Difference between revisions of "Particle Projector Cannon"

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{{Otheruses|the powerful energy weapon|the infamous alcoholic drink|PPC (beverage)}}
 
{{InfoBoxWeapon
 
{{InfoBoxWeapon
 
| image = [[File:Inverted PPC.jpg|191px]]
 
| image = [[File:Inverted PPC.jpg|191px]]
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| Type = Energy (Direct Fire)
 
| Type = Energy (Direct Fire)
 
| Tech Base = [[Inner Sphere]] (IS)
 
| Tech Base = [[Inner Sphere]] (IS)
| Year Availability = [[2460]] [[Terran Hegemony|TH]]
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| Year Availability = [[2460]] [[Terran Hegemony|TH]]<ref name="IOp118">''Interstellar Operations'', p. 118, "Prototype Dates For Basic Weapons Table"</ref>
| Year Introduced =  [[2460]] [[Terran Hegemony|TH]]
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| Year Introduced =  [[2439]] [[Terran Hegemony|TH]]<ref name="IOp118">''Interstellar Operations'', p. 118, "Prototype Dates For Basic Weapons Table"</ref>
 
| Year Extinction =  N/A
 
| Year Extinction =  N/A
 
| Year Reintroduced = N/A
 
| Year Reintroduced = N/A
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==Description==
 
==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.<ref name=TM_233>''TechManual'', p. 233, "Particle Projector Cannon (PPC)"</ref>  Despite being an energy weapon, it produces recoil. The lethality of the weapon rivals that of higher-caliber [[autocannon]]s; just three shots from a PPC will vaporize nearly two tons of [[Standard Armor|standard military-grade armor]].<ref>''TechManual'' p. 234</ref>  Targets hit by multiple, simultaneous PPCs can also suffer electrical side-effects, such as overloaded computer systems or targeting sensors.<ref>''Technical Readout: 3050 Revised'', Burke combat vehicle</ref> The ion beam also extends to much farther ranges than autocannon fire, though PPCs generate large amounts of waste heat.
+
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.<ref name=TM_233>''TechManual'', p. 233, "Particle Projector Cannon (PPC)"</ref>  Despite being an energy weapon, it produces recoil. The lethality of the weapon rivals that of higher-caliber [[autocannon]]s; just three shots from a PPC will vaporize nearly two tons of [[Standard Armor|standard military-grade armor]].<ref>''TechManual'' p. 234</ref>  Targets hit by multiple, simultaneous PPCs can also suffer electrical side-effects, such as overloaded computer systems or targeting sensors.<ref>''Technical Readout: 3050 Revised'', Burke combat vehicle</ref> 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 which could damage the firing unit's electronic systems.<ref>''TechManual'' p. 233</ref>  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.
 
PPCs are equipped with a [[Field Inhibitor]] to prevent feedback which could damage the firing unit's electronic systems.<ref>''TechManual'' p. 233</ref>  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.
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! Planet
 
! Planet
 
! Company
 
! Company
|-
 
| Donal
 
| [[Arc-Royal]]
 
| [[TharHes Industries]]
 
|-
 
| Donal
 
| [[Sterope]]
 
| [[Sterope Defense Industries]]
 
|-
 
| Donal
 
| [[Terra]]
 
| [[Pandora 'Mech Works]]
 
|-
 
| Donal
 
| [[Terra]]
 
| [[Skobel MechWorks]]
 
|-
 
| Donal
 
| [[Twycross]]
 
| [[Trellshire Heavy Industries]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
| Johnston Parti-Cannon
 
| Johnston Parti-Cannon
 
| [[New Syrtis]]
 
| [[New Syrtis]]
 
| [[Johnston Industries]]
 
| [[Johnston Industries]]
|-
 
| Kinslaughter
 
| [[Terra|Mars]]
 
| [[Krupp Stellar Technologies Inc.]]
 
|-
 
| Lord's Light
 
| [[Tok Do]]?
 
| [[Alshain Weapons]]
 
|-
 
| Parti-Kill Heavy
 
| [[Dunianshire]]
 
| [[Majesty Metals and Manufacturing]]
 
|-
 
| Parti-Kill Heavy Cannon
 
| [[Dunianshire]]
 
| [[Canopus Industries Alpha]]
 
|-
 
| Parti-Kill Heavy Cannon
 
| [[New Earth]]
 
| [[New Earth Trading Company]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
| PDVR Piledriver Model 11-D
 
| PDVR Piledriver Model 11-D
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| [[Krauss-Liemann Incorporated]]
 
| [[Krauss-Liemann Incorporated]]
 
|}
 
|}
===Ceras Arms Smasher===
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===Ceres Arms Smasher===
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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.
 
{|class="wikitable" style="background: #gray; text-align:center; border: 2px solid black;"
 
{|class="wikitable" style="background: #gray; text-align:center; border: 2px solid black;"
 
|'''Manufactured on'''   
 
|'''Manufactured on'''   
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| [[Capella]]
 
| [[Capella]]
 
| [[Ceres Metals Industries]]
 
| [[Ceres Metals Industries]]
|
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| [[Vindicator]]
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
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|
 
|
 
|}
 
|}
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===Donal===
 
===Donal===
 
Used in the armament of the original ''[[Warhammer]]'' 6R and ''[[Battlemaster]]'' BLR-1G.<ref> ''Technical Readout: 3025'' pp 96-97, 114-115</ref>  Manufactured at various locations throughout the [[Inner Sphere]] and [[Periphery]], it is distinct for the long 'barrel' and blocky power chamber.
 
Used in the armament of the original ''[[Warhammer]]'' 6R and ''[[Battlemaster]]'' BLR-1G.<ref> ''Technical Readout: 3025'' pp 96-97, 114-115</ref>  Manufactured at various locations throughout the [[Inner Sphere]] and [[Periphery]], it is distinct for the long 'barrel' and blocky power chamber.
 +
{|class="wikitable" style="background: #gray; text-align:center; border: 2px solid black;"
 +
|'''Manufactured on''' 
 +
|'''Manufactured by'''
 +
|'''Typically used in'''
 +
|'''References'''
 +
|----
 +
| [[Arc-Royal]]
 +
| [[TharHes Industries]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Sterope]]
 +
| [[Sterope Defense Industries]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Terra]]
 +
| [[Pandora 'Mech Works]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Terra]]
 +
| [[Skobel MechWorks]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Twycross]]
 +
| [[Trellshire Heavy Industries]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|}
 +
===Kinslaughter===
 +
{|class="wikitable" style="background: #gray; text-align:center; border: 2px solid black;"
 +
|'''Manufactured on''' 
 +
|'''Manufactured by'''
 +
|'''Typically used in'''
 +
|'''References'''
 +
|----
 +
| [[Terra|Mars]]
 +
| [[Krupp Stellar Technologies Inc.]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|}
 +
===Kreuss===
 
{|class="wikitable" style="background: #gray; text-align:center; border: 2px solid black;"
 
{|class="wikitable" style="background: #gray; text-align:center; border: 2px solid black;"
 
|'''Manufactured on'''   
 
|'''Manufactured on'''   
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|
 
|
 
|}
 
|}
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===Lord's Light===
 +
The most common PPC produced in the [[Draconis Combine]], the Lord's Light is an exceptional noted for its compactness and flexibility, allowing it to be mounted on the right arm of 35-ton ''Panther'' while still retaining the hand.<ref name=TRO3025-30>''Technical Readout: 3025'', p. 30 "PNT-9R Panther"</ref>
 +
 +
{|class="wikitable" style="background: #gray; text-align:center; border: 2px solid black;"
 +
|'''Manufactured on''' 
 +
|'''Manufactured by'''
 +
|'''Typically used in'''
 +
|'''References'''
 +
|----
 +
|
 +
| [[Alshain Weapons]]
 +
| ''[[Panther]]''
 +
| <ref name=TRO3025-30/>
 +
|}
 +
 
===Magna Hellstar===
 
===Magna Hellstar===
 
{|class="wikitable" style="background: #gray; text-align:center; border: 2px solid black;"
 
{|class="wikitable" style="background: #gray; text-align:center; border: 2px solid black;"
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|}
 
|}
  
 +
===Parti-Kill Heavy Cannon===
 +
{|class="wikitable" style="background: #gray; text-align:center; border: 2px solid black;"
 +
|'''Manufactured on''' 
 +
|'''Manufactured by'''
 +
|'''Typically used in'''
 +
|'''References'''
 +
|----
 +
| [[Dunianshire]]
 +
| [[Majesty Metals and Manufacturing]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Dunianshire]]
 +
| [[Canopus Industries Alpha]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[New Earth]]
 +
| [[New Earth Trading Company]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|}
 
===Tiegart===
 
===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.<ref name=TRO2750>''Technical Readout: 2750'', p. 48-49</ref> 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. <ref name=TRO3025r>''Technical Readout: 3025 Revised'', p. 102-103</ref>
 
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.<ref name=TRO2750>''Technical Readout: 2750'', p. 48-49</ref> 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. <ref name=TRO3025r>''Technical Readout: 3025 Revised'', p. 102-103</ref>

Revision as of 02:51, 14 April 2019

This article is about the powerful energy weapon. For the infamous alcoholic drink, see PPC (beverage).
Inverted PPC.jpg
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 produces 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] Targets hit by multiple, simultaneous PPCs can also suffer electrical side-effects, such as overloaded computer systems or targeting sensors.[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 which 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

The PPC is manufactured on the following planets:

Brand Planet Company
Johnston Parti-Cannon New Syrtis Johnston Industries
PDVR Piledriver Model 11-D Tharkad Bauer Enterprises
Starcutter Nirasaki New Age Systems Incorporated
Stolz Harbinger 2 Wotan Krauss-Liemann Incorporated

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
St. Ives Ceres Metals Industries

Donal

Used in the armament of the original Warhammer 6R and Battlemaster BLR-1G.[8] 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
Arc-Royal TharHes Industries
Sterope Sterope Defense Industries
Terra Pandora 'Mech Works
Terra Skobel MechWorks
Twycross Trellshire Heavy Industries

Kinslaughter

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Mars Krupp Stellar Technologies Inc.

Kreuss

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References

Lord's Light

The most common PPC produced in the Draconis Combine, the Lord's Light is an exceptional noted for its compactness and flexibility, allowing it to be mounted on the right arm of 35-ton Panther while still retaining the hand.[9]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Alshain Weapons Panther [9]

Magna Hellstar

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Betelgeuse Aldis Industries
New Samarkand New Samarkand Metals
Taurus Magna Metals Inc
Terra Aldis Industries

Parti-Kill Heavy Cannon

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Dunianshire Majesty Metals and Manufacturing
Dunianshire Canopus Industries Alpha
New Earth New Earth Trading Company

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.[10] 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. [11]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Al Na'ir Yori 'Mech Works
Nirasaki Maltex Corporation
Hatamoto-Chi [12]
A PPC being fired by a Timber Wolf; notice the characteristic helix around the stream of particles


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). [13]
    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.[14]
    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

  • The 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.
    BSPFD (Blue Shield Particle Field Dampener)
    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. 1.0 1.1 Interstellar Operations, p. 118, "Prototype Dates For Basic Weapons Table"
  2. TechManual p. 289
  3. TechManual, p. 317, "Inner Sphere Weapons and Equipment BV Table"
  4. TechManual, p. 233, "Particle Projector Cannon (PPC)"
  5. TechManual p. 234
  6. Technical Readout: 3050 Revised, Burke combat vehicle
  7. TechManual p. 233
  8. Technical Readout: 3025 pp 96-97, 114-115
  9. 9.0 9.1 Technical Readout: 3025, p. 30 "PNT-9R Panther"
  10. Technical Readout: 2750, p. 48-49
  11. Technical Readout: 3025 Revised, p. 102-103
  12. Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, p. 89
  13. Interstellar Operations, pages 120-124, "Primitive Units and RetroTech"
  14. Interstellar Operations, pages 95-97, "Early Clan Improved Equipment"

Bibliography