DC-15A blaster rifle

The DC-15A blaster rifle was the weapon of choice for the Republic's clone troopers in the Grand Army of the Republic. It was a larger, more powerful long-range alternative to the DC-15S blaster.

Characteristics


This was one of the standard issue weapons for clones. While the use of blasters freed a clone trooper from the need to carry projectile ammunition, the DC-15A was a heavy 9.5 pounds, and the inherent instability of plasma gas reduced the weapon's accuracy. Even so, the blaster was very powerful and deadly in the hands of the specially-trained clone troopers.

The rifle also sported a telescopic sight, normally stored under the rifle, which could be mounted on top for long range shots.

The weapon's tibanna gas cartridge carried enough gas for approximately 500 shots, depending on the power settings of the weapon (The highest power setting shot 500 rounds per cartridge). Its power-charge magazines ionized the gas into charged plasma within its ignition chamber. These bolts would then be accelerated out of the rifle electromagnetically. Because of the hyper-ionization, the blue plasma bolts were fully capable of shredding through droids and vehicles alike, and was fully automatic.

The DC-15 could interface with the helmets of clones to provide a video gunsight on the clone trooper's helmet display. Mounted on a tripod, the maximum effective range of a DC-15A was 10 kilometers. On maximum power, a shot from a DC-15A could leave a 0.5 meter hole in any ferroconcrete wall; however, firing at maximum power caused a greater rate power consumption, reducing the number of shots per power pack from 100 to 10 rounds.

The blaster could be outfitted with ascension cables to climb up walls or cliffs as seen during the Battle of Teth. Even though a powerful weapon, many clones preferred to use the lighter, more compact DC-15S rifle since it was less bulky and was handier in close quarters, thus creating some sort of rivalry between the weapons. The DC-15A was preferred when fighting against bigger and more heavily-armored droids such as the super battle droid and the dwarf spider droid. It was also a good weapon to have if a clone unit confronted a large creature, one such encounter being the Battle of Felucia, where the 501st used it to great effect against several acklay.

History


Manufactured by BlasTech Industries, the DC-15-series was a range of plasma weapons used during the Clone Wars. Later, eight years into the reign of the Galactic Empire, anti-troopers bred on Kamino would use these weapons to fight against the Empire. Some clone stormtroopers also utilized this weapon. On Boz Pity, however, one IG-100 MagnaGuard nearly killed Asajj Ventress with a DC-15, although she managed to survive. It is unknown how the MagnaGuard managed to obtain this weapon, but it was probably stolen. These weapons were also used by Dark novatroopers in the imperial special forces. These were heavily modified, bulked up and equipped with extra firepower.

Even though it saw extensive use during the Clone Wars, Captain Judder Page used this weapon on Caluula during the Yuuzhan Vong War.

Behind the scenes
The DC-15A blaster rifle that the majority of the clone troopers carry in Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith is based on parts from the German Maschinengewehr MG34 from World War II (the same gun was used as the basis for the DLT-19 heavy blaster rifle in the original trilogy), making up the rear half, as well as much of the BlasTech E-11 blaster rifle (carried by the Imperial stormtroopers from the original trilogy) turned upside-down for the front.

Notes and references
DC-15A Blastergewehr Rifle bláster DC-15A DC-15A sädekivääri DC-15A Gevär