abstract
| - The HSAW-11 repeating blaster, standing for Heavy Squad Automatic Weapon, was a heavy fire support firearm manufactured by Foerost Defense Technologies exclusively for Q Unit's Section Three: an elite covert operations group of stormtroopers that cracked down on any rebel activities in the Galactic Empire's domain. It was normally used by the heavy weapons specialist of each Section Three unit, and functioned essentially as the support weapon, capable of firing a tremendous stream of small laser bolts that could eliminate, and equally important, intimidate almost all opponents. With a design based on the Clone Wars-era clone trooper Z-6 rotary blaster cannon, it could spew seemingly endless steady salvos of cyan-colored blasts. Several direct hits could penetrate even heavily armored infantry units. However, unlike its chaingun forerunner, it did not need several seconds to charge before firing, and could sustain long periods of firing without overheating. However, the HSAW-11 repeater did need to reload from time to time. Combat doctrine called for the HSAW-11 repeater to give suppression fire to advancing Section Three soldiers, covering their advance as the carbine-armed soldiers leapfrogged around cover to attack enemy units. In rare situations versus vehicles, the repeater would also be used against those heavily armored targets. In rare situations where Section Three had to defend a location, the HSAW-11 had a tripod mount that ensured greater accuracy by minimizing recoil, although at the cost of a fixed position. The HSAW-11 was often used in mounted form by traveling special operations units on exposed vehicles and on the rare occasions where Imperial commandos needed to hold territory. However, the unshielded gunner would be exposed to sniper fire, making the HSAW-11 untenable for long-term area denial and optimized instead for rapid strike operations.
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