The Malevolence fires its ion pulse cannon.
The ion cannon is a weapon that fires highly ionized particles or highly ionized plasma.
Description[]
Ion cannons firing from octuple barbette turbolasers on an Imperial-II class Star Destroyer.
Ion cannons fire particles that seriously interfered with the operation of electronics and computer systems, shorting circuits and often disabling them outright, in much the same manner as an electromagnetic pulse. The actual physical damage would sometimes result in fused joints on machines, due to the heat produced.
Large negative-ion pulses are charged in a turbine generator then channeled into a plasma charge or released as a large pulse towards a target. As a result, ion cannons are the weapon of choice for subduing, rather than destroying, enemy starships, vehicles, shields, or droids. There are many types of ion cannons, including ground-based like the N-K7, planet-based such as the one at Echo Base, and ship-mounted ion cannons such as the one on the Challenger.
The ion cannon is not without its weaknesses, however. For instance, they are not known for precision, and a ground-based ion cannon might hit the defender's own battle stations as well as its intended targets. Moreover, on capital ships, there are crewmen that can repair any damage done, which would allow the vessel to continue fighting.
The Challenger fires its ion cannon during the Attack on Ringo Vinda against the Conqueror II.
Ships and fighters that carry Ion Cannons[]
- Providence-class carrier/destroyers
- Munificient-class star frigates
- Separatist heavy cruisers
- Imperial-I class Star Destroyers
- Imperial-II class Star Destroyers
- Interdictor-class Star Destroyers
- Sentinel-class landing crafts
- Nantex-class starfighters (modified variants)
- BTL-B Y-Wing Starfighters
- TIE/HU Hunter multi-role starfighters