Proton Torpedo

Proton torpedoes are high-yield explosive devices used primarily in space combat, although they can also be used against ground targets.

The exact nature of proton torpedoes is unknown. They have been said to have 'proton-scattering warheads,' leading some to speculate that they are nuclear devices. Yet the yields of such weapons appears too high for them to be nuclear weapons in any conventional sense - fighter-based torpedoes no larger than a watermelon are believed to have yields in the many hundreds of megatons. Anti-ship torpedoes, despite being relatively small, can have yields in the teratons. These facts imply that neither fusion nor antimatter reactions are responsible for the power of these weapons, although antimatter is far more plausible an explanation than fusion. It may be that hypermatter or some other uniquely SW substance is used instead, though no such indications are given.

Regardless, proton torpedoes (or 'protorps' for short) are considered short-range heavy weapons, carrying higher yields than most turbolasers and possessing homing capability, but lacking in range and vulnerable to being shot down. They also have variable yields, and can be 'dialed' to varying levels of destructiveness. Late-model torpedoes have inbuilt ECM measures and a spiraling flight path to throw off point-defense systems attempting to shoot them down.

Record 818 - technology - Last update 28 Mar 2007, 23:09:21

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