NK-9 ion cannon

The NK-9 ion cannon was the First Order's primary ion cannon, and successor of the older Imperial NK-7 ion cannon. It was designed and manufactured by the First Order Department of Military Research.

Dimensions
At 10 meters long and wide, they matched the older NK-7 ion cannons in terms of size, but unlike the older version, they were more heavily armored and tall. Each NK-9 ion cannon was crewed by 4 First Order personal, with 2 First Order gunners firing the weapon, while 2 First Order engineers made sure the weapon functioned properly.

Internal features
On the first level was the ion cannon itself, mounted on a rotating swivel that could go into any direction. It had an ion tube, and accu-accelerator, as well as the cooling grid. On the very top of the turret was a sensor pod that fed targeting information to the targeting computers.

On the second level, still slightly exposed there were the gunnery positions, with targeting computers and elevation tracking, and there was a ladder that led to the third section.

On the third level, which was below the ships hull, there was the turbine generator, and a doorway that led into a hallway inside the ship.

Armor and protection
NK-9 ion cannons on Resurgent and Mandator V ships were armored with titanium-reinforced alusteel, while NK-9 ion cannons on the Eclipse were armored with quadanium steel. All NK-9 ion cannons had the protection of the ship-based shields, assuming that they were still active.

Creation
After designing and starting construction of most of the First Order Fleet, the First Order Department of Military Research designed the NK-9 ion cannon with the old Imperial NK-7 ion cannon being the base. Compared to the NK-7, the NK-9 had better power generation, better targeting computers and sensors, and had slightly more effect on enemy ships. These were mass produced by First Order factories in the Unknown Regions.

Usage
Despite being officially only being used by the First Order, pirates and smugglers sometimes got hold of a NK-9 that was in transit, but this was rare as the First Order guarded its weapon shipments tightly. On the black market, a NK-9 ion cannon could be sold for as much as 200,000 First Order credits, but could be sold for an even higher price.