Starfleet weapons: Phaser. Part 3. History Phaser weaponry was invented during the 23rd century. Source: TNG: "A Matter Of Time". The technology was used by Starfleet as early as 2233; the USS Kelvin was equipped with ship-mounted phaser banks. Source: Star Trek. Phaser rifles were used as early as 2265, although at that time officers were still armed with laser pistols. Source: TOS: "Where No Man Has Gone Before". On Deneb V, in 2268, death by phaser was one method of execution for those who we