Technology & Combat Characteristics

The OZ-12SMS Taurus was a high-performance machine designed by Organization of the Zodiac (OZ) as a space superiority combat mobile suit to replace the aging Leo Space Type. Besides having superior mobility, defensive and offensive capabilities, it can also transform into flight mode for high-speed cruising. With some simple modifications, the Taurus can operate on Earth and even fly in the atmosphere as seen with the units later used by the Sanc Kingdom. The Taurus was used as a reference when the five captured Gundam Scientists were designing the Vayeate and Mercurius.

Although originally designed for human pilots, the Taurus is the first mobile suit to be installed with the Mobile Doll artificial intelligence system, making them the first AI-controlled mobile suits. The mobile doll version was noted for fighting at high speeds and performing incredible maneuvers that would kill a human pilot from the G-forces. A disadvantage of the mobile doll however was that its maneuvers had to be programmed and thus lacked the ability to adapt or innovate to a situation, making them predictable and easy to outsmart.

The Taurus is primarily armed with a beam rifle and could use a beam cannon when heavier firepower is needed. Like most mass production mobile suits employed by the OZ and the United Earth Sphere Alliance, the Taurus is typically not equipped with any close-range weapons. However, it could be equipped with up to two beam sabers when necessary, as seen with the Sanc Kingdom's units. Additionally, the Taurus, even the mobile doll version, could fight enemy units in close combat with its limbs like any mobile suit. After the White Fang began producing the Virgo II, the OZ's Taurus was armed with laser gun as a countermeasure to the Virgo II's planet defensors.

When used by factions other than OZ, the Taurus has slightly altered designations and color schemes; SK-12SMS for the Sanc Kingdom's units painted in white with red accents and WF-12SMS for the White Fang's unit painted in mostly reddish brown. The Tauruses used by the Mariemaia Army retain the default OZ color scheme and designation.

History

The Taurus was first seen when OZ's Victoria training base was attacked by Chang Wufei and his Shenlong Gundam. The Taurus units were not used to defend the base as they were incapable of atmospheric flight at the time. Instead, base instructor Lucrezia Noin ordered all machines to be evacuated on a transport plane. Unfortunately, this transport plane was soon shot down by the Shenlong Gundam, ironically with the Taurus' Beam Cannon, which it acquired from two Aries that were attempting to stop it.

As OZ was making its move to take control of space, the Taurus, both mobile suit and mobile doll versions, played a prominent role as it replaced the aging Leo Space Type as their frontline unit. In battle, the Taurus easily defeated the older mobile suits that were their only opposition until the arrival of the Gundams. However, the Gundams had been designed to operate on Earth and were not very fast or maneuverable in space. Thus most of them, such as the Gundam Deathscythe, were easily outmaneuvered until the Gundam pilots received newer Gundam units that were customized for space, allowing them to overcome the Taurus easily.

When the White Fang made its move to destroy OZ, it made use of every mobile suit it could get its hands on, including a number of Taurus that were re-designated as the WF-12SMS Taurus. When White Fang captured and began using the powerful Virgo II, OZ forces countered with both Taurus and Space Leo units, however, both machines were outmatched by the newer mobile doll.

The pilot most associated with the Taurus was Noin, who piloted a white Taurus after defecting to the Sanc Kingdom. Lady Une, Quatre Raberba Winner, Trowa Barton, and Hilde Schbeiker also piloted the Taurus on occasion.

Mobile Doll Taurus units were also used by the Mariemaia Army in the AC 196, first to protect the captured colony L3 X-18999, then to temporarily distract the Preventers. Later, Noin used her white Taurus to fight the Mariemaia Army in Brussels.