Torpedoes Away! image - Ages of the Federation mod for Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion

Memory Alpha - Galactic Archives.
Data Entry - 2145/G - Stellar Warfare
Sub-File - #1 - Basic Weaponry

Throughout history space faring civilizations have largely fitted their ships with some form of defensive or offensive technology. From point-defense weapons to protect against debris and missiles, to electronic countermeasures to defend against target locks. Weapons have always gone hand in hand with starships, military and civilian alike.

The most basic of these weapons are Nuclear Missiles and Laser Cannons. Over the years these have been enhanced and adapted into new forms and their evolution has always been driven by war and necessity. During Earth's early days of space exploration many vessels were fitted with "Spatial Torpedo's" And Plasma, Laser and or Particle cannons (Depending on if it was Starfleet, Private or Civilian). Eventually by the 2150s these were phased out with Phase Cannons and Photonic Torpedo's (Matter/Anti-Matter Weapons capable of being fired while at Warp, hence the name)

The Earth-Romulan War even saw Starfleet abandon it's long use of Hull Polarization technology in favor of Shields as featured on the Yorktown, Columbia and Daedalus Classes, making them much more useful in engagements against the Romulans than the NX, Intrepid or Poseidon class.

This very war did see extensive use of nuclear weaponry however, through at the hands of the Romulans. Romulan vessels were fitted with nuclear torpedo's while newer ships only used these as part of their self-destruct mechanism as it was the later parts of the war that saw the introduction of one of the most effective torpedo types. The Plasma Torpedo.

The Plasma Torpedo is a signature weapon of the Romulan Star Navy. Fitting perfectly with their Plasma Cannons. These weapons are, like their photon cousins, fitted with a M/AM Warhead but use high-energy plasma (related to Electroplasma). Primitive Plasma Torpedo's were capable of warping and deforming the hulls of their targets. While the antimatter warhead did the majority of the damage, the plasma would spread across the hull. Burning and melting it. Earning these torpedo's a nickname of Romulan Fire, a reference to an ancient weapon used by the Greeks of Earth, Greek Fire. Named so because it could not be extinguished as it was oil set ablaze.

However, as noted during an encounter in the 2260s, the Plasma Torpedo is not the Romulan's primary weapon. It is in fact their variant of a Heavy Weapon. This is because the firing of a Plasma Torpedo requires so much power that their vessels had to de-cloak prior to firing. But this did not matter as once the enveloping plasma struck its target the resulting implosion would cause damage to even the interior of the ship, shaking it to its core. Almost like a depth charge used on ancient aquatic vessels known as submarines.

The description of the first use of Plasma Torpedo's is sketchy at best. Some report similar weapons during the Earth-Romulan War. Others say the Neutral Zone incident of the 2260s was their first known use. Others protest that they had been used against Klingons in the 21st century. Whatever the truth is, they are still extremely dangerous. It's one thing to blow your target up, but to also melt it's hull is another. After all, what is more effective? Simply killing your enemy, or striking fear into them to demoralize the troops?

Did you know?:
That Starfleet Ships in the 2240s to 2260s were known to use Pulse and Beam phasers?
Older ships such as the Walker Class, used a pulsing "Electric Blue" phaser cannon. While more modern vessels like the Constitution used a solid beam weapon. This is because Phaser Banks require more space than their cannon companions. Pulse weapons also require less time to charge and fire. Making them effective on ships designed with speed in mind, or where space is a premium.

A Prime example of a ship using both types of weapon is the Kelvin Class. The USS Kelvin used pulse phaser cannons that would deploy from beneath the hull, while also using Phaser Banks. An unusual combination on a ship of science, but it's introduction in the 2230s was a time where these vessels were entering the unknown and necessitated such defenses. Proving useful against raiders and pirates alike.

In the next file you will learn about Advanced Torpedo's and Weapons, such as Phaser Arrays, Quantum Torpedo's, "Shield Buster" Torpedo's and Gravimetric Torpedo's. After that you will read about Exotic Torpedo weapons, Tricobalt, Transphasic, Isolytic and Chroniton.

(I know some info is shortened or "Wrong". This is on purpose as I'm writing these under the guise of archivists that are living centuries after the events, plus I'm trying to respect both Canon and Non-Canon sources.)

So a strong first punch or a heavy cunter-punch, perhaps? ;)

Commander Keras’ Star Log:

The weapon testing continues. These torpedoes offer an impressive display of power. Our targets were completely obliterated, vaporized, by the first shot. Though unshielded asteroids prove no match even for standard munitions. The effect against shielded targets was far more impressive.

The energy of the plasma quickly overwhelmed the targets’ defenses and left little that could fight back, but it was not enough to destroy the everything underneath. The added time it takes to recharge leaves us vulnerable to counter-attack, especially if our foe were to have the defenses of a Starbase. The Elements, however, have seen fit to grant an answer to this problem.

The scientists claim to be nearing completion of their project and the Praetor is rightly pleased. Though I am not yet purview to this device, I have heard rumor of its composition. A shell, not unlike our shield technology, that blocks certain energies. A shroud, not to be used to defend as a shield, but to hide as a cloaked figure in the crowd revealing oneself only long enough to strike.

A powerful system, with a powerful weapon at its heart. However, it would seem that my fears are well founded. Are we to turn away from our warrior heritage? Are we to be cloaked by secrets and strike from the shadows from this point onward? Will we now be assassins among the stars, never more standing as indomitable as the mountains?

The Centurion tries to dissuade my fears. I know he feels them as well. He calls me a philosopher, in jest of course. He knows we are both warriors and servants of Romulus. We will carry out our every duty. It is our way.

A philosopher, indeed. Perhaps in another reality things could have been different.