This machine, whose development plan was initially approved as MS-16X, is a mobile suit designed and prototyped to install and operate a brain wave induction transmission system named Psycommu as firearm control equipment. From the beginning of the development plan, the aircraft was given the name Zeong in the hope that it would become the next-generation mobile suit in Zeon. In addition, in parallel with the manufacturing and development of the aircraft, an actual operation test of MS-06Z (downscale verification machine of MS-16X) modified from MS-06F as an operation mother machine of the induction firearm control system was also conducted, including these. It has been confirmed that the code name of "Bishop Plan" was prepared as the overall name of the progress plan.
This plan, which was carried out under the control of the Guided Weapons Development Department of the Zeon Homeland Air Defense Headquarters under the direct control of the General, was a precursor to mobile armor, etc., which would be individually developed as heavy mobile tactical weapons for operation by various armies. Therefore, the treatment was advanced with the standing position as a mobile suit. Therefore, it is estimated that the total height will be about 38m (there is also a 40m theory) from the volume of the large beam cannon and the dedicated generator to be installed at the time of the initial design of the plan, and the progress of other normal attack type mobile armor. Therefore, the necessity of sticking to the mobile suit form was discussed within the department from an early stage. MS-16, which indicates a mobile suit, was assigned to the model approval number of this machine, but since the development of various mobile armor and machines equipped with a Psycommu system are mixed, MSN-02 (the first mobile suit machine for new type) is used again. No. MSN-01 is given the development number of MS-06Z No. 2 refurbished prototype experimental machine).
The MSN-02 Zeong, which was being manufactured at the A Baoa Qu Fortress Weapon Arsenal, was tested for practical use (air combat and beam cannon test firing) without obtaining a pilot suitable for the operation of the onboard Psycommu system. However, during the battle against A Baoa Qu, the leg unit under adjustment was left in the arsenal together with Units 2 and 3, and the prototype Unit 1 (partially unarmored) that was in operation was Participated in the actual battle under the control of Captain Char Aznable. At this point, Unit 1 had been replaced with a large rocket engine without legs. The aircraft found in the grounding state in the arsenal section is said to be Unit 2 in a postwar investigation.
(* There is also a document showing that the machine number of "MS-16" is the number used for deception, heavy gun support type YMS-16M made for ground warfare, wire-guided Psycommu equipped type There is only a record of the MS-16X-1 aircraft in mobile armor. It is this aircraft that Zeong's sortie was seen in the Granada withdrawal operation by some Zeon officers after the fall of A Baoa Qu. Probability is high.)
At the final stage of the Bishop plan, MSN-03 Zeong, which has a mobile suit type layout for the entire aircraft, was also designed, and it is conceivable that each part of the aircraft will be separated into 7 blocks by radio guidance to make it an independent attack unit. Was. It is due to this 03 type design proposal that the 02 type was manufactured so that the head unit and the beam cannon unit of both arms could be used separately and independently (the prototype was manufactured by wire-guided type). it is conceivable that.