ZZ Gundam Core Block System Explained [Universal Century Lore]

[@ZeonicFenrir]

If you are fan of the MSZ-010 ZZ Gundam, you should check out its sister unit, the MSZ-011 S Gundam (from Gundam Sentinel) , which has a lot of similarities with it, include a core block system. This is a curious case, where we see a similar relationship as with the later RX-104 Odysseus Gundam/RX-104FF Penelope and the RX-105 X Gundam, two sister machines made with very similar characteristics, technologies and combat capabilities. Some key differences between the ZZ and the S are that the later replaces the biosensor for an AI system that co-pilots the MS. The head hi-mega cannon is replaced by an INCOM, like the Doven Wolf's. Also, like the Doven Wolf, the S Gundam can use a Smart Beam Gun that normally has an output of 12MW, but by using more connectors (at the expense of other beam weapons) it reaches and out output of 56MW. For comparison, the ZZ's double beam barrel rifle has an output of 10.6MW per barrel, a shoulder beam cannon has 10MW and the head's Hi-Mega Cannon has 50MW. The later rescues the MS performance for a while after being used, and similarly the S Gundam will have lower performance when configured to use the 56MW smart beam gun. Back to the ZZ, I do have some problems with its transformation system, starting with the issue that it technically needs 5 components and 3 pilots, which just makes things too complicated in my opinion. For starters, if you look closely at the double beam rifle, specially while in the Core Top mode, you will realize that it includes a cockpit. IIRC, in one episode Lino ends up stuck in this section and has to remain inside while Judau operates the ZZ in MS mode, which is rather uncomfortable (if not outright dangerous) to any pilot stuck there, specially during melee combat. My guess is that the original intent was for that cockpit to have a standalone cockpit capsule mode like the FXA-05D G-Defenser, which separates its cockpit after leaving the main unit with the RX-178 Gundam Mk II. Still, it does bring the prospect that the unit might have been intended to only require 2 components, the Core Top and the Core Base, with the later including the Neo Core Fighter and upon docking just detaching the beam rifle cockpit capsule. Instead we have a system that optimally should only require 2 core fighters, one with the Core Top and one with the Core Base, yet normally is deployed as 3 components. Personally I don't see the point in not having Judau deploy with one of the 2 main sections of the ZZ, and it's evident that it was only in order to make the combination transformation system more flashy. But enough complaining about the ZZ, my pick for best unit using such system is the AMX-107 Bawoo, a machine said to have been created by Axis after obtaining data from Anaheim on the later's Z project. The Bawoo only separates into 2 components, the Bawoo Attacker (torso) and the Bawoo Nutter (legs). The former has the actual cockpit, while the later can be remotely controlled via "Minvosky transmission", with a basic AI that can operate it for a while in case of losing transmission. I have heard that it can even be used as a nuclear missile of sorts, by driving the Nutter in a suicide run towards and enemy target and apparently blowing up the Nutter's reactor upon impact. The Sleeves' version of the Bawoo replaces the original control system of the Nutter with a second cockpit for 2nd pilot, which would indicate that in MS mode there's 2 people controlling one MS, which is rather unusual. Unlike the aforementioned suggestion for the ZZ, the advantage of the Bawoo's design is that both cockpits would end around the same area in the torso of the MS, so at least the pilots don't have the risk of having their cockpits being wildly shaken around during melee combat. Ultimately though, the removal of the core block system can be best explained with what happened with the original RGM-79: it was a cost reduction measure, which could also be viewed as the EF not wanting to increases costs by adding a escape system for the MS pilot (except in the Thunderbolt timeline). Fortunately by the events of Z Gundam the ejectable round cockpit became a more common feature of newer MS, which in turn made the need for core block systems even lesser. The case of the ZZ and Sleeves' Bawoo also raises the question up to what point it's better to have a single unit that could need several pilots vs several units only requiring a pilot each, which is what many mass production versions of such machines tend to go with instead, with the Sleeves modification of the Bawoo possibly being more a result of the lack of enough MS, seeing how they even field a standard MS-14A among their forces in U.C. 0096. I think this further reinforces the idea that the AMS-129 Geara Zulu is not meant to be an upgrade or successor to the AMS-119 Geara Doga, but rather a more simplistic model, easier to produce, operate & maintain, and which when needed, can be upgraded with Geara Doga parts (ex: the royal guard Geara Zulus using Geara Doga backpacks).

[@GundamExplained]

What an awesome comment. Thank you!

[@SkimoStories]

Always saving me on my work days with the early morning uploads!

[@GundamExplained]

Heck yeah!

[@xxnike0629xx]

Reminds me that Bandai showed the MG AGE-3 Gundam AGE-3 Normal prototype years ago but it never came to fruition. Hopefully Bandai will eventually make an MG for AGE-3 Gundam AGE-3 Normal, AGE-3F Gundam AGE-3 Fortress, AGE-3O Gundam AGE-3 Orbital, and of course the AGE-FX Gundam AGE-FX and AGE-FX Gundam AGE-FX (FX Burst).

[@enthusiasticgrog465]

I came into Gundam via ZZ!

[@GundamExplained]

That's awesome, haha!

[@TheChoujinVirus]

fun thing is future series mention the phase out of Core Fighters