WESTAR-M5 blaster rifle

The WESTAR-M5 blaster rifle was a blaster rifle used during the Clone Wars by the Grand Army of the Republic. They were mainly used by Advanced Recon Commandos and Galactic Marines during the later years of the conflict. They were very efficient and deadly weapons.

The blaster rifle could be calibrated to fire in semi-automatic, automatic, and burst-fire modes, and could be equipped with a variety of attachments, including a Merr-Sonn PLX-1m micro-rocket launcher that could be used against armored enemies.

History


This weapon was seen as being very effective on such missions as the Battle of Muunilinst, where not only did it prove useful in providing rapid cover fire, but also of being able to break through the armor on the top of an Armored Assault Tank and disable it with several shots from the inside. The WESTAR-M5 also proved effective on Hypori when a crack team of ARC troopers were sent to rescue the surviving Jedi. The ARCs made great use of the attachable one-shot pump-action missile launcher and the rapid and powerful bursts of the gun to buy time for their teammates to save the surviving Jedi Generals.

This blaster improved on the DC-15 design, making it easier to aim. It featured an extendable stock and a larger ammunition magazine. The WESTAR-M5 used the same plasma/EMP hybrid ammunition as all clone trooper weapons, and was also more powerful than the DC-15, combining power and accuracy into a small weapon.

This gun proved its effectiveness in a variety of situations and was indeed a powerful and useful weapon that was used to deadly efficiency by the ARC troopers.

Behind the scenes

 * The WESTAR-M5 was named by Karen Traviss, as a nod to the real-world Heckler & Koch MP5.
 * The Grenade Launcher in Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron looks like this rifle.

Appearances

 * Star Wars Republic 50: The Battle of Kamino
 * Star Wars: Clone Wars
 * "Chapter 3"
 * "Descent"
 * Star Wars Republic: The Battle of Jabiim
 * Star Wars Battlefront II (With use of an unofficial patch not endorsed by LucasArts)