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- "Missiles. Pull up!"
"They over shot us." - ―Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi, during the Battle of Coruscant
A missile, also called an ordnance, was a catch-all term for a type of projectile weapon. Many types of missiles were loaded on and fired from various starships, including many types of capital ships and starfighters. Other types of missiles were utilized by ground vehicles. The most common type of missile employed by ground forces were ones capable of being launched by shoulder-fired missile launchers. A single soldier, or a pair of soldiers, were capable of loading and firing the weapon. Missiles were a very common weapon when it comes to intense mass destruction, in wars. Missiles were not just straight-forward shooting, but also could be homing. When fired they would home onto the target and trace their way to the target and eventually destroy it. Missiles could be used to launch nuclear bombs, which could destroy cities from space.
Description
The typical missile was a ranged weapon that carried its own propellant fuel, enabling it to reach a target independent of the power source from which it was launched. Basic missiles dated from the earliest years of recorded warfare, developed from basic rockets. Most weapons of this type contained a guidance system, which allowed them to be locked onto a specific target, which the missile would then attempt to home in on. Size ranged from small "chip" missiles that could be fired from a man-portable device and were typically used against ground vehicles, to capital ship-grade warheads that could devastate enemy war vessels or planetary surfaces.
Missiles normally had armor and sometimes a shield. They were generally cylinder shaped, so they could penetrate capital ship and starfighter shields.[1]
Types of Missiles
Carbonite missile
Carbonite missiles were devastating weapons often used by the Zann Consortium during the Galactic Civil War. The missile's warhead contained supercooled carbonite that, when detonated, could damage and slow enemy ground forces, leaving them open to attack. In some cases, they could completely destroy them. The Missile Attack Launcher, produced by Merr-Sonn Munitions, had the ability to fire Carbonite Missiles along with regular explosive missiles[2], though it took time to rotate between the various types of warheads.
Concussion missile
A concussion missile was a general short- to medium-range, anti-vehicle ordinance produced by many manufacturers from across the galaxy, one of the most notable being Dymek. They were vehicle mounted weapons, and could be found in most militaries' armory. The TIE Bomber was capable of loading up several magazines worth of concussion missiles into their launch bays to deploy onto a battlefield when needed.[3] A larger and more expensive version of the weapon was the assault concussion missile. A capital ship-grade ordinance, often employed by massive warships like the Victory I-class Star Destroyer, were used for planetary bombardment and anti-capital ship duties. There were also some variants that possessed homing capabilities.
Cluster missile
A cluster missile was a subset of concussion missile that was low powered, yet was able to be fired off rapidly by various attack craft.
Cruise missile
Cruise missiles were high-powered missiles capable of homing in on a target. A pirate named Nym was known to have these on his personal starfighter.
Discord missile
Discord missiles delivered Buzz droids to their targets during the Clone Wars. They had a popular appearance during the Battle of Coruscant.[4]
Hex missile
Hex missiles were powerful weapons of mass destruction capable of inflicting heavy amount of casualties to a targeted planet or city. They had a specially designed warhead that contained a payload of the chemical agent trihexalon. Trihexalon, also called dragon's breath, was a deadly biological weapon that was fatal to most humanoids. These weapons were first used in an attack on the capital city of Maramere, just before the outbreak of the Clone Wars.
Intruder missile
Intruder missiles were designed by Slayn & Korpil for the Rebel Alliance. The missile was designed to overload the shield generators on large ships, causing them to explode and damage the rest of the ship.
Nano missile
Nano missiles were miniature-scale missiles that were nearly indistinguishable from blaster bolts. They contained a built-in navigation system that allowed them to be sensor-guided to their target. The Guardian Mantis was known to be equipped with these missiles.
Proton torpedo
The proton torpedo was a type of ordance used throughout the galaxy. Its most notable use was during the Battle of Yavin, when Luke Skywalker destroyed the first Death Star by launching a pair of proton torpedoes into a thermal exhaust port. Luke was using an X-wing.[5]
Rockets
A rocket was a type of missile. During Jaden Korr's campaign against the Disciples of Ragnos he often used rocket launchers or a PLX-2M portable missile launcher made by Merr-Sonn Munitions, Inc. Rocket launchers were very similar to missile launchers, similar in shape and used for the same purpose.[6]
Manufacturers
Merr-Sonn Munitions
Merr-Sonn Munitions, Inc, was one of the three top weapons manufacturers in the galaxy during the time of the New Republic. Producing products from various weaponry. Also producing starships, vehicle, and artillery weaponry. The company had existed through many years and eras, helping factions of possibly both sides.
Products
- PLX-1 portable missile launcher[7]
- MiniMag PTL missile launcher (PLX-1's successor)[7][8] [9]
- PLX-2M portable missile launcher[10][11]
- PLX-4 missile launcher[12]
Golan Arms
Products
History
Mandalorian Wars
Battle of Serroco
During the Battle of Serroco, circa 3963 BBY, the Mandalorian fleet launched over two dozen nuclear missiles towards the Republic Navy forces protecting the planet of Serroco. Instead of striking the Republic task force, the missiles circumvented the fleet and directly targeted Serroco's surface. One by one, the missiles struck at various points on the planet's surface and detonated, destroying entire cities and inflicting heavy casualties onto the Republic ground forces stationed on the planet.
Great Galactic War
Battle of Balmorra
During the Great Galactic War, missiles were employed by various starfighters to carry out air-strikes against the many various factories that were scattered across Balmorra's surface. The constant bombings left the planet's surface permanently scarred.
Terrorist Group(s)/Attack(s)
In 27 BBY, a terrorist group tried to use a home-made missile to assassinate Passel Argente on the planet Bartokk. However, their plan was thwarted by Jorus C'baoth, who used the Force to stop the missile from reaching it's target.[13]
Clone Wars
Battle of Muunilinst
Missiles were used during the Clone Wars, notably during the Battle of Muunilinst. Anakin Skywalker had the Clone pilots under his command fire their missiles into empty space as he lured a number of Separatist ships that were pursuing him into the path of them.[14]
Battle of Coruscant (Clone Wars)
During the Battle of Coruscant, Discord missiles were fired upon Obi-Wan Kenobi's and Anakin Skywalker's Jedi starfighters. Despite the homing systems, Anakin managed to evade the missiles fired at his starfighter. Obi-Wan, however, was hit. The missiles flew in-front of his ship and then exploded, releasing Buzz droids which then set about destroying his starfighter.[4]
Galactic Civil War
Battle of Hoth
During the Battle of Hoth, man portable missile tubes were used by both the Rebel Alliance and the Galactic Empire. These anti-armor missiles employed guidance systems which would pursue their assigned target with exceptional performance for any guided missile. These advanced onboard guidance systems allowed for shock and vanguard troopers to quickly acquire a target and fire the missile, allowing them to then move to a new position and reload.[9] [8]
During the battle, the Rebel Vanguard would use an HH-15 projectile launcher made by Golan Arms.[8] [9] [15] The Imperial Force would be using the MiniMag PTL missile launcher, made by Merr-Sonn Munitions, Inc.[8] [9]
Battle of Endor
Missiles were used in 4 ABY, during the climatic battle over the forest moon of Endor after the fall of the planetary shield that protected the second Death Star. A group of Rebel snubfighters, along with the Millennium Falcon, entered the massive station's superstructure and approached the main reactor that powered the station. With two well timed volleys of proton torpedos and concussion missiles from Wedge Antilles and Lando Calrissian, the main reactor was destroyed, causing a chain reaction that would destroy the entire station.[16]
Second Galactic Civil War
Mission to Adumar
An illegal company, Dammant Killers, produced missiles from a factory on Adumar. In 40 ABY, Jacen Solo and Ben Skywalker went on a mission to uncover the factory.[17]
Appearances
Sources
- The Star Wars Rules Companion
- Shadows of the Empire Sourcebook
- The Secrets of Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire
- 1996 Topps Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire (Card: Attack on the Suprosa) (backup link (http://www.rebelscum.com/photo.asp?image=/sote/soteTC033.jpg) not verified!)
- 1996 Topps Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire (Card: Dash's Secret Getaway) (backup link (http://www.rebelscum.com/photo.asp?image=/sote/soteTC071.jpg) not verified!)
- 1996 Topps Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire (Card: Dash Aboard the Suprosa) (backup link (http://www.rebelscum.com/photo.asp?image=/sote/soteTC097.jpg) not verified!)
- Shadows of the Empire Planets Guide
- Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire|Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire (Pack: Boba Fett's Slave I) (backup link)
- Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire|Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire (Pack: Dash Rendar's Outrider) (backup link)
- Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire|Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire (Pack: Swoop) (backup link)
- Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire Micro Machines (Pack: Collection III) (backup link)
- The Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology
- The New Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology
- Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords: Prima Official Game Guide
- Revenge of the Sith: Incredible Cross-Sections
- Scavenger's Guide to Droids
- "Message to Spacers 8" (original article link) on Wizards.com (content now obsolete; backup link)
- Gundark's Fantastic Technology: Personal Gear
- Millennium Falcon Owner's Workshop Manual
- The Essential Guide to Warfare
- Star Wars: Edge of the Empire Core Rulebook
- Dangerous Covenants
- Be the Weapon! Be the Asteroid! on The Old Republic's official website (backup link)
Notes and references
- ↑ Star Wars: Empire at War
- ↑ Star Wars: Empire at War: Forces of Corruption
- ↑ Star Wars: TIE Fighter
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Revenge of the Sith
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
- ↑ Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Battlefront II: Prima Official Game Guide
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 Star Wars Battlefront II
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 Star Wars Battlefront
- ↑ The Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology
- ↑ The New Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology
- ↑ Gundark's Fantastic Technology: Personal Gear
- ↑ Outbound Flight (novel)
- ↑ Clone Wars Chapter 9
- ↑ Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron
- ↑ Battle of Endor
- ↑ Legacy of the Force: Betrayal