PhasersVoyager's primary weapons are a series of high-powered phaser banks. They are gathered together in a series of arrays, located at key locations on the hull. Control of the integrated phaser system is coordinated from the security station on the main bridge. From here, a phaser's power output, dispersion beam width, and length of burst can be adjusted. On occasions where the automatic controls are disrupted or damaged, it is possible to target and fire the phasers manuall, although this is less precise. Some shield configurations can deflect a phaser beam; an interferometric pulse, for example, can reflect the directed energy away from the target, rendering phasers ineffective. Under normal conditions, however, phasers are a formidable and adaptable defense; for example, the harmonics of the beam can be adjusted to cut through solid rock when needed for rescue missions. |
Torpedo LaunchersTorpedoes contain small amounts of matter and antimatter bound together in a magnetic bottle. Since the original complement of photon torpedoes aboard Voyager ran to only 38, torpedo use is reserved for extremely hostile situations only. Voyager carries type-6 photon torpedoes; their explosive potential can be modified by varying the amount of antimatter to increase or decrease the yield, measured in isotons. Typically set at a yield of 200 isotons, the weapons' destructive potential can be maximized by firing them in a pre-set spread pattern, providing a cumulative detonation toward a target. Controlled from the security station on the main bridge, the torpedoes are automatically targeted and fired. In case of damage to the launchers, they can be manually launched from the torpedo bay, although personnel are at risk from potential burns. The torpedoes are highly adaptable; their warheads can be modified for firing on specific targets. |
Defensive shieldsShields are the primary defensive system; they encompass the entire vessel during hazardous situations. The defensive shield is generated through the grid that covers the upper port and starboard sides of the ship's engineering hull, and it consists of a projected energy barrier whose frequency can be modulated or rotated to maximize its effectiveness against attack. Starfleet shield design is extremely flexible, and can be modified by alien technologies to temporarily strengthen or change the nature of shield harmonics. In their normal operating state, shields are highly susceptible to any chroniton-based weapons. They cannot halt the advance of a chroniton torpedo, because it is in a state of temporal flux, although if the exact temporal variance of a weapon is known, the shields can be adapted to produce highly effective temporal shielding. |
Other systemsDuring their long journey home through the Delta Quadrant, the Voyager crew have often had to improvise weapons and defenses from systems not designed for such tasks. The deflector dish, for example, can be reconfigured to transmit a variety of directed energy beams or emissions, including the projection of dekyon beams, in order to increase the size of subspace ruptures. Voyager is also equipped with at least 40 tons of the explosive chmical compound thalmerite, and originally carried tricobalt devices that could destroy large constructions. The absolute last line of defense however, is the autodestruct system. Initiated by the captain with a verbal command authorization of 'Janeway Pi 1-1-0,' this sets off a specifically timed sequence of events that results in a warp core breach, turning the ship into a hugely destructive antimatter weapon. |