Bombshell Genius
An Asop cannon dismounted for maintenance
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
- Intent: To provide a repeater electromagnetic plasma cannon
- Image Source: NavWeaps
- Canon Link: N/A
- Restricted Missions: N/A
- Primary Source: Electromagnetic plasma cannon
- Manufacturer: Ringovinda Systems
- Model: Asop repeating ion cannon
- Affiliation: Open-Market
- Modularity: Can be mounted in various turrets.
- Production: Minor
- Material: Standard ion cannon components, standard power generator components, ostrine
- Classification: Repeating ion cannon
- Size: Stationary or Vehicle Mounted
- Length: 1.9m
- Weight: 85kg (without power plant) 140 kg (with power generator)
- Ammunition Type: Power Cell and Gas Canister
- Ammunition Capacity: The gun is tied into the power generator and have effectively unlimited ammunition.
- Effective Range: Battlefield range.
- Rate of Fire: Approximately 3 shots per second at standard rate of charge. (effectively ~80-90 rounds per minute)
- Targeting computer
- Advanced cooling system
- Power generator
It was found in the various Incursion engagements that, while the classic repeater cannons were serviceable on the battlefield, they were best suited for destroying targets rather than to disable them. When the mission called for fighting vehicles or droids, however, sometimes disabling a vehicle was better than destroying it outright. Also, a new power generator was designed for it to last longer in firefights, as well as an enhanced cooling system, thanks to the usage of ostrine as coolant inside the entire assembly, and is also located behind the barrel. In addition, the bipod in use for the Asop allows for stable firing under cover, which helps squads of infantry fend off those sorts of enemies. Barrels can also be changed rapidly on the field should the barrel be damaged in combat: a special handle at one end of the barrel allows for rapid ejection of the barrel. The process of changing barrels can take as few as five seconds.
As with ion weapons, the Asop is best suited to engage droids and vehicles, with each shot being capable of disabling a speeder's electric systems for a few hours, and potentially cause catastrophic failures in a swoop or smaller objects that does not come equipped with cap drains or combat de-ionizers. Also, armor with higher-than-average resistance to ion attacks can mitigate shots from that weapon, with better armor being able to mitigate it to the point where one may only need to a flip of a circuit breaker to repair the damage, made all the more easy if the armor contains cap drains, combat de-ionizers.
An additional drawback to firing an Asop is that it is easy to detect on EM sensors. Finally, the Asop can be set to fire in bursts of either 1, 2 or 3 seconds each. Its firing rate is 3 shots per second while the weapon is being fired, and it also requires a cooldown period for 1, 2 or 3 seconds respectively after a burst is fired.
Important notes:
- For point-defense use, it is worth 2 point-defense emplacements
- For starfighter use, it is worth 2 starfighter laser cannons
- Can disable objects up to speeder in size
- Very Rapid Fire: the Asop can manage a very high rate of fire in short bursts (usually 1-3 seconds).
- Versatile roles: The Asop can be found mounted on vehicles, used as a fire support weapon, or built into defensive emplacements.
- Power Supply: When not mounted on vehicles or in an emplacement the Asop requires a large external power supply to operate effectively. This is both heavy and unwieldy. Hence fire-support versions must have a drivetrain to move it around as a result of the requirements of the power supply
- Very easy to detect using thermal and EM sensors
- Requires a cooldown of 1-3 seconds depending on the length of the burst
- Prone to misfires if fired too often, resulting in the whole weapon being shorted out
