MS-14A GELGOOG
ZEON GENERAL PURPOSE MASS PRODUCTION MOBILE SUIT

The Principality military had been maintaining front lines through the utility of the Zaku and developing and deploying mobile suits for localized combat. However, it was not until the end of the One Year War that prospects emerged for their next mainstay mobile suit.

The Gelgoog was developed as the successor to the Zaku and as the new standard mobile suit for the Principality forces. Its development prerequisites included the incorporation of beam weaponry, along with a high-output generator to support their operation and high close-combat capabilities. In other words, it was the first Principality machine envisioned from the start for full-scale anti-mobile suit combat, possessing not just abilities for close-quarters and melee combat but also the capability to engage in long-range battles through its standard beam weaponry. Above all, the destructive power of its equipped beam weapons was tremendous, bringing a battleship-class level of firepower to the unit. Its overall capabilities were evaluated as the highest degree of completion among mass-produced mobile suits during the One Year War period.

The line of mobile suits bearing the Gelgoog name was first rolled out in 25 units as the pre-production model YMS-14, and was promptly deployed to the front lines. Without even time for adequate familiarization training, the pilots operated the advanced suits in actual combat, continuously sending operational data back to the homeland. In those deployments, there were no major structural issues, requiring only partial modifications and layout adjustments as part of transitioning to mass production, and so the YMS-14 was put on the production line with the formal model number MS-14.

At that time, the main theater against the Federation Forces had shifted from Earth to outer space, and the production and deployment of the Gelgoog became an urgent priority. Zeon’s homeland, factories in Granada, as well as plants scattered across different sites, had nearly all switched over to Gelgoog production, emphasizing its significance. However, in the end, the expected production numbers were never reached, and it was only at the final offensive and defensive campaign of the One Year War at the space fortress A Baoa Qu that the Gelgoog was able to participate in large strategic numbers. Since many units were operated by inexperienced student conscript pilots and the like, the machine did not achieve definitive results.

Even so, by some accounts, its basic performance surpassed even the “Gundam.” If it had been optimally assigned to skilled pilots throughout the battles leading up to the Battle of Loum, or if Zeon had not lost so many veteran pilots over the course of the war, the outcome of the One Year War might have been different.

A major factor in the Gelgoog’s delayed mass production was difficulties in miniaturizing beam weaponry. The Federation had developed the “Energy CAP System,” exemplified by the beam rifle, which utilized highly specialized technology to contain mega particles in a near-degenerate state, made possible by the immense industrial and technological foundations of the Federation. While there was almost no technological gap between the beam weapons themselves, Zeon mobile suits had basically abandoned the idea of standard “battleship-class beam weapons” from the start. After all, tremendous destructive power could already be achieved through nuclear weapons, and mobile suit versus mobile suit combat itself was not envisioned. However, the use of “nuclear weapons” was restricted by the Antarctic Treaty, and the Federation developed and deployed the Gundam, whose performance far exceeded Zeon’s expectations. While the Principality had not completely severed the combination of mobile weapons and beam weapons either, the so-called “miniaturization of beam weapons” was fundamentally different from mobile suit development technology itself and required an enormous amount of basic research time. Thus, from the perspective of the priority on mobile suit mass production at that time, ideas of “integration between mobile suits and beam weapons” were discarded almost entirely. It could also be said that mobile weapons envisioned to be equipped with beam weapons were largely consolidated under mobile armor development projects.

While the Gelgoog’s preliminary production units first rolled out in October, the beam weapon production lines reportedly did not begin operating until late November. It is said that few units within this period were equipped with the planned beam weapons, and stopgap measures were hastily developed, such as the C-Type pack that repurposed mobile armor equipment. In any case, through the success of the Gelgoog’s development, Zeon became able to deploy fighting strength on par or better than the Federation Forces. And at the stage when the development of the MS-14 was complete, it was decided that many of the mobile suit production facilities scattered across sites would convert to MS-14 production. Thus, parts that could be produced were manufactured in advance at the various plants, further indicating the MS-14 had been developed amidst tremendous expectations as Zeon’s next mainstay mobile suit.

The MS-14 Gelgoog was first produced in about 25 units as preliminary production machines. They were also called YMS-14 and, like the 06R series units, were deployed to ace pilots of various units. It’s said that one of the 25 units went to Captain Char Aznable, while many others were assigned to ace squads. Operational data was then collected and fed back into the production lines.

Along with some design changes for improved productivity and functionality, a certain range of performance levels was established. This directive allowed each production site to use its own manufacturing methods and processes as long as each unit met the defined specifications – effectively permitting “knockdown production.” The directive likely came about to make use of materials already present at Zeon’s various factories before converting to Gelgoog production in order to facilitate the emergency boost in the production framework. In other words, even components and materials produced for other mobile suits could be used for Gelgoog construction as long as they met minimum yield and compatibility standards.

As a result, the Gelgoog had many variations despite late-war development, including the beam rifle-omitting C-Type and squads assembled from parts produced separately by different units. Factories initially scheduled for MS-15 production repurposed compatible parts based on specs or incorporated their own custom units into the Gelgoog’s design. There were even development plans for an MS-17, dubbed “Galbaldy,” intended to combine strengths of both the MS-14 and MS-15, and some factories had already begun advancing parts supply plans.

This led to the existence of several Gelgoog variants produced using MS-17 parts-based production lines. While different from variation types as derived models, many units had their own distinct equipment configurations. In other words, depending on the production site and deployment timing, it would not be an overstatement to say the same machine had countless variants (though it’s worth noting that certain models like the JG types confirmed shortly before and after the war’s end, as well as the F-Type series heavily utilized during the subsequent Delaz Conflict, are recognized as clear derivatives).

In conjunction with the initial production of pre-production models, approximately 83 A-Type, 67 B-Type, and 15 C-Type “normal specification” Gelgoogs were produced. However, due to factors such as delays in beam rifle development, the C-Type was likely the first to be produced after the YMS-14. It’s also true that specs to definitively be called “MS-14A” are difficult to identify. These numbers are averages across some sources, and there are records of about 122 units’ worth of unassembled C-Type parts confirmed at the war’s end.

The auxiliary jet engines equipped on the Gelgoog’s forearms were installed with the premise of atmospheric use. While some were deployed to fronts like Africa as equipped, most were never utilized and were either mothballed or captured by the Federation without seeing active service. Though slightly useful in colony interior battles, they often became dead weight in space combat. Thus they were removed from the JG and F-types. Even the A-Type transitioned to firearm units designed for close combat during its later production phase. Moreover, as seen with the C-Type, many units had alternative auxiliary equipment like smaller shields installed in place of the jet engines.

The JG and F-types were both configured for space combat, with three extra vernier units added to the rear skirt armor for hit-and-run attacks through momentary high thrust. This was also a common trait of later Gelgoog production models, indicating operational data was still being fed back to Zeon near the war’s end (in fact, other units in production were also ordered to undergo design improvements after the Gelgoog’s success, and those produced after were called “second production phase”). Additionally, distinctive backpacks were also equipped, using propellant tanks to expand single-unit operational time. Though seemingly developed as a high-mobility Gelgoog pack or a redesign of the B-type, considering the timeline, it was likely an existing concurrent development adapted and allocated to the Gelgoog.

From its birth to the One Year War’s end, the Gelgoog remained cutting-edge, its evolution continuing even after the war.

1 monoeye camera
2 extra thruster
3 shoulder joint armor
4 shoulder armor
5 thermo nuclear jet unit
6 skirt armor
7 cockpit hatch
8 detachable holder
9 multiple duct
10 elbow joint
11 manipulator
12 intake/nozzle
13 duct
14 hybrid sensor
15 maintenance hatch
16 option port
17 extra port
18 main thruster
19 sub thruster
20 back panel
21 leg skirt armor
22 knee joint armor
23 knee joint
24 foot joint armor
25 propellant tank
26 vectored thruster
27 side thruster

28 sight scope
29 taget sensor
30 data/power supplier
31 beam halburt unit
32 multi-beam generator
33 fixed thruster
34 scope mount
35 barrel
36 power condensor
37 bi-pod
38 grip
39 trigger
40 muzzle
41 extra fixed thruster
42 shield
43 evaporation area
44 vision slit

HEAD UNIT

The head module of the MS-14 encompasses a sophisticated communication system akin to that of commander units and is an amalgamation of high-performance sensors. Furthermore, it incorporates various components like power transmission pipes that were externally exposed in the Zaku within its internal structure.

The C-type head uses the same internal module as the YMS-14 but with a solidified outer shell simply placed over it. The main modifications are adding auxiliary cameras and replacing sensors with a separate hybrid sensor configuration tailored for artillery battles.

The head of the so-called “normal” variant A-type, mass-produced after the B and C types, underwent minor structural changes based on data from the YMS-14 and others, including modifications to the cooling around the internal power piping, sensor layout, and clearances on the monoeye slit to decrease vulnerability to head impacts. However, other than differences in commander units versus general communications abilities, basic performance is nearly identical, with the A-type actually superior in manufacturability.

ARM UNIT

The shoulder armor equipped on the shoulder sections functions as both joint protection and sub-thruster units. The thermonuclear jet units on the arms are auxiliary propulsion units envisioned for ground combat and were also effective in colony interior battles.

The actuators used in the Gelgoog’s joints are further miniaturized and faster than the Zaku’s while retaining similar capabilities. Because the machine’s overall responsiveness is improved, maneuverability is also dramatically enhanced. However, due to the inclusion of systems like energy supply for beam weaponry, the overall volume has remained largely unchanged.

The thermonuclear jet units equipped on the arms primarily serve as ground combat equipment, and while effective in environments with atmosphere-like colonies, they remained dead weight in space combat, as their utility remained limited in weightless environments. Consequently, additional auxiliary armaments and defensive equipment were added to units designed for confirmed space operations.

LEG PARTS

As a direct successor to the 06R series, the Gelgoog is designed with the entire leg unit as a huge vernier thruster, with further performance enhancements based on 06R-2 operational data.

The vernier thrusters equipped on the Gelgoog’s legs were originally going to directly use ZEONIC manufactured parts developed for the MS-11, but in practice, those units were improved between use on the 06R-2 and the Gelgoog’s completion. To enhance total thrust, know-how from the ZIMMAD company’s verniers on the 09R series skirt armor was adopted, leading to a collaborative development effort.

This history underscores that the Gelgoog can essentially be seen as a mobile suit developed with the entirety of the Principality’s military’s MS development expertise.

BODY MODULE

The Gelgoog’s body module underwent a fundamental reevaluation in terms of cockpit block placement and main power reactor configuration compared to the Zaku. The model of generator originally used in amphibious mobile suits was newly developed for the A-type, enabling even more stable high-output operation along with cooling system upgrades.

The Gelgoog’s basic structure imitates the Federation RX-type mobile suit by dividing the body module into three large blocks. This division, not only beneficial for enhancing maneuverability, was primarily adopted to enhance the survivability of pilots. Furthermore, this segmented structure was also appreciated for its positive impact on production and maintenance efficiency. Thanks to this structure, the Gelgoog became an exceptionally capable “industrial product” by enabling the decentralization of production facilities for each component. Furthermore, due to a design where each part was independent yet capable of seamless coordination with the whole, modifications or alterations for each part became significantly more straightforward compared to existing models.

EXTRA THRUSTER

The Gelgoog could instantly identify and integrate components at a parts level as long as basic standards were met. In other words, unlike the modifications and additional armaments often necessitating software updates and power supply adjustments in Zaku units, the Gelgoog was exempt from such requirements.

MS-14A ADDITIONAL THRUSTER TYPE

NORMAL TYPE

The Gelgoog was developed under a highly systematic design philosophy. A good everyday analogy would be a single-lens reflex camera with an integrated lens, lighting, etc. The Gelgoog, as an industrial product, had thoroughly data-linked components down to the armor panels. This allowed the accumulation of operational data feedback varying between units in less than a month at the war’s end, enabling numerous variants and minor changes. In particular, adding thrusters to the rear skirt armor became standard from the second production phase and beyond, a basic structure inherited by the JG and F-types and many later suits.

WEAPONS

The Gelgoog was developed assuming standard beam weapon equipment. However, reliable beam rifle supply is said to have been only the last 2 weeks before the war’s end. As a result, unique armaments were also developed at the unit, factory, and even division levels. This allowed the pilots to make full use of these developments in combat utilizing the Gelgoog.

GELGOOG EXCLUSIVE BEAM SABER UNIT

Can generate beams at both ends, forming naginata-like beams.

BEAM MACHINE GUN

It continuously fires pulse-like beam pellets. Developed towards the end of the war, it was primarily carried by the JG type.

GELGOOG EXCLUSIVE SHIELD

Due to a special coating, it can withstand not only solid projectiles but also to some extent beam weaponry.