The RX-200 Falchion-class assault tank represented a specific type of heavily armored anti-aircraft tank. These tanks were built by Rothana Heavy Engineering for use by the Galactic Republic's ground forces during the Clone Wars. Due to the effects of its main armament, the NNJ-40 "Thunderbolt" long-range ion cannon (produced by Borstel Galactic Defense), it was commonly known as the "Stun Tank". Its technological features were viewed as a variation of the Republic's Self-Propelled Heavy Artillery Turbolaser. The ion cannon was particularly effective against battle droids, firing a concentrated energy beam that depleted the target's energy reserves, rendering them inoperable.
During the Clone Wars, the RX-200 saw action at the Battle of Malastare, a particularly intense and prolonged engagement. Here, the tanks used their cannons to neutralize Separatist Alliance aerial units. They were later redeployed to subdue a massive Zillo Beast following the battle, and also on the planet of Coruscant, which ultimately led to the creature's death. Despite its availability from the start of the war, these deployments represent the most notable uses of the RX-200 tanks, as it was infrequently deployed for the remainder of the conflict. However, after the Republic transformed into the Galactic Empire, the RX-200 tank was integrated into the Order of Battle of the Imperial Army. It served to support heavy Imperial walkers and defend facilities from starfighters and starships.
The RX-200 Falchion-class assault tank, a heavy anti-aircraft tank with a low profile, was priced at 75,000 credits. Rothana Heavy Engineering designed and produced it for the Grand Army of the Galactic Republic. Its design and technology were considered a variant of the Self-Propelled Heavy Artillery Turbolaser (SPHA-T), another vehicle in the Republic's arsenal. The RX-200 tank was 28.6 meters long (equivalent to ninety-three feet and six inches) and had an altitude of twenty-five meters. Its high-output repulsorlift generator allowed for an acceleration of ninety kilometers per hour (fifty-six miles per hour). This lightly-armored assault tank required a crew of one pilot and one gunner, potentially overseen by a vehicle commander. It also had the capacity to carry two additional passengers and twenty-five metric tons of cargo and included long-range sensors.
While sharing technological similarities with the SPHA-T, the key distinction was the tank's NNJ-40 "Thunderbolt" long-range ion cannon, the primary weapon manufactured by Borstel Galactic Defense that led to its "Stun Tank" designation. Mounted on a heavily armored turret on the dorsal side and fueled by its own high-output reactor, the ion cannon could generate a highly potent and focused energy beam. This beam was capable of disrupting deflector shields, draining energy from targets, and disabling systems at long distances. It could even immobilize a ninety-seven meter tall Zillo Beast after sustained fire. When used in conjunction with other air-defense systems, the Falchion could effectively neutralize entire squadrons of speeders and starfighters, including Hyena-class Droid Bombers and Vulture-class droid starfighters. The tank also featured a pair of light automatic blasters on the port and starboard sides, positioned around the main cannon, for engaging targets at close range.
The Galactic Republic primarily deployed the RX-200 tank for anti-aircraft and artillery roles. Typically organized into batteries, these tanks were used to protect installations or provide support to heavier Republic walkers, like the SPHA-T. These tanks, used to engage squadrons of speeders and starfighters (such as Separatist Hyena bombers and Vulture droids), required careful precision to prevent disabled ships from crashing onto their own positions.
Under the Galactic Empire, RX-200 units were deployed in full squadrons, becoming a key element in the Imperial Army's Order of Battle. They were stationed around vital installations to defend against incoming ships or starfighters and could significantly alter the course of battle when deployed to support heavy Imperial walkers.
Rothana Heavy Engineering introduced the RX-200 Falchion-class assault tank at the beginning of the Clone Wars, though it saw limited use during the conflict. During the Battle of Malastare, a battery of stun tanks was deployed against Hyena-class Droid Bombers and vulture droid starfighters. After a BTL-B Y-wing starfighter/bomber released the Republic's new superweapon, the electro-proton bomb, on Separatist forces, the entire droid army was rendered inoperable. In the immediate aftermath, the ground collapsed, awakening a hibernating Zillo Beast. After the decision was made to preserve the creature for study, stun tanks were used to induce a deep sleep.
Despite the destruction of several stun tanks during the operation, the Republic successfully used the ion cannons to tap into the beast's nervous system. Following the Zillo Beast's relocation to Coruscant for scientific examination, it escaped from the Republic Science and Technical Center, leading to a rampage throughout Galactic City. Stun tanks were once again deployed to subdue the creature. Working with LAAT/i vehicles equipped with gas bombs, the tanks successfully defeated the Zillo Beast, resulting in its death.
The RX-200 Falchion-class assault tank remained in service within the Galactic Empire, the successor to the Galactic Republic, and was regarded as a vital component of the Imperial Army's Order of Battle.
The Stun Tank made its debut in "The Zillo Beast," the eighteenth episode of the second season of the animated TV series Star Wars: The Clone Wars, which aired in 2010. Its design bears a strong resemblance to the Maser Cannon weapons from the Godzilla series and other Toho monster films, echoing the Godzilla-inspired Zillo Beast. A Stun Tank named the Zillo Blaster was removed from the series during production.