Technology & Combat Characteristics
A Mobile Suit (MS) developed in response to veteran pilots' request for a high performance unit, the MS-06S Zaku II Commander Type was far more mobile than its predecessor, the MS-06F Zaku II, but was also far more difficult to control. Compared to the F Type, the S Type's vernier nozzles were enlarged, and the output of its main thrusters were increased by 30% while retaining the same size. To make space for the improved thrusters and enlarged propellant tanks, various automatic control systems of the F Type were removed. While this reduced S Type's operability, it also enabled experienced pilots to disable many unnecessary limiters and push the MS to its structural limit.
Other changes from the F Type included the S Type's generator being 5% lighter, and its armor composition and structure were improved, improving its overall power-weight ratio. Finally, the S Type were all equipped with a head-mounted multi-blade antenna. Though the antenna itself was identical to those found on the F Type, the structure at its base was different, giving it improved communications and enemy detection capabilities. Despite having many special internal components, the S Type still shared 80-90% of its parts with the F Type, making it easy to resupply and maintain. This also meant that like the F Type, it could easily be modified to operate in space or under gravity.
History
The MS-06S Zaku II Commander Type was intended to reflect the design concept of the high mobility R Type – first proposed in U.C. 0076 as development of local warfare mobile suits began – using the production facilities for the MS-06F Zaku II. Because of this, in addition to being a high performance unit, it also served as a technical field trial unit in the enhancement of mobile suit mobility. The development of the S Type was led by Elliot Rem, with testing mostly conducted at testing fields at Granada. Deployment of the S Type took place in the second half of U.C. 0078, mostly to experienced squadron leaders. Its success would pave the way for the development of future high performance mobile suits, including the MS-06R and the MS-14 Gelgoog. Char would eventually abandon his MS-06S in favour of a MSM-07S Z'Gok Commander Type during the mission to infiltrate Jaburo.