Blaster (Star Wars)

An E-11 blaster rifle prop

Blasters are ranged weapons in the Star Wars fictional universe. This category of plasma bolt-firing rayguns includes various pistols, rifles, and other powerful weapons.

Production

Blaster props in the Star Wars movies are redressed versions of real world rifles, machine guns, submachine guns, and pistols.^[1] For example, the E-11 blaster carbine used by Imperial stormtroopers was based on the Sterling submachine gun, and Han Solo's DL-44 blaster pistol was based on the German Mauser C96.^[2] Functional Sterlings firing blank cartridges were used in some scenes with the laser bolt added later in post-production. These blank cartridges are responsible for the muzzle flash seen on screen and, in some scenes, the cartridges themselves can be seen being ejected from the guns, or the actual sound of the blank cartridge is not dubbed over by a sound effect.^[3]

Depiction

Blasters come in a variety of shapes and sizes, ranging from handheld to shipmounted weapons.^[4] Ben Burtt made the sound for the blaster by smacking his wedding ring on a taut metal cable.^{[citation needed]}

Technology

Common blaster weapons use high-energy gas as ammunition, activated by a power cell and converted into plasma. The plasma is released from a magnetic bottle effect to fire through collimating components as a coherent energy bolt. Inherent instabilities limit the ability to precisely aim a blaster bolt, but knowing one's weapon well can strengthen marksmanship. Plasma energy is dissipated as the bolt travels, limiting range as the energy becomes incoherent. Longer range is developed by longer collimating tubes, which align the plasma energy carrier waves more closely through additional galvan circuitry.

Examples of Star Wars blasters

These are some types of blasters shown or described in the Star Wars stories.

A295/A280 blaster rifle

The BlasTech A295 blaster rifle is the standard-issue blaster rifle among the soldiers of the Rebel Alliance and the New Republic. The A295 blaster rifle was seen in the hands of Rebel Alliance soldiers during the Battle of Hoth in The Empire Strikes Back. A similar weapon, the A280 blaster rifle, was seen in the hands of Rebel Alliance commandos during the Battle of Endor in Return of the Jedi. Link to image

The BlasTech A295 blaster rifle prop that was seen in The Empire Strikes Back was built from the World War II-era German Sturmgewehr 44 assault rifle. The A280 blaster rifles used by the Rebel Alliance commandos in Return of the Jedi were built from parts and components from the M-16/AR-15/M4 series rifles, especially parts and components from Colt Commando rifles, with cosmetic features added to simulate the appearance of the A295 blaster rifles from The Empire Strikes Back. This blaster appeared on Star Wars Battlefront series for the Rebel alliance.

DH-17 blaster pistol

DH-17 Blaster

The BlasTech DH-17 is used by both the Imperial Navy and Rebel Alliance/New Republic Navy officers. It is primarily designed for ship use, where it can pierce blaster armor although not a ship's hull.

In the films, the DH-17 prop, like the E-11 prop, was based on the Sterling submachine gun.

DL-44 blaster pistol

The BlasTech DL-44 is a civilian issue weapon very popular among space traders and smugglers. Han Solo and Luke Skywalker carried this weapon. This weapon is based on the German Mauser C96. Link to image

DLT-19 heavy blaster rifle

The BlasTech DLT-19 is the standard-issue heavy blaster rifle carried by Imperial stormtroopers based on Tatooine. Due to its greater shooting range it is known to be used as an anti-aircraft weapon to shoot down such vehicles as the swoop bike, or even light airspeeders. The DLT-19 is based on the German MG-34 machine gun. In the Star Wars Battlefront series, it is used as a sniper rifle more than a normal rifle. Link to image

E-11 blaster rifle

In the films, the E-11 prop was made from the British Sterling submachine gun.

The E-11 blaster rifle is the standard-issue weapon for Imperial stormtrooper in the film series. It is a usable weapon in all games of the Dark Forces series Link to image

DC-15

The DC-15 blaster rifle is a common weapon used by the Republic clone troopers. This was seen being carried by a majority of clone troopers in Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. It is unusual in that it is one of the only blasters that fire blue laser beams which cause an electromagnetic pulse to kill droids; the majority fire red or green laser beams. The DC-15A blaster rifle that the majority of the Clone Troopers carry in Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith is based on parts from the German MG-34 General Purpose Machine Gun from World War II, which was used as the basis weapon for the BlasTech DLT-19 Heavy Blaster Rifle in the Original Trilogy, and components from the BlasTech E-11 Blaster Rifle that were carried by the Imperial Stormtroopers from the original Star Wars trilogy. The DC-15A is the longer blaster that can be seen carried by standard clones in the Battlefront series as well as in several of the movies. The DC-15A is a true rifle, while the DC-15 is more of a carbine style weapon. it can be seen in heavy use in the Clone Wars TV episodes.Link to image: DC-15A blaster pistol Link to image: Dc-15 blaster rifle

DC-17

The DC-17m rifle is a modified DC-15 rifle. Differences include RPG anti-armor rounds and intensified plasma rounds. It is the primary player weapon in Star Wars: Republic Commando. There is also another DC-17 hand blaster, which is a pistol. It can be seen used by Captain Rex, also known as CC-7567, in most if not all of the Clone Wars episodes he appears in.

Disruptors

Disruptors are a very powerful special form of blaster. They are illegal in most systems due to their extreme power. Disruptors destroy matter at a molecular level, so with some models, getting your finger shot off will result in the instant disintegration of your hand, and your body will eventually become disintegrated as well. Boba Fett is known to carry at least one disruptor.

References

1. ^ "blaster". Lucasfilm. http://www.starwars.com/databank/technology/blaster/index.html. Retrieved 2009-04-17. 
2. ^ Wilson, R. (01 2009). "Mauser C96 Broomhandle". Australian & New Zealand Handgun. 
3. ^ Original Prop Blog
4. ^ Star Wars Roleplaying Game (Second Edition, Expanded & Revised ed.). West End Games. 1996. ISBN 0874314356. 

External links

• blaster in the Star Wars Databank
• Blaster on Wookieepedia: a Star Wars Wiki