DLT-20A blaster rifle

"Find a friend to take you to the weapons range, learn how to use the DLT-20A. A rifle isn't a pistol—it's got more kick and it'll burn your face off if you hold it too close. The twenties have a couple extra modes, but I don't want you spraying bolts everywhere until you can hit a target."

―Hazram Namir^[5]

The DLT-20A blaster rifle, also known as the DLT-20A laser rifle, was a model of blaster rifle and longblaster produced by BlasTech Industries. It was equipped with several operational modes, including a rapid-fire option and sniper rifle capabilities. The DLT-20A saw usage by several groups throughout its history, including the Galactic Empire, Alliance to Restore the Republic, and outlaws.

Description

A DLT-20A with narrower, longer barrel shroud.

Produced by BlasTech Industries,^[1] the DLT-20A blaster rifle was a model of blaster rifle^[2] and longblaster.^[6] It was also identified as the DLT-20A laser rifle,^[1] although Laser Rifles were a distinct weapon from blasters.^[7] DLT-20As also earned the nickname of the "twenties." As was generally the case with blaster rifles, the DLT-20A had a greater recoil for the user than the average blaster pistol and, if held too close to the individual's face, could leave severe burns. The DLT-20A also came with several extra operational modes, including a rapid fire sequence^[5] and sniping capabilities. DLT-20As fired with either red^[8] or green blaster bolts.^[9] Another type of rifle, the pulse cannon, utilized the frame assembly of a DLT-20A.^[10]

History

"One transmit five. One calling five."
"Five online. Standing by."
"Fire at will. Repeat. Fire at will."

―Captain Kaido provides orders to a DLT-20A-equipped sniper^[8]

A DLT-20A-equipped Imperial sniper on Ghorman takes aim at fellow Imperials, knowing that those below will assume it is the Ghormans who shot first.

The DLT-20A had been introduced by BlasTech Industries^[1] by the year 33 BBY. In that year,^[3] an IG lancer droid made use of a DLT-20A during the hunt to find Jedi Padawan Eldra Kaitis,^[11] who had been captured and put up for auction by the Xrexus Cartel. While the auction was won by the Moogan Jee Kra,^[12] Xrexus Cartel leader Xev Xrexus had deduced that an apparent rescue mission was in motion^[11] and thus had an explosive wired into Kra's starship, causing it to crash to the Moon of Drazkel below.^[12] The IG lancer droid and two other IG-series assassin droids took part in the hunt for Kaitis after Xrexus offered a buy-in to reach the moon, only for Kaitis' supposed rescuer—actually the Sith apprentice Darth Maul, who had only rescued Kaitis to finally have a chance at killing a Jedi—to join forces with the Padawan and cut down all who opposed them, including the DLT-20A-equipped assassin droid.^[11]

A Rebel trooper takes aim with a DLT-20A in a volcanic environment.

During the Imperial Era, members of the Galactic Empire's Stormtrooper Corps sometimes used DLT-20As instead of their standard issue E-11 medium blaster rifles.^[1] An Imperial sniper used a DLT-20A during the Ghorman Massacre^[8] of 2 BBY,^[13] wherein the sniper was stationed on a rooftop overlooking a large-scale Ghorman protest in Palmo Plaza. Upon being given clearance by Captain Kaido, the sniper used the DLT-20A to kill an Imperial security trooper below, panicking the rest of the soldier's unit; just as was planned, the Imperial soldiers believed the shot had come from the Ghormans and began firing into the crowd on the belief the Ghormans had shot first.^[8] With the Empire having needed Ghorman aggression to justify the total takeover of the planet Ghorman,^[14] the sniper's undercover actions help cement Imperial control over the world^[8] and paint the Ghormans as aggressors.^[15] As the massacre unfolded, the sniper continued to use the DLT-20A against the panicking Ghormans below.^[8]

Soldiers of the Alliance to Restore the Republic who wielded DLT-20A rifles were identified as "DLT-20A Troopers." One such trooper, a Theelin, once took aim with a DLT-20 while on a balcony within a volcanic environment.^[9] The Hutt Clan-hired bounty hunter Greedo used a DLT-20A when he was hired to kidnap a Givin codebreaker from the InterGalactic Banking Clan on the planet Mygeeto.^[16] Rebel-aligned smuggler Han Solo used a DLT-20A as a sniper rifle during the Battle of Vrogas Vas.^[17] During the Mid Rim Retreat, First Sergeant Hazram Namir of the 61st Mobile Infantry introduced a group of new rebel recruits to the DLT-20A.^[5] IG-assassin droid IG-11 carried this model of rifle, but without the scope attached.^[18]

Behind the scenes

The DLT-20A laser rifle's name was brought into the current canon by the 2014 reference book Star Wars Rebels: The Visual Guide, which was written by Adam Bray.^[1]