MS-05B Zaku I

The MS-05B Zaku I is the first mass-produced mobile suit created by the Principality of Zeon during the One Year War in the Universal Century timeline of Mobile Suit Gundam. Introduced in UC 0077, it served as a general-purpose mobile suit and laid the foundation for future designs, including the more advanced MS-06 Zaku II. While it was eventually surpassed in performance, the Zaku I remained in service throughout the war, often in specialized roles or as a base for experimental units. Standing at 17.5 meters tall and weighing 50.3 metric tons, the Zaku I was equipped with high-tension steel alloy armor and powered by a fusion reactor generating 899 kW. It had a sensor range of 2,900 meters and a maximum speed of 65 km/h on the ground, with a 180° turn time of 2.9 seconds.

The Zaku I was armed with a 105mm machine gun, a drum-fed weapon with a 100-round capacity mounted on the right side of the mobile suit, and a heat hawk, a melee weapon with a superheated blade capable of cutting through enemy armor. In addition to its standard weapons, the Zaku I had optional armament such as a more powerful 120mm machine gun, the Zaku Bazooka for anti-ship and anti-mobile suit combat, an upgraded heat sword, a MIP-B6 Cracker grenade for anti-personnel purposes, a Sturm Faust anti-tank weapon, and a shield for additional protection.

Specialized variants of the Zaku I included the MS-05L Sniper Type, which was equipped with enhanced targeting systems and a longer-range rifle for precision engagements, and the MS-05S Commander Type, designed for leadership roles with improved performance and additional equipment. The Zaku I’s design, armament, and versatility reflect the early stages of mobile suit development, serving as an iconic symbol in the Gundam franchise and influencing later mobile suit innovations.