Ion cannon
In science fiction, an ion cannon is a fictional energy beam weapon firing beams of ions. Due to its power it is usually classified as a superweapon. In some cases, it is used to disable 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: Command and Conquer, Unreal Tournament 2004, and StarCraft, for example.
Cultural References
- In Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back 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 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, and the weapon is ineffective against fighters and only marginally effective against corvettes.
- In Command and Conquer, the Global Defense Initiative, or GDI, uses a satellite based Ion Cannon device to attack Brotherhood of Nod installations and forces, and at the end of the First Tiberium War, the "Temple of Nod."
- Ion Cannons are also employed by the Eurasian Dynasty in the game Earth 2150 as a means of disabling enemy units in preparation to capture them.
- In Unreal Tournament 2004, the Ion Cannon is a space based weapon similar to the GDI ion cannon, but unrelated in terms of storyline (the games are unrelated). It is aimed with a special targeting laser designator in Unreal Tournament, in Command and Conquer and its sequel Command and Conquer: Tiberian Sun by the player selecting a location on screen, and in the First Person Shooter Command and Conquer: Renegade by the player placing a beacon at the desired strike location.
- 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 a massive telescope. The weapon was never fired, leading to speculation that it may be designed for long range bombardment.
- 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 closeby to enemy terrority as a powerful assault weapon.