Particle Projector Cannon

(Redirected from PPC)
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]
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
Cost (unloaded) 200,000[2]
BV (1.0) 176
BV (2.0) 176[3]

Description[edit]

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[edit]

Anderson Armaments Particle Cannon PPC 12[edit]

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[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Terra Leopard Armor Burke [9]

Ceres Arms Smasher[edit]

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[edit]

Used in the armament of the original Warhammer 6R and BattleMaster BLR-1G.[1] 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 [11]
Keystone Earthwerks Incorporated Battlemaster [12]
Pandora Red Devil Industries Battlemaster [12]
Hesperus II Defiance Industries Banshee [13]
Loxley Norse-Storm Technologies Incorporated Devastator [14]

Fusigon[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Keystone Earthwerks Incorporated Griffin [10]

Hellstar[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Terra Aldis Industries Schrek [15]
Stormvanger Assemblies, Unlimited Striker [16]
Bug-Eye [17]

Johnston Parti-Cannon[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Talon Kallon Industries JagerMech III [18]
Quentin Independence Weaponry JagerMech III [18]

Kinslaughter[edit]

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.[19]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Mars Krupp Stellar Technologies Inc. LNC 25-01 Lancelot [19][20]

Kreuss[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Savannah Technicron Manufacturing Awesome [21]

Lord's Light[edit]

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.[22]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Alshain New Oslo Alshain Weapons Panther [23]
Luthien Luthien Armor Works Lancelot [24]

Magna Hellstar[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Quentin General Motors Marauder [25]
Graham IV Mitchell Vehicles Galahad [26]
Hesperus II Defiance Industries Banshee [27]
Connaught Kong Interstellar Corporation Black Knight [28]
Alpheratz Mountain Wolf BattleMechs Merlin [29]

Parti-Kill Heavy Cannon[edit]

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.[30][31][32]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Panpour Jalastar Aerospace Manticore [33]
Hesperus II Defiance Industries Manticore [33]
New Earth New Earth Trading Company Myrmidon [34]
Robinson Robinson Standard BattleWorks Sentry [34]

Rand[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Oliver Brigadier Corporation Goliath [35]

Stolz Harbringer[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Wotan Krauss-Liemann Incorporated Phoenix [36]

Tiegart[edit]

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.[37] 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. [38]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Errai Maltex Corporation Thug Hatamoto-Chi Manticore Pegasus Maxim Behemoth Lucifer II Riever [40]
Keystone Earthwerks Incorporated Thug [39]
A PPC being fired by a Timber Wolf; notice the characteristic helix around the stream of particles


Variants[edit]

  • 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).[41]
  • 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.[42]
  • 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.

Apocryphal Variants[edit]

Apocryphal Content Starts

The information after this notice comes from apocryphal sources; the canonicity of such information is uncertain.
Please view the reference page for information regarding their canonicity.

From MechWarrior 5: Solaris Showdown Expansion Pack:

  • PPC-X 
    (Effectively an LBX version of the PPC.) Particle Projector Cannon equipped with an ion separator that fires eight high-energy ion bolts. Creates multiple brief disruption fields within 90m of the impact.[43]


Apocryphal Content Ends

See Also[edit]

  • 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[edit]

  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. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Technical Readout: 3025, p. 68: "SCP-1N Scorpion"
  9. ↑ Technical Readout: 3050 RUpgrade, p. 176
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Technical Readout: Succession Wars, p. 74
  11. ↑ Technical Readout: 3025, p. 91
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Technical Readout: Succession Wars, p. 158
  13. ↑ Technical Readout: Succession Wars, p. 176
  14. ↑ Technical Readout: 3058, p. 148
  15. ↑ Technical Readout: 3026 Revised, p. 78
  16. ↑ Technical Readout: 3058, p. 222
  17. ↑ Technical Readout: 2750, pp. 124–125: "Bug-Eye Ship Profile"
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Technical Readout: 3060 Revised, p. 110
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Technical Readout: 2750, p. 36
  20. ↑ Technical Readout: Succession Wars, p. 110
  21. ↑ Technical Readout: 3025, p. 105
  22. ↑ Technical Readout: 3025, p. 30: "PNT-9R Panther"
  23. ↑ Technical Readout: Succession Wars, p. 42
  24. ↑ Technical Readout: 3039 Revised, p. 264
  25. ↑ Technical Readout: 3025, p. 99
  26. ↑ Technical Readout: Succession Wars, p. 84
  27. ↑ Technical Readout: Succession Wars, p. 177
  28. ↑ Technical Readout: Succession Wars, p. 138
  29. ↑ Technical Readout: 3058, p. 120
  30. ↑ Technical Readout: 3026, pp. 64–65
  31. ↑ Technical Readout: 3026 Revised, pp. 68–69
  32. ↑ Technical Readout: 3039, pp. 74–75
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 Technical Readout: 3039, p. 74
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 Technical Readout: 3060 Revised, p. 24
  35. ↑ Technical Readout: 3025, p. 109
  36. ↑ Technical Readout: Succession Wars, p. 88
  37. ↑ Technical Readout: 2750, pp. 48–49
  38. ↑ Technical Readout: 3025 Revised, pp. 102–103
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, p. 216
  40. ↑ Objective Raids, p. 104
  41. ↑ Interstellar Operations, pp. 120–124: "Primitive Units and RetroTech"
  42. ↑ Interstellar Operations, pp. 95–97: "Early Clan Improved Equipment"
  43. ↑ MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries, Solaris Showdown

Bibliography[edit]

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