Class: Musai
Ships of the line: Camel, Falmel, Kuwamel, Swamel, Tokmel, Primus, Baromel, Remul, Brave
Unit type: light cruiser
Manufacturer: Principality of Zeon
Operator: Principality of Zeon
Dimensions: overall length 234 meters; overall width 98.4 meters; overall height 79.4 meters
Weight: unknown
Propulsion: unknown
Equipment and design features: Komusai shuttle
Fixed armaments: 3 x 2-barrel mega particle gun; 2 x large missile launcher; 10 x small missile launcher
Mobile suits:
3-4
Background:
The Principality of Zeon developed the Musai class light cruiser in conjunction with its mobile suit program, and as such, the Musai had the distinction of being the first combat spaceship ever designed to carry and support mobile suits. Musai class cruisers were capable of transporting three mobile suits, and two additional mobile suits could be stored in the Musai's Komusai re-entry capsule. The Musai was armed with three twin mega-particle cannon turrets and a battery of missile launchers, but it was heavily dependent on its mobile suit contingent to provide anti-fighter and anti-MS defense. A major flaw in the design of the Musai was the omission of any close-in weapons systems for point defense. This shortfall, however, was partially a result of the role the Musai was expected to play in battle; to support its mobile suits from long range. Musai class ships proved themselves superior in long-range combat repeatedly throughout the One Year War. Late-war examples of the Musai removed one of the mega-particle cannon turrets and increased the mobile suit complement to four.