Warp propulsion system

A **warp propulsion system (WPS)**, also known as a **warp drive**, was a propulsion technology that allowed starships to travel at velocities exceeding the speed of light. The drive generated warp fields that enveloped a starship in a subspace bubble which distorted the local spacetime continuum and moved the starship at superluminal velocities. These velocities were known as warp factors.

Other terms for the technology included "space warp generator," "gravimetric field displacement manifold," "hyperdrive," and "lightspeed drive." It was known as *tchas-yeturek* in Golic Vulcan, *avaihh'etrehh* in Rihan, and *pIvghor* in tlhIngan Hol.

## Components

The drive consisted of two main parts, a core and drive units, each consisting of multiple components. The warp core was comprised of reactant injectors and a reaction chamber, collectively known as a matter/antimatter reaction assembly. The core connected to warp drive units which were comprised of multiple warp field generator coils housed in nacelle assemblies.

## Types

The various types of warp drive systems were categorized by the arrangement of the warp coils.

#### Coleopteric

In a coleopteric drive, the warp coils were installed in a ring encircling the starship. This layout was favored by some civilian shipwrights within the Federation, especially those based at Vulcan.

#### Planar

Planar drives employed panels of warp coils across a starship’s hull. A coplanar variant was a favorite of the Klingon Empire for their Bird-of-Prey vessels.

#### Linear

Warp coils in linear drives were arranged as the name suggests: in a line. The coils were situated from fore to aft and two linear sections were typically paired. This was most obvious in the twin nacelle designs of Starfleet and the Romulan Star Navy. There were also several attempts to break the paired mold with varying results.

## Classification systems

### Starfleet

Since contractors and developers used a variety of methods to classify their own products, Starfleet’s warp drive classification system allowed the service to maintain at least internal consistency.

Each drive unit designation contained four elements: lettered prefix, sequence number, lettered manufacturer code, and model number. For example, the warp drive units used on the *Galaxy*-class were classified as LN-4-CWD-016, the sixteenth model developed by Cochrane Warp Dynamics that met 4th generation standards for linear warp drives.

#### Type prefix

The prefix indicated the type of warp drive. Unique arrangements within these types received an adjusted prefix.

 EL
 PL

#### Manufacturer codes

Various companies throughout the Federation participated in the advancement and development of warp drive systems. Starfleet used these contractors to meet its requirements for drives for its fleet and each was assigned a three letter code to be used in the service’s designation system.

 SPI

## Appendices

### Connections

**Propulsion systems:** Impulse • Quantum slipstream • Subspace conduit • **Warp**

**Science and remote sensing systems:** Sensor

**Tactical systems:** Deflector shield • Disruptor • Dynamic Tactical System • Launch tube • Phaser (array • bank • cannon • pulse cannon • turret)

**Utility systems:** Emergency holographic program • Modular Rapid Deployment System

**Mission pods:** Equipment pod • Habitation pod • Tactical pod (Weapon pod) • Transport pod

### Sources consulted

* Warp drive article at *Memory Alpha*.
* Warp drive article at *Memory Beta*.