Proton beam cannon
Proton beam cannons were powerful energy weapons used most prominently by the Galactic Empire. They were able to deal massive amount of damage to hulls.
History
The most famous of these were the planetary proton beam cannons used to make up superlasers such as the ones found on the first and second Death Stars.[1] These could completely obliterate a target world.[2]
There also existed smaller composite beam superlasers that were capable of making a planet uninhabitable by destroying its core.[1] An anti-capital ship proton beam cannon was also constructed on the surface of Dubrillion during the height of the Galactic Civil War.[3] Capital ship-scaled cannons were a feature of both the Eclipse-class and Sovereign-class Super Star Destroyer models. These guns could sear entire continents in a moment, but not pulverize an entire planet.[4]
At the Empire's height, a much smaller proton beam cannon was mounted on the modified Imperial-class Star Destroyer, the Accuser.[5] Decades later, Booster Terrik had his private Star Destroyer Errant Venture fitted with a similar weapon said to be based on the Darksaber project.[6] A fighter-scale proton beam cannon was fitted to the Lancet Aerial Artillery vehicles used by the Empire.[7]
Appearances
- Jedi Quest: The Way of the Apprentice
- Star Wars: Battlefront II
- Star Wars: Empire at War
- Star Wars: X-Wing
- Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope (First appearance)
- Star Wars: Empire at War: Forces of Corruption
- Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike
- Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi
- Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi novel
- Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi junior novel
- Darksaber
Sources
- The Technical Book of Science Fiction Films
- Death Star Designer
- Star Wars: Empire at War: Forces of Corruption Expansion: Prima Official Game Guide