Point defense phaser

The Point defense phaser was a weapon employed by Starfleet Nebula class vessels.

The concept itself originated from ideas that went as far back as the 20th century through the Stragetic Defense Initiative. The weapon was finally perfected in 2374. The point defense phaser was a phaser beam that, when activated, would target enemy torpedo weapons before they reached their target. This made it an effective defense system for a Federation fleet as the heavy enemy weapons would be intercepted long before they did damage to a ship.

(TNG video game: Armada)