The Z-Cannon celebrates 10 years of service this year so to celebrate we are looking back at the history and future of this key weapon in the DDS arsenal. Development began of the weapon in 2095 as it was realised the new (at the time) Pulsar cruiser would need greater firepower if it was to meet future threats. The Z-Cannon was devised as a much higher output energy cannon using frequencies much higher than existing beam weapons.
Early Development
The Tarbot War of 2097 was a great boost to Z-Cannon development. Analysis of Tarbotian weapon technology especially on a captured Kenora assisted the DDS greatly in developing lenses and power management systems to allow the Z-Cannon to operate. By 2098 the first pre-production Z-Cannon was ready for deployment and was fitted to the flagship Pulsar. Then, before testing could begin, the HCS launched a surprise attack on the DDS. The Z-Cannon was therefore tested in real combat and immediately proved it's power tearing the HCS to shreds. In one memorable encounter the Z-Cannon beam blasted through one HCS ship and destroyed another one behind it.
The Z-Cannon became a key part of the Pulsar ILU at the end of the decade and by 2100 the DDS had a number of Z-Cannons in service. However the chaos of 2099-2100 saw the DDS cease most operations and the Z-Cannon development stagnated. The HCS began to develop improved shield techniques and tactics to negate the Z-Cannon's power.
The Second Generation
As the DDS began to regroup in late 2100 following the return of Windscorpion and the end of the Third Clone War work urgently began on an improved Z-Cannon known as Z2. It was intended to form part of the Pulsar MULE and the new Quasar class cruiser but before development was completed the DDS was hurled into the 1st Utrek War. The DDS worked like crazy to complete the Z2 and the Quasar and managed to get it into service just in time to help turn the tide against the Utrek. The Quasar + Z2 was an incredibly potent combination and helped the Z-Cannon regain it's edge.
Z5 : The Definitive Z-Cannon
Development continued of the Z-Cannon of course and in 2103 the DDS released the Z5 with greater power and reliability. It has become standard issue on all DDS warships with a cut-down version called Z5m fitted to small ships. The DDS have also developed a ground attack version known as Z5g and are now working on a version that is equally effective on ground and space targets (Z5i). Improved fire control and crystal regeneration techniques allow the Z-Cannon to fire more frequently than before allowing for the development of a turreted version (Z5t). It is now unthinkable for any DDS warship to not have a Z-Cannon however it is no longer the key weapon in the DDS arsenal.
The transphasic missile (TPM) has replaced Z-Cannon as the principal weapon in the DDS though Z-Cannon remains highly important. However it is not the end of the story yet.
The Future : Zip
The DDS are currently working on the next generation of weapon merging the lethality of transphasic weapons with the fire volume and reliability of Z-Cannon. This is known as Z-Cannon InterPhase (Zip) though when it enters service it may just be known as Z6. The Zip will use interphasic technologies in the same way as TPMs to pass through shields and then re-phase inside the target.
The DDS are aiming to get Zip into service by the end of the decade. The Z-Cannon is celebrating 10 years of service but the story has only just begun.
