Unreviewed FAE/SW-08 Light Beam Cannon Mk. II

[Mellifluous Magenta]

OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION

• Intent: Whip up a light version of my beam cannons.
• Image Source: N/A
• Canon Link: N/A
• Permissions:
  
  • HPI - Ethaerium (OM)
  • FAE/AM-01 Energy Weapon Cartridge Series (N/A)
  • GPO-12 "Ironmaze" Threat-Prevention Suite (OM)
  • FAE/S-06 Reactive Targeting Matrix (N/A)
  • FAE/S-09 Active Harmonizing System (N/A)
  • HPI - HAPU | Hybrid Antimatter Power Unit (OM)
• Primary Source: N/A

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

• Manufacturer: First United Astral Engineering
• Affiliation:
  
  • First United Astral Engineering
  • Exclusive Writers and Buyers
• Market Status: Closed-Market
• Model: FAE/SW-08 Light Beam Cannon Mk. II
• Modularity: Yes
  
  • May be installed on vehicles, heavy powersuits, small craft, ground turrets, and larger platforms.
  • May be configured for usage in the capacity of a semi-man-portable crew-served weapon.
  • Compatible with single, twin, triple, quad, sextuple, octuple, and dectuple weapon links.
  • Mountings may be fitted with shields, additional sensors, defensive systems, and other equipment.
  • Frame may be coated or electroplated with various materials.
  • Systems may be stripped as needed or desired.
  • May be configured for compatibility with virtually all types of fire control and targeting systems.
• Production: Mass-Produced
• Material:
  
  • Ethaerium Gas
  • Dallorian Alloy - Barrel Reinforcement and Heat Protection
  • Ostrine - Heat Protection
  • Reinforced Duraplast Electronic Hardening - Ion and EMP Mitigation
  • Prismatic Crystal
  • Electrum
  • Laminanium
  • Alusteel
  • Internal Circuitry and Electronics
  • Various Beam Cannon Components and Materials

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Classification: Beam Cannon - Comparable to a Light Laser Cannon in Class
• Size: Small
• Weight: Light
• Beam Appearance: Hot Magenta - Shimmering Visual Texture
• Muzzle Velocity: 1c
• Ammunition Type: FAE/AM-01-S5 Energy Weapon Cartridge - Ethaerium Gas and CryoBan Coolant
• Ammunition Capacity: Average - 60 Seconds of Fire Time per Cartridge
• Effective Range: Average - 0.3 Light-seconds
• Rate of Fire: Automatic - Continuous Beam
  
  • 3:1 Ratio - 3 Seconds of Firing Requires 1 Second of Recharge and Cooling
  • Maximum Fire Time: 3 Seconds
• Damage Output: High
• Recoil: Very Low

SPECIAL FEATURES

• Data and Information Security
  
  • Genetic Code, Retinal, and Dermatoglyphic Operator Verification / Security System
  • Bio-Hexacrypted Systems
  • GPO-12 "Ironmaze" Threat-Prevention Suite
• Targeting Systems
  
  • Oversight and Governing Computer Brain
  • Interfacing, Uplink, and Networking Capability
    
    • Pyrowall and Echo Pulse
  • FAE/S-06 Reactive Targeting Matrix
  • FAE/S-09 Active Harmonizing System
  • Universal FCS Compatibility
    
    • May be configured for compatibility with virtually all types of fire control and targeting systems.
  • Fire Linked Functionality - If Applicable
• Power and Energizing Systems
  
  • HAPU | Hybrid Antimatter Power Unit
  • Energy Capacitor
  • Ethaerium Gas Cell
  • Prismatic Crystal Housing / Crystal Focusing System
  • Galven Circuitry
  • Actuating Module
  • Variable Power Output
• Energy Modules
  
  • Hyper-Ionized Particle Beam
    
    • Considered to be the standard energy module, this module manifests a hyper-ionized particle beam that deals damage via a veritable hammer blow of concussive shock (kinetic energy), the searing release of thermal energy as the superheated plasma particles destabilize matter to produce significant heat capable of flash melting heavy armor, and finally ionization energy which can disrupt electronics and overload energy shields in the manner of an electromagnetic pulse. Of particular significance, the beam has an explosive effect upon connecting with a shield or solid object, including energy fields.
  • Incendiary Plasma Beam
    
    • Manifests an incendiary plasma beam encased within a magnetic field. Rather than exploding, the beam is designed to splash in a four-meter radius on impact with any solid object (including energy fields) as the searing plasma adheres itself to objects within its radius. Stuck to the target, the semi-solid plasma “gel” can potentially inflict significant and continuous superheating damage on shields, armor, and flesh, typically burning at temperatures in excess of six thousand degrees centigrade for several seconds. This module also has secondary kinetic effects, though not nearly to the degree of the default hyper-ionized particle beam module.
• Utility and Safety Systems
  
  • Automatic Emergency Containment Field Deployment - Redundant Safety Systems
  • Automatic Reloading System
  • Polarity Sink
  • Magnetic Flashback Suppression System
  • Weapon Integrity Reader - Operating Temperature, Diagnostics, Power Levels, Etc.
  • Continuous CryoBan Cooling Coil System - Incorporated Heat Sinks / Heat Radiator Shroud
  • Electronic Safety
  • Autosteady-Gyro Gimbal

STRENGTHS

• All Environment - The FAE/SW-08 is capable of firing in virtually all environments, including underwater and within dense mediums.
• Opposing Charge - On the primary hyper-ionized particle beam energy module, the weapon is especially effective against energy shields and electronics, capable of disrupting them.
• High Power - The FAE/SW-08 is a hard-hitting, powerful weapon, its power output being quite elevated for a cannon of its size and class, manifesting moderate overkill potential when utilized against small craft, vehicles, and smaller targets. However, the FAE/SW-08 generally meets its match against targets the likes of corvettes, frigates, and super-heavy vehicles, though it is far from ineffective against these units, especially in the event that several beam cannons are combined and leveled against a single target.

WEAKNESSES

• Mechu-deru - Like any piece of technology, the SW-08 is susceptible to mechu-deru and other technology-corrupting powers. If left unprotected, a practitioner of such esoteric sorceries could induce a jam or some other failure that might compromise the weapon entirely or demand precious time to fix, leaving the user vulnerable.
• Chain Reaction - In the event that the weapon sustains damage to the power unit or the Ethaerium gas cell, a fantastic explosion may ensue that has a very high chance of outright crippling the host vehicle. While the FAE/SW-08 has safety systems that work to prevent total annihilation from such an event, in the heat of battle, even these measures can fail.
• Follow the Line - The FAE/SW-08 fires steady, coherent beams, rather than condensed bolts. Given this characteristic, they can be traced back to the source relatively quickly if fired at close ranges. Thus, discharging the weapon comes with a chance of revealing the operator’s position.
• Crew Service - If utilized as a crew-served weapon, it can take time for the weapon to be prepared for firing. If the HAPU Power unit is "cold" it can take up to ten minutes for the weapon to be ready to fire, though this represents the highest extreme. Nevertheless, for most infantry, this is not a mobile weapon, though some superheavy powersuit platforms might be able to operate it as a main armament.

DESCRIPTION
The FAE/SW-08 Light Beam Cannon Mk. II is the modernized rendition of the FAE/SW-08 Hybrid Beam Cannon - Light. The Mk. II variant features upgraded targeting systems and a more streamlined, simplified design. As a result, the Mk. II has only two energy modules, rather than the five which were present in the previous version. However, these energy modules still maintain much of the weapon’s versatility, with the default mode dealing damage through thermal, kinetic, and ionization effects while the incendiary plasma mode manifests incendiary and thermal primary effects, with secondary kinetic effects.

Like the previous version, the Mk. II is highly modular. The weapon can be fitted with supplementary equipment and its electronics linked to various onboard systems. It can be placed in turrets of up to ten identical weapons—dectuple cannon batteries. In addition, various systems can be stripped as needed or desired.

For ammunition, the Mk. II makes use of First United Astral Engineering’s new cartridges, which include gas, power, and coolant in a single small package.

All in all, the FAE/SW-08 Light Beam Cannon Mk. II is hoped to continue its place as a lighter alternative to the FAE/SW-11, oriented primarily for use in fighters, vehicles, and starships.