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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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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.
A member of the Muunilinst 10 operated a Z-6 cannon during the mission to rescue a Jedi from General Grievous on Hypori during the Clone Wars, as the weapon was usually issued to ARC heavy gunners. Jek brought his Z-6 to the Battle of Rugosa.[1] During a counter-terrorism operation, Corr wielded a Z-6 to great effect. 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. Furthermore, a member of the Black Ops task force to destroy landspeeders on Coruscant. During the Kamino Uprising, many ARC Troopers wielded it against the Empire.[2] A clone rookie named Hevy used a Z-6 as his final weapon.
The Z-6 was also used heavily by elite soldiers of Jedi General Rahm Kota's Militia. Master Kota, who was distrustful of the Clone Army during the Clone Wars, chose to make use of his own specially trained militia. Many of these elite soldiers would effectively utilize the Z-6 repeating blaster in many of their raids after the Great Jedi Purge, including the Battle of the TIE Fighter Construction Facility above Nar Shaddaa.[3]
Karen Traviss first named this weapon.[4]
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, possibly so it would be easier to carry.
In the book, Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Grievous Attacks! the Z-6 rotary blaster cannon was incorrectly called a Quad cannon.
Star Wars: Clone Wars – "Chapter 21" (First appearance)
Star Wars: The Clone Wars – "Ambush" Star Wars: The Clone Wars – "Rookies" Star Wars: The Clone Wars – "Cargo of Doom" Star Wars: The Clone Wars – "Landing at Point Rain" Star Wars: The Clone Wars – "Weapons Factory" Star Wars: The Clone Wars – "Legacy of Terror" (Appears in flashback(s)) Star Wars: Clone Wars – "Chapter 23" Star Wars: Clone Wars – "Chapter 25"
Z-6 Rotary Blaster Cannon in the Databank|
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