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Neutral Beam Cannon
Neutral Beam Cannons (NBCs, N-Beams, Neutron Beam Cannons, Proton Beam Cannons), are electrically neutral particle cannons. NBCs are prevalent in modern orbital warfare.
Design
NBCs function the same way as Electron Beam Cannons, where a charged plasma cloud is accelerated to relativistic speeds. However, depending on the type, the cloud is then made neutrally charged by passing through a field or a gas before exiting the barrel of the weapon. Because the beam is neutralized, it retains cohesion for much longer, making it capable of reaching up to one light minute away on average without dispersing.
NBCs that strip away a proton to neutralize the beam are known as Neutron Beam Cannons since they project a line of neutrons. Similarly, NBCs that add an electron to a proton to neutralize the beam are known as Proton Beam Cannons since they project a proton and electron pair. Hydrogen or Helium plasma are typically used as the driving gas for NBCs, with more exotic weapons using heavier elements.
Because the particles projected by NBCs are much heavier than EBCs, the weapon system requires much more energy and charge up time before reaching relativistic speeds. However, the heavier weight translates directly into more kinetic damage when impacting a surface.
Usage
Neutral Beam Cannons are primarily used as the main armament for capital class starships. Their low time to target and extreme range makes it a highly capable weapon in all situations. Their only drawback is low firerate and high energy draw.
Due to their neutral charge, NBC beams cannot be deflected or diffused by electromagnetic active defenses. Experiments with gravitic and null active defenses have shown promise, but are both in the prototype stage and extremely expensive to use in terms of energy. The best way to mitigate NBCs as of now is to not get hit or absorb it with a plasteel armor cap.
Neutral Beam Cannons are typically mounted along the spine of a ship due to the large amount of accelerators required to push the beam to relativistic speeds.