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Among the most powerful heavy repeating blasters in the Imperial arsenal, the BlasTech E-Web has proved highly effective against vehicles and infantry units alike. The E-Web ("Emplacement Weapon, Heavy Blaster") has an optimum range of two hundred meters with a maximum range of half a kilometer and offers enough firepower to punch through a snowspeeder's armor plating. Imperial snowtroopers tried to use an E-Web against the Millenium Falcon on Hoth - a lucky shot could have damaged the hyperdrive components or other critical systems - but its lengthy setup time gave Han Solo enough time to destroy the weapon with the Palcon's autoblaster cannon.
For optimal effectivnes, the E-Web requires both a gunner and a second crew member who monitors and adjusts the Eksoan Class-4T3 power generator. Like many high-yield generators, the 4T3 is prone to overheating and potentially explosive overload - despite its advanced Gk3 Cryocooler cooling unit. Power is fed into the E-Web via a three-meter-long conduit that connects to the base of the BlasTech TR-62 autocushion tripod. The E-Web's built-in long-range comlink includes an automatic encryption module for secured communications with other units. The computerized fire control and targetign system includes Starvision and IR (infrared) low-light enhancement modules for use in night combat Extended setup time is the E-Web's greatest limitation. If the 4T3 generator is "cold," it takes nearly fifteen minutes for personnel to deploy the weapon, calibrate the generator's power flow, and configure the targeting software. Some Imperial crews precharged the generator for faster setups, but this makes it prone to power surges. Thus, the second crew member must carefully adjust power flow to prevent an overload. A single soldier can operate an E-Web, but at greatly reduced efficency. In such instances, a gunner chooses the power generator's "preset" mode, which dramatically reduces the rate or fire but keeps both the generator and the E-Web well within safe operating temperatures. The E-Web was designed as a joint venture by BlasTech and Merr-Sonn Munitions; Merr-Sonn dubbed its version the EWHB-10. While the E-Web design is far from new, the weapon is still in common use across the galaxy. Several E-Web upgrades are on the market, including the F-Web and the EWeb(15).
The EWeb(15), released the year after Emperor Palpatine's death, offers improved fire control and targeting software. With the generator's "autoconfigure" setting, the weapon can be set up in less than five minutes. The advanced Gk7 Cryocooler offers higher power flow without the risk of overheating, allowing continuous fire for up to one hour. Many EWeb(15) units also include a shield generator. |
The F-Web adds a small shield generator that is powerful enough to block bolts from small sidearms such as blaster pistols. While providing good protection, the shield generator does require a third crew member.