Dual Mode Accelerator Cannon

The Dual Mode Accelerator Cannon is a weapon for Aether generator-equipped craft which was designed in YE 32 by Kage Yaichiro for Project THOUGHT. It is inspired by the Ke-S3-W2901 Positron Accelerator Cannons used on the Plumeria-class (2D) Medium Gunship, but is able to alternately fire both electrons and positrons by storing both when created by the Aether Generator. At times the electrons created can be used as a secondary power source.

First used in YE 32 on the compact Tsubame Prototype Fighter, the Dual Mode Accelerator Cannon was developed as an upgrade to this weapon type. It was devloped in hopes of allowing the weapon type to be used in atmosphere or in other situations where antimatter was ill-advised. The electron mode has been dubbed the “Lightning Ball Gun” unofficially, as it fires a compressed sphere of electrons rather than a stream.

the Dual Mode Accelerator Cannon is a departure from most positron weapons in that it can fire electrons and positrons that are created by the Aether Generator. Stored in separate containers, the user can toggle between which mode to fire, allowing use in the atmosphere with Matter (electron) mode. This is less damaging but can still cause notable damage to unshielded electrical systems, blow out capacitors and power relays, and scorch and burn hull. It can be particularly destructive to ground targets. Antimatter mode, meanwhile, fires compressed shells of positrons and should only be used in space. This is the preferred mode of operation in most cases, as it deals damage at the atomic level while also providing an energy surge(though of opposite polarity to Matter mode). Damage is dictated by the specific model of cannon and the size of the shell being used.

It should be noted that both tanks are filled at the same rate by the Aether generator, so using Matter Mode requires storing the same amount of mass in the Antimatter Container. Using Antimatter Mode, however, allows the contents of the Matter Mode container to be used as a large capacitor for electrical energy which can be tied into the power system as a supplemental power source. The contents of both or either of the containers can be vented, or the containers themselves can be jettisoned should the need arise. Venting both containers at the same time is quite dangerous, however. Antimatter should never be purged or used within an atmosphere.