Uploaded October 2020 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Recorded rates of fire for the three axial defense turbolaser turrets sometimes mounted on Imperator class star destroyers. The axial turbolasers are the most prominent guns on the Imperial star destroyer, as they possess a very large field-of-view and they are both the second most massive and second most powerful turbolaser weapons on the ship. Each axial turbolaser turret mounts three cannons.
Classic Armament for the Imperator MK1 Star Destroyer
Six main heavy turbolaser turrets
2 batteries, 12 cannons
Two main ion cannon turrets
2 batteries, 2 cannons
Three axial defense-heavy turbolaser turrets
1 battery, 9 cannons
Two lateral-trench turbolaser turrets
2 batteries, 8 cannons
Two prow turbolaser turrets
1 battery, 6 cannons
Two hangar defense turbolaser turrets
2 batteries, 4 cannons
Total medium to heavy turrets: 17
Total medium to heavy cannons: 41
More than a hundred additional light turbolasers, point-defense cannons, and ion cannons.
Therefore, if the fire rate of each turbolaser turret ranges from ~120-350 RPM, then the medium to heavy turbolasers alone can discharge up to ~2,000-6,000 shots per minute. This does not include the additional ~120 light turbolasers and ion cannons that engage smaller enemy starships at close range.
Assuming the lightest guns also have a fire rate in the range of ~120-350 RPM, then their total firepower might be 14,000-42,000 RPM. If their fire rate is lower, say only 60 RPM, then their total firepower might be ~7,000 RPM.
Of course, not every weapon will have a viable target in range at all moments in time. The best place to attack a star destroyer is from the back and from below.
Recorded rates of fire for the three axial defense turbolaser turrets sometimes mounted on Imperator class star destroyers. The axial turbolasers are the most prominent guns on the Imperial star destroyer, as they possess a very large field-of-view and they are both the second most massive and second most powerful turbolaser weapons on the ship. Each axial turbolaser turret mounts three cannons.
Classic Armament for the Imperator MK1 Star Destroyer
Six main heavy turbolaser turrets
2 batteries, 12 cannons
Two main ion cannon turrets
2 batteries, 2 cannons
Three axial defense-heavy turbolaser turrets
1 battery, 9 cannons
Two lateral-trench turbolaser turrets
2 batteries, 8 cannons
Two prow turbolaser turrets
1 battery, 6 cannons
Two hangar defense turbolaser turrets
2 batteries, 4 cannons
Total medium to heavy turrets: 17
Total medium to heavy cannons: 41
More than a hundred additional light turbolasers, point-defense cannons, and ion cannons.
Therefore, if the fire rate of each turbolaser turret ranges from ~120-350 RPM, then the medium to heavy turbolasers alone can discharge up to ~2,000-6,000 shots per minute. This does not include the additional ~120 light turbolasers and ion cannons that engage smaller enemy starships at close range.
Assuming the lightest guns also have a fire rate in the range of ~120-350 RPM, then their total firepower might be 14,000-42,000 RPM. If their fire rate is lower, say only 60 RPM, then their total firepower might be ~7,000 RPM.
Of course, not every weapon will have a viable target in range at all moments in time. The best place to attack a star destroyer is from the back and from below.
