Plasma Propellant System: The gun uses a charged plasma propellant to propel the projectile from the weapon at very high speeds. The plasma is created and accelerated utilizing a cyclotron (similar in nature to the accelerator utilized in the hand laser) and further accelerated and contained using cyclotron extensions. The charged plasma forms a tight bond to the base of the projectile. Cavitation of the exiting plasma is used to reduce recoil impact on flight characteristics.
Feed System: The projectile feed is a standard electromechanical feed system utilizing high energy magnetic shielding to isolate the feed chamber from both the otron and the feed path. Additionally, the chamber is cooled between firings by LHel coolant injection to prevent �cook-off� of propellant.
Coolant, system power, laser power and primary propellant are passed to the weapon through appropriate conduits from the main ship by way of the system feed trunk, which is both ray and impact shielded.
The Laser Propellant System: Laser generators provide power to the laser. Each generator (one per gun) is an independent solium-fueled, high-yield pulse-detonation power generation unit. The power from each detonation is converted via magnetic flux compression to pulsed energy that directly feeds the lasers. The energy first goes to a regenerative amplifier (�laser pump�), then through the primary focal lens. This lens, utilizing gravitic focusing via the point diverters, generates a false focal point, simulating a much larger focal array length and diameter. This allows the laser to maintain effectiveness to beyond normal combat range. Lastly, the beams are directed through quantum lasing rods, which further tighten their focus.
Coolant System: As with most other ship�s systems, the Viper�s weapon system utilizes liquid helium for cooling.
Projectile: The Viper utilizes an osmium-cased laser-propelled laser torpedo. The torpedo is 5.82 x 1.8 cm, and weighs 423 grams.
The projectile consists of the primary propellant attachment base plate, secondary propellant, tertiary propellant, the thermionic power generation system, the detonator, and the lason explosive.
