The plasma torpedo was a type of powerful torpedo weapon based on high-energy plasma. It was employed by various military forces, including those of the Romulans, the Cardassians and the Kazon.
This type of high-energy plasma weapon was first encountered by Starfleet when a Romulan Bird-of-Prey destroyed several of the Federation's outposts near the Romulan Neutral Zone. The weapon expended large amounts of energy, forcing the vessel to decloak in order to fire, and limiting the vessel's operational range. Upon detonation, the torpedo would unleash an enveloping energy plasma, forcing an implosion in the target. The weapon had a limited range, the plasma effect would dissipate after a few minutes of faster-than-light travel. (TOS: "Balance of Terror") The Romulans assaulted the USS Enterprise in 2267 with plasma weapons, scoring several direct hits. (TOS: "The Deadly Years")
In 2375, the Romulan Star Empire constructed a hospital for its wounded on the Bajoran moon Derna. In addition to the hospital, the Romulans also deployed 7,000 plasma torpedoes on Derna, for which Senator Cretak claimed were for defense purposes only. (DS9: "Image in the Sand") The Romulans were, however, unable to bring the weapons on line due to a Bajoran blockade of the moon and the threatened intervention by the Federation. (DS9: "Shadows and Symbols") These weapons gave off high concentrations of trilithium isotopes. (DS9: "Image in the Sand")
During the 24th century, Kazon Predator-class warships were equipped with plasma torpedoes. (VOY: "Projections")
Additionally, plasma torpedoes were standard armament aboard Cardassian orbital weapons platforms. (DS9: "Tears of the Prophets")
See also
External link
- Plasma torpedo at Memory Beta, the wiki for licensed Star Trek works