Changes: Particle weapon

Revision as of 11:57, 31 July 2013

File:Akira and Defiants fire, Message in a Bottle.jpg

Phasers were nadion-based particle weapons

Jem'Hadar fighters were armed with polaron-based particle weapons

Verteron array — The verteron array on Mars

Planet killer fires antiproton beam, remastered — The "Planet killer" was armed with an antiproton-based particle weapon

Tachyon beam — USS *Voyager* attempted to destroy the *Dreadnought* with a tachyon beam

Particle weapon was a generalized term for several different types of directed energy weapon technologies. These weapons used different atomic or subatomic particles in the form of particle beams or projectile-like bursts of particles to bombard the target with destructive energy.

Particle cannon was the term commonly used to refer to ship-mounted particle weapons. Impacts usually left scorch marks on a ship's hull. In the case of high-yield particle impacts, the particle residue might cause oxidization and thermal shock effects. (ENT: "Fight or Flight") Particle accelerators could also be utilized as particle weapons. (DS9: "The Maquis, Part II")

The terms "particle cannon" and "particle weapon" have been used interchangeably on numerous occasions to describe the ship-mounted armaments of numerous species.

Types of particle weapons

Several species utilized what was only described as particle weapons during the mid-22nd century as both ship-mounted cannons and sidearm weapons. During later centuries it was more common to use specific designations for these particle weapons. (ENT: "Judgment") Particle weapons were classified by the type of atomic or subatomic particles used to deliver the destructive energy to the target. These included:

Antiproton-based particle weapons, such as the antiproton beam weapon of the "Planet killer". (TOS: "The Doomsday Machine")
Graviton-based particle weapons, such as the heavy graviton beam, a proposed anti-Borg weapon. (TNG: "The Best of Both Worlds")
Ion-based particle weapons, such as the phased ion cannons used by the Mokra Order. (VOY: "Resistance")
Nadion-based particle weapons, such as most phaser weapons. (VOY: "Time and Again")
Neutral particle-based particle weapons, such as those used on Talarian warships. (TNG: "Suddenly Human")
Neutron-based particle weapons, such as the neutronic weapons on Penk's starship. (VOY: "Tsunkatse")
Plasma-based particle weapons, such as the plasma cannons and rifles used by several species. (ENT: "Fortunate Son")
Polaron-based particle weapons, such as the phased polaron beam weapons used on Jem'Hadar fighters. (DS9: "The Jem'Hadar")
Positron-based particle weapons, such as the positron-antiproton weapon of the Delta Rana warship. (TNG: "The Survivors")
Proton-based particle weapons, such as the proton beam weapons on Ramuran vessels. (VOY: "Unforgettable")
Teryon-based particle weapons, such as the Lenarian compressed teryon beam weapons. (TNG: "Tapestry")
Tetryon-based particle weapons, such as the weapons of Nasari starships. (DS9: "Favorite Son")
Thoron-based particle weapons, such as the thoron rifles used by the Ilari. (VOY: "Warlord")
Verteron-based particle weapons, such as the verteron array on Mars. (ENT: "Demons")

Additionally a navigational deflector could be utilized as a particle weapon. The various types of particle beams that could be emitted included:

Antithoron beams, that could be used to destabilize containment fields. (VOY: "Hunters")
Radion beams, that could be used to penetrate metaphasic shields. (VOY: "Resistance")
Tachyon beams, that could be used to disrupt shields and penetrate through the hull to detonate the warp core of a target. (Star Trek: Insurrection; VOY: "Dreadnought")

Particle weapons were also differentiated by the type of emissions they produced. Particle emission types included:

Compressed emissions, such as in the compressed tetryon beam weapon. (DS9: "Necessary Evil")
Forced emissions, such as the forced plasma beam of a Ferengi phaser. (TNG: "Descent")
Jacketed emissions, such as the jacketed streams fired by the Delta Rana warship. (TNG: "The Survivors")
Modulating pulse emissions, such as in modulating phaser pulse weapons. (VOY: "Dark Frontier")
Phase-modulated emissions, such as in phase weapons. (ENT: "Silent Enemy")
Phased emissions, such as in the phased polaron beam weapons. (DS9: "The Jem'Hadar")
Pulsed emissions, such as in the pulsed phase cannons. (ENT: "Home")
Pulse phased emissions, such as in the pulse phased weapons on Delta Flyer II. (VOY: "Body and Soul")

Several particle weapons were based on phaser or disruptor technology. These could be further modified to produce particle emissions that included:

Covariant emissions from phasers, that could penetrate shields that are in the state of phase retraction. (VOY: "Parturition")
Luvetric emissions from phasers, that could create resonance fluctuation in power cells. (TNG: "Descent")
Phase-resonant emissions from disruptors, that could disable shield generators. (TNG: "Gambit, Part I")

Applications

Particle sidearms

File:S Money firing a particle rifle.jpg

A 22nd century MACO particle rifle

Vulcans utilized hand-held particle weapons as early as the mid-20th century. (ENT: "Carbon Creek") By the mid-22nd century, Coridan rebels were armed with particle weapons. (ENT: "Shadows of P'Jem") The Tandarans were also armed with particle weapons, during this time. (ENT: "Detained") Xindi-Insectoids were, likewise, armed with particle weapon sidearms. (ENT: "Hatchery") The Suliban also used particle weapon sidearms which were capable of stunning their victims. (ENT: "Cold Front")

In the visions created by the Nakan memorial on Tarakis, Saavdra claimed the civilian colonists were using particle weapons against his soldiers. (VOY: "Memorial")

Starfleet issued phase pistols as well as a variety of plasma-based sidearms during the mid-22nd century. The EM-33, an EM weapon, required the user to compensate for particle drift when firing. (ENT: "Sleeping Dogs") The standard-issue carbine weapon of MACO personnel was a particle rifle. (ENT: "The Xindi"; et al.)

The phase pistol, the predecessor of the phaser, fired a continuous beam and unlike the EM-33, was capable of stun and kill settings. (ENT: "Broken Bow") The particle yield of phase pistols can be doubled by cross-polarizing the power cells. (ENT: "Regeneration") The MACO phase pistols fired phase pulses. (ENT: "Babel One")

During his meeting with the security officers, Captain Jean-Luc Picard noted that particle weapons, such as their phaser rifles, could destroy the warp core during their retake of main engineering from the Borg. (Star Trek: First Contact)

Ship-mounted particle weaponry

Andorian battle cruiser, forward beam — A 22nd century Andorian particle cannon

Particle cannons were used on Vaadwaur assult fighters in the late-15th century. (VOY: "Dragon's Teeth")

Shortly after the introduction of the phase cannons utilized by Starfleet starships it was determined that they could not be fired at warp due to the particle discharge. According to Malcolm Reed, "It would destabilize [their] warp field and most likely burn out both [of their] nacelles." (ENT: "Fallen Hero") This problem was solved shortly afterward. (ENT: "Shockwave, Part II") To the Klingons of the 22nd century, these cannons were described as "low-yield particle cannons," and were deemed little threat to a D5-class battle cruiser. (ENT: "Judgment")

Many species encountered by Starfleet during the 22nd century were armed with similar ship-mounted weapons. Suliban cell ships utilized high-yield particle weapons (ENT: "Broken Bow", "Shockwave") The armament of Enolian shuttles consisted of fore and aft particle cannons, which were less than a match for an NX-class starship (ENT: "Canamar") Xindi-Insectoid ships were armed with up to half a dozen ship-mounted particle cannons (ENT: "Hatchery") Andorian battle cruisers were armed with particle cannons, including multiple forward cannons (ENT: "Kir'Shara", "Zero Hour") Tellarite cruisers were also armed with particle cannons, which leave a signature unique to Tellarite technology (ENT: "Babel One") Xantoran patrol ships were equipped with low-power particle beams (ENT: "The Breach")

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+[[File:Akira and Defiants fire, Message in a Bottle.jpg|thumb|[[Phaser]]s were [[nadion]]-based particle weapons]]
-A '''particle weapon''' is a type of [[weapon]] that is used by many [[technology|technologically]] developed or equipped civilizations. They operate by bombarding a target with energetic [[particle]]s via a [[particle beam]] or projectile-like bursts. ({{ENT|Fight or Flight}})
+[[File:Defiant Starship Down.jpg|thumb|[[Jem'Hadar fighter]]s were armed with [[polaron]]-based particle weapons]]
+[[File:Verteron array.jpg|thumb|The [[verteron array]] on [[Mars]]]]
+[[File:Planet killer fires antiproton beam, remastered.jpg|thumb|The "[[Planet killer]]" was armed with an [[antiproton]]-based particle weapon]]
+[[File:Tachyon beam.jpg|thumb|{{USS|Voyager}} attempted to destroy the [[Cardassian ATR-4107|''Dreadnought'']] with a [[tachyon beam]]]]
+'''Particle weapon''' was a generalized term for several different types of [[Directed energy weapon|directed energy]] [[weapon]] technologies. These weapons used different atomic or subatomic [[particle]]s in the form of [[particle beam]]s or projectile-like bursts of particles to bombard the target with destructive energy.
+'''Particle cannon''' was the term commonly used to refer to ship-mounted particle weapons. Impacts usually left scorch marks on a ship's [[hull]]. In the case of high-yield particle impacts, the particle residue might cause [[oxygen|oxidization]] and thermal shock effects. ({{ENT|Fight or Flight}}) [[Particle accelerator]]s could also be utilized as particle weapons. ({{DS9|The Maquis, Part II}})
-Several species utilized what was described as particle weapons during the mid-[[22nd century]] as both ship-mounted and sidearm weapons. Ship-mounted particle weapons are typically referred to as '''particle cannons'''.
-{{bginfo|The terms "particle cannons" and "particle weapons" have been used interchangeably on numerous occasions to describe the ship-mounted armaments of numerous species.}}
+{{bginfo|The terms "particle cannon" and "particle weapon" have been used interchangeably on numerous occasions to describe the ship-mounted armaments of numerous species.}}
-== Sidearms ==
-[[Vulcan]]s utilized hand-held particle weapons as early as the mid-[[20th century]]. ({{ENT|Carbon Creek}}) By the mid-22nd century, [[Coridan]] rebels were armed with particle weapons. ({{ENT|Shadows of P'Jem}}) The [[Tandaran]]s were also armed with particle weapons, during this time. ({{ENT|Detained}}) [[Xindi-Reptilian]]s were, likewise, armed with particle weapon sidearms. ({{ENT|Hatchery}}) The [[Suliban]] also used particle weapon sidearms which were capable of [[stun]]ning their victims. ({{ENT|Cold Front}})
+==Types of particle weapons==
-[[Starfleet]] issued [[phase pistol]]s as well as a variety of non-phase particle pulse sidearms during the mid-22nd century. The [[EM-33]], a pulse gun, required the user to compensate for particle drift when firing. ({{ENT|Sleeping Dogs}})
+Several species utilized what was only described as particle weapons during the mid-[[22nd century]] as both ship-mounted [[Cannon#Directed energy cannons|cannons]] and sidearm weapons. During later centuries it was more common to use specific designations for these particle weapons. ({{ENT|Judgment}}) Particle weapons were classified by the type of atomic or subatomic particles used to deliver the destructive energy to the target. These included:
+* [[Antiproton]]-based particle weapons, such as the [[antiproton beam]] weapon of the "[[Planet killer]]". ({{TOS|The Doomsday Machine}})
+* [[Graviton]]-based particle weapons, such as the heavy [[graviton beam]], a proposed anti-[[Borg]] weapon. ({{TNG|The Best of Both Worlds}})
+* [[Ion]]-based particle weapons, such as the [[phased ion cannon]]s used by the [[Mokra Order]]. ({{VOY|Resistance}})
+* [[Nadion]]-based particle weapons, such as most [[phaser]] weapons. ({{VOY|Time and Again}})
+* [[Neutral particle weapon|Neutral particle]]-based particle weapons, such as those used on [[Talarian warship]]s. ({{TNG|Suddenly Human}})
+* [[Neutron]]-based particle weapons, such as the [[neutronic weapon]]s on [[Penk's starship]]. ({{VOY|Tsunkatse}})
+* [[Plasma]]-based particle weapons, such as the [[plasma cannon]]s and [[Plasma rifle|rifles]] used by several species. ({{ENT|Fortunate Son}})
+* [[Polaron]]-based particle weapons, such as the [[phased polaron beam]] weapons used on [[Jem'Hadar fighter]]s. ({{DS9|The Jem'Hadar}})
+* [[Positron]]-based particle weapons, such as the positron-antiproton weapon of the [[Delta Rana warship]]. ({{TNG|The Survivors}})
+* [[Proton]]-based particle weapons, such as the [[proton beam]] weapons on [[Ramuran vessel]]s. ({{VOY|Unforgettable}})
+* [[Teryon]]-based particle weapons, such as the [[Lenarian]] [[compressed teryon beam weapon]]s. ({{TNG|Tapestry}})
+* [[Tetryon]]-based particle weapons, such as the weapons of [[Nasari starship]]s. ({{DS9|Favorite Son}})
+* [[Thoron]]-based particle weapons, such as the [[thoron rifle]]s used by the [[Ilari]]. ({{VOY|Warlord}})
+* [[Verteron]]-based particle weapons, such as the [[verteron array]] on [[Mars]]. ({{ENT|Demons}})
+Additionally a [[navigational deflector]] could be utilized as a particle weapon. The various types of particle beams that could be emitted included:
-The phase pistol, the predecessor of the [[phaser]], fired a continuous beam and was capable of [[stun]] and [[kill]] settings. ({{ENT|Broken Bow}})
+* [[Antithoron]] beams, that could be used to destabilize [[containment field]]s. ({{VOY|Hunters}})
+* [[Radion beam]]s, that could be used to penetrate [[metaphasic shield]]s. ({{VOY|Resistance}})
+* [[Tachyon]] beams, that could be used to disrupt shields and penetrate through the hull to detonate the [[warp core]] of a target. ({{film|9}}; {{VOY|Dreadnought}})
+Particle weapons were also differentiated by the type of emissions they produced. Particle emission types included:
-{{bginfo|It appears that most non-phase pulse weapons had no stun setting.'}}
+* Compressed emissions, such as in the [[compressed tetryon beam weapon]]. ({{DS9|Necessary Evil}})
-The particle yield of phase pistols can be doubled by cross-polarizing the [[power cell]]s. ({{ENT|Regeneration}})
+* Forced emissions, such as the [[forced plasma beam]] of a [[Ferengi phaser]]. ({{TNG|Descent}})
+* Jacketed emissions, such as the jacketed streams fired by the Delta Rana warship. ({{TNG|The Survivors}})
+* Modulating pulse emissions, such as in [[Phaser pulse|modulating phaser pulse]] weapons. ({{VOY|Dark Frontier}})
+* Phase-modulated emissions, such as in [[phase weapon]]s. ({{ENT|Silent Enemy}})
+* Phased emissions, such as in the phased polaron beam weapons. ({{DS9|The Jem'Hadar}})
+* Pulsed emissions, such as in the [[pulsed phase cannon]]s. ({{ENT|Home}})
+* Pulse phased emissions, such as in the [[pulse phased weapon]]s on ''[[Delta Flyer II]]''. ({{VOY|Body and Soul}})
+Several particle weapons were based on phaser or [[disruptor]] technology. These could be further modified to produce particle emissions that included:
-During his meeting with the security officers, [[Captain]] [[Jean-Luc Picard]] noted that particle weapons could destroy the [[warp core]] during their retake of [[main engineering]] from the [[Borg]]. ({{film|8}})
+* [[Covariant phaser pulse|Covariant]] emissions from phasers, that could penetrate shields that are in the state of [[phase retraction]]. ({{VOY|Parturition}})
-==Ship-mounted weaponry==
+* [[Luvetric pulse|Luvetric]] emissions from phasers, that could create resonance fluctuation in [[power cell]]s. ({{TNG|Descent}})
-The results of firing ship-mounted particle weapons are signified by particle impacts that typically leave scorch marks on a ship's [[hull]]. In the case of high-yield particle impacts, the particle residue may cause [[oxygen|oxidization]] and thermal shock effects to the hull. ({{ENT|Fight or Flight}})
+* [[Phase-resonant pulse|Phase-resonant]] emissions from disruptors, that could disable [[shield generator]]s. ({{TNG|Gambit, Part I}})
+{{clear}}
+==Applications==
-Shortly after the introduction of the [[phase cannon]]s utilized by Starfleet starships it was determined that they could not be fired at [[warp]] due to the particle discharge. According to [[Malcolm Reed]], "''It would destabilize [their] [[warp field]] and most likely burn out both [of their] [[nacelle]]s.''" ({{ENT|Fallen Hero}})This problem was solved by the shortly afterward ({{ENT|Shockwave, Part II}}). To the [[Klingon]]s of the 22nd century, these cannons were described as "low-yield particle cannons," and were deemed little threat to a {{ShipClass|D5}} [[battle cruiser]]. ({{ENT|Judgment}})
+===Particle sidearms===
+[[File:S Money firing a particle rifle.jpg|thumb|A 22nd century [[MACO]] [[particle rifle]]]]
+[[Vulcan]]s utilized hand-held particle weapons as early as the mid-[[20th century]]. ({{ENT|Carbon Creek}}) By the mid-22nd century, [[Coridan]] rebels were armed with particle weapons. ({{ENT|Shadows of P'Jem}}) The [[Tandaran]]s were also armed with particle weapons, during this time. ({{ENT|Detained}}) [[Xindi-Insectoid]]s were, likewise, armed with particle weapon sidearms. ({{ENT|Hatchery}}) The [[Suliban]] also used particle weapon sidearms which were capable of [[stun]]ning their victims. ({{ENT|Cold Front}})
+In the visions created by the [[Nakan memorial]] on [[Tarakis]], [[Saavdra]] claimed the civilian colonists were using particle weapons against his soldiers. ({{VOY|Memorial}})
-Many other species encountered by Starfleet during the 22nd century were armed with similar ship-mounted weapons.
+[[Starfleet]] issued [[phase pistol]]s as well as a variety of plasma-based sidearms during the mid-22nd century. The [[EM-33]], an [[EM weapon]], required the user to compensate for particle drift when firing. ({{ENT|Sleeping Dogs}}) The standard-issue carbine weapon of MACO personnel was a [[particle rifle]]. ({{ENT|The Xindi}}; et al.)
-*[[Suliban cell ship]]s utilized high-yield particle weapons ({{ENT|Broken Bow|Shockwave}})
-*The armament of [[Enolian shuttle]]s consisted of fore and [[aft]] particle cannons, which were less than a match for an [[NX class|NX-class]] starship ({{ENT|Canamar}})
+The phase pistol, the predecessor of the [[phaser]], fired a continuous beam and unlike the EM-33, was capable of [[stun]] and [[kill]] settings. ({{ENT|Broken Bow}}) The particle yield of phase pistols can be doubled by cross-polarizing the [[power cell]]s. ({{ENT|Regeneration}}) The MACO phase pistols fired [[phase pulse]]s. ({{ENT|Babel One}})
-*[[Xindi-Insectoid ship]]s were armed with up to half a dozen ship-mounted particle cannons ({{ENT|Hatchery}})
-*[[Andorian battle cruiser]]s were armed with particle cannons, including multiple forward cannons ({{ENT|Kir'Shara|Zero Hour}})
+During his meeting with the security officers, [[Captain]] [[Jean-Luc Picard]] noted that particle weapons, such as their [[phaser rifle]]s, could destroy the [[warp core]] during their retake of [[main engineering]] from the [[Borg]]. ({{film|8}})
-*[[Tellarite cruiser]]s were also armed with particle cannons, which leave a signature unique to [[Tellarite]] technology ({{ENT|Babel One}})
-*[[Xantoran patrol ship]]s were equipped with low-power particle beams ({{ENT|The Breach}})
+===Ship-mounted particle weaponry===
+[[File:Andorian battle cruiser, forward beam.jpg|thumb|A 22nd century [[Andorian]] particle cannon]]
+Particle cannons were used on [[Vaadwaur]] [[Vaadwaur assault fighter|assult fighters]] in the late-[[15th century]]. ({{VOY|Dragon's Teeth}})
+Shortly after the introduction of the [[phase cannon]]s utilized by Starfleet starships it was determined that they could not be fired at [[warp]] due to the particle discharge. According to [[Malcolm Reed]], "''It would destabilize [their] [[warp field]] and most likely burn out both [of their] [[nacelle]]s.''" ({{ENT|Fallen Hero}}) This problem was solved shortly afterward. ({{ENT|Shockwave, Part II}}) To the [[Klingon]]s of the 22nd century, these cannons were described as "low-yield particle cannons," and were deemed little threat to a {{class|D5}} [[battle cruiser]]. ({{ENT|Judgment}})
+Many species encountered by Starfleet during the 22nd century were armed with similar ship-mounted weapons. [[Suliban cell ship (spherical)|Suliban cell ship]]s utilized high-yield particle weapons ({{ENT|Broken Bow|Shockwave}}) The armament of [[Enolian shuttle]]s consisted of fore and [[aft]] particle cannons, which were less than a match for an [[NX class|NX-class]] starship ({{ENT|Canamar}}) [[Xindi-Insectoid ship]]s were armed with up to half a dozen ship-mounted particle cannons ({{ENT|Hatchery}}) [[Andorian battle cruiser]]s were armed with particle cannons, including multiple forward cannons ({{ENT|Kir'Shara|Zero Hour}}) [[Tellarite cruiser]]s were also armed with particle cannons, which leave a signature unique to [[Tellarite]] technology ({{ENT|Babel One}}) [[Xantoran patrol ship]]s were equipped with low-power particle beams ({{ENT|The Breach}})
 [[ja:粒子兵器]]