Emberlene's Daughter, The Jedi Generalist
Intent: To make the canon assault cannon slightly less derp and more RP-balanced.
Development Thread: Link
Manufacturer: BlasTech Industries
Model: RXW-AC2 assault cannon
Affiliation: Republic/Zane Watts
Modularity: No
Production: Unique
Material: Durasteel/plasteel
Classification: Repeating plasma cannon
Size: Handheld
Status: Military
Length: 1.4 metres
Weight: 24.8 kilograms
Ammunition Type: Plasma/cooling cell
Ammunition Capacity: 500 shots per cell
Effective Range: 400 metres
The RXW-AC2 is the spiritual successor to two separate designs - the RXW-AC1 and the old Dark Trooper assault cannons. Commissioned by Captain Zane Watts, it is a hybrid of both theories, resulting in something far closer to the Dark Trooper weapon. With that in mind, this is a two-barrel high-power plasma cannon that fires at 240 rounds per minute - four rounds per second, which is still less than half the original model - with the standard power of its predecessor; enough to melt through most vehicle armour given enough time and punch its way through shields with repeated shots. Needless to say, this is the next best thing to a turbolaser. It is powered by a combined plasma and cooling cell, which gives it the required gas to superheat and the coolant to stop the barrels melting instantly. It also has a holographic link that will interface with a Republic trooper's HUD and provide more precise aim than the RXW-AC1. Unlike its predecessor, it does not come with a warhead rail and is more than twice the size of the original models. Simply put, the old technology was lost and BlasTech Industries simply could not reproduce the work of the Dark Trooper project perfectly. There is a slight delay on pulling the trigger to allow the gas to heat up to appropriate temperatures, but this is roughly a half second of delay.
Despite all that power, it has a long list of drawbacks. The micro-repulsor installed on the underside is required for stable firing and its weight and size essentially makes it nigh impossible to be super-mobile while carrying this weapon. The heat generated by the weapon mandates gloves in order to avoid melting one's hand off and also dictates that prolonged fire for more than six seconds will melt the barrels even with the coolant cell - one heavy target per burst, in general. Its high cost mandates that only the first model has been rolled out, meaning only Captain Watts has access to the weapon at this point in time, given that only one exists - replacements are in the works but it is unlikely that they will ever see action outside his hands.
In short, the AC2 is much like a turret emplacement. With it, you won't be moving anywhere any time soon, but you've got the power to blow up what you need to blow up short of a starship. It is not designed to be a primary use weapon, ideally for when ambushing a tank column and the added firepower is needed.