Hullcracker Missile

Arakyd Mark 9 missiles (nicknamed Hullcrackers by the Galactic Alliance Navy) were large missiles that entered production eight years after the Yuuzhan Vong war.

Unlike most missiles and torpedoes, Mark 9s contained two warheads. The first was a small plasma charge. Seconds before impact, this charge was propelled ahead of the missile. Like the plasma weapons used by the Yuuzhan Vong, this charge was capable of quickly burning through the hull of the target vessel. The weapon's main warhead was typically a standard proton charge, though it could be equipped with a baradium warhead when necessary.

The purpose of this type of missile was to allow the primary warhead to explode inside the target vessel, compounding the damage it caused. Even if the plasma charge was unable to penetrate the hull of the target, it weakened it enough that the primary warhead would guarantee a hull breach.

Because of their size, Mark 9s were unable to be used by starfighters. Tests were run to determine if bombers could mount these missiles on exterior hardpoints, but it was determined to be too dangerous because a lucky shot from an opposing fighter could trigger the weapon.

Even on capital ships, Mark 9s were not used regularly. This was because they were no more effective against shields than high yield proton torpedoes, but were far more expensive.