Kinetic Accelerator Technology

Kinetic Accelerators are a new type of technology developed during the early 22nd century and used widely by the time of the 23rd century. Guns with kinetic accelerators are similar to railguns and coilguns, but used a mix of specialised propellant and electricity to propel projectiles quickly. This made kinetic accelerators fairly compact and easier to use and utilised compared to railguns or coilguns that relied completely on electricity.

They were primarily used to accelerate the projectiles of a cannon or gun, increasing muzzle velocity, penetration and thus lethality. Kinetic accelerators borrowed some of its technology and design from electrothermal-chemical technology that was in experimental stage during the late 21st century and ultimately succeeded it.

In a way, kinetic accelerators is an de-evolution of railguns and coilguns.

The United Earth Federation as well as many others made extensive use of kinetic accelerator technology in its weaponry, the UEF notably had all of its standard guns upgraded with kinetic accelerators or replaced.

By the time of the 26th century however, plasma technology was further developed and as such plasma weaponry was also developed and was beginning to see wide usage. Plasma weaponry would eventually replace kinetic accelerators for major militaries. Albeit some would continue to see limited usage for specialised purposes.