The Emperor-4 beam tube, a beam tube type weapon, was manufactured by Timms UniStar Armaments in the early era of the Galactic Republic.
This Emperor-4 beam tube was a cumbersome weapon, requiring two hands to operate and weighing in excess of fifteen kilograms. It was paired with a power cell backpack that added over thirty kilograms of weight. This backpack served as the weapon's ammunition supply, but could only provide a limited number of shots, less than one hundred. The combined weight of both components significantly hampered the movement capabilities of the soldier who carried it.
The weapon's particle beam was created and focused by utilizing a system comprised of four energy cyclers, in conjunction with twelve refinement tubes, and a dozen low-quality crystals. The internal refinement tubes were prone to misalignment, necessitating a reconfiguration process that could take up to four hours before the weapon could be used again.
The power for the Emperor-4 was supplied by the backpack's power cell, which also featured a recharge port and a small refrigeration unit designed to maintain a safe operating temperature for the power cell. The system was integrated into a substantial blast vest. This vest incorporated composite ceramics specifically engineered to absorb and dissipate the kinetic energy from incoming projectiles. Additional features built into the vest included a backup power cell, an integrated comlink with a communication range of four kilometers, and an emergency homing beacon to assist rescue teams in locating the wearer.
Activating the Emperor-4 required several seconds to allow the weapon to accumulate sufficient energy for firing. The weapon's effective range was capped at fifty meters, with an optimal engagement range of twenty meters. The beam produced a significant amount of heat because the energy conversion process was not efficient. To safeguard the beam tube's delicate internal parts, twelve cooling motors were integrated into the weapon. These motors expelled hot air from the weapon, directing it towards the face of the soldier operating it, making the Emperor-4 an unpleasant weapon to use.
Because of the Emperor-4's drawbacks, squads equipped with them employed coordinated tactics, alternating fire to provide mutual support during engagements. The weapon's scarce ammunition, coupled with the frequent need for recharging, forced squads to transport power generators using repulsorlift sleds.