Point defence cannon

The point defence cannon were first employed in the 2230s, including on the Kelvin class of starships, in an attempt to overcome the recharge rate and power output deficiencies experienced with earlier phaser types. The cannon, itself a phaser, was actually weaker than comparable phaser banks, but its rate of fire and continued R&D work subsequently allowed it to be developed into a more durable and stronger beam weapon. This phaser, known for its charactertistic blue energy signature, was itself replaced when further advances allowed its recharge rate and fatigue dimunition characteristics to be applied to the raw power of original phaser types.

Alternate Universe

The disastrous battle that saw the destruction of the USS Kelvin in 2233 provided Starfleet with sensor scans that hinted at new technologies and prompted a push in weapons development. The breakthrough presented by the point defence cannon was itself superseded by the Type VI, first deployed on the Constitution class of starships. Although the point defence cannon continued to be used on most ship types prior to the Constitution's development, it would be phased out of use over the following years.