by Ben Robinson
The first-stage accelerator uses power generated by the warp cores to spin up and compress discrete streams of plasma that can take two possible routes. One is to proceed to the second-stage accelerator that feeds the main cannon, and the other is to be discharged through two secondary cannons.
The maximum energy released by the secondary cannons is typically 12.43 megawatts, and the plasma bolts can be shaped into pulses of variable lengths with variable delays between them. Low-power mode on the secondary cannons, involving energies down to a few hundred kilowatts, can be utilized for nondestructive marking and heating tasks.
Plasma sent to the second-stage accelerator is further compressed to a density of nearly 1500 kilograms per cubic meter and tightly wound up in a spiral magnetic field to a diameter of 1.57cm. The temperature at the center of the stream is some 120,000K (215,000°F), though the length of time the weapon is exposed to such extreme temperatures is measured in milliseconds and the disruptor cryo cooling system draws away the waste heat.
The second stage also employs a controlled injection of krogium excelinide particles, which are inherently unstable and must be kept in magnetic suspension. As they decay into their constituent quarks, these particles form seed points for the higher energy plasma to bond to temporarily while in flight from the main cannon, keeping the bolt in a tight package. The energy release in a main cannon pulse can reach 35.78 megawatts.
The main cannon is connected to the second-stage accelerator by a computer-controlled EM gate valve. The valve is constructed from a single block of forced-matrix duranium tritonide and carbon nano-whiskers. The dual-pulse irises are machined from disks of the same material. The firing commands to actually open and close the irises come from local weapon subprocessors within the wing structure, which monitor the plasma conditions in the system. The subprocessors operate on a set of stored instructions from the main computer dealing with target type, range, and velocity. Once the firing command is issued from the bridge, the subprocessors automatically configure the plasma bolts.
The Bird-of-Prey’s twin disruptor cannons fire compressed bolts or streams of plasma that are drawn from its engines.
SPECIFICATIONS
PRIMARY CANNON
Length
23.21 meters
Diameter
1.28 meters
Power
19.54–35.78 megawatts
Range
52.4 kilometers
SECONDARY CANNON
Length
9.59 meters
Diameter
0.92 meters
Power
5.06–12.43 megawatts
Range
23.25 kilometers
[The range numbers are wildly variable, as the power falloff with distance is appreciable. The numbers given are maximum distance hull penetration or massive systems damage shots.]
Targeting is accomplished through the processing of data collected by on-board short-range sensors located all around the ship, local attitude and velocity data from internal sensors, and specific narrow-angle boresight data read by the disruptor system. Computed firing solutions are handed off to the disruptor, integrated with the stored subprocessor codes, and adjustments are made to the cannon aiming system if necessary. This aiming system consists of electromotive servos connected by torsion and compression/extension arms to the main cannon. The cannon can be pitched or yawed within a 1.5-degree wide circle in 0.01 seconds, and multiple shots can be adjusted during firing.
In the event of power fluctuations from the main warp cores during combat situations, the disruptor system contains two superconducting reserve toroids that hold densified plasma at high sublight speeds, available to make up for most power losses. The toroids are replenished at the first available moment after a shot volley.
1 First-stage Accelerator
2 Combiner Gate Valves
3 Secondary Disruptor Cannons
4 Plasma Supply Duct
5 Second-stage Accelerator
6 Disruptor Cannon
7 Low-pressure Vent Tube
8 Targeting Boresight System
9 Torsion Arms (pitch axis)
10 Compression/Extension Arm (yaw axis)
11 Superconducting Reserve Torus 1
12 Superconducting Reserve Torus 2
13 Krogium Injector Assembly
14 Krogium Suspension Supply Tank
15 Magnetic Release Coil
16 Main Emitter
17 Narrow Angle EM Sensor
TORPEDO LAUNCHER
The single most powerful weapon on board a Bird-of-Prey is its photon torpedoes, which use a matter-antimatter reaction to produce a massive explosive yield. These torpedoes are fired from a launcher on Deck 6, on the underside of the ship’s head section. With very few exceptions, they are also the only weapon that can be used at warp speeds. By their very nature energy weapons such as phasers and plasma-based disruptors cannot normally travel faster than light themselves. The photon torpedo overcomes this limitation by using a small warp sustainer engine that allows it to deliver its explosive packet to the target at faster-than-light (FTL) speed.
The torpedo launcher is structurally connected to the floor of Deck 6, and to the underside of Deck 5L above. It is designed to fit an ellipsoidal hole in the outer pressure hull that is 8.33 meters long by 5.56 meters wide. The launcher itself is based on a reinforced shell of duranium titanide that is 9.79 meters long and 3.87 meters in diameter. The interior of the aft pressure chamber is lined with gamma welded tungsten krellide to assist in heat rejection and to cradle the torpedo in an annular force field before firing.
It is powered by capacitor banks on Deck 6, with recharging accomplished through the ship’s main plasma conduits. The conduits also provide an initial gas pressure boost to the torpedo. Data connections through both decks lead aft to the central computer core and up to the tactical station on the bridge as well as other key locations throughout the ship for remote firing.
Torpedoes, mines, and probes are normally stored in the aft hull on Deck 6. They are brought up to the level of Deck 5L, just below the main corridor, and travel forward along a maglev-equipped passageway similar to a Starfleet Jefferies tube. The projectiles are dropped back to the Deck 6 floor to the torpedo loader by articulated antigravs. The loader can accommodate torpedoes up to 1.13 meters in diameter and 3.01 meters long. The loader alcove envelopes the torpedo in a lift field and pushes it into the pressure chamber, where the breech door rotates and seals the system for firing.
During combat, a least four torpedoes are in the launcher processing area at any time and can comprise a mixed loadout. Volleys or single shots will trigger additional torpedoes to be sent forward from protected racks. A warrior designated as weapons loadmaster ensures that the weapon selection and transfer operations go smoothly.
Preliminary targeting data is handed off to the torpedo through either RF or subspace radio links throughout the loading process and updates can continue being transmitted after firing. With the breech door closed and a force field in place across the tube opening, the firing signal triggers three main actions in the launcher. A timed burst of plasma through magnetic gate valves pressurizes the aft chamber in approximately 0.013 seconds. The torpedo is kicked at roughly 600 meters per second into the mass driver coils, which at maximum power deliver an additional 12,400 meters per second velocity, ship relative. Simultaneously, the tube cover force field collapses and the weapon is away.
The photon torpedo launcher is fitted to the head of the Bird-of-Prey on Deck 6.
1 Variable Geometry Launch Tube
2 Final Stage Guidance Field Emitters
3 Forward Accelerator Assembly
4 Launcher Alignment Patches
5 Forward Assembly Torsion Bars
6 Launch Coil Radiators
7 Radiator Access Plates
8 Torpedo Loader
9 Loader Transport Track
10 Loader Systems Access Plates
1
1 Loader Control Console
12 Launcher Plasma Power Connector
13 Aft Pressure Chamber
Once a torpedo has been fired its own on-board warp engine provides its velocity, but when it is fired, the launcher uses a forward accelerator assembly comprising six mass driver coils, which fire in sequence to launch the torpedo at high speed.
The launcher system can be configured for a wide range of initial firing velocities, depending on whether the weapon is being fired at sublight or at warp. High initial velocities are usually reserved for unpowered projectiles fired at warp, to afford the Bird-of-Prey maximum opportunity to bank away before the projectile’s speed decays to sublight.
High launch velocities for powered torpedoes can also inflict greater damage at either impulse or warp. Slower launch velocities are common for stealthy missions, including the deployment of antimatter mines or more conventional explosive packages, and intelligence-gathering probes.
If the torpedo is launched at warp speed, the final small on-board engines are used to maintain FTL velocity and for terminal weapon guidance. Waste energy generated by the system is pumped through the forward opening by a set of radiators surrounding the accelerator.
Certain scout versions of the B’rel-class are not equipped with a torpedo launcher but are instead outfitted with a tight-beam long-range sensor dish. The disruptor cannons remain unchanged, however.
Between the outer shell of the torpedo launcher and the inner edge of the pressure hull are narrow hatchways and force field emitters that allow for crew passage during docked operations.
TORPEDOS
The current standard photon torpedo carried on the Bird-of-Prey is known as the Talon’s Strike or pach peng, and is the most highly produced Klingon ordnance at 230,000 units per year. Each round measures 0.67 meters in diameter and 2.23 meters in length and masses 315.42 kilograms fully loaded.
The warp sustainer propulsion section and warhead casing are unremarkable duranium and tritanium alloys, while the forward guidance seeker and shield penetrator head is fabricated from layered tungsten, kratysite, and beryllium blesanide, similar to the alloys used in the ship’s self-destruct charges.
The warp sustainer consists of three deuterium tanks, each feeding two microfusion engines, which are gimbaled to provide everything from minor terminal guidance steering to active target-chase maneuvers.
The warhead consists of a spherical lattice of highly magnetic borotenite alloy, into which antideuterium is injected and held in suspension. Unlike Starfleet torpedoes, which react deuterium and antideuterium in a central chamber, the Talon’s Strike antimatter charge reacts directly with its higher density borotenite container.
The sensors in the forward penetrator are designed to seek out defensive shield subspace emissions, plus passive and active hull scan echoes. Detonation hardware is not usually required, as the weapon impact is generally enough to fracture the warhead and eliminate the antimatter containment. However, a small programmable explosive delay charge is included for special conditions, such as particularly tough enemy shields.
PHOTON TORPEDO: TALON’S STRIKE
1 Enemy Shield Subspace Emission Detector
2 Active/Passive Forward Guidance Sensors
3 Lateral Gudiance Sensors
4 Forward Guidance Assembly
5 Structural Integrity Reinforcement
6 Warhead Access Plate
7 Warhead Assembly
8 Launch Energy Field Guide Bars
9 Propulsion Section Data Channels
10 Deuterium Fuel Tank (3)
11 Microfusion Engine Cowling
12 Microfusion Engine Nozzle (6)
The second torpedo type, Morath’s Fist or moratlh ro’ is the most recent design, and was introduced in the 2360s. It was originally designed to be deployed aboard the Vor’cha-class attack cruisers, but has been sized to fit the B’rel-class.
The casing was originally conceived as a one-man escape pod, the baseline hull was adapted for torpedo use to hold a large magnetic torus of borotenite and antimatter plus twin deuterium-fueled warp sustainer engines.
The casing is 0.69 meters across at the widest point, 1.32 meters long, 0.59 meters tall, and masses 238.45 kilograms. A stretched variant to accommodate a larger torus has been built at 2.13 meters.
While the shell of the torpedo is very different to the standard Talon’s Strike, most of the internal components are similar, owing to standardized fabrication techniques that have served the Empire well. The system was designed to create the maximum explosive charge and as a result the torpedo is overloaded with antimatter and the magnetic field generators are underpowered. This means that it is not considered safe after six months and must be either fired or refurbished.
This torpedo design has also been adapted for most of the stealth probe missions, when the warhead is replaced with a suite of intelligence sensors for both autonomous and real-time remotely piloted flights. The probe versions are equipped with shield generators plus self-destruct packages in the event of possible capture.
PHOTON TORPEDO: MORATH’S FIST
1 Planar Sensor Array
2 Forward Short Range Sensors
3 Proximity Sensors
4 Upper Long Range Seeker
5 Shield Bubble Generator
6 Vor’cha Torpedo Hull
7 Warp Sustainer Engines
ANTIMATTER MINES
In addition to the standard designs of photon torpedo the Bird-of-Prey carries a kind of ordinance that can be deployed as both a photon torpedo and an antimatter mine distribution system.
This torpedo type, known as the Eagle’s Claw is assembled from two antimatter mines and a shortened version of the Talon’s Strike propulsion unit. A third mine can be added if time permits before engaging an enemy. The maximum diameter is 0.52 meters and the length with two mines is 1.56 meters, with a total mass of 253.65 kilograms.
The Eagle’s Claw [notqa’ pach] can be deployed in a wider array of tactical missions than the standard Talon’s Strike. The torpedo can be fired as a standard offensive round, but can also be released at low velocity to separate into its component parts.
ANTIMATTER MINE: EAGLE’S CLAW
1 Guidance Seeker Head
2 Forward Proximity Sensors
3 Stealth Data Antenna
4 Lateral Proximity Sensor
5 Shield Bubble Generator
6 Antimatter Mine Assembly
7 Deuterium Fuel Tank (3)
8 Terminal Guidance Thrusters
9 Microfusion Engine Cowling
10 Microfusion Engine Nozzle (6)
In standard torpedo mode, the entire unit is fired and operates in exactly the same way as the Talon’s Strike, although the shortened engine section reduces its effective range. When the antimatter mines are deployed the combined unit is fired from the torpedo launcher at low velocity and the warp sustainer engine takes the torpedo to a pre-programmed location. The complete assembly then lies in wait using short-range scanners to search for an enemy vessel. When a target vessel is detected, the engine fires up again and propels the Eagle’s Claw toward it. On-board proximity detectors then alert the torpedo to separate and the components then impact at multiple points on the target causing maximum damage. The Eagle’s Claw can be programmed to activate at a variety of ranges. The shorter the distance between activation and impact, the better, since as soon as the engine is activated it will be detected by an approaching vessel, which given sufficient time can respond by raising its shields, significantly reducing the damage inflicted by the mine.
Antimatter mines can be fired like photon torpedoes and then dispersed to create a minefield.
Torpedoes kept intact with their propulsion units can lie dormant for an indefinite period of time, ready to reignite their engines and head for targets of opportunity.
Each antimatter mine contains a borotenite lattice, programmable detonator, and proximity sensors, but also a low-power shield generator built into
the outer casing. While not a full cloak, the shield diffuses enemy scans just enough to confuse their readings, making it extremely difficult to detect the mines.
Individual mines can be sent towards known in-space or planetside locations. As with the Talon’s Strike, the Eagle’s Claw is equipped with a target discriminator to separate friendly forces from enemy, but inevitably history is rife with examples of this circuit being bypassed during Klingon factional conflict.
One standard tactic calls for the Eagle’s Claw to be fired from the launcher at warp speed, and then to position itself behind the ship in order to target a pursuing vessel. However, this has serious limitations since the targeting sensors have to make incredibly fast calculations to place the mine in the path of a vessel traveling at faster-than-light speed. It has also been noted that most ships brave enough to pursue a Klingon Bird-of-Prey have their shields raised, limiting the amount of damage that would be inflicted by the mine.
The Eagle’s Claw can also be used to deploy antimatter mines in a more conventional minefield. In this case, a large number of Eagle’s Claw torpedoes are launched and onboard engines take them to predetermined positions a suitable distance from one another. The unit then separates into its component parts and the engine unit flies away from the minefield, removing a significant number of energy signatures that could be used to detect the minefield.
CLOAKING DEVICE
Like all other Klingon Birds-of-Prey the Rotarran is fitted with a cloaking device that creates a field around the ship that renders it invisible to sensors. The cloaking device consists of two major subsystems: a toroidal emitter fitted around the outside of the ship’s head, and a generator located underneath the bridge on Deck 5.
