MSZ-010 ZZ Gundam

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)
Rollout: 16 March UC 0088
First deployment: 12 April 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 7,340 kW
Propulsion: rocket thrusters: 2 x 21,700 kg (operable in mobile suit and G-Fortress modes and in Core Base only), 4 x 14,400 kg (operable in mobile suit and G-Fortress modes and in Core Base only), 2 x 17,300 kg (operable in G-Fortress mode and in Core Base only), 2 x 16,300 kg (operable in G-Fortress mode and in Core Top only), 4 x 5,240 kg (operable in Core Top only); vernier thrusters/apogee motors: 32
Equipment and design features: sensors, range 16,200 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, 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 2-barrel vulcan gun, 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

A continuation of Anaheim Electronics’ Project Zeta, 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 desperate 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 often found 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 became 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). At the war’s end in January UC 0089, the ZZ was heavily damaged in a duel with Neo Zeon leader Haman Karn’s AMX-004 Qubeley, but Judau emerged victorious and Haman ended her own life instead of acknowledging defeat.

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)
First appearance: Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ
Original mechanical designer(s): Makoto Kobayashi (principal design), Hideo Okamoto (cleanup), Mika Akitaka (transformation planning)

Cockpit hatch

Double beam rifle

Head

High mega cannon

Hyper beam saber/cannon

Rear view