Editing Zou

{{InfoBoxBattleArmor
| image = Zou.jpg
| Name = Zou
| Manufacturer = [[Ishikawajima-Harima Battle Armor Industries]]<ref name="TRO:3145DCp8+">''Technical Readout: 3145 DracZous Combine'', p. 8-9, "Zou Battle Armor"</ref>
| production year= 3113
| year reference=<ref name="MUL1">''[http://www.masterunitlist.info/Unit/Details/6363/ MUL online date for the ''{{PAGENAME}}'']''</ref>
| Use = Line Unit<ref name="TRO:3145DCp8+"/>
| Equipment Rating = F/X-X-F<ref name="TRO:3145DCp8+"/>
| Chassis = Humanoid<ref name="TRO:3145DCp8+"/>
| Weight Class = Heavy<ref name="TRO:3145DCp8+"/>
| Tech Base = Inner Sphere (Advanced)<ref name="TRO:3145DCp8+"/>
| Cost = N/A<ref name="MUL1"/>
| Introduced = 
| Mass = 1,500<ref name="TRO:3145DCp8+"/>
| Top Speed = 22<ref name="TRO:3145DCp8+"/>
| Jump Range= 
| Armament = 1x [[Battle Armor C3 System]]<ref name="TRO:3145DCp8+"/><br>1x [[Medium Recoilless Rifle (Battle Armor)|Medium Recoilless Rifle]]<ref name="TRO:3145DCp8+"/><br>1 x [[Battle Claw]]<ref name="TRO:3145DCp8+"/>
| Armor Type = [[Reflective Armor]]<ref name="TRO:3145DCp8+"/>
| BV (1.0) =
| BV (2.0) = 56<ref name="TRO:3145DCp8+"/>
}}

== Description ==
One of the third generation of [[battle armor]] suits to be designed and fielded by the [[Draconis Combine]], the '''Zou''' - or "Elephant" - was developed by Ishikawajima-Harima Battle Armor Industries in response to the requirement posted by the High Command for a suit that could act in a command-and-control (C<sup>2</sup>) role, assisting other units via strategic coordination. Manufactured on [[Luthien]], the Zou entered service in [[3113]] and quickly proved a success.<ref name="TRO:3145DCp8+"/>

Although the Zou was a notable success in the C<sup>2</sup> role, the suit was originally developed to be the successor to the [[Kanazuchi]], an assault suit. It was as a part of that stage of the Zou's design and development that it was first fitted with more than half a ton of reflective armor, successfully extending the life of the suit against beam weapons. It wasn't until the Zou was further developed by being upgraded with C<sup>2</sup> capabilities that it came into its own, providing [[Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery]] commanders a heavier ground unit when deployed on combined-arms operations, directing troops, calling in long-range fire and artillery. The Zou began to be widely deployed amongst DCMS units in the 3130s as the Combine prepared to invade the [[Republic of the Sphere]].<ref name="TRO:3145DCp8+"/>

== Weapons and Equipment ==
The Zou combined a Battle Armor C<sup>3</sup> system with a Medium Recoilless Rifle supplied with twenty rounds of ammunition mounted on the right arm; the left arm of the Zou mounted a Battle Claw.<ref name="TRO:3145DCp8+"/>

== Variants ==
The original pattern Zou, intended to replace the Kanazuchi, remained popular with DCMS units assigned to lower-intensity combat areas, although the C<sup>3</sup> variant remained a more popular choice amongst highly-active units. The original pattern Zou mounted a single but powerful weapon - a [[Medium Laser (Battle Armor)|Medium Laser]] with enough power to fire thirty shots. BV (2.0) = 73<ref name="TRO:3145DCp8+"/>

== Design Quirks ==
Zou battle armor is subject to the following [[Design Quirk]]s:<ref name="TRO:3145DCp8+"/>
* [[Easy to Pilot]]
* [[Sensor Ghosts]]

== References ==
<references />

== Bibliography ==
* ''[[Master Unit List]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3145 Draconis Combine]]''

[[Category: Battle Armor]]
[[Category: Assault Battle Armor]]
[[Category: Inner Sphere Battle Armor]]