The way to think of this is that "per unit of time, the torpedo is more powerful" but that the phaser can exercise itself over longer periods of time. If desired, they could certainly use a smaller charge and get a smaller yield. A photon torpedo was discovered when a scientist fired 2 photons at each other. [9] On one occasion such a device was used to transport a Federation diplomat to an urgent rendezvous. Description. A photon torpedo is the most powerful weapon in the froggy city arsenal. It fires a compact torpedo with a much smaller warhead than the standard models. According to the TNG Technical Manual, Photon torpedos use 1.5 kg of matter and 1.5 kg of antimatter. A photon torpedo is significantly more powerful than a nuke. If a photon torpedo has a 64 megaton yield, why does it take 6 to take out a city? While the megaton yield of a photon torpedo may sound really impressive, physics still come into play here a bit. The warhead strength is three times that of the photon torpedo; Type S: The type S is the typical version of this weapon. The latter is charged by the launching vessels own drive field at launch, boosting the torpedo speed up to Vmax = Vl + (0.75 Vl / c), where Vl is the velocity of the launching vessel. So, say (hypothetically, that a photon torpedo puts out 100 "space units" of energy in the case of a hit. Did that ever happen again? 6 64 megaton bombs would take out the entire State of Texas. It then goes on to say that the theoretical limits of traditional photon torpedo technology, 25 isotons, was reached and that the Quantum torpedo was developed to exceed those limitations. If I remember correctly, it's something like 50%. So its maximum yield would be 3 kg converted to energy (1.5 of antimatter, and 1.5 of matter). In "Q-Who" they talk about being too close to the photon blast and that it would damage the Enterprise if they fired. However, a large fraction of that energy would be released as harmless neutrinos. So, say (hypothetically, that a photon torpedo puts out 100 "space units" of energy in the case of a hit. The weapon most widely used by Starfleet vessels is the Type 6. ... Maybe a little slash fic. In 'A Taste of Armageddon', for example, Kirk is captured whilst on the surface of the planet Eminiar VII. However, a large fraction of that energy would be released as harmless neutrinos. A maximum yield photon torpedo has been stated to be 200 isotons, or 540 megatons. Because what is a photon? A photon torpedo is a much larger and more powerful weapon, used for ship to ship combat, and delivering something like 65 megatons of explosive power. level 2. e8ghtmileshigh. According to the DS9 Technical Manual, the explosive force from a Photon torpedo is 18.5 isotons (a fictional measure that doesn't translate directly into megatonnes) with a theoretical upper limit of 25 isotonnes given ideal conditions. The DS9 tech manual lists the explosive yield of the regular photon torpedo with a fictional number, 18.5 isotons. Except in Star Trek Online... where they're faster and have LESS damage. July 23, 2017 The photon torpedo is a powerful, long-range weapon that has been in use aboard Federation starships for over one hundred and fifty years. Proton torpedoes were a type of explosive ordnance used throughout the galaxy. [5], The photon torpedo carries a guidance system and can home in on a target. If launched during warp flight the torpedo will continue at warp until the sustainer is exhausted. A POWERFUL weapon in the arsenals of the major powers of Star Trek. Wouldn't any matter/anti-matter weapon be just so ginormously powerful as to wipe out any ship with a single hit? This weapon comprises an elongated elliptical body some 210 cm long and 76 x 45 cm across. Burst Fire, Type 4 : The type 4 is the most powerful photon torpedo tube currently in service with the Federation. [6], The warhead of a photon torpedo can be removed and replaced by sensor packages or other equipment. The warhead consists of a maximum of … I can't think of the actual episode names, other than Star Trek V, but I think there are a few times where a photon torpedo blows something up on a planet and the explosion isn't all that big. This allows them to be quite destructive against planetary surfaces, although this feature is of little use in combat against shielded starships.