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The Z-6 rotary blaster cannon was a blaster cannon used by the Galactic Republic during the Clone Wars.[3] Later, during the reign of the Galactic Empire, these weapons were used by both the Imperial Army's Heavy Weapons Stormtroopers and Rebel Alliance's Heavy Soldiers during the Galactic Civil War.[4]
History[]
Creation[]

A Rebel trooper firing a Z-6
The Z-6 rotary blaster cannon was a model of blaster cannon manufactured by Merr-Sonn Munitions, Inc.[2] and BlasTech Industries.[1] It was created in an attempt to solve the two problems limiting blaster fire-rate: recharge time and overheating. To solve these problems, the Z-6 was created as a chaingun. The weapon was equipped with six small, rotating blaster cannons distributed around a large cooling cell. Each cannon contained its own active chamber, which fired while turning. It was extremely heavy and required its user to stand still to be used with precision. On top of its weight, troopers equipped with the Z-6 would also have to carry its energy cartridges. Replacing the weapon's cartridges took multiple minutes, and would force its user to leave the battlefield during that time. Merr-Son engineers attempted to find solutions to these problems, but none of them were satisfactory, which tainted the Z-6's popularity.[2]
Usage during the Clone Wars[]

Clone troopers wielding Z-6 blaster cannons against the Separatist Army
During their training on Kamino, every clone trooper was trained to operate the Z-6 rotary blaster cannon. However, only heavy weapons experts utilized the weapon voluntarily during battle. The blaster cannon was almost exclusively used by the Galactic Republic during the Clone Wars.[2] Clone trooper Hardcase used a Z-6 during the mission to Benglor and siege of Hisseen.[7]
In 22 BBY,[8] clone trooper Hevy used a Z-6 rotary blaster cannon to defend Rishi Station before sacrificing himself to warn the Republic in an attempt to stop a Separatist attack on Kamino.[6] During the Battle of Umbara, Hardcase used a Z-6 blaster cannon.[9] At the Battle of Ringo Vinda, the 501st Legion and Clone Commander Doom's unit relied heavily on the Z-6 to attack Admiral Trench's forces.[10] When the Separatists invaded Scipio, Commander Thorn used a Z-6 nicknamed "the Hammer."[11]

Korso firing his modified Z-6 rotary blaster cannon during the Mimban Campaign.
Usage after the war[]
After the end of the Clone Wars and the rise of the Galactic Empire, the Z-6 was still used by various groups. Soldiers in the Imperial Army made use of the powerful weapon during the campaign on Mimban.[12] Heavy Weapons Stormtroopers used a version that mounted a weak ray shield at the front.[13] Soldiers serving the Rebel Alliance[14] like Heavy Soldiers[4] also wielded the Z-6.[14]
Behind the scenes[]
According to "Blasters and Ranged Weapons," the Z-6 was too heavy for B1-series battle droids to use.[2] However, they are depicted as able to use the weapon in Star Wars Battlefront II.[5]
Storyboards | Concept art | Digital renderings | In-progress artwork |
Appearances[]
Non-canon appearances[]
Sources[]
"Ambush" Episode Guide | The Clone Wars on StarWars.com (backup link) (First identified as rotary blaster cannon) (also as clone machine gun)
"Rookies" Episode Guide | The Clone Wars on StarWars.com (backup link) (Picture only)
"ARC Troopers" Episode Guide | The Clone Wars on StarWars.com (backup link) (First identified as Z-6 rotary blaster cannon)
"Crisis at the Heart" Episode Guide | The Clone Wars on StarWars.com (backup link) (as mini cannon)
Hardcase in the Encyclopedia (original site is defunct) (as rotary laser cannon)
Star Wars Helmet Collection: AT-ST Pilot Databank A-Z: Dengar–Domino Squad (Picture only)
- Star Wars: Galactic Atlas
Star Wars Helmet Collection: Rebel Commando Databank A-Z: Hassk Triplets–Holograms (Picture only)
Star Wars Helmet Collection: AT-RT Driver Helmets: AT-RT Drivers (Picture only)
Star Wars Helmet Collection: Commander Thire Highlights of the Saga: Ambush on Rugosa (Picture only)
Star Wars: Legion Core Set Card: AT-RT Rotary Blaster Reissued in AT-RT and Republic AT-RT Unit Expansions, and 501st Legion Battle Force Starter Set
Star Wars Helmet Collection: Kashyyyk Clone Trooper Weapons & Uniforms: The 41st Elite Corps
- Rise of the Separatists
- The Art of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (Picture only)
"Blasters and Ranged Weapons" — Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Character Encyclopedia - Join the Battle!
7 Clones You'd Want on Your Team | Star Wars: List It! on the official Star Wars Kids YouTube channel (original link is obsolete)
Hot Toys Television Masterpiece Series (Sixth Scale Figure: #022: 501st Battalion Clone Trooper) (backup link)
Clone Commander Thorn in the Databank (backup link) (as Z06 blaster cannon)
Clone Trooper Hardcase in the Databank (backup link) (as rotary laser cannon)
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Rise of the Separatists
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5
"Blasters and Ranged Weapons" — Star Wars Encyclopedia
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3
Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Ambush"
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Star Wars: Commander
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Star Wars Battlefront II
- ↑ 6.0 6.1
Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Rookies"
- ↑ Star Wars Adventures: The Clone Wars – Battle Tales 1
- ↑ Star Wars: Galactic Atlas dates the events of the Star Wars: The Clone Wars episodes "Supply Lines" and "Bombad Jedi" to 22 BBY. As the episode "Rookies" takes place between the two episodes according to
Star Wars: The Clone Wars Chronological Episode Order on StarWars.com (backup link), CT-782's death must take place in that year.
- ↑
Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Plan of Dissent"
- ↑
Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "The Unknown"
- ↑
Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Crisis at the Heart"
- ↑ Solo: A Star Wars Story Ultimate Sticker Collection
- ↑ Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
- ↑ 14.0 14.1
Star Wars: Legion Core Set Card: Z-6 Trooper