Java Edition · official schematics
How to build an Orbital Strike Cannon (Java)
Updated
The cannon is a huge vanilla Java build. The practical way to make one is to load cubicmetre's official schematic, then follow his videos for the details.
We link, we don't rehost. Every schematic and tool on this page is cubicmetre's. Download from his links below so you get the current files and he gets the credit.
What you need
- Minecraft Java Edition. The cannon depends on TNT duping, which only works in Java. On Bedrock? See the Bedrock page.
- Litematica to load the schematic and show where each block goes.
- Carpet for testing the build.
- The right kind of server. Paper and Spigot servers usually break the cannon. Single player or a vanilla server is the safe choice.
- A machine that can handle it. The cannon is huge and laggy.
Build order
The cannon is five systems, and it helps to build and test them in the order the TNT travels. Follow cubicmetre's Mk.6 video for the exact layout.
TNT duper and magazine
The ammo supply. In Mk.6 the path to the magazine is flooded with water so early loads can't detonate.
Payload builder
Makes stab shots (staged charges, 1 to 9 tick fuses) or nukes (rings of charges with prime momentum).
Stasis chamber
Overlapping nether-portal chunk loaders create lazy chunks that hold the TNT and its momentum.
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Control room and targeting
The terminal where you enter coordinates, linked to the cannon by daylight-sensor wireless redstone.
Propellant and firing
Sets the payload's exact velocity. A fishing rod can be wired up as a single remote trigger.
New to the mechanics? How the cannon works explains each system.
Official schematics and tools
- Orbital Strike Cannon Mk.6 schematic mediafire.com ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- Minimal Signature schematic mediafire.com ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- OSC Fire Control web app osc-fire-control.cubicmetre.net ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- OSC Fire Control source code github.com ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Which version should you build? Check cubicmetre's videos before you choose: Mk.6 and the upgrade with Fire Control.
Questions people ask
Can I build the Orbital Strike Cannon in survival?
Yes. cubicmetre's cannon is built from survival redstone and TNT in vanilla Java Edition. It's a very large build, so most people load the official schematic to place it.
Where do I get the Orbital Strike Cannon schematic?
From cubicmetre's own download folders: one for Mk.6 and one for the Minimal Signature variant. Download them from the source rather than from re-uploads.
Will it work on my server?
Probably not on Paper or Spigot, which usually break it. It's designed for vanilla Java Edition.
How do I aim it once it is built?
Enter the target coordinates at the terminal. cubicmetre's OSC Fire Control web app works out the settings, and the cannon receives them over wireless redstone.