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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]].
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 [[McAuliffe Ambush - 2634|McAuliffe Ambush of 2634]].


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.
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.


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.
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]], 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. 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.  
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 known torpedo types in use during the Terran-Kilrathi War is seen below.
A chart of recorded torpedo types in use during the Terran-Kilrathi War is shown below.




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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.


Not to be confused with much heavier ordnance such as [[CapShip Missile|CapShip]] or [[KH-19Y Capship Missile|Skipper]] missiles.
Not to be confused with much heavier ordnance such as [[CapShip Missile|CapShip]] or [[KH-19Y Capship Missile|Skipper]] missiles.




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

Revision as of 11:48, 30 August 2010

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 the Crown Prince, 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 Terran-Kilrathi War is shown below.


Name Velocity Active Time Range Max Yaw/Pitch Acceleration Lock Time Damage Refire Delay Missile Length Warhead Type
Lance Mark III 1000 kps 14 sec 14000 m 20/20 dps 200 k/s^2 12 seconds 800 cm 0 seconds 3.8 m Antimatter
Lance Mark IV 1000 kps 16 sec 16000 m 20/20 dps 200 k/s^2 12 seconds 200 cm 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 1600 kps 18 sec 12000 m 20/20 dps 900 k/s^2 6 seconds 80 cm 2 seconds Fusion
Firestorm T 1200 kps 18 seconds 18000 m 20/20 dps 600 k/s^2 12 seconds 160 cm 2 seconds Fusion
Lancer LT 1800 kps 16 sec 18000 m 30/30 dps 900 k/s^2 5 seconds 100 cm 2 sec Fusion
Pike T 1800 kps 20 seconds 22000 m 35/35 dps 700 k/s^2 10 seconds 200 cm 2 seconds Fusion
Poseidon 1200 kps 18 seconds 18000 m 25/25 dps 700 k/s^2 8 seconds 230 cm 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.

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