Z-6 rotary blaster cannon
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| Z-6 rotary blaster cannon | |
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Z-6 rotary blaster cannon |
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The Z-6 rotary blaster cannon was a powerful rotating blaster cannon chaingun developed by Merr-Sonn Munitions and used during the Clone Wars in a limited capacity.
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[edit] Characteristics
Working around a basic design flaw inherent in many typical blaster weapons, the Z-6 incorporated six barrels in a rapid rotation wrapped around a coolant-lined core. The galven circuitry used in the blaster meant that the Z-6 had a high cooling rate, allowing for a tremendous rate of fire (roughly 166 rounds per second).
Despite its impressive firepower, the weapon had several notable limitations, specifically the high rate of ammunition consumption, its weight, and recoil. Efforts by Merr-Sonn to counteract these limitations were not completely successful, and tended to make the weapon that much more difficult to use.
[edit] History
A member of the Muunilinst 10 operated a Z-6 cannon during the mission to rescue Jedi from General Grievous on Hypori during the Clone Wars. Jek brought his Z-6 to the Battle of Rugosa. At least one more was wielded during the Separatist invasion of Coruscant in 19 BBY in order to defend Sector four against masses of battle droids. It was also used by a member of the Black Ops task force to destroy landspeeders on Coruscant. Another example of this weapon being used is during the Kamino Uprising, where it was used by ARC Troopers against the Empire.
[edit] Behind the scenes
Karen Traviss invented the name for this weapon.[1]
The weapon was inspired by the real-world General Electric M-134 Minigun. The weapon was also inspired by action movies like Predator and Terminator 2: Judgment Day, where the minigun was used as a hand-held weapon.
In Star Wars: Battlefront II, the Z-6 is used by the clone commander class, but as a shoulder-mounted weapon instead.
[edit] Appearances
- Clone Wars Chapter 21 (First appearance)
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Live Fire (Ambiguously canonical source)
Star Wars: The Clone Wars – "Ambush"
- Republic Commando: Triple Zero
- Clone Wars Chapter 23
- Clone Wars Chapter 25
- Star Wars: Battlefront II
- Star Wars: Purge
