I am the creator of the C&C Tiberian Dawn/Red Alert Redux Mod and the Realistic Weapon Mod for C&C Generals Zero Hour. You might also know me for pioneering a release of a Generals/Zero Hour Mod with enhanced revolutionary graphics! I have also been an assistant programmer and map designer for Vietnam Glory Obscured.
After all these years and recently looking thru the games cutscenes and background animations I just realized it appears that the SNES Game "Metal Warriors" (which was released the same year as C&C1) appears to have a reference to the GDI Ion Cannon!
Pretty cool since I love both games! :)