Type XII Array
Type: Phaser
Short for PHAsed Energy Rectification, Phasers have been the weapon of choice within the Federation since around 2265 when they replaced the aging laser and plasma cannons. Phasers work by releasing a vast amount of energy using the rapid nadion effect. Rapid nadions are short lived subatomic particles which can liberate and transfer strong nuclear forces within a class of crystals called fushigi-no-umi when energy is channeled through the crystal.
Previously designated as the 'Type 10+' for security reasons, the Type 12 phaser has been used in dedicated planetary defence arrays and as the main armament of heavy fortified starbases since 2263. It was considered that the Type 12 was unsuitable for use on a starship because the power requirements were too high and the support systems too bulky. However, by 2368 technical improvements had allowed for considerable shrinkage in the size of the equipment, and ship power systems had become capable of supporting the weapon. The main phaser armament of the new Sovereign class starship therefore comprises Type 12 phaser arrays as does the armament of the Prometheus class. These are the most powerful phaser weapons currently in use by the Federation.