Plasma Accelerator

These are very large weapons, usually carried by large naval cruisers and battlestations, and are sometinmes carried by large trading ships and passenger liners in the more dangerous regions of space.

They are used in the same way as lasers and take up a gun mounting. After firing, they take a few seconds to recharge. Two sizes are commonly available, imaginatively named 'Large' and 'Small'. Even a Small Plasma Accelerator will destroy a well armed hundred tonne ship with a single shot.

The large version has been known to be used as a planetary assault weapon, destroying selected areas of cities from orbit. This has a devastating effect on the local population, because the terrifying noise of the beam cutting through the atmosphere can be heard for hundreds of kilometres, and will deafen anyone unprotected in the vicinity.