Quantum Torpedo Yield

Ender · Post by **Ender** » 2003-07-30 09:43pm

I recall Ted C saying that there could be a 10 page debate on this topic based on the available evidence.

So... what is the yield of a quantum torpedo?

YT300000 · Post by **YT300000** » 2003-07-30 10:35pm

According to the TM, 128 MT. That means a max of 64 MT hits the target (no shaped charges).

As for canon visuals, I don't know how to do the calcs.

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2003-07-30 11:03pm

No yield figure is given anywhere in any kind of recognizable units. However, the old TNG TM says that the E-D's photon torpedoes carry 1.5kg of antimatter, which should annihilate with an equal mass of matter to produce roughly 64 megatons if we assume 100% efficiency (this makes the figure a strict upper limit).

Add to that the fact that the DS9 TM says that photon torpedoes max out at 25 isotons, and the quantum torpedoes can be as big as 50 isotons. Therefore, we can conclude that quantum torpedoes are twice as powerful as photon torpedoes.

Therefore, we can conclude that quantum torpedoes have an upper limit of 128 megatons, if we take the TM to be valid. Mind you, a single 64 megaton warhead should have shattered the "Pegasus" asteroid and ripped apart (or at least exposed) the Pegasus inside, thus allowing the follow-up killing blow to destroy the ship and any remaining evidence. This obviously did not happen, and Riker thought it would take most of the ship's entire torpedo payload to get the job done.

So in essence, the TMs suggest an upper limit of 128 megatons, but the show suggests much less, and since the TMs have no real continuity status anyway, we should go with the show.

Howedar · Post by **Howedar** » 2003-07-31 12:00am

I like the method of a few people at SB.com.

Role 1d6 for the ST firepower chart.

1: Weapon is weaker than a stick of dynomite. Utterly laughable.
2-5: Weapon is comparable to modern-day weaponry, from a 500lb bomb (2) up to a large strategic nuke (5).
6: Weaponry is powerful enough to break the laws of physics. Such crazy feats possible are: causing supernovae in suns, destroying a planet's crust with no visible damage, etc.