Torpedo: Difference between revisions

The Terran Knowledge Bank
Jump to: navigation, search
(Created page with "Term for shield-penetrating missiles typically carried by capital ships and heavy fighter-bombers. First used with devastating effect by the [[Emp...")
 
mNo edit summary
 
(9 intermediate revisions by 4 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
Term for [[Phase Shield|shield]]-penetrating missiles typically carried by [[capital ships]] and heavy fighter-[[Bomber|bombers]]. First used with devastating effect by the [[Empire of Kilrah|Kilrathi Empire]] during the [[McAullffe Ambush - 2634|McAuliffe Ambush of 2634]].
''Not to be confused with much heavier ordnance such as [[CapShip Missile|CapShip]] or [[KH-19Y Capship Missile|Skipper]] missiles.''


Early shield-burster missile prototypes were developed prior to the outbreak of the [[Terran-Kilrathi War|Terran-Kilrathi]] conflict in 2634 by both the [[Terran Confederation|Confederation]] and [[Kilrathi]] subject races. The primary obstacle lay in the polarity shift frequency of phase shields, which could simply be increased at time of impact to prematurely detonate the torpedo before it penetrated the shield. Although [[Panama War Games|speculative exercises]] were conducted by [[Terran Confederation Navy|ConFleet]] in 2622 to experiment with the feasibility of such a weapon, the concept seems to have caught little interest and Fleet doctrine continued to stress massed heavy weapon barrages at the start of the war.
Term for shield-penetrating missiles typically carried by [[Capital ship|capital ships]] and heavy [[fighter]]-[[Bomber|bombers]]. First used with devastating effect by the [[Empire of Kilrah|Kilrathi Empire]] during the [[McAuliffe Ambush - 2634|McAuliffe Ambush of 2634]].


Kilrathi leaders were more receptive. Searching for a technological advantage to trump the Confederation's material superiority, they discovered records of the Panama war games from a captured human colony on [[Fawcett's World]] and set their subject races to work on developing a practical model. Development was slow, despite urgent pressure from the [[Gilkarg nar Kiranka|Crown Prince]] himself, but by mid-2634 workable prototypes had been completed, which were quickly rushed into production to see action at McAuliffe later that year.
Early shield-burster missile prototypes were developed prior to the outbreak of the [[Terran-Kilrathi War|Terran-Kilrathi]] conflict in [[2634]] by both the [[Terran Confederation|Confederation]] and [[Kilrathi]] subject races. The primary obstacle lay in the polarity shift frequency of phase shields, which could simply be increased at time of impact to prematurely detonate the torpedo before it penetrated the shield. Although [[Panama War Games|speculative exercises]] were conducted by [[Terran Confederation Navy|ConFleet]] in 2622 to experiment with the feasibility of such a weapon, the concept caught little interest and Fleet doctrine continued to stress massed heavy weapon barrages at the start of the war.


One of the main deficiencies of these early torpedo models was the need for the firing ship to remain stationary during the acquisition process. The other was the inability of capital ships to launch torpedoes without shutting off their own shields, the heavy shielding interfering with the necessary acquisition and lock process. Though the former would eventually be corrected, torpedo runs would still require pilots to fly straight and steady during a lock period of up to thirty seconds. It is unknown if the latter issue was ever addressed; records as late as 2654 still show capital ships powering down shields before launching torpedoes.  
Kilrathi leaders were more receptive. Searching for a technological advantage to trump the Confederation's material superiority, they discovered records of the Panama war games from a captured human colony on [[Fawcett's World]] and set their subject races to work on developing a practical model. Development was slow, despite urgent pressure from Crown Prince [[Gilkarg nar Kiranka]], but by mid-2634 working prototypes had been completed, which were quickly rushed into production to see action at [[McAuliffe]] later that year.


A chart of known torpedo types in use during the Terran-Kilrathi War is seen below.
One of the main deficiencies of these early torpedo models was the need for the firing ship to remain stationary during the acquisition process. The other was the inability of capital ships to launch torpedoes without shutting off their own shields, the heavy shielding interfering with the necessary acquisition and lock process. Though the former would eventually be corrected, torpedo runs would still require pilots to fly straight and steady during a lock period of up to thirty seconds. Records showed that the latter remained an issue till late as [[2654]], with capital ships still powering down shields before launching torpedoes at that time.
 
A chart of recorded torpedo types in use during the 27th century is seen below.




Line 17: Line 19:
! '''Active Time'''
! '''Active Time'''
! '''Range'''
! '''Range'''
! '''Max Yaw/Pitch'''
! '''Max. Yaw/Pitch'''
! '''Acceleration'''
! '''Acceleration'''
! '''Lock Time'''
! '''Lock Time'''
! '''Damage'''
! '''Damage'''
! '''Refire Delay'''
! '''Refire Delay'''
! '''Missile Length'''
! '''Warhead Type'''
|-
|-
| ''Lance Mark III''
| ''Lance''
| 1000 kps
| 1000 kps
| 14 sec
| 14 seconds
| 14000 m
| 14000 m
| 20/20 dps
| 20 degrees/second
| 200 k/s^2
| 200 klicks/second<sup>2</sup>
| 12 seconds
| 12 seconds
| 800 cm
| 800 cm
| 0 seconds
| 0 seconds
| 3.8 m
| Antimatter
|-
|-
| ''Lance Mark IV''
| ''Mark IV''
| 1000 kps
| 1000 kps
| 16 sec
| 16 seconds
| 16000 m
| 16000 m
| 20/20 dps
| 20 degrees/second
| 200 k/s^2
| 200 klicks/second<sup>2</sup>
| 12 seconds
| 12 seconds
| 200 cm
| 200 cm
| 0 seconds
| 0 seconds
| 10 m
| Fusion
|-
| ''Lance Mark V''
| 2600 kps
| 28 seconds
| 72800 m
| 0/0s dps
|
| 12 seconds
| 1800 cm
| 2 seconds
|
| Antimatter
|-
|-
| ''Valiant LT''
| ''Valiant LT''
| 1600 kps
| 1600 kps
| 18 sec
| 18 seconds
| 12000 m
| 12000 m
| 20/20 dps
| 20 degrees/second
| 900 k/s^2
| 900 klicks/second<sup>2</sup>
| 6 seconds
| 6 seconds
| 80 cm
| 80 cm
| 2 seconds
| 2 seconds
|
| Fusion
|-
|-
| ''Firestorm T''
| ''Firestorm T''
Line 77: Line 59:
| 18 seconds
| 18 seconds
| 18000 m
| 18000 m
| 20/20 dps
| 20 degrees/second
| 600 k/s^2
| 600 klicks/second<sup>2</sup>
| 12 seconds
| 12 seconds
| 160 cm
| 160 cm
| 2 seconds
| 2 seconds
|
| Fusion
|-
|-
| ''Lancer LT''
| ''Lancer LT''
| 1800 kps
| 1800 kps
| 16 sec
| 16 seconds
| 18000 m
| 18000 m
| 30/30 dps
| 30 degrees/second
| 900 k/s^2
| 900 klicks/second<sup>2</sup>
| 5 seconds
| 5 seconds
| 100 cm
| 100 cm
| 2 sec
| 2 seconds
|
| Fusion
|-
|-
| ''Pike T''
| ''Pike T''
Line 101: Line 79:
| 20 seconds
| 20 seconds
| 22000 m
| 22000 m
| 35/35 dps
| 35 degrees/second
| 700 k/s^2
| 700 klicks/second<sup>2</sup>
| 10 seconds
| 10 seconds
| 200 cm
| 200 cm
| 2 seconds
| 2 seconds
|
| Fusion
|-
|-
| ''Poseidon''
| ''Poseidon''
Line 113: Line 89:
| 18 seconds
| 18 seconds
| 18000 m
| 18000 m
| 25/25 dps
| 25 degrees/second
| 700 k/s^2
| 700 klicks/second<sup>2</sup>
| 8 seconds
| 8 seconds
| 230 cm
| 230 cm
| 2 seconds
| 2 seconds
|
| Fusion
|}
|}




It should be noted that the [[Proton Torpedo]], a popular civilian weapon, is not a true torpedo in the sense defined by this article.


It should be noted that the [[Proton Torpedo]], a popular civillian weapon, is not a true torpedo in the sense defined by this article.
{{#set:source=Wing Commander: Action Stations}}
 
{{#set:source=Wing Commander Movie}}
Not to be confused with much heavier ordnance such as [[CapShip Missile|CapShip]] or [[KH-19Y Capship Missile|Skipper]] missiles.
{{#set:source=Wing Commander II: Vengeance of the Kilrathi}}
 
{{#set:source=Wing Commander: Academy}}
 
{{#set:source=Wing Commander: End Run}}
{{#set:source=Wing Commander: Fleet Action}}
{{#set:source=Wing Commander: Armada}}
{{#set:source=Voices of War}}
{{#set:source=Wing Commander III: Heart of the Tiger}}
{{#set:source=Wing Commander: Heart of the Tiger}}
{{#set:source=Wing Commander IV: The Price of Freedom}}
{{#set:source=Wing Commander: The Price of Freedom}}
{{#set:source=Wing Commander: Prophecy}}
{{#set:source=Integrated Combat Information Systems}}
{{#set:source=Wing Commander: Secret Ops}}
{{#set:source=Privateer 2: The Darkening}}


[[Category:Weapons]][[Category:Technology]]
[[Category:Technology]]
[[Category:Missiles]]

Latest revision as of 07:13, 6 November 2023

Not to be confused with much heavier ordnance such as CapShip or Skipper missiles.

Term for shield-penetrating missiles typically carried by capital ships and heavy fighter-bombers. First used with devastating effect by the Kilrathi Empire during the McAuliffe Ambush of 2634.

Early shield-burster missile prototypes were developed prior to the outbreak of the Terran-Kilrathi conflict in 2634 by both the Confederation and Kilrathi subject races. The primary obstacle lay in the polarity shift frequency of phase shields, which could simply be increased at time of impact to prematurely detonate the torpedo before it penetrated the shield. Although speculative exercises were conducted by ConFleet in 2622 to experiment with the feasibility of such a weapon, the concept caught little interest and Fleet doctrine continued to stress massed heavy weapon barrages at the start of the war.

Kilrathi leaders were more receptive. Searching for a technological advantage to trump the Confederation's material superiority, they discovered records of the Panama war games from a captured human colony on Fawcett's World and set their subject races to work on developing a practical model. Development was slow, despite urgent pressure from Crown Prince Gilkarg nar Kiranka, but by mid-2634 working prototypes had been completed, which were quickly rushed into production to see action at McAuliffe later that year.

One of the main deficiencies of these early torpedo models was the need for the firing ship to remain stationary during the acquisition process. The other was the inability of capital ships to launch torpedoes without shutting off their own shields, the heavy shielding interfering with the necessary acquisition and lock process. Though the former would eventually be corrected, torpedo runs would still require pilots to fly straight and steady during a lock period of up to thirty seconds. Records showed that the latter remained an issue till late as 2654, with capital ships still powering down shields before launching torpedoes at that time.

A chart of recorded torpedo types in use during the 27th century is seen below.


Name Velocity Active Time Range Max. Yaw/Pitch Acceleration Lock Time Damage Refire Delay
Lance 1000 kps 14 seconds 14000 m 20 degrees/second 200 klicks/second2 12 seconds 800 cm 0 seconds
Mark IV 1000 kps 16 seconds 16000 m 20 degrees/second 200 klicks/second2 12 seconds 200 cm 0 seconds
Valiant LT 1600 kps 18 seconds 12000 m 20 degrees/second 900 klicks/second2 6 seconds 80 cm 2 seconds
Firestorm T 1200 kps 18 seconds 18000 m 20 degrees/second 600 klicks/second2 12 seconds 160 cm 2 seconds
Lancer LT 1800 kps 16 seconds 18000 m 30 degrees/second 900 klicks/second2 5 seconds 100 cm 2 seconds
Pike T 1800 kps 20 seconds 22000 m 35 degrees/second 700 klicks/second2 10 seconds 200 cm 2 seconds
Poseidon 1200 kps 18 seconds 18000 m 25 degrees/second 700 klicks/second2 8 seconds 230 cm 2 seconds


It should be noted that the Proton Torpedo, a popular civilian weapon, is not a true torpedo in the sense defined by this article.

Retrieved from "https://www.wcnews.com/wcpedia/index.php?title=Torpedo&oldid=64957"