dwadge (right) (Gundam UC)

A destroyed Desert Zaku as seen on Gundam Build Fighters Try

Gunpla

1/144 Original MS-06D Desert Zaku (1986): box art

References

Desert Zaku: information from 1/144 Original MS-06D Desert Zaku's modelling manual

Desert Zaku (Gundam Unicorn OVA version): information

MS-06D Desert Zaku - Specifications/Technical Detail/Design

External Links

• MS-06D Desert Zaku on MAHQ.net
• Desert Zaku on Gundam Unicorn official website