THE MILITARY DEVELOPMENT OF ARC TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF WEAPONS RESEARCH
The use of Arc energy has developed rapidly since its accidental discovery in the early 2350's.
The rapid industrialization that followed the accession of Autarch Visari required the opening of many new mines and refineries. A series of devastating explosions during desert mining operations led to the discovery of a previously unknown element with huge electrical potential: Petrusite.
Professor Torr Savic, a leading researcher at the Institute of Science and Technology was the first to identify the element and develop a controlled means of using it to generate power. From there, Savic focused on the civil and industrial applications of Arc technology, primarily increased automation and the provision of cheap energy to the masses.
However, the failure to reclaim our colony on Vekta and the likelihood of ISA retaliation convinced the Autarch that Arc technology was vital to the very survival of the Helghast nation and he ordered that all research be directed to military applications. When Savic refused to cooperate and publicly questioned the policy, he and his wife were incarcerated for a period of re-education.
The task of weaponizing Arc technology fell to Stahl Arms. The manufacturer rapidly developed a fixed Arc Cannon with massive firepower and extra-orbital range. At the same time, Stahl secured the supply and distribution of energy by laying down new pipelines and, in particular, exploiting the rich supply of Petrusite found in naturally occurring smoker towers.
At present, research and development is geared towards lightweight in-theater applications featuring portable Arc energy supplies. There is evidence to suggest that experimental weapons with these characteristics have been developed by unaligned third parties: a cause for concern.
—Dept. of Weapons Research, Institute of Science and Technology