Technology & Combat Characteristics
Developed by the Zeonic Company, the Zaku I was the world's first nuclear-powered MS to achieve combat status in the UC timeline, which was developed from the MS-04 Prototype Zaku, and featured technologies that would become standard in all mobile suits. The Zaku I ran on a thermonuclear reactor developed and manufactured by the ZAS company that provided the Zaku I with an unlimited power source. The reactor was cooled by stored liquid hydrogen during missions in space, and an air-cooled system when operating on Earth. The Zaku I used the head-mounted mono-eye camera system, which was used in conjunction with several cameras mounted around the mobile suit's body and granted the pilot excellent visibility from the enclosed cockpit. The Zaku I also incorporated laser sensors, infra-red sensors, and a powerful computer to facilitate the MS's operation.
History
Of the mass-produced humanoid weapons developed by the Zeon military, Zaku I was the first to be officially adopted. With the appearance of the Zaku II, it has been gradually phased out, but many are still in use on the front lines during the One Year War. Instances include units of Zaku I were deployed for the defense of Odessa's spaceport in November, U.C. 0079.