Weapon Technology (3200 AD)

Weapons are divided into two categories.

Weapon Batteries
Weapon Batteries form the main armament for most warships, and include such potent weapons as laser cannons, plasma projectors, gauss cannons, ion cannons and pulse lasers.

Lasers
"Laser" stands for "Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation", a device that focuses an amplified beam of light on a small surface area. The Laser uses this intensified beam of light to damage targets by heating them to melting temperatures. The relatively compact size and effectiveness of the Laser attributes its widespread use over many types of combat units.

Lasers are primarily long-range sniping weapons used for striking first. Because of their small energy requirements and heat generation in comparison to other weapons, laser weapons are also ideal for point-defense weaponry, such as anti-fighter and anti-missile systems.

Plasma
Plasma weapons are short-range broadside weapons. The damage is caused primarily through heat and kinetic energy, similar to particle cannons. Plasma weapons, because of their nature, dissipate at longer ranges and are thus only effective at short to medium ranges. They are energy intensive and generate tremendous amounts of waste heat, which means their cycle rates are fairly slow, but the incredible damages of larger plasma cannons certainly offsets this weakness.

Gauss
Gauss weapons are short- to medium-range weapons, but not because they are unable to strike at extreme ranges. Rather, Gauss weapons are not instantaneous weapons, and their relative inaccuracies when compared to lasers hinder their use in extreme-range duels.

Because of their bulk capital-grade Gauss weapons are not suitable for firing at fighter craft. They are, however, excellent anti-warship weapons because of the tremendous amount of kinetic damage delivered in a single salvo. Gauss weapons generate very little waste heat, but have high power consumption, and as such their rate of fire is limited by the recharge rate of the capacitors. Current capacitors are able to fire off a rapid salvo before having to recharge for several seconds.

Ion Cannons
Ion cannons work on a similar principle to the plasma cannon, but the ionized particles cause little damage, instead short-circuiting electrical circuits. Enough ion blasts can disable even the largest battleship.

Pulse Lasers
Pulse lasers differ from traditional laser weaponry, in that instead of firing one powerful beam, they maintain laser beams fired off in quick succession. While offering an overall increased rate of fire, the heat output also increases accordingly. Pulse lasers increase damage because they allow vaporized armor to dissipate from the location of damage. This allows subsequent pulses to reach the target area without being diffused by the vapor.

Lance Batteries
Lance Batteries are incredibly high-powered weapons that are capable of burning or punching straight through the hull of a ship or cutting an escort ship in two. They are usually mounted in batteries of five, thus the name Lance Battery.

Black Swords
Black Swords are essentially super-lasers, utilizing four high-powered energy projectors that focus into a concentrated beam. The resulting beam has been known to cut escorts in two or causing catastrophic explosions by hitting the reactor on an enemy ship.

Mass Drivers
Essentially the same as a gauss cannon, Mass Drivers are huge versions of the gauss cannon, capable of punching through even the heaviest armour.

Torpedoes
The various races utilize various types of torpedoes. The most common are detailed below:

Anti-Matter Torpedo
The most effective (and most expensive) torpedo, the anti-matter torpedo utilizes anti-matter as a warhead. Upon contact, the anti-matter reacts explosively, causing an implosion capable of cutting a capital ship in two.

Plasma Torpedo
The most common torpedo, the plasma torpedo is powered by a plasma reactor, which also functions as a warhead. On impact, the energies release causing a major explosion.

High-Speed Torpedo
The high-speed torpedo is little more than a plasma torpedo with a high-powered fusion reactor. As a result, the torpedo moves 50% faster than a normal plasma torpedo.