Quantum Torpedoes?

Blackstar the Chakat · Sun Sep 23, 2007 6:13 pm

Rochey wrote:IIRC, isn't it the Transphasic torps' that kill the borg?
But yeah, aside from that they just look pretty and do more damage.

True, but Transphasics do it in one shot. The Q-torps still seemed way more effective then Photons, destroying a sphere with only a few hits. Photons rarely do much damage to Borg ships.

Sionnach Glic · Post by **Sionnach Glic** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 6:29 pm

Hmm. Good point. Although that may be because of the increased yield.

Post by **Captain Seafort** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 6:36 pm

While the DS9 TM does state that QTs are more powerful, in combat they don't seem to produce a bigger bang than photons, and indeed often appear to be somewhat less powerful. I personally believe that they're more likely to be either better penetrators (given that they appeared to disappear inside the Borg ships in FC before exploding), or they have shaped-charge warheads (which would give a similar effect as the blast would be pointing away from the camera). If this is right, then PTs would be general use weapons, while QTs are dedicated anti-ship weapons, in much the same way that modern ships and armoured vehicles carry both HE and AP rounds.

Sionnach Glic · Post by **Sionnach Glic** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 7:11 pm

Good point.
I would imagine they are shaped charges.

Monroe · Post by **Monroe** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 7:18 pm

I like that reasoning. Explains the need for both types of launchers on ships.

Blackstar the Chakat · Sun Sep 23, 2007 7:28 pm

Thats as good as any explanation I've heard. It would also explain why the Defiant still used photon torpedos.

robjkay · Post by **robjkay** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 7:45 pm

Captain Seafort wrote:While the DS9 TM does state that QTs are more powerful, in combat they don't seem to produce a bigger bang than photons, and indeed often appear to be somewhat less powerful. I personally believe that they're more likely to be either better penetrators (given that they appeared to disappear inside the Borg ships in FC before exploding), or they have shaped-charge warheads (which would give a similar effect as the blast would be pointing away from the camera). If this is right, then PTs would be general use weapons, while QTs are dedicated anti-ship weapons, in much the same way that modern ships and armoured vehicles carry both HE and AP rounds.

Yeah put it would seem that the Q-torp uses that same casing as the Photon Torp.

Here is a pic of a Q-Torp from the Valient.

Post by **Teaos** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 12:16 am

Then there should really be no reason why they cant be fires from a PT tobe with little or no modifications.

Blackstar the Chakat · Mon Sep 24, 2007 12:55 am

Teaos wrote:Then there should really be no reason why they cant be fires from a PT tobe with little or no modifications.

Well, maybe the engine on the Q-torps are more powerful or something, and requires the tube to be reinforced. That could also explain why it glows blue instead of red.

Sionnach Glic · Post by **Sionnach Glic** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 6:18 pm

Maybe it uses a different kind of fuel, or ignition system?

Monroe · Post by **Monroe** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 7:48 pm

fuel could burn hotter.

Post by **Teaos** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 2:02 am

I dont see why it wpuld need different propolsion just beause it has a different pay load.

Blackstar the Chakat · Tue Sep 25, 2007 4:36 am

Teaos wrote:I dont see why it wpuld need different propolsion just beause it has a different pay load.

If the warhead is heavier a more powerful engine would be reqired to give the torpedo the same abilities in flight as its lighter counterparts.

Post by **Mikey** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 4:48 am

Go back a couple of steps, to the part about QT's having shaped-charge warheads...

1 - shaped charges work because the explosion is able to be funneled in a particular direction - what could you put in a QT that would firewall and channel a M/AM reaction?

2 - the other thing that makes shaped charges work is that the "firewall" which channels the blast is made of a metal (copper often, but the latest anti-mine applications use magnesium) which melts and is directed against armor in a narrow, high-temperature jet. Again, the M/AM reaction of a torp would vaporize any such material, not melt and direct it.

3 - the OTHER other thing that makes shaped charges work is a device to have the actual warhead stand off from the impacted surface - in modern terms, usually just a metal spacer like the conical tip of an anti-tank missile. AP explosives are far more effective if the actual charge is detonated 4-5 inches above the armor surface which they are attacking. We've seen nothing like that in the design of the torp, nor could I imagine many cost-effective Treknology materials which could do that job (cf. points #1 and #2 above.)

Post by **Teaos** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 11:52 am

I thought QT's used a zero point reaction to make the blast not M/AM.