The Particle Beam Cannon. Note the rotating mount for 360° control.
A Particle Beam Cannon was a very large directed energy weapon used by the Planetary Union in the early 24th century. It fired a powerful "energy surge" of particles at a target, the composition of which is unknown.[1]
Particle Beam Cannons seem to have been phased out of service by the Union in favor of Plasma Cannons by the 25th century.[2]
Description[]
The Orville sustains a hit from the Burton's cannon.
The Cannons were located on the center topside of a Union Battleship, its direction of fire could be adjusted by a rotating mount.[3]
The Cannon was an enormous weapon of formidable firepower, roughly 1/20th the size of a Battleship.[3] Even over 100 years after its construction, a Cannon could completely destroy the Deflector Screens of a Union shuttlecraft and knock out its engines in a single shot.[4] fire can be detected as an "energy surge" prior to the target being hit.[3]
Excess energy required for cannonfire was stored in a battery, which could store up to 500 percent of the weapon's requisite firepower at a time.[5]
Considering that a century later Union vessels such as the USS Orville use plasma cannons, it is assumed that particle beam weapons are an older technology that have been phased out of normal use on Union ships.
Appearances[]
Seen here, the Particle Beam Cannon sits atop the wreck of the BCV Burton. The enormous size of the Cannon makes the Burton appear almost miniature.
References[]
- ↑ Gordon Malloy. Episode 1.5x01: New Beginnings, Pt. 1
- ↑ The weapon on the BCV Burton was also referred to as an "old particle beam cannon" by Captain Ed Mercer, although it's possible he was referring to an older style of particle beam cannon, not that all particle beam weapons are outmoded technology. Episode 1.5x01: New Beginnings, Pt. 1
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Episode 1.5x01: New Beginnings, Pt. 1
- ↑ Gordon Malloy: ""It knocked out our engines. If we didn't have shields, we'd be dust." Episode 1.5x01: New Beginnings, Pt. 1
- ↑ Episode 1.5x02: New Beginnings, Pt. 2