Ship Database

Ablative Armour

Ablative armor is an additional reactive plating that imposes a counterforce to incoming weapon fire. The armor works by first dispersing incoming beam energy across the hull of the ship where, after reaching an undisclosed threshold, causes part of the armor to boil away, taking with it a large fraction of that energy. The effect also creates a modest vapor cloud, which effectively disperses the incoming beam further, causing it to do less direct damage to the hull.

The ablative armour was first deployed on the USS Defiant, and then on the USS Prometheus. The Defiant was able to withstand several Jem Hadar weapon blasts before the ship started taking damage.

It should be noted, however, that the armor is not a hull replacement, but a supplement and must be replaced over time due to the boiling away process.

Found on:
Sovereign Class Explorer
Broadsword Class Multi-role Assault Fighter
Peregrine Class Heavy Fighter
Razor Class Interceptor
Valkyrie Class Space Superiority Fighter
Drake Class Surveyor
Wyvern Class Hopper
Wallace Class Light Escort
Charleston Class Exploratory Cruiser
Majestic Class Frigate
Akira Class Heavy Cruiser
Anubis Class Destroyer
Cheyenne Class Light Cruiser
Defiant Class Escort
Excelsior Class Exploratory Cruiser
Galaxy Class Explorer
Hornet Class Escort
Intrepid Class Light Explorer
Nebula Class Exploratory Cruiser
Norway Class Light Explorer
Prometheus Class Heavy Cruiser
Sabre Class Frigate
Steamrunner Class Light Explorer
Excalibur Class Explorer
Ithaca Class Military Waypoint and Resupply Facility
Daystrom Class Surveyor
Celestial Class Military Waypoint and Resupply Facility
Firefly Class Transport
Colony Class Colony
Luna Class Long Range Explorer
Normandy Class Carrier
Raptor Class Space Superiority Fighter
Dynasty Class Scout
Vikrant Class Carrier
Sunbird Class Frigate
Century Class Explorer