Torpedo sphere
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In the Star Wars Expanded Universe, Torpedo Spheres were Imperial siege platforms built by the Loronar Corporation for the specific purpose of bringing down planetary shields. These ships were shaped like slightly flattened spheres (oblate spheroids), measuring 1,900 meters in diameter. The lower hemisphere of a Torpedo Sphere was covered by 500 proton torpedo tubes, arranged in an inverted conical formation. Surrounding these proton torpedo tubes was a ring of 10 Turbolaser batteries. Torpedo Spheres carried a crew of 63,275, as well as 8,540 troops. They were equipped with Class 3 hyperdrives.
Torpedo Spheres take advantage of the fact that planetary shields are not uniform, and experience anomalies and fluctuations. Using thousands of Dedicated Energy Receptors (DERs), a Torpedo Sphere can find a shield's weak spots. Although these weak spots are rarely more than 20% less powerful than the rest of the shield, this drop in power is enough for the Torpedo Sphere to work with. Numerous proton torpedoes are focused on a single weak spot, in order to temporarily open up a small hole in the shield. Once a hole is opened, a carefully timed turbolaser blast is used to destroy the shield generator, bringing down an entire section of a planetary shield.
The process of analyzing a shield, bombarding it with torpoedoes, and destroying a shield generator is extremely difficult and complicated. Weak spots are rarely more than 6 square meters in area. It takes hundreds of technicians to properly coordinate the torpedo tubes. Holes in the shielding usually last mere microseconds. Even the location of a shield generator is not immediately apparent. Because full planetary shields can block sensors, the crew of a Torpedo Sphere must study a shield's power waves in to discover the location of a shield generator. Once a generator and weak spot is found, the Torpedo Sphere must be maneuvered into position so that it is aligned with both of them, allowing it to fire upon the generator with its turbolasers. If the calculations and timing of the attack, or the aim of the gunners is just slightly off, the entire process must be repeated again.
It has been said that Torpedo Spheres were predecessors of the Death Star. However, this information is incorrect. The Death Star's origins have been traced back to Geonosian designs that predated the Clone Wars.
[edit] Specifications
| Classification | Planetary Assault Weapon |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 1,900 meters |
| Crew | 63,275 crewmen |
| Onboard Compliment |
|
| Weaponry |
4590D per salvo (vs. planetary shields) |
| Hull Plating | Unknown |
| Deflector Shielding | Unknown |
| Total Defense | Unknown |
[edit] References
- Imperial Sourcebook, West End Games, 1st edition, 1989. Greg Gorden. ISBN 0-87431-175-6
- Children of the Jedi, 1st edition paperback, 1995. Barbara Hambly. ISBN 0-553-57293-8
- A Guide to the Star Wars Universe, 2nd edition, 1994. Bill Slavicsek. ISBN 0-345-38625-6
