A type of weapon (torpedo) that is able to penetrate a phase shield, and detonate bringing maximum damage to a ship's hull.
Background[]
Technicians experimented with the idea of a weapon that can punch through phased shielding of a capital ship. That weapon (of which they possibly produced some prototypes) was small enough to be carried on a carrier-launched bomber Around 2622 the Terran Confederation did a simulation for it, the Panama System war games.[1]
Creation[]
Lord Vakka learned about it by seizing a Terran computer on the captured Fawcett's World. Crown Prince Gilkarg nar Kiranka, preparing for a new campaign against this new foe, ordered Vakka to begin research and production of such a weapon to use against the Confederation.
Vakka tested it repeatedly against shield generators. Still 1/3 malfunctioned. The Prince demanded to complete production until Confederation Day for which he intended to attack the Confederation.
On 2634.155 Vakka presented a test where first time it was used against a capital ship. An Asjaka bomber equipped with such a torpedo tested it against an old Butha-class. After stopping to 0 relative speed, it acquired shield phasing and locked in. Once fired, they moved away at full throttle. The torpedo hit the edge of the shielding, sliced through, and didn't detonate before impacting against the side of the ship, resulting to an incandescent flash. The cruiser split open, and its entire bow section sheared off.[2]
Limitations[]
- Confederates considered that by increasing the frequency of polarity shift of a shield, would trick the warhead blow before penetrating it.[1]
- The torpedo was not ideal to be used by other capital ships: the heavy shielding required aboard one, interfered with the acquisition and lock on an enemy target. As such, it could be locked only if the field was powered down, and leaving the ship vulnerable until the launch.[2]
- The bomber carrying the torpedo was required to stop in order for the weapon to acquire the target's phase shielding. In tactical situations, the bombers needed significant protection by the escort fighters, in order to divert fire, and/or fight off the enemy fighters.[2]