ZH-73 Modular Weapons Platform

The ZH-73 was a family of firearms, a modular weapons system, that started as a blaster assault rifle and eventually became a blaster/slugthrower hybrid, especially popular among hunters, professional marksmen, and elite mercenary, military and paramilitary groups. Manufactured by Mando'a Indrusties, the rifle was best known for its durability, accuracy, and most of all for its expandability and modularity.

ZH-73 Mk I
The Mark I version of the ZH-73 was the original weapon, modeled after and based on the EE-3 rifle, which would later become famous through Boba Fett. It provided increased range and higher energy fire than its template, and unlike future variants, the Mk I was merely a long-range blaster assault rifle.

It was mainly army-issued, but after Mando'a lost their contract to an other arms manufacturer, reasoned with the weapon's "lack of expandability", sales numbers dropped and Mando'a changed their strategy, starting to work on a fully modular weapon, the Mk II

ZH-73 Mk II
The Mark II was a full modular weapons system, the main feature of which was now expandability and customization. In addition to energy cells or tibanna gas cartridges for high-energetic blaster bolts, a slugthrower adapter for close-quarters battle could be added to the bottom of the chassis. A barrel attachment groove provided the mounting of modular add-ons, like projectile launchers, sonic, PEP or ion blast attachments, electro-net throwers, tactical lights, laser sights or bayonets. Also, different length barrels, stocks, magazines, firing modes, scopes, and even suppressors could be customized.

The Mk II could outfitted with a phase 2 barrel attachment, a long range scope and a bipod. This model was considered a sniper version, without slugthrower capability but an optional bolt-action system for energy cells, which allowed full charge displacement shots that could reach over 1000 meters, sometimes even up to a mile. The downside was that it took several minutes for the magazine to recharge, so in defensive situations, BlasTech suggested a quick switch to slugs, what was, however, not possible with this blaster-only version.

Other versions of the Mk II had built-in slugthrower capability, with capacitors on the side allowing to switch from energy to slug mode. Other modifications yet made the weapon slugthrower-only, or featured shorter barrels and higher shot-frequencies (even rapid fire) that made the rifle a mid-range assault carbine rather than a long-range sniper rifle. But modularity and expandability did not stop there, two EE-23s with the same configuration were hard to be found, as most customers further customized their weapons with sometimes exotic aftermarket add-ons and individual modifications.

The Mk II became especially popular among hunters and sporting marksmen, and even caught the attention of several Mandalorians. A group of Mandalorian mercenaries purchased barebone Mk IIs and modified them into what would later become officially known as the Mk III, as this version was distinctively different from other Mk II modifications.

ZH-73 Mk III 'Mini-Tak'
Actually a heavily modified Mk II, the Mark III became a signature weapon of many paramilitary organizations, such as the Mandalorian Protectors and other mercenary groups throughout the galaxy. Nicknamed  'Mini-Tak' , a combination of the short length for an ZH-73 and the name of the armorer, Gwain Takamoer, it became a shock trooper assault rifle with notably advanced weapons systems. With the Mini-Tak version, the Mk III totally lost its long-range capability, but still allowed most of the add-ons available for a standard Mk II, such as a bigger slug-magazine (for up to 50 rounds), projectile launcher and laser sights.

==Behind the scenes=

Appearances

 * Mandalorian Knoghts: Zaine Halcyon's Tale