Changes: Romulan technology

Revision as of 20:58, 1 May 2015

Romulan technology was often cited as one of the reasons why the Romulan Star Empire was regarded as such a dangerous foe in times of war. The Romulans were known to have developed a multitude of different technologies that are either the first of their kind or unique to the Romulan Star Empire. Some Romulan technology was regarded highly enough that the Federation even resorted to stealing an example of the cloaking device in 2268. (TOS: "The Enterprise Incident")

Stealth and holographics

The cloaking device

The Romulans were the first known race to develop the cloaking device stealth technology, first observed on Romulan mines and the Romulan Bird-of-Prey in 2152. (ENT: "Minefield")

While the Suliban were known to use cloaking devices by 2151, this technology was provided by a mysterious benefactor from the 29th century and was not developed by their race. (ENT: "Broken Bow", "Shockwave", "Future Tense")

During the brief Romulan-Klingon Alliance in 2268, the Klingon Empire provided the Romulans with an unknown number of the D7-class battle cruiser in order to acquire Romulan cloaking technology. (TOS: "The Enterprise Incident")

The Romulans and the Federation long engaged in a tech war of cloak and cloak detection. In 2152, a quantum beacon proved an effective counter measure for detecting less advanced cloaks such as those found on Romulan mines, but not those on early Romulan Birds-of-Prey. In 2368, the Federation developed the tachyon detection grid, a technique that allowed for the detection of Romulan vessels of the day. (TNG: "Redemption II")

By 2379, the Star Empire had perfected the cloaking technology. The cloak of the Reman Warbird Scimitar produced no tachyon emissions and left no residual antiproton traces for detection. The Scimitar was the only vessel in the Star Empire known to have overcome the long standing problem of not being able to raise shields or fire weapons when the cloaking device was active. The only known way to counter these latest cloaks involved the use of telepathic races such as Betazoids to detect an enemy crew by sensing their thoughts. (Star Trek Nemesis)

Multispectral emitters

Romulan drone ship (quarter) — A Romulan drone-ship

Holographic projector technology equipped on the Romulan drone-ship, a multispectral emitter was used as a camouflage system. The emitters could produce a holographic image that could mimic the appearance of almost any ship. When activated, the emitters made it nearly impossible for an enemy to acquire a target lock on the ship's primary systems, such as weapons, although the emitters themselves could be targeted. (ENT: "Babel One")

Tri-phasic emitters

Equipped on board the Romulan drone-ship, tri-phasic emitters could simulate different types of weapons used by various other races, including both disruptor and phase weapon based technologies. (ENT: "Babel One")

Site to site holographic emitters

This technology could capture live sounds and images of a person in one location and project those images to another location. Images and sound from that second location could be detected and transmitted back to the first location, making two way interaction possible.

The first known use of these emitters was in 2379 when Shinzon of Remus requested the USS Enterprise-E to stand down its defenses and surrender Captain Jean-Luc Picard to the Scimitar. The source of the hologram once projected was untraceable. (Star Trek Nemesis)

An image could be sent from a ship that was under cloak and the technology was known to be able to penetrate the deflector shields of a starship. The emitters were only observed when used between ships in relatively close proximity. When used by Shinzon, his hologram was seemingly able to sit in a chair but also pass through a table. (Star Trek Nemesis)

Weapons

Romulan weapons were described by Spock in 2266 as being superior to those of the Federation. (TOS: "Balance of Terror")

Disruptors

The Romulans were one of three races, along with the Klingons and the Breen, who were known to use the type 3 disruptor. (Star Trek Generations)

When fired, a Romulan disruptor left behind residual antiproton particles that remained for several hours. (TNG: "Face of the Enemy")

Plasma torpedoes

Romulan bird-of-prey, TOS-firing torpedo — A plasma torpedo being fired

First known to have been used by the Romulans in 2266, plasma torpedoes were an extremely powerful yet energy-intensive weapon system. This type of high-energy plasma weapon was first encountered by Starfleet when a Romulan Bird-of-Prey destroyed several Federation outposts near the Romulan Neutral Zone.

Upon detonation, the torpedo unleashed an enveloping energy plasma, forcing an implosion in the target. Even rodinium, the hardest material known to the Federation, could not withstand the effect. One torpedo was capable of devastating outposts sunk a mile deep on asteroids of near solid iron, even when protected by deflector shields. A second torpedo could then turn these asteroids to dust. The weapon was capable of following a vessel going to warp speed. The range of the torpedoes was extreme, but limited - when the Bird-of-Prey fired on the USS Enterprise, the Starfleet vessel was able to maneuver out of its most effective range, so that when it did hit them, its effectiveness had dissipated and the damage to the Enterprise was fairly minor. (TOS: "Balance of Terror")

The only other races to have used plasma torpedoes are the Kazon and the Cardassians, but the first documented usage of plasma torpedoes by these races occurred more than a century after the Romulans, in the early 2370s. (VOY: "Projections"; DS9: "Tears of the Prophets")

Thalaron generator

The thalaron generator was a super weapon that was capable of creating a thalaron radiation field large enough to encompass a ship or an entire planet.

Previously thought to be simply theoretical by Federation scientists, research into thalaron radiation was banned by the Federation sometime prior to 2379 due to its biogenic properties. Thalaron radiation consumed organic material at the subatomic level, causing instant and complete necrosis in every cell it irradiated. A matter of seconds after exposure, the organism degenerated into an ash-like material. Even a minuscule amount of thalaron radiation could kill every living being aboard a starship. (Star Trek Nemesis)

Defenses

Shields

Standard Romulan deflector shields were believed to be at least on par with those of the Federation. However, the most advanced example of shield technology in the Romulan Star Empire was present on the Scimitar, which was equipped with both primary and secondary shields. The ship endured at least thirty-two phaser hits, twenty disruptor strikes, and twenty torpedo impacts in a single engagement at the Battle of the Bassen Rift, exhausting the weapons complement of the Enterprise-E, and was still able to maintain 70% shield strength. (Star Trek Nemesis)

Ship self-repair technology

The Romulans were known to be able to equip their ships with a self-repair technology, principally used on the Romulan drone-ship in 2154. (ENT: "United")

Remote ship control

In 2154, the Romulans possessed the technology to facilitate the control of ships by remote telepresence. The only race known to possess the telepathic ability to actually control a ship in such a way were the Aenar, a subspecies of the Andorians. As the Aenar were strictly pacifist, one (Gareb) had to be kidnapped and drugged for the technology to be put to use. (ENT: "United")

Propulsion

Artificial quantum singularity reactor

Dderidex-engine core — An artificial quantum singularity in a Romulan engine core

In the 24th century, an artificial quantum singularity served as the primary power source for large Romulan spacecraft, such as the D'deridex-class Warbird. Once activated, the singularity core could not be shut down. (TNG: "Face of the Enemy", "Timescape"; DS9: "Visionary")

A relay station network of ancient origin, claimed by the Hirogen, was the only other known example of a race using quantum singularities as a power source. (VOY: "Hunters")

The singularity reactor also made an appearance in the Star Trek: The Badlands novels by Susan Wright.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-[[Romulan]] technology is often cited as one of the reasons why the [[Romulan Star Empire]] is regarded as such a dangerous foe in times of war. The Romulans are known to have developed a multitude of different technologies that are either the first of their kind or unique to the Romulan Star Empire. Some Romulan technology is regarded highly enough that the [[Federation]] even resorted to stealing an example of the [[cloaking device]] in 2266, although the [[Treaty of Algeron]] prevents them from using it. ({{TOS|The Enterprise Incident}})
+'''Romulan technology''' was often cited as one of the reasons why the [[Romulan Star Empire]] was regarded as such a dangerous foe in times of war. The [[Romulan]]s were known to have developed a multitude of different technologies that are either the first of their kind or unique to the Romulan Star Empire. Some Romulan technology was regarded highly enough that the [[Federation]] even resorted to stealing an example of the [[cloaking device]] in [[2268]]. ({{TOS|The Enterprise Incident}})
-== Stealth and Holographics ==
+== Stealth and holographics ==
+=== The cloaking device ===
+[[File:Romulan cloaking device.jpg|thumb|A Romulan cloaking device]]
+The Romulans were the first known race to develop the [[cloaking device]] stealth technology, first observed on Romulan mines and the {{dis|Romulan Bird-of-Prey|22nd century}} in [[2152]]. ({{ENT|Minefield}})
+While the [[Suliban]] were known to use cloaking devices by [[2151]], this technology was provided by a mysterious benefactor from the [[29th century]] and was not developed by their race. ({{ENT|Broken Bow|Shockwave|Future Tense}})
-=== The Cloaking Device ===
+During the brief [[Romulan-Klingon Alliance]] in [[2268]], the [[Klingon Empire]] provided the Romulans with an unknown number of the {{class|D7}} [[battle cruiser]] in order to acquire Romulan cloaking technology. ({{TOS|The Enterprise Incident}})
-[[File:Cloaking_device.jpg|thumb|A Romulan [[cloaking device]]]]
-The Romulans were the first known race to develop the [[cloaking device]] stealth technology, first observed on Romulan mines and the [[Romulan Bird-of-Prey]] in 2152. ({{ENT|Minefield}})
+The Romulans and the Federation long engaged in a tech war of cloak and cloak detection. In 2152, a [[quantum beacon]] proved an effective counter measure for detecting less advanced cloaks such as those found on Romulan mines, but not those on early Romulan Birds-of-Prey. In [[2368]], the Federation developed the [[tachyon detection grid]], a technique that allowed for the detection of Romulan vessels of the day. ({{TNG|Redemption II}})
-Whilst the [[Suliban]] were known to use cloaking devices by 2151, this technology was provided by a mysterious benefactor from the [[29th century]] and was not developed by their race. ({{ENT|Broken Bow|Shockwave|Future Tense}})
-During the brief [[Romulan-Klingon Alliance]] in 2268, the [[Klingon Empire]] provided the Romulans with an unknown number of the [[D7 class]] [[battle cruiser]] in order to acquire Romulan cloaking technology. ({{TOS|The Enterprise Incident}})
+By [[2379]], the Star Empire had perfected the cloaking technology. The cloak of the [[Reman]] [[Warbird]] ''[[Scimitar]]'' produced no tachyon emissions and left no residual [[antiproton]] traces for detection. The ''Scimitar'' was the only vessel in the Star Empire known to have overcome the long standing problem of not being able to raise shields or fire weapons when the cloaking device was active.  The only known way to counter these latest cloaks involved the use of [[telepathic]] races such as [[Betazoid]]s to detect an enemy crew by sensing their thoughts. ({{film|10}})
-The Romulans and the Federation have long engaged in a tech war of cloak and cloak detection. In 2152, a [[quantum beacon]] proved an effective counter measure for detecting less advanced cloaks such as those found on Romulan mines, but not those on early Romulan birds-of-prey. In 2368, the Federation developed the [[tachyon detection grid]], a technique that allowed for the detection of Romulan vessels of the day. ({{TNG|Redemption II}})
-By 2379, the Star Empire had perfected the cloaking technology. The cloak of the [[Reman]] [[Warbird]] [[Scimitar]] produced no tachyon emissions and left no residual [[antiproton]] traces for detection. It is possible the [[IRW Valdore]] and her sister ship incorporated similar systems as they were seemingly undetectable even to the Scimitar when cloaked. The Scimitar was the only vessel in the Star Empire known to have overcome the long standing problem of not being able to raise shields or fire weapons when the cloaking device is active.
-The only known way to counter these latest cloaks involves the use of [[telepathic]] races such as [[Betazoids]] to detect an enemy crew by sensing their thoughts. ({{film|10}})
-[[File:Drone_Ship.jpg|thumb|left|A [[Romulan drone ship]]]]
 === Multispectral emitters ===
+[[File:Romulan drone ship (quarter).jpg|thumb|left|A Romulan drone-ship]]
-[[Holographic projector]] technology equipped on the [[Romulan drone-ship]], a Multispectral emitter is essentially used as a camouflage system. The emitters can produce a holographic image that can mimic the appearance of almost any ship. When activated, the emitters make it nearly impossible for an enemy to acquire a target lock on the ships primary systems, such as weapons, although the emitters themselves can be targeted. ({{ENT|Babel One}})
+[[Holographic projector]] technology equipped on the [[Romulan drone-ship]], a multispectral emitter was used as a camouflage system. The emitters could produce a holographic image that could mimic the appearance of almost any ship. When activated, the emitters made it nearly impossible for an enemy to acquire a target lock on the ship's primary systems, such as weapons, although the emitters themselves could be targeted. ({{ENT|Babel One}})
 === Tri-phasic emitters ===
-Equipped onboard the [[Romulan drone-ship]], a [[Tri-phasic emitter]] can simulate different types of weapons used by various other races, including both [[disruptor]] and [[phaser]] based technologies. ({{ENT|Babel One}})
+Equipped on board the Romulan drone-ship, [[tri-phasic emitter]]s could simulate different types of weapons used by various other races, including both [[disruptor]] and [[phase weapon]] based technologies. ({{ENT|Babel One}})
-[[File:Holographic_emitters.jpg|thumb|Shinzon hologram walks through Captain Picard's desk]]
 === Site to site holographic emitters ===
+[[File:Holographic emitters.jpg|thumb|Shinzon hologram walks through Captain Picard's desk]]
-This technology can capture live sounds and images of a person in one location and project those images to another. It also seems that images and sound can be detected and transmitted back to the first location, making two way interaction possible.
+This technology could capture live sounds and images of a person in one location and project those images to another location. Images and sound from that second location could be detected and transmitted back to the first location, making two way interaction possible.
-The first known use of these emitters is in 2379 when [[Shinzon]] of [[Remus]] requested the [[Enterprise-E]] to stand down its defences and surrender [[Captain]] [[Jean-Luc Picard]] to the [[Scimitar]]. The source of the [[hologram]] once projected is untraceable. ({{film|10}})
-An image can be sent from a ship that is under cloak and the technology is known to be able to penetrate the [[deflector shields]] of a [[starship]]. Due to this fact, the possibilities for espionage and data gathering that this technology raises are astounding. The range that the emitters can operate over is unknown as they have only been observed when used between ships in relatively close proximity.
+The first known use of these emitters was in 2379 when [[Shinzon]] of [[Remus]] requested the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-E|-E}} to stand down its defenses and surrender [[Captain]] [[Jean-Luc Picard]] to the ''Scimitar''. The source of the [[hologram]] once projected was untraceable. ({{film|10}})
-Data regarding whether the holograms can interact with the environment are inconclusive. When used by Shinzon, his hologram was seemingly able to sit in chair but also pass through a table. The power demands of the technology are unknown.
-Poor audio quality produced by the holograms suggests that the technology has not been perfected.
+An image could be sent from a ship that was under cloak and the technology was known to be able to penetrate the [[deflector shield]]s of a [[starship]]. The emitters were only observed when used between ships in relatively close proximity. When used by Shinzon, his hologram was seemingly able to sit in a chair but also pass through a table. ({{film|10}})
 == Weapons ==
 Romulan weapons were described by [[Spock]] in 2266 as being superior to those of the Federation. ({{TOS|Balance of Terror}})
-[[File:Romulan_Disruptor.jpg|thumb|left|[[Romulan disruptor]] pistol]]
 === Disruptors ===
+[[File:Romulan disruptor pistol.jpg|thumb|left|Romulan disruptor pistol]]
-The Romulans are one of three races along with the [[Klingons]] and the [[Breen]] who are known to use the [[Type-3 disruptor]]. ({{film|7}})
+The Romulans were one of three races, along with the Klingons and the [[Breen]], who were known to use the [[type 3 disruptor]]. ({{film|7}})
-When fired, a Romulan [[disruptor]] leaves behind residual [[antiproton]] particles that remain for several hours. ({{TNG|Face of the Enemy}})
+When fired, a [[Romulan disruptor]] left behind residual [[antiproton]] particles that remained for several hours. ({{TNG|Face of the Enemy}})
-[[File:Plasma_Torpedo.jpg|thumb|A [[Plasma torpedo]] being fired]]
-=== Plasma Torpedoes ===
+=== Plasma torpedoes ===
-First known to have been used by the Romulans in 2266, [[plasma torpedoes]] are an extremely powerful yet energy intensive weapon system. This type of high-energy plasma weapon was first encountered by [[Starfleet]] when a [[Romulan Bird-of-Prey]] destroyed several [[Federation]] outposts near the [[Romulan Neutral Zone]].
+[[File:Romulan bird-of-prey, TOS-firing torpedo.jpg|thumb|A plasma torpedo being fired]]
-Upon detonation, the torpedo would unleash an enveloping energy plasma, forcing an implosion in the target. Even Castrodinium, the hardest material known to Federation, could not withstand the effect.
+First known to have been used by the Romulans in 2266, [[plasma torpedo]]es were an extremely powerful yet energy-intensive weapon system. This type of high-energy [[plasma]] weapon was first encountered by [[Starfleet]] when a {{dis|Romulan Bird-of-Prey|23rd century}} destroyed several [[Federation]] [[outpost]]s near the [[Romulan Neutral Zone]].
-One torpedo was capable of devastating outposts sunk a mile deep on asteroids of near solid iron, even when protected by deflector shields. A second torpedo could then turn these asteroids to dust. The weapon is capable of following a vessel going to [[warp]] speed. The range of the torpedo is extreme, but limited. ({{TOS|Balance of Terror}})
-The only other races to have used plasma torpedoes are the [[Kazon]] and the [[Cardassians]], but the first documented usage of plasma torpedoes by these races comes more than a century after the [[Romulans]], in the early 2370s. ({{VOY|Projections}}) ({{DS9|Tears of the Prophets}})
+Upon detonation, the torpedo unleashed an enveloping energy plasma, forcing an implosion in the target. Even [[rodinium]], the hardest material known to the Federation, could not withstand the effect. One torpedo was capable of devastating outposts sunk a mile deep on asteroids of near solid iron, even when protected by deflector shields. A second torpedo could then turn these asteroids to dust. The weapon was capable of following a vessel going to [[warp]] speed. The range of the torpedoes was extreme, but limited - when the Bird-of-Prey fired on the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701}}, the Starfleet vessel was able to maneuver out of its most effective range, so that when it did hit them, its effectiveness had dissipated and the damage to the ''Enterprise'' was fairly minor. ({{TOS|Balance of Terror}})
+The only other races to have used plasma torpedoes are the [[Kazon]] and the [[Cardassian]]s, but the first documented usage of plasma torpedoes by these races occurred more than a century after the Romulans, in the early [[2370s]]. ({{VOY|Projections}}; {{DS9|Tears of the Prophets}})
-[[File:Thalaron_generator.jpg|thumb|Part of a [[Thalaron generator]]]]
 === Thalaron generator ===
+[[File:Thalaron generator.jpg|thumb|Part of a thalaron generator]]
-This super weapon was capable of creating a [[thalaron radiation]] field large enough to encompass a [[ship]] or an entire [[planet]].
+The [[thalaron generator]] was a super weapon that was capable of creating a [[thalaron radiation]] field large enough to encompass a [[ship]] or an entire [[planet]].
-Previously thought to be simply theoretical by Federation scientists, research into thalaron radiation was banned by the Federation sometime prior to 2379 due to its [[biogenic]] properties.
-Thalaron radiation consumes organic material at the subatomic level, causing instant and complete necrosis in every cell it irradiates. A matter of seconds after exposure, the organism degenerates into an ash-like material.
-Even a minuscule amount of thalaron radiation could kill every living being aboard a [[starship]]. ({{film|10}})
+Previously thought to be simply theoretical by Federation [[scientist]]s, research into thalaron radiation was banned by the Federation sometime prior to 2379 due to its [[biogenic]] properties. Thalaron radiation consumed organic material at the subatomic level, causing instant and complete necrosis in every {{dis|cell|biology}} it irradiated. A matter of seconds after exposure, the organism degenerated into an ash-like material.  Even a minuscule amount of thalaron radiation could kill every living being aboard a [[starship]]. ({{film|10}})
-== Defences ==
+== Defenses ==
 === Shields ===
-Standard [[Romulan]] deflector [[shields]] are thought to be at least on par with those of the [[Federation]]. However, the most advanced example of shield technology in the [[Romulan Star Empire]] was present on the [[Scimitar]], which was equipped with both primary and secondary shields. The ship endured at least 32 [[phaser]] hits, 20 [[disruptor]] strikes and 20 [[torpedo]] impacts in a single engagement at the Battle of the [[Bassen Rift]], exhausting the weapons compliment of the [[Enterprise-E]], and was still able to maintain 70% shield strength. ({{film|10}})
+Standard Romulan deflector [[shields]] were believed to be at least on par with those of the Federation. However, the most advanced example of shield technology in the Romulan Star Empire was present on the ''Scimitar'', which was equipped with both primary and secondary shields. The ship endured at least thirty-two phaser hits, twenty disruptor strikes, and twenty torpedo impacts in a single engagement at the Battle of the [[Bassen Rift]], exhausting the weapons complement of the ''Enterprise''-E, and was still able to maintain 70% shield strength. ({{film|10}})
 === Ship self-repair technology ===
-The Romulans are known to be able to equip their ships with a self-repair technology, principally used on the Romulan drone-ship in 2154. ({{ENT|United}}) It is unknown if this technology was incorporated as standard in other Romulan ships, such as the [[Warbird]] model that the drone-ships were modified from. Likely, they are simply not as efficient at repairing a ship as a Romulan crew and so are not necessary.
+The Romulans were known to be able to equip their ships with a self-repair technology, principally used on the Romulan drone-ship in [[2154]]. ({{ENT|United}})
-[[File:Telepresence.jpg|thumb|An [[Aenar]] piloting a [[Romulan drone-ship]]]]
 === Remote ship control ===
+[[File:Telepresence.jpg|thumb|An Aenar piloting a Romulan drone-ship]]
-In 2154 the [[Romulans]] possessed the technology to facilitate the control of ships by remote [[telepresence]]. However, the only race known to possess the [[telepathic]] ability to actually control a ship in such a way are the [[Aenar]], a subspecies of the [[Andorians]]. The Aenar are strictly pacifist, one ([[Gareb]]) had to be kidnapped and drugged for the technology to be put to use. The Aenar reside on [[Andoria]], now deep within [[Federation]] territory, so it is unlikely the Romulans are able to access this technology any longer.
+In 2154, the Romulans possessed the technology to facilitate the control of ships by remote [[telepresence]]. The only race known to possess the [[telepathic]] ability to actually control a ship in such a way were the [[Aenar]], a [[subspecies]] of the [[Andorian]]s. As the Aenar were strictly pacifist, one ([[Gareb]]) had to be kidnapped and drugged for the technology to be put to use. ({{ENT|United}})
+{{clear}}
 == Propulsion ==
-[[File:Artificial_quantum_singularity.jpg|thumb|An [[artificial quantum singularity]] in a Romulan engine core]]
 === Artificial quantum singularity reactor ===
+[[File:Dderidex-engine core.jpg|thumb|An artificial quantum singularity in a Romulan engine core]]
-In the [[24th century]], an [[artificial quantum singularity]] would serve as the primary power source for large Romulan spacecraft, such as the [[D'deridex class]] [[Warbird]]. Once activated, the singularity core cannot be shut down. ({{TNG|Face of the Enemy|Timescape}}; {{DS9|Visionary}})
+In the [[24th century]], an [[artificial quantum singularity]] served as the primary power source for large Romulan spacecraft, such as the {{class|D'deridex}} [[Warbird]]. Once activated, the singularity core could not be shut down. ({{TNG|Face of the Enemy|Timescape}}; {{DS9|Visionary}})
-It is unknown what the power output of such a device is or how much power is produced in relation to the more conventional [[Antimatter reactor]] used by almost all other [[species]]. A relay station network of ancient origin, which is claimed by the [[Hirogen]], is the only other known example of a race using quantum singularities as a power source. ({{VOY|Hunters}})
+A relay station network of ancient origin, claimed by the [[Hirogen]], was the only other known example of a race using quantum singularities as a power source. ({{VOY|Hunters}})
+{{bginfo|The singularity reactor also made an appearance in the ''[[Star Trek: The Badlands]]'' novels by [[Susan Wright]].}}
+[[Category:Technology]]