Phased Particle Accelerators (PPA)

Phased Particle Accelerators are the primary energy weapons of the Federation. Using EM Fields and negative energy, they accelerate subatomic particles to near the speed of light while they jump in and out of the universe. These weapons systems have been especially effective at stripping shields, but they also can do massive damage to a ship's armor.

### Background

First developed in the 2070s by Federation science team led by Dr. Henry Falgor as an answer to the Federation's need to counter the RoP's shield busting energy weapons. Initial prototyping was finished in 2076, and the first prototypes were installed on the Javelin Class Corvette BSS Hawking (CR-010). In testing they proved extremely effective, and were thus quickly rolled out into the larger fleet. Power management issues led to them never getting to a point that could be used as close in small arms, but they did find a place among snipers. Most ships in the Federation fleet carry them, and fighters' fixed weapons almost entirely consist of PPA. These weapon systems have gone on to be the most successful energy weapons ever designed, even surpassing the RoP's excellent Particle Disruptors, or Disruptors for short.

### Premise

Phased Particle Accelerators fire bolts of highly energetic subatomic particles. Through various processes in the emitter, the bolt of particles begins phasing in and out of the reality, gathering an exponential amount of energy every cycle. This allows it to inflict *more* damage at greater ranges, to an extent. At ranges of more than the maximum rated range, the bolt begins to give energy back, as it has to work harder and harder to phase every time, until it peters out at a range that is dependent on the amount of energy needed to make the shot. Although it can do next to nothing at ranges less than it's rated range, at ranges surpassing that and up to it's maximum, it will do exponentially more damage.

Being an weapon that uses Dark Matter and Negative energy to achieve it's desired effects, it can cause extreme damage to it's power systems if overused; especially in high power, long range shots. Additionally - if fired as retreating fire - it usually does not cause much damage, as the ion plume from a ship's engines reduces its effectiveness. This reason is why it is used in conjunction with ballistic weapons such as Gauss Cannons and Rail Guns.

### Classification

Among ship based weapons systems, PPA is classified according to it's energy output, measured in gigawatts, as well as according to the physical size of the emitter. Using a class system, smaller Classification numbers refer to lesser size and power needs.

### Other Uses of PPA

There have been many attempts at utilizing PPA for other purposes. Many of these failed, but some have succeeded, although at great cost and rarity

###### Use in Handheld weapons

In the 2110s, there was a program begun by the BSF Armed Forces R&D branch, to attempt to modify PPA emitter to function as small arms. The largest hurdle to over come was the sheer amount of power required for each shot, which would make these weapons heavy, expensive and constantly run low on ammunition.

Although it was determined that PPA was not suitable for use in Assault Rifle and Pistol type weapons, due to the large and heavy power cells needed to maintain the required amount of shots, at a minimum of 22 per magazine. However, this program eventually found it's use in heavy sniper rifles. The weight of the power cells required to power the rifle was much lower, due to the lower number of rounds needed to be fired. The result of this program was the MSE-40 Sniper Rifle, which used a .8 MW emitter in a barrel form, and could fire 6 shots before having to be reloaded. This rifle, although expensive to develop and produce, would find it's home among elite sniper teams of the Federation's armies. With it's exceptional range, potential to vaporize it's targets, and incredible accuracy with minimal recoil, it is considered a great honor among snipers to be granted these weapons.

###### 2210s New Infantry Weapon Program (NIWP)

In 2209, the Blue Star Federation Army was looking to replace its large stock of ballistic small arms with energy weapons, as part of a military wide effort to remove projectile weapons from use.

###### Use in Mining

When PPA was first invented, there was an attempt to use a sustained beam of it for resource mining, in place of lasers. In short, this did not end well. The test rig was destroyed when the emitters overloaded, killing it's 150 man crew plus scientists and dignitaries. After this incident, PPA was relegated to military use only, and is only fired in short shots, never as a full beam.