Editing New Orleans Class (section)

==TORPEDO LAUNCHERS==

Even without torpedo pods mounted to the ship's exterior, the New Orleans is equipped by default with both a forward and aft launcher. Originally, these tubes were upgraded versions of launchers designed for the Ambassador and Niagra-class.  During the class's first refit, these launchers were replaced with custom assemblies designed specifically for the New Orleans, with the added benefit of being able to fire weapons and probe packages that differ from the traditional photon torpedo casing.  Like more recent ships in the Federation fleet, this allows for the New Orleans to handle quantum torpedoes and tri-cobalt devices - although it should be stressed that the class is only equipped with such devices for select special operations due to supply limits.  

The forward torpedo launcher, like the aft, is a fixed-focus system consisting of a standard gas pressure chamber, elevator assembly, torpedo magazine and launcher, capable of holding eight torpedoes for simultaneous launch. It is located just above the main deflector on Deck 12, but due to the relatively short connecting neck between the hulls, its firing arc during launch is limited with the primary hull only a few decks up. Nonetheless, already-launched torpedoes have internal guidance systems that can maneuver the weapon towards targets not directly in the launcher's arc. The aft launcher is the only defensive weapon aboard the ship capable of firing directly to the aft of the starship, and is located on Deck 15.

Torpedo Pods: New Orleans-class vessels benefit by the ability to be equipped with specialized mission-specific torpedo pods, allowing for greater tactical flexibility in combat operations. These pods are equipped with both a forward and aft launcher that are both capable of tilting 12-degrees in all directions, allowing for the launchers to better line up with targets not directly along the vehicle centerline.

All New Orleans-class vessels are currently equipped with a total of 85 Mark XXV photon torpedoes. Individual torpedo pods are capable of containing an additional 45 photon torpedoes each.