Enterprise firing photonic torpedoes
A photonic torpedo was a type of projectile weapon in use during the 22nd century by Earth Starfleet. (ENT episode: "The Expanse")
Specifications[]
Photonic torpedoes in Enterprise's armory (2153)
Photonic torpedoes were equipped with a variable yield antimatter warhead. They could be launched while a ship was traveling at warp speed as well as when it was traveling at sublight speeds. They had over fifty times greater range than the previous spatial torpedoes. The variable yield was described by Malcolm Reed as being able to "knock the com array off a shuttlepod without scratching the hull, or put a three-kilometer crater into an asteroid." Antimatter to the warheads on NX-class starships was provided by the ship's antimatter reserves. (ENT episodes: "The Expanse", "Hatchery")
A warning label on the torpedo casings classified the photonic torpedo as an antimatter ordnance device that must be maintained on power at all times. It also included warnings that the photonic torpedo employed magnetic isolation fields, that if breached would release lethal levels of energetic gamma rays. The duty tactical officer was to be notified before loading or offloading the antimatter used by the torpedo. Magnetic devices were not to be operated near the torpedo, as they could interfere with the containment field. (Star Trek: Enterprise)
History[]
The weapon was initally developed and first used on board the Enterprise (NX-01) in the year 2153, when it began installation of the torpedoes aboard Enterprise NX-01 following its return to Earth. These new weapons were installed in the ship's armory to better prepare the craft for searching for the Xindi weapon. (ENT episode: "The Expanse")
- As described in the final draft script of "The Expanse", the photonic torpedoes aboard Enterprise were to have been shown being wheeled into the ship's armory on "a hi-tech cart", then manually lifted into a launch tube. In the final version of the episode, though, it is unclear how the torpedoes arrived in the armory (though they are shown in their cart) and are automatically maneuvered into the launch tube.
The use of antimatter warheads aboard Earth starships came as quite a surprise to attacking Klingons. In 2153, they sustained enough damage that they were forced to discontinue their pursuit of Enterprise on course to the Delphic Expanse. However, this form of torpedo still could not effectively penetrate the deflector shielding of a typical Klingon Bird-of-Prey when most shield power was transferred to the section under attack. (ENT episode: "The Expanse")
Klingon torpedo technology of the time, nevertheless, appeared to be much more advanced than both Earth and Vulcan technology, as some of their ships were already equipped with photon torpedoes. (ENT episode: "Sleeping Dogs")
A mirror universe ship firing photonic torpedoes
In the mirror universe, photonic torpedoes were already in use on the Emmette-type starships. The weapons were used during an assault on the Lunar colonies, that occurred some time before the introduction of the NX-class of starships in 2151. (ENT episodes: "In a Mirror, Darkly", "In a Mirror, Darkly, Part II")
By 2215, the photonic torpedo was replaced in general service by the photon torpedo. (TNG reference: Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual)
Other uses[]
It became something of a Starfleet tradition to place dead crewmembers inside an empty torpedo casing, and often such torpedoes were launched into space. For such a burial in space by the crew, the Captain of the starship often conducted the funeral service.
Sim was buried in such a manner in 2153. (ENT episode: "Similitude")