Orbital weapon platforms in the Chin'toka system
Orbital weapon platforms are frequently used in automated planetary defense systems. A powerful type of orbital weapons platform was developed by the Cardassian Union during the Dominion War. They were equipped with regenerative shields, three heavy disruptors and 1,000 plasma torpedoes.
A Miranda class under fire from an OWP.
Designed in 2374 they were first deployed in the Chin'toka system to reinforce the system's defences. The system was subsequently attacked by the Federation Alliance fleet, which destroyed the defending Jem'Hadar attack ships and dozens of platforms before the entire system was brought online. Once online the system proved extremely effective, their heavy shields made them very resilient to damage and their firepower meant they were a threat to even the large Galaxy-class and D'deridex-class starships. (DS9: "Tears of the Prophets")
The system had a crucial flaw that the Alliance fleet was able to exploit and defeat the system. The individual platforms did not have a internal power source, instead they received power from a single large external generator located on an asteroid moon orbiting one of the planets. Once destroyed the entire system was rendered inert. (DS9: "Tears of the Prophets")
A network of these platforms were deployed in orbit of Cardassia Prime. Starfleet was tasked with destroying these platforms as the allied fleet encircled the planet. The Dominion's surrender just before the allies pressed their assault meant that Starfleet did not have to engage these weapons. (DS9: "What You Leave Behind")
Following the Dominion War, several of these platforms wound up on the black market. One was purchased by Claude Rathale, hollowed out, and placed in orbit of Kal-Dixas under the name Caliban Outpost. (Kal-Dixas Spaceport)
External link[]
- Orbital weapon platform article at Memory Alpha, the canon Star Trek wiki.