Bombshell Genius
An infantry Ventooine without its scope
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
- Intent: To provide an infantry repeater electromagnetic plasma cannon
- Image Source: US Army
- Canon Link: N/A
- Restricted Missions: N/A
- Primary Source: Electromagnetic plasma cannon
- Manufacturer: Ringovinda Systems
- Model: Ventooine electromagnetic plasma heavy machinegun
- Affiliation: Open-Market
- Modularity: Can be mounted in various turrets.
- Production: Mass-Produced
- Material: Standard blaster components, standard power generator components, ostrine
- Classification: Electromagnetic Plasma heavy machinegun
- Size: Stationary or Vehicle Mounted
- Length: 1.65m
- Weight: 60kg
- Ammunition Type: Power Cell and Gas Canister
- Ammunition Capacity: Stationary weapon emplacements with stand-alone power packs can fire approximately 15,000 shots before the power pack needs to be recharged. Vehicle mounted versions tied into the power plant are effectively unlimited.
- Effective Range: Battlefield range (ca. 3 km)
- Rate of Fire: Approximately 3 shots per second at standard rate of charge. (effectively ~80-90 rounds per minute)
- Targeting scope
- Power generator
- Collapsible tripod
- Quick-change barrel
It was found on Ord Radama that, while the classic Korriban heavy machinegun was serviceable on the battlefield, it was best suited to suppressive fire missions where limiting collateral damage was of the essence. When the mission called for fighting massed enemies, or where limited collateral damage was acceptable, however, sometimes suppressive fire was called upon to thin the herd of enemy troops being engaged. Also, a new power pack was designed for it to last longer in firefights, as well as an enhanced cooling system, thanks to the usage of ostrine as coolant inside the entire assembly, and is also located behind the barrel. In addition, the tripod in use for the infantry version of the Ventooine allows for T&E (traverse and elevation) aiming, which helps compensate somewhat for its mobility limitations: even with the collapsible tripod, the infantry version still takes 20 seconds to place a Ventooine into position for firing. Barrels can also be changed rapidly on the field should the barrel be damaged in combat: a special handle at one end of the barrel allows for rapid ejection of the barrel. The process of changing barrels can take as few as five seconds.
As for the explosive firepower, the Ventooine can penetrate up to 200mm of reinforced duracrete; if a lightsaber-wielder attempts to block a Ventooine shot, the contact of the round against the lightsaber would cause an explosion that would release the plasma contained inside the lightsaber back onto the wielder. Which, given the nature of electromagnetic plasma weapons, would likely result in the vaporization of the areas hit by the plasma explosion, potentially reducing the targets into molten slag or possibly causing severe burns. Heavily armored targets, such as bunkers or armored vehicles, would get dents into the armor, creating weak spots through which a second shot may be fired and penetrate the same spot. An additional drawback to firing a Ventooine is that it is easy to detect on thermal and EM sensors. Even so, its firepower allows it to be used as a point-defense weapon or as a starfighter weapon.
Finally, the Ventooine can be set to fire in bursts of either 1, 2 or 3 seconds each, firing three shots per second while the weapon is being fired, and also requiring to cool down for 1, 2 or 3 seconds respectively after being fired.
Important notes:
- For point-defense use, it is worth 1 point-defense emplacement
- For starfighter use, it is worth 1 starfighter laser cannon
- Great penetration power (can penetrate up to 200mm of reinforced duracrete, or equivalent, while more heavily armored vehicles would have a dent into their armor)
- Explosive firepower
- Cannot be redirected by lightsabers
- Very Rapid Fire: the Ventooine can manage a very high rate of fire in short bursts (usually 1-3 seconds).
- Versatile roles: The Ventooine can be found mounted on vehicles, used as a fire support weapon, or built into defensive emplacements.
- Barrels can be easily changed
- Infantry must not use it in the open
- The infantry version requires two people to move around and operate
- High recoil
- Takes a long time to install it and move it around (ca. 20 seconds)
- Best used in multiple units at once
- Very easy to detect using thermal and EM sensors
- The mount is vulnerable when it isn't firing: a swift enemy can fire at the gun and take it out between bursts
