Re: WH40K - 40K misc numbers... (SDN)
Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2013 1:58 am
Did some calcs based upon 40k's massive torpedoes. According to the source, they're 200 feet long. Assuming a plasma warhead, which as indicated in other sources, fusion technology, we can base its power based on the mass of an IBM MIRV nuclear warhead. According to Atomic Rockets, a UGM-133 Trident II warhead has a mass of 58,500 kilograms and is about 13 meters long. Wikipedia says its slightly heavier (59,000 kilograms), but they seem to agree upon length. In any case, we'll assume the former. According to the site, the maximum theoretical expected yield for a fusion warhead is 1 megaton per kilogram, but our warheads aren't that efficient; they're closer to 1 megaton to 500 kilograms. To calculate this method, a Trident II's warhead is estimated on the sight to have a mass of 160 kilograms. Using this method we get 320 kilotons. Wikipedia suggests a possible slightly higher mass, with the original yield of its warheads at 300 kilotons, but with a claim that it was later upgraded to about 475 kilotons. In total, the missile carries a total of 2.560 megatons worth of explosives, assuming a load-out of 8 warheads.
Using this as a basis for Warhammer 40k's missiles, we'll assume that the warhead and the missile all scale together. At 200 feet, the missile is 4.545x larger than the US's Trident which comes in at about 44 feet in length. Assuming the equal of 8 MIRV warheads, we'll have 1,280 kilograms of warhead for us to work with. Now, this is a bit low-balling it, since the torpedo isn't an ICBM and more room could be dedicated to the warhead. To be fair, we can increase this mass to 1,500 kilograms. Add in the larger size and we get a warhead that weighs in at 6,817.5 kilograms (the missile itself would weigh up to around 265,882.5 kilograms). A missile this large today, going with the method we have from Atomic Rockets, indicates that this weapon would have a yield of 13.635 megatons.
However, it's likely that Imperium fusion warheads are more advanced than what we're used to today--but they can't be too advanced since Into the Storm cites atomic warheads, that though out of date, are capable of being loaded onto torpedoes or used on macrocannons. Game Mechanics I don't generally trust too much, but the weapon was in general, half as powerful as the plasma torpedo.
In any case, a reasonable idea would be that Imperial warheads are 250 kilograms to a megaton, which would effectively double our yield to 27.27 megatons. If we're really generous, we could suggest kilograms to a megaton, for 54.54 megatons, which I think is the upper end.
However, what we can say for sure is that these weapons cannot exceed 6,817.5 megatons since that would be the highest theoretical yield that a fusion warhead would produce.
http://www.projectrho.com/public_html/r ... onvent.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UGM-133_Trident_II
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W87
The length for the 40k Imperium Torpedo can be found in the Blue Book under torpedoes and in Battlefleet Koronus under the same section. Blue Book lists them as being over 200 feet, where as Battlefleet Koronus suggests them at being around 60 meters or just under 200 feet, so I took the higher of the two numbers.
In any case, if we were to dip into game mechanics (as much as I despise to), the atomic warhead appears to be a sort of MIRV system, so that might account for its relevant damage, but the yield for such a weapon is very limited. Typically, fission warheads are limited to about 500 kilotons, with the largest ever produced being 750 kilotons by the UK, due to being limited in regards to critical mass. The most you could expect each of the warheads then to be, is probably in that range, though perhaps Imperial science increased it to a megaton or two.
In regards to the torpedo themselves, in-game, they're capable of inflicting on average, around 24 points of damage, which is about a third of what most of the largest ship have in terms of health (torpedoes ignore shields) and frigates tend to have a hull integrity of 35 or so. In other words, smaller ships like frigates would be crippled by a hit from a plasma torpedo and this would deal heavy damage to even larger ships.
Shall we go over?
Low-End:13.635 megatons
Mid-Range: 27.27 megatons
High Middle: 54.54 megatons
High End: 6.817 Gigatons
At most, a Imperium Frigate will be utterly crippled by 6.817 gigatons. Of course, with more reasonable methods, these ~60 meter long warheads only carry between 27 - 54.5 megatons. Certainly an impressive bomb, but it doesn't really put forth the implication that the Imperium can laugh off gigatons of energy.
Using this as a basis for Warhammer 40k's missiles, we'll assume that the warhead and the missile all scale together. At 200 feet, the missile is 4.545x larger than the US's Trident which comes in at about 44 feet in length. Assuming the equal of 8 MIRV warheads, we'll have 1,280 kilograms of warhead for us to work with. Now, this is a bit low-balling it, since the torpedo isn't an ICBM and more room could be dedicated to the warhead. To be fair, we can increase this mass to 1,500 kilograms. Add in the larger size and we get a warhead that weighs in at 6,817.5 kilograms (the missile itself would weigh up to around 265,882.5 kilograms). A missile this large today, going with the method we have from Atomic Rockets, indicates that this weapon would have a yield of 13.635 megatons.
However, it's likely that Imperium fusion warheads are more advanced than what we're used to today--but they can't be too advanced since Into the Storm cites atomic warheads, that though out of date, are capable of being loaded onto torpedoes or used on macrocannons. Game Mechanics I don't generally trust too much, but the weapon was in general, half as powerful as the plasma torpedo.
In any case, a reasonable idea would be that Imperial warheads are 250 kilograms to a megaton, which would effectively double our yield to 27.27 megatons. If we're really generous, we could suggest kilograms to a megaton, for 54.54 megatons, which I think is the upper end.
However, what we can say for sure is that these weapons cannot exceed 6,817.5 megatons since that would be the highest theoretical yield that a fusion warhead would produce.
http://www.projectrho.com/public_html/r ... onvent.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UGM-133_Trident_II
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W87
The length for the 40k Imperium Torpedo can be found in the Blue Book under torpedoes and in Battlefleet Koronus under the same section. Blue Book lists them as being over 200 feet, where as Battlefleet Koronus suggests them at being around 60 meters or just under 200 feet, so I took the higher of the two numbers.
In any case, if we were to dip into game mechanics (as much as I despise to), the atomic warhead appears to be a sort of MIRV system, so that might account for its relevant damage, but the yield for such a weapon is very limited. Typically, fission warheads are limited to about 500 kilotons, with the largest ever produced being 750 kilotons by the UK, due to being limited in regards to critical mass. The most you could expect each of the warheads then to be, is probably in that range, though perhaps Imperial science increased it to a megaton or two.
In regards to the torpedo themselves, in-game, they're capable of inflicting on average, around 24 points of damage, which is about a third of what most of the largest ship have in terms of health (torpedoes ignore shields) and frigates tend to have a hull integrity of 35 or so. In other words, smaller ships like frigates would be crippled by a hit from a plasma torpedo and this would deal heavy damage to even larger ships.
Shall we go over?
Low-End:13.635 megatons
Mid-Range: 27.27 megatons
High Middle: 54.54 megatons
High End: 6.817 Gigatons
At most, a Imperium Frigate will be utterly crippled by 6.817 gigatons. Of course, with more reasonable methods, these ~60 meter long warheads only carry between 27 - 54.5 megatons. Certainly an impressive bomb, but it doesn't really put forth the implication that the Imperium can laugh off gigatons of energy.