E-Web heavy repeating blaster cannon
The E-Web heavy repeating blaster cannon, also known by designations such as the Emplacement Weapon or simply the E-Web, was the most potent heavy repeating blaster cannon available to the Imperial forces. It saw widespread use by Imperial stormtroopers and, before them, by clones serving the Galactic Republic.
Description
To manage the substantial recoil from its high-powered blasts, the E-Web was equipped with firm mounting hardware and generally required a two-person team for operation. A downside was the time needed to prepare it for firing, which reduced its overall effectiveness. To mitigate this, Imperial units sometimes pre-charged its Class-4T3 power generator to enable quicker deployment, though this demanded careful power regulation to avoid system failure. It also incorporated a scope to increase precision at extended ranges.
A previous iteration of the E-Web, deployed towards the tail end of the Clone Wars, appeared to utilize a different tripod that had two legs in the front and one in the back, instead of the more common one in front and two in the back.
History
The Galactic Republic began using the E-Web near the end of the Clone Wars. Its service continued as the Republic transitioned into the Galactic Empire. Prior to the E-Web's introduction, Republic forces employed another type of heavy blaster cannon, which was in use from at least the Battle of Christophsis and remained active up to, at the very least, the Battle of Ringo Vinda. The E-Web became operational by the time of the late Outer Rim Sieges. During the Conquest of Kaller, a clone trooper manned an E-Web positioned in the front lines of the trenches, where Jedi Master Depa Billaba and Clone Captain Grey sought shelter.
During the Imperial forces invasion of Echo Base on Hoth, an E-Web heavy repeating blaster cannon was used in an attempt to stop the Millennium Falcon from escaping. During a firefight on the moon of Quantxi, the formidable bounty hunter Durge lifted and wielded an E-Web as his personal weapon. Frustrated by the length of the engagement and seeking a quicker resolution, Durge took this action to swiftly eliminate his adversaries.
Following the Battle of Endor, E-Webs were deployed against New Republic shock troopers who were being deployed from ships above during the pursuit of Imperial warlords. This tactic proved effective, as the E-Webs could target and eliminate the descending shock troopers before they even reached the ground, an event witnessed by their fellow soldiers. A more recent version of the E-Web, known as the E-HOB heavy repeating laser cannon, was developed by 9 ABY and used by Moff Gideon's remnant in a skirmish on Nevarro. Gideon introduced the weapon by referencing former shock trooper Carasynthia Dune's experiences with the E-Web to instill fear in his opponents, and he further compared the cannon to weapons used in the Night of a Thousand Tears to intimidate the Mandalorian Din Djarin. However, when a battle started, Djarin seized the cannon and turned it against Gideon's troops. The F-Web repeating blaster was another model that succeeded the E-Web.