PPX Pistol Yield Carbine

Following the success of the MPR FNSIG, decided to capitalise on this accomplishment and created a range of Phasers based on its design, starting with a PYC, the PPX (Phaser Pistol X).

A PYC (**P**istol **Y**ield **C**arbine) is essentially a step between a hand phaser and a SEC, sacrificing power and range for size and portability. To achieve this the weapons yield is lowered to that of a hand phaser. This drop in yield reduces the size of its internal components, allowing them to fit into a smaller frame. There are other advantages to this reduction, the lower yield bolts cause less heat on the emitter, allowing for a higher recharge rate. And the less powerful bolts reduce over penetration, something important in CQB.

The SFMC’s first PYC, the R816 was first deployed towards the end of the dominion war. While popular with troops, it was designed around the already obsolete R970 phaser pistol.  FNSIG wanted a more advance phaser, so after negotiating a collaboration deal with Colt, they chose to use the new Model HP-2380’s action as a base for the PPX. Integrating many of its components into a new chassis designed around the MPR.

To adapt the MPR to a PYC, significant changes to the weapon were made. The magwell was adapted to accept R816 power cells. As with the 2380, using the R816 power cells, rather than a proprietary one, simplifies the supply chain.

Designers wanted the PPX to have a range closer to a SEC, so installed a nano containment field generator. Though smaller than the one found on the MPR DMPR, it still extends the weapons range without increasing its yield. Even with the generator, the HP-2580’s emitter makes the PPX smaller than any of the MPR range. This plus the other modifications reduces its overall size to 2.5 kg’s in weight and 61 cm long, only 38 cm with the stock folded.

The PPX has the same magnetic rails as the MPR so can use the same optics and attachments as the R506, giving it considerable flexibility. A new minimalistic stock was designed for the PPX, still telescoping and folding, it is lighter and smaller than the MPR’s “Ugg Boot” stock, perfect for this compact phaser. There were some concerns that this new stock would be less comfortable than the Ugg Boot, but as the PPX uses the same stock attachment as the rest of the MPR range, operators can still use the Ugg Boot if desired. Though once deployed these concerns seemed unfounded and the PPX stock proved very popular, so much so that operators have begun replacing the Ugg Boot’s on their MPR’s, especially on the PYC.

Despite its aging design, the R816 was extremely popular with operators and saw wide usage during the early days of STAR. And once the PPX entered service, operators appreciated the superior phaser, quickly replacing all R816’s still in service. Despite this popularity it did not see as widespread service as the R816. When first adopted by STAR, there were no phasers in either power or size between the R816 and the R506, a full powered carbine. So operators who wanted a smaller phaser than the R506 had no choice but to use a R816. By the time of the PPX’s adoption the MPR PYC was already available, and though larger than the R816, many operators thought its extra fire power was worth its larger size. And these operators chose not to adopt the PPX, instead retaining their PYC’s. Despite this the PPX is still a popular phaser amongst STAR personnel, especially during ship seizure and covert missions.