Torpedo
A torpedo is a self-propelled, self-guided weapon. Torpedoes of some type are part of the standard weaponry of most Starfleet starships in the 23rd and 24th centuries.
Torpedoes are used in space combat as an alternative to energy weapons such as disruptors and phasers. Torpedoes can be configured before launch to fit various specifications. Normally a torpedo is equiped with a heavy warhead, but the explosive yield of this warhead may vary depending on the type of torpedo. Torpedo launchers bring the weapon into battery and allow fire control from the ship's bridge, although a torpedo can be launched manually. Most of the time a Tactical Officer is responsible for target acquisition and launch sequence.
The maximum effective range of a torpedo depends on its type. Range is dependent on propulsion and acquisition capabilities. Propulsion is categorized basically by whether the torpedo is warp-capable or uses another method, while acquisition capability is dependent on the range at which a tactical officer can control the torpedo, fundamentally the maximum effective sensor range of the ship from which the torpedo is fired.
Some types of torpedoes are equipped with a self-destruction mechanism. For those types, if a torpedo is fired accidently or experiences a targeting acquisition problem, it can be destroyed.
The torpedo guides itself via internal sensors that can be configured by the tactical officer. The advantage is that a firing pattern can be established whereby multiple torpedo launches can be co-ordinated to hit a single target and thus make the best use of every torpedo's explosive yield. When necessary, the device's internal sensors can be replaced by specialized sensor packs, allowing for additional flexibility in use; for example, using a sensor pack designed to detect gaseous anomalies could enable a torpedo to lock onto impulse engine emissions. After configuration, the torpedo can be fired and will automatically acquire its target. Technologically advanced torpedoes feature artificial intelligence to make decisions about target aqcuisition, defensive manoeuvres etc.
Torpedoes are used by different species and vary in type, appearance, explosive yield, and effective range. Several types of torpedoes are known to exist:
- Spatial torpedo - the first torpedo weapon developed by Earth Starfleet.
- Photonic torpedo - an intermediate step between the spatial torpedo and the photon torpedo.
- Photon torpedo - the most common type of torpedo, used by mutliple species.
- Quantum torpedo - a replacement for the standard photon torpedo.
- Transphasic torpedo - a future Starfleet weapon.
- Plasma torpedo - in use by Romulan and Cardassian forces.
- Gravimetric torpedo - a high-yield weapon used by the Borg.
- Chroniton torpedo - a destructive weapon used by the Krenim Imperium.
Firing a torpedo is not to be taken lightly, as torpedoes are generally the most destructive weapons in a ship's arsenal. Unlike directed energy weapons, for which targeting and yield can be precisely controlled, a torpedo's explosive nature means that employing one may cause unintended collateral damage. As a result, Federation vessels usually employ torpedoes only when it is certain that the target's continued well-being is unimportant (as in a state of war) or if it seems able to withstand torpedo attacks (in use against a technologically superior foe). Therefore, decisions about target acquisition and fire control of a torpedo are limited to the highest ranking bridge officer. This can be the Captain or the First officer. A tactical officer may only accept target coordinates and carry out the order to fire weapons.