Laser cannon

:This article is about technology in the fictional Star Wars universe. For laser-based defensive countermeasures, see .

The laser cannon is a fictional light beam weapon mounted on starships in the Star Wars Universe. However, there are several derivatives:

Laser cannon

The laser cannon is the most common form of ship board weapon. It is produced by many different manufacturers and in many different sizes. The most common distinction between laser cannons is whether they are designed for the anti-fighter role (light) or the anti-capital ship role (heavy). Some are also rated as medium having applications in both areas. All laser cannons are smaller than turbo-laser cannons which are the true "heavy" ship mounted weapons.

These weapons are mounted on many ships including the Nebulon-B frigate. They can be manned by a single gunner. The primary role of these weapons is starfighter-interception. This was also the main role of the Nebulon-B frigate when it was first developed by Kuat Drive Yards. However, they can be used on enemy capital ships to limited effect.

The light quad laser cannon is a formidable anti-fighter weapon. They are calibrated for rapid traverse and elevation and have fast rates of fire. Twenty of them are mounted on the fearsome and rare s. Lancers like Nebulon-B frigates are anti-fighter warships, and have the firepower of eighty TIE starfighters.

The medium laser cannon designation is less well defined and is applied to weapons falling between the heavy and light laser cannon.

The Heavy laser cannon is a multi role design. These turrets are larger and relatively slower in tracking and firing speed when compared to light laser cannon mountings. Although not as effective as single purpose weapons, they are a good compromise between the light anti-fighter laser cannons and the super-heavy turbo-laser.

Quad laser cannon mounting

The most common method employed in the emplacement of laser cannons on ships larger than starfighters is the quad laser cannon mount. The grouping of four laser cannons allows for a higher overall rate of fire while reducing overheating and barrel wear.
The Millennium Falcon has dorsal and ventral quad laser cannons.

Point-defensive laser cannon
The point-defense laser cannon is an increasingly common starship-mounted weapon found on medium capital ships, such as the Acclamator-class heavy cruiser and the Venator-class Star Destroyer.

It has a firepower of 0.125D, a feeble fortieth of the strength of the standard dual turbolaser. However, its primary role is missile-interception. In addition, their rate of fire and numerous mountings make them a deterrent against starfighter squadrons attacking at close range.

They are often small turrets with two magnetic coil firing barrels, and have no practical application against capital ships.

An Acclamator-class ship carries 24 point-defense laser cannons, and a Venator-class ship carries 52. Newer warships, such as the Imperial Star Destroyer and the various Mon Cal cruisers were not originally fitted with point defense weapons. Instead these ships rely on banks of larger super-heavy turbolasers and ion cannons as well as starfighters. As the threat from starfighters and their missile weapons has become clear however, there have been attempts to refit older ships with point defense weapons.

Other types
*Dual laser cannon
*Twin laser cannon
*Laser cannon

Physics

All laser cannons use gas (commonly Tibanna gas) as ammunition, which is electrically charged by a power source and converted into charged plasma atoms/molecules. This plasma is focused by magnetic coils, and it's fired. As the wave propagates through space, it becomes incoherent, and the energy density becomes increasingly lower as the distance between the firing barrel and the beam increases.

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See Also

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