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1.4 FD P-Tower laser cannon

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1.4 FD-P-Tower laser cannon
Production information
Manufacturer

Atgar SpaceDefense Corporation

Model

1.4 FD

Type

Light anti-vehicle laser cannon[1]

Cost

16,000 credits (6,000 used)[2]

Physical and technical specifications
Size

2.8 meters high

Range

2-10 kilometers[1]

Usage and history
Era(s)
Affiliation
[Source]
"When the P-Tower gets ready to fire, you can feel the charge, hear the hum, see the dish light up…it's a moment of hope. And then the blast just bounces off an AT-AT and you realize that the situation is hopeless…"
―Lak Sivrak[src]

The Atgar 1.4 FD P-Tower, manufactured by Atgar SpaceDefense Corporation, was a 2.8-meter tall dish-shaped laser cannon dating back to the Clone Wars.

Contents

[edit] History

An Atgar P-Tower being used during the Battle of Hoth.

The Atgar 1.4 FD P-Tower laser cannon was first introduced in the Clone Wars as a anti-vehicle weapon. The Galactic Empire had largely abandoned the artillery piece in favor of newer and more effective models by the time of the Battle of Hoth, leaving the Alliance to Restore the Republic to adopt it as their own. A few Atgar 1.4 FD P-Towers were still in use by imperial garrisons on lower-tech Outer Rim worlds by the time of the Rebellion.

It was not a particularly trustworthy weapon, for if even one of its 16 micro-power routers were to short circuit or otherwise malfunction, the entire cannon would be rendered useless.[source?] It was also not very conservative, expending its batteries after a mere eight shots, though its ammunition was unlimited when fed by a power generator. The 2.8-meter tall dish-shaped power router grid made an easy target for enemy fire.[1] They were also used by numerous other factions such as the Hutt Cartel.[3]

Offsetting this, however, was the fact that, if it did work, the P-Tower was capable of disabling an Imperial All Terrain Scout Transport with a single shot. It also was very cost-effective, compensating for its poor reliability, and allowing smaller groups such as the Rebellion to get their hands on it. The Atgar P-Tower saw use by the Alliance during the Battle of Hoth, proving its ruggedness in the extreme temperatures of the planet.[1] They were also installed on Amphibions.[4]

The weapon was manned by a crew of four, or a skeleton crew of two. Its fire capability ranged from distances of 2-10 kilometers. Typically, Atgar marketed the weapon at 10,000 credits, though it could be obtained used at a discounted rate of 2,000 credits.[1] It was capable of rotating at 360 degrees.[5]

[edit] Behind the scenes

A likeness of the Atgar 1.4 FD P-Tower was released as an action figure accessory under the name "Radar Laser Cannon" as part of Kenner's The Empire Strikes Back mini-rig toy line. Smaller than vehicles or playsets, the mini-rigs were fairly inexpensive and provided more play value at a lower cost to consumers than many of the larger accessories. As with many Kenner toys, a secret button caused the cannon to "explode".

The November 2003 The Empire Strikes Back expansion set of the Star Wars Trading Card Game features an image of the Golan Arms DF.9 anti-infantry battery on the set's "Antivehicle Laser Cannon" card, which actually describes the 1.4 FD P-Tower laser cannon.

[edit] Appearances

A Rebel soldier mans an Atgar P-tower on Hoth.

[edit] Non-canon appearances

[edit] Sources

[edit] Notes and references

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Galaxy Guide 3: The Empire Strikes Back
  2. ↑ Rebellion Era Campaign Guide
  3. ↑ Star Wars: Empire at War: Forces of Corruption
  4. ↑ Dark Empire Sourcebook
  5. ↑ Star Wars: Empire at War: Prima Official Game Guide
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