Viper-class Destroyer

A Viper-class Destroyer is a variant Cobra-class Destroyer converted to carry boarding torpedoes. Some of these ships retained their torpedo armament, even after they were no longer needed. These ships were designated missile destroyers and organised into separate flotillas, able to be brought to bear in massed torpedo attacks at critical moments in a battle.

History
During the Gareox Prerogative, many Cobra-class Destroyers were converted to carry boarding torpedoes as part of the Young School's obsession with ordnance. Their main weapon battery was removed and extra torpedo launch batteries added. The experiment was not a success; destroyers could not carry large enough crews to man the torpedoes properly and fight the ship. Most of the destroyers have been gradually converted back to standard armament but a number still retain all torpedo armament, even though they no longer use boarding torpedoes. These ships are designated missile destroyers and are organised into separate flotillas. They make poor convoy escorts but have been surprisingly successful as fleet support flotillas. Massed torpedo attacks at critical moments in the battle have often turned the tide for Imperial Fleets. The 204th Grey Sharks Flotilla caught the Ork Kroozer Fow-Masha in a devastating cross-fire blasting the pulse engines off the back of the Terror ship, leaving it a helpless cripple. The 193rd Flotilla is creditied with finishing off the crippled Heretic battleship Pustulence with salvos of torpedoes fired at near maximum rang.

Notable Viper-class Destroyer Flotillas

 * 59th Rat Runners - A notable flotilla of Battlefleet Bakka of the Segmentum Tempestus that served during the Macraggan War.
 * 76th Silver Spears - A notable flotilla of Battlefleet Bakka of the Segmentum Tempestus that served during the Macraggan War.