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 (and audiobook)
- 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
- Star Wars: Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike
- Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi
- Star Wars: Return of the Jedi novelization (and unabridged audiobook)
- Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi junior novelization
- Darksaber
Non-canon appearances[]
Sources[]
- The Technical Book of Science Fiction Films
- Star Wars: Empire at War: Forces of Corruption Expansion: Prima Official Game Guide