Torpedo
A type of anti-ship kinetic weapon, typically armed with a warhead. Torpedoes are distinct from missiles in that they are propelled by fusion torches and have acceleration and delta-v capabilities similar to a spacecraft, whereas missiles are designed for quick short-range strikes and typically use some form of chemical rocket motor or externally-powere propulsion
Most torpedoes resemble long cylinders, flat on the front and with the conical heatshield of a fusion torch at the rear, ringed by a magnetic driver coil. Inside are fuel tanks, avionics, and a payload. Radiator bands are wrapped around the outside, giving the torpedo the appearance of an orange mote atop a plume of white flame when it is fired.
Most torpedoes are armed with fission or fusion warheads fuzed to detonate on impact with an enemy spacecraft, or earlier if its onboard computer detects it is about to be destroyed by counterfire. Some warheads are designed to focus their blast into a tight beam to maximize the amount of damage done to a target. A torpedo getting through to hit a ship is typically an instant kill, the explosion will blast it to smithereens.
Modern torpedoes can accelerate at several gravities for a period of hours, but even this does not guarantee a hit since the ranges involved in space combat are vast and torpedo drives cannot be stealthed.
Outside the military, torpedoes are sometimes used in astrophysical research by fitting them with sensors instead of warheads.
Most torpedoes resemble long cylinders, flat on the front and with the conical heatshield of a fusion torch at the rear, ringed by a magnetic driver coil. Inside are fuel tanks, avionics, and a payload. Radiator bands are wrapped around the outside, giving the torpedo the appearance of an orange mote atop a plume of white flame when it is fired.
Most torpedoes are armed with fission or fusion warheads fuzed to detonate on impact with an enemy spacecraft, or earlier if its onboard computer detects it is about to be destroyed by counterfire. Some warheads are designed to focus their blast into a tight beam to maximize the amount of damage done to a target. A torpedo getting through to hit a ship is typically an instant kill, the explosion will blast it to smithereens.
Modern torpedoes can accelerate at several gravities for a period of hours, but even this does not guarantee a hit since the ranges involved in space combat are vast and torpedo drives cannot be stealthed.
Outside the military, torpedoes are sometimes used in astrophysical research by fitting them with sensors instead of warheads.
Item type
Ammunition
Rarity
Common type of ship-mounted weapon
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