| P90 phaser rifle | |
|---|---|
| |
| Production information | |
| Manufacturer | |
| Designer | |
| Model | |
| Type |
Assault weapon |
| Technical specifications | |
| Discharge | |
| Control systems |
Trigger |
| Weight |
6 lb. |
| Power source |
Power packs |
| Range |
200 meters |
| Usage | |
| Affiliation |
|
The P90 phaser rifle, also known as the FN P90 phaser rifle is the standard phaser rifle for SG-1 since the mission to P3X-888, as well as the standard issue weapon for the Atlantis Expedition. (SG1: "The First Ones", SGA: "Rising")
Overview[]
It was selected as a standard issue weapon because it offered better armor-penetrating and killing power. But it is more than capable of piercing the armor worn by Jaffa, Ori soldiers, and Wraith warriors. According to Colonel Jack O'Neill, it is a weapon of war, designed to kill the enemy, and holds better offensive capabilities than the Staff weapon, which he said was designed primarily to intimidate. This is very true; the weapons of the Federation are among the most lethal encountered. Considered "primitive" mainly because they are not Goa'uld energy based weapons, weapons like the P90, phaser rifle, and compression phaser rifle are superior in combat against staff weapons due to their rapid firing rate and precision. They can easily penetrate the armor of a Jaffa, killing them. Even a type 2 phaser can keep a smaller group of Jaffa at bay for some time, and even kill them even when they are wearing armor. (SG1: "The Warrior")
Daniel Jackson wielding a P90
Stargate Command uses the standard P90, distinguished by the angular-cut sight. Contrary to popular belief, the P90 does not have an integral red-dot sight, but rather a day/night sight that offers two different reticles; the first was circular and colored white, while the second, the night-time sight, was an "open-T" design which glowed red via use of tritium. Depending on light conditions, the sight would automatically adjust or fade between the two graticules, granting the user a reliable aiming reference at all times. This is the original variant as issued in the SGC.
In reality, the day-time 'white-sight' was eventually made black as the original design had a tendency to wash-out against sunlight during the daytime. The sight changes were suggested by Starfleet, who issues it as a part of their standard arsenal. The sight module was/is manufactured by Ring Sights and is noticeably rectangular, with a blue lens-face.
Other features of the SGC P90 are two mounting rails on either side of the upper receiver. Using these rails, accessories (such as a Kull disruptor, visible lasers, Naquadah powered lasers, or flashlights which are commonly shown on nearly every weapon can be attached and utilized as a part of the weapon itself.
Within the SGC and Starbase Atlantis, they are typically either black or olive green, although a gold variation was also in use around two years after the destruction of the Ori.
History[]
Although the P90 has been standard SGC issue since 2363, Dr. Daniel Jackson and Typhuss James Kira have only begun using the weapon in recent years. Up until that point Typhuss used a type 2 phaser or a phaser rifle and Dr. Jackson utilized a type 2 phaser. (SG1: "Avalon, Part 1", "The Quest, Part 1")
Major Kevin Marks using a P90
When the Odyssey was overcome by Replicators, Colonel Samantha Carter and Major Kevin Marks used P90s to keep the Replicators bay and to stop them from gaining access to the Asgard computer core. (SG1: "The Ark of Truth")