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The MS-06K Zaku Cannon is a variant of the MS-06 Zaku II produced by the Principality of Zeon. Debuting in the original design series Mobile Suit Variation, its design was later updated for the novel/OVA series Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn.
Technology & Combat Characteristics[]
The Zaku Cannon was developed out of the Zeon's MS-06J-12 Project, which was to build an anti-aircraft mobile suit. The project was change to include mid-range support capabilities following the appearance of the Earth Federation Forces' mid-range fire support RX-77-2 Guncannon. The Zaku Cannon was based on the MS-06J Zaku II Ground Type and has a powerful 180mm cannon mounted on the backpack. Its K-type backpack can be replaced with a Zaku II Ground Type's backpack when needed. The Zaku Cannon featured a 360 degree camera eye for improved vision and target acquisition, and more powerful thrusters in its legs to overcome its increased mass and to counter the recoil from the 180mm cannon. A set of vents were also added to the chest and the back of the legs.
Armaments[]
- 180mm Cannon
- Mounted on the backpack, it is the main weapon of the Zaku Cannon and can destroy a mobile suit with a single shot. Unfortunately, the 180mm cannon has limited ammunition.
- Shoulder Shield
- Mounted on the right shoulder, it is a simple defense used to block most physical projectiles. The Zaku Cannon seen in Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team replaced this shield with smoke dischargers.
- 2-tube Rocket Launcher
- Also known as Big Guns, the pair of 2-tube Rocket Launchers are mounted on the lower sides of the backpack. The launchers are magazine-fed and can fire small-caliber rockets rapidly.
- 120mm Machine Gun
- A standard weapon for Zaku type mobile suits. It is a shell firing gun that does not require energy to be used, however its effectiveness against heavy armor is very limited. This model used a 100-round drum magazine.
- H&L-SB25K/280mmA-P Zaku Bazooka
- The 280mm Zaku Bazooka was another standard weapon that could be equipped to a Zaku type mobile suit. The bazooka fired explosive rounds that were quite effective against the armor of Earth Federation mobile suits and battleships.
- Heat Hawk
- An axe-shaped close combat weapon, it uses a super-heated blade to cut through the armor of enemy MS or vehicles. The thermal energy is generated by the power output of the Zaku's thermonuclear reactor and relayed through the MS' hands.
Special Equipment & Features[]
- 2-tube Smoke Discharger
- Mounted on the left side of the backpack, it releases a cloud of smoke for various purposes. The Zaku Cannon seen in Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team mounts eight smoke dischargers on its right shoulder instead.
- Parachute Pack
- An optional backpack equipment created by the Zeon for use by their Mobile Suits for air drop missions, the parachute pack contains a large parachute and aided by four thrusters in making a safe landing to the ground, once touchdown had been accomplished the backpack would be ejected as to not hinder the Mobile Suits performance in ground combat.
History[]
Nine prototype units were constructed at California Base, and this squadron of Zaku Cannons were led by Ian Graden in defense of the base until the end of the war. Greydon's own Zaku Cannon sports a custom twin-antenna head that came to be known as the "rabbit type." A handful of other Zaku Cannon units also appeared in other theaters on Earth, including Southeast Asia and Australia.
After the One Year War, the Earth Federation picked up the designs and produced the machine to supplement their forces. In the assault of Torrington Base in U.C. 0096, the Zeon remnants deployed at least one Zaku Cannon.
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.jpg "MG Zaku Cannon (Ian Greydon Custom).jpg (277 KB)")
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