Ion Cannon

Encyclopedia : I : IO : ION : Ion Cannon

In science fiction, an ion cannon is a fictional beam weapon that fires beams of ions (particles, i.e. atoms that have been affected in some way as to cause them to gain an electrical charge). Due to its power it is usually classified as a superweapon. Ion Cannon is actually a type of Particle Cannon; only the particles used are ionized. Due to their electrical charges, they also have the potential to disable electronic devices, vehicles, and anything else that has an electrical or similar power source. The science fiction inspiration for this effect arises from the electromagnetic pulse generated by nuclear detonation, which can be devastating to electronic devices. Because of their classification as super-weapons, ion cannons have found their way into movies and television shows that have a science-fiction based setting. Ion cannons are also present in several games: Homeworld, Homeworld 2, Command and Conquer Series, Unreal Tournament 2004, and StarCraft, for example.

Cultural references

In the Star Wars universe Ion or DEMP (Destructive Electro-Magnetic Pulse) weapons are quite common, ranging from handheld pistols to ship cannons. Ion weapons are primarily used for disabling electronic systems such as vehicles, droids and starships. The turrets on the cockpit of Y-Wing fighter/bombers are ion weapons. In the Rebel Alliance uses an ion cannon on the planet Hoth to temporarily disable Imperial Star Destroyers in the vicinity of the planet and prevent them from firing on escaping Rebel ships. Ssi-ruuk ion cannons were used to disable Rebel Alliance craft in the novel The Truce at Bakura. The Jawas used ionization blasters to disable R2-D2.
In the television series Stargate SG-1, ion cannons were used as surface to space weapons to protect the Tollan from Goa'uld attack. In this case, the intent was not merely to disable craft: one ion cannon could easily destroy a Ha'tak mothership with one shot; however, Anubis discovered a way to render his ships invulnerable to the ion cannon.
In Homeworld, the two factions have extremely destructive ion cannons mounted on Ion Cannon Frigates, Destroyers, and Heavy Cruisers for use against enemy capital ships. Ion cannons in Homeworld fire glowing beams that instantaneously hit the target. However, due to the size of the weapon, entire capital ships have to be built around them. Therefore, the weapon is ineffective against the highly-manuverable targets, especially fighters and corvettes.

The Global Defense Initiative's space-based Ion Cannon.

In Command and Conquer Series, the Global Defense Initiative (GDI) uses a satellite-based Ion Cannon device to attack Brotherhood of Nod installations and forces; it is used at the end of the First Tiberium War to destroy the Brotherhood's command centre, the Temple of Nod. In the canonically unrelated series, the United States has a variant of the weapon called the Particle Cannon, which is also capable of firing upon a target anywhere on Earth.
Ion Cannons are also employed by the Eurasian Dynasty in the game Earth 2150 as a means of disabling enemy units in preparation to capturing them.
In Unreal Tournament 2004, the Ion Cannon's official name is VAPOR WeP (Variable Altitude Phased Output Remote Weapons Platform), and is rated at two terawatts. The system is activated by designating coordinates with an appropriate laser-targeting rifle. Once locked on, it fires and annihilates everything within 50 meters of the target. Curiously enough, the system can be seen if the player looks for it in the sky.
In G-Nome, an ion strike is used when the player leaves the boundaries of the battlefield or when a target is "painted" for 10 seconds.
In StarCraft, Raynor's faction is withheld from withdrawing because of Tarsonis' ion cannon, which resembles the Ion Cannon from (see above). The weapon is destroyed as a mission objective and was never fired, leading to speculation that it may have been designed for long range bombardment. Some screenshots of the beta version of the game, however, show the cannon actually firing a beam of light-blue.
In the computer game Conquest Frontier Wars, huge Ion Cannon space stations can be built and are often used as deterrents against enemy incursions. Although when the opportunity arises, they are built close to enemy terrority as powerful assault weapons.
In the Warhammer 40,000 fictional universe, the Tau use smaller versions of ion cannons on their Hammerhead Gunships as an alternate main weapon. The Tau fleet - the Kor'vattra - use larger Ion Cannon as anti-ship weapons in Battlefleet Gothic. Also, Tau war engines use Ion Cannon as part of their armament in Epic: Armageddon.
In the online sci-fi game Ferion http://www.ferion.com/?p=317596, The Ion Canon is one of many ship mounted weapons that can be researched. Its requirments are 'Type III Laser' and 'Time'.

Ion Cannon

Cultural references

See also