Difference between revisions of "Particle Projector Cannon"
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Revision as of 10:06, 1 February 2024
This article needs to be updated with material from Shrapnel #4. Once these titles clear the Moratorium period, or if they already have, please consider revisiting this article and updating it with the new material. |
- This article is about the powerful energy weapon. For the infamous alcoholic drink, see PPC (beverage).
PPC | |
Production information | |
Type | Energy (Direct Fire) |
Tech Base | Inner Sphere (IS) |
Year Availability | 2460 TH[1] |
Year Introduced | 2439 TH[1] |
Year Extinction | N/A |
Year Reintroduced | N/A |
Technology Rating | (Choose One A - F) |
Availability Rating | (Choose One A - F, X) |
Availability Ratings | (Choose One A - F, X)/(Choose One A - F, X)/(Choose One A - F, X) |
Legality Rating | (Choose One A - F) |
Technical specifications | |
Heat | 10 |
Damage | 10 |
Minimum Range | 3 |
Short Range | 1-6 |
Medium Range | 7-12 |
Long Range | 13-18 |
Tons | 7 |
Critical Slots | 3 |
Ammo Per Ton | N/A |
Cost (unloaded) | 200,000[2] |
Ammo Cost (per ton) | N/A |
BV (1.0) | 176 |
BV (2.0) | 176[3] |
Description
The Particle Projector Cannon (or PPC) is an energy weapon, firing a concentrated stream of protons or ions at a target with damage resulting from both thermal and kinetic energy.[4] Despite being an energy weapon, it does produce recoil. The lethality of the weapon rivals that of higher-caliber autocannons; just three shots from a PPC will vaporize nearly two tons of standard military-grade armor.[5] During the Star League era, multiple hits from certain PPC models were known to scramble electronics, until the SLDF introduced dampers. These proliferated to the armies of the Great Houses and beyond during the outbreak of the Succession Wars.[6] The ion beam also extends to much farther ranges than autocannon fire, though PPCs generate large amounts of waste heat, the earlier prototype versions (produced between 2439 and 2460) even more so.
PPCs are equipped with a field inhibitor to prevent feedback that could damage the firing unit's electronic systems.[7] This inhibitor degrades the performance of the weapon at close ranges of less than 90 meters. Particularly daring warriors have been known to disengage the inhibitor and risk damage to their own machine when a target is at close range.
Models
Anderson Armaments Particle Cannon PPC 12
Considered by some observers as the best weapon produced by Anderson Armaments, when linked to the Garret GRNDTRK 9 targeting and tracking system the weapon would prove to be particularly deadly.[8]
Manufactured on | Manufactured by | Typically used in | References |
Oliver | Brigadier Corporation | Scorpion | [8] |
Chalker Model 25
Manufactured on | Manufactured by | Typically used in | References |
Terra | Leopard Armor | Burke | [9] |
Ceres Arms Smasher
When mounted in the right arm of the Vindicator the weapon features an innovative cooling jacket which possesses water intake ports around the muzzle, allowing the pilot to dip the PPC into a body of water and quickly cool it, with steam exiting via a nozzle at the opposite end.
Manufactured on | Manufactured by | Typically used in | References |
Capella | Ceres Metals Industries | Vindicator | [10] |
Donal
Used in the armament of the original Warhammer 6R and BattleMaster BLR-1G.[11] Manufactured at various locations throughout the Inner Sphere and Periphery, it is distinct for the long 'barrel' and blocky power chamber.
Manufactured on | Manufactured by | Typically used in | References |
Crofton | StarCorps Industries | Warhammer | [12] |
Keystone
|
Earthwerks
|
BattleMaster | [13] |
Keystone | Earthwerks Incorporated | Thug | [14] |
Hesperus II | Defiance Industries | BNC-3S Banshee | [15] |
Odin | Odin Manufacturing | Puma | [16] |
Terra | Pandora 'Mech Works | Puma | [16] |
Loxley | Norse-Storm Technologies Incorporated | Devastator | [17] |
Fusigon
Manufactured on | Manufactured by | Typically used in | References |
Keystone | Earthwerks Incorporated | Griffin | [10] |
Hellstar
Manufactured on | Manufactured by | Typically used in | References |
Terra | Aldis Industries | Schrek | [18] |
None | Stormvanger Assemblies, Unlimited | Striker | [19] |
Johnston Parti-Cannon
Manufactured on | Manufactured by | Typically used in | References |
Talon | Kallon Industries | JagerMech III | [20] |
Quentin | Independence Weaponry | JagerMech III | [20] |
Kinslaughter
The Kinslaughter PPC has a well-known reputation for difficulties with its insulation, generating additional heat if not properly maintained and making preventive maintenance more of a priority than other weapons of the type.[21]
Manufactured on | Manufactured by | Typically used in | References |
Mars | Krupp Stellar Technologies Inc. | LNC 25-01 Lancelot | [21] [22] |
Kreuss
Manufactured on | Manufactured by | Typically used in | References |
Savannah | Technicron Manufacturing | Awesome | [23] |
Lord's Light
The most common PPC produced in the Draconis Combine, the Lord's Light is an exceptional model noted for its compactness and flexibility, allowing it to be mounted on the right arm of 35-ton Panther while still retaining the hand.[24]
Manufactured on | Manufactured by | Typically used in | References |
Alshain New Oslo | Alshain Weapons | Panther | [25] |
Luthien | Luthien Armor Works | Lancelot | [26] |
Magna Hellstar
Manufactured on | Manufactured by | Typically used in | References |
Quentin | General Motors | Marauder | [27] |
Graham IV | Mitchell Vehicles | Galahad | [28] |
Hesperus II | Defiance Industries | Banshee | [29] |
Connaught | Kong Interstellar Corporation | Black Knight | [30] |
Alpheratz | Mountain Wolf BattleMechs | Merlin | [31] |
Parti-Kill Heavy Cannon
Unlike other PPCs, the Parti-Kill Heavy Cannon does not use an energy collection capacitor or similar chamber, instead using a series of magnetic collection bottles that gather plasma straight from the 'Mech or vehicle's fusion reactor. The resulting energies are then channeled through a larger magnetic bottle and released from the cannon as an energy "shell" that is unstable at ranges of less than ninety meters and loses cohesion and disintegrates at 540 meters.[32][33][34]
Manufactured on | Manufactured by | Typically used in | References |
Panpour | Jalastar Aerospace | Manticore | [35] |
Hesperus II | Defiance Industries | Manticore | [35] |
New Earth | New Earth Trading Company | Myrmidon | [36] |
Robinson | Robinson Standard BattleWorks | Sentry | [36] |
Rand
Manufactured on | Manufactured by | Typically used in | References |
Oliver | Brigadier Corporation | Goliath | [37] |
Stolz Harbringer
Manufactured on | Manufactured by | Typically used in | References |
Wotan | Krauss-Liemann Incorporated | Phoenix | [38] |
Tiegart
The Tiegart Particle Projection Cannon provides similar performance to the Donal PPC while being ten percent smaller. Unlike the more common Donal however, even during the Star League era Tiegart replacement parts were more scarce with fire control suffering greatly without a steady supply of parts, even with several redundancy circuits providing backup if needed.[39] Production of the Tiegart PPC ended during the destruction of the early Succession War with designs utlizing the more compact PPC being reworked to use the more common Donal PPCs. [40]
Manufactured on | Manufactured by | Typically used in | References |
Errai | Maltex Corporation | Thug Hatamoto-Chi Manticore Pegasus Maxim Behemoth Lucifer II Riever | [42] |
Keystone | Earthwerks Incorporated | Thug | [41] |
Variants
- Prototype: The Mackie used an older prototype for the Particle Projector Cannon, seeing as it was equipped with one before the weapon is even introduced. According to the rules in Interstellar Operations regarding prototype energy weapons, the primary difference between the prototype and the mass production models is a considerably increased heat output (around 50% higher).[43]
- Improved PPC: Developed by the Clans shortly after the Exodus, the only differences between the Improved PPC and a normal PPC would be that the mass is only 6000 kilograms, and that the weapon only occupies 2 Critical Slots. All other performance characteristics remain same, and it would go on to become obsolete when the Clans perfected the ER-PPC. This weapon was also described in Interstellar Operations.[44]
- Light and Heavy PPCs: Developed by the Draconis Combine in 3067, the Light model significantly cut down on the size and weight of the weapon at the expense of damage output, and the Heavy model increased the damage output at the expense of increased heat and mass.
- Snub-Nose PPC: By modifying the PPC to have a much shorter barrel and plasma focus, the Snub-Nose PPC sacrifices its maximum effective range (especially since damage starts to drop significantly as distance increases), but makes up for it by lacking a minimum range and being much better suited for close-quarters engagements. Additionally, it is actually easier for some mechs to carry these things when a regular PPC wouldn't fit.
- ER PPC: The Extended Range Particle Projector Cannon has a much further maximum range than its ancestor, along with the additional benefit of not having a minimum range. The downside to this, however, is the increased heat output. Though the weapon became Lostech for use in the Inner Sphere, the Clans never lost the technology, and managed to make improvements.
See Also
- PPC Capacitor: This piece of equipment can be added to PPCs in order to increase the damage output, but on top of being slow to charge, this capacitor is prone to causing explosions. Some 'Mechs that are desperate to save weight will drop their full-sized PPC for a Light PPC and an added Capacitor.
- Blue Shield Particle Field Dampener (BSPFD): A system that was developed in order to reduce the damage output from incoming PPCs, the BSPFD isn't useful for much else and can occupy vital space in a 'Mech.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Interstellar Operations, p. 118: "Prototype Dates For Basic Weapons Table"
- ↑ TechManual p. 289
- ↑ TechManual, p. 317: "Inner Sphere Weapons and Equipment BV Table"
- ↑ TechManual, p. 233: "Particle Projector Cannon (PPC)"
- ↑ TechManual p. 234
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3050 Revised, Burke combat vehicle
- ↑ TechManual p. 233
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Technical Readout: 3025, p. 68: "SCP-1N Scorpion"
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3050 RUpgrade, p. 176
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Technical Readout: Succession Wars, p. 74
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3025, pp. 96–97, 114–115
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3025, p. 91
- ↑ :Technical Readout: Succession Wars, p. 158
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3039, p. 274
- ↑ Technical Readout: Succession Wars, p. 176
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, p. 182
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3058, p. 148
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3026 Revised, p. 78
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3058, p. 222
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 Technical Readout: 3060 Revised, p. 110
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 Technical Readout: 2750, p. 36
- ↑ :Technical Readout: Succession Wars, p. 110
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3025, p. 105
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3025, p. 30: "PNT-9R Panther"
- ↑ :Technical Readout: Succession Wars, p. 42
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3039 Revised, p. 264
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3025, p. 99
- ↑ :Technical Readout: Succession Wars, p. 84
- ↑ :Technical Readout: Succession Wars, p. 177
- ↑ :Technical Readout: Succession Wars, p. 138
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3058, p. 120
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3026, pp. 64–65
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3026 Revised, pp. 68–69
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3039, pp. 74–75
- ↑ 35.0 35.1 Technical Readout: 3039, p. 74
- ↑ 36.0 36.1 Technical Readout: 3060 Revised, p. 24
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3025, p. 109
- ↑ :Technical Readout: Succession Wars, p. 88
- ↑ Technical Readout: 2750, pp. 48–49
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3025 Revised, pp. 102–103
- ↑ 41.0 41.1 Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, p. 216
- ↑ Objective Raids, p. 104
- ↑ Interstellar Operations, pp. 120–124: "Primitive Units and RetroTech"
- ↑ Interstellar Operations, pp. 95–97: "Early Clan Improved Equipment"