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There are two
types of photon torpedoes, the first type contains six slugs of deuterium
which are fired at corresponding slugs of antideuterium at detonation, the
explosive energies then created are briefly held by a containment field, and
then released. Although the torpedo could coast indefinately after launch,
it has a maximum range of 750,000 km due to stability limits of the anti-matter
containment unit.
The second type
of torpedo is the one which Starfleet currently use. This torpedo has a maximum
range of 3,500,000 km. In this torpedo thousands of tiny packets of matter
and antimatter are held in suspension by powerful magnetic fields. This device
also has a variable yield.
Until launch
these packets are held in separate regions of the torpedo, as a safety precaution.
Upon launch the packets are mixed, although they don't come into contact.
At detonation the fields holding the matter/antimatter apart collapse, and
the torpedo explodes. The maximum payload in a standard torpedo is 1.5 kg
of antimatter and 1.5 kg of deuterium. This payload would cause an explosion
of 18.5 isotons. The standard torpedo casing used by Starfleet is 2.1 x 0.76
x 0.45 m and weighs 247.5 kg (before loading)
Torpedo Propulsion
The
torpedo can sustain warp velocities due to it's internal multi-mode warp-field
sustainer system. This system is not a true warp-engine due it's small size.
It is only intended as a matter/antimatter fuel cell, which uses the field
sustainer coils to 'grab' and hold a 'hand-off' field from the torpedo launcher
in order to maintain the torpedo's velocity if launched at warp. Due to the
small size of the matter/antimatter cell the torpedo can only travel 0.75c
faster than the launch velocity. The torpedo steers by differentially constricting
the sustainer exhaust grills.
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