Proton Torpedoes, not to be confused with Photon Torpedoes, are powerful explosive devices most often found in use aboard starfighters. The missile gets its name from the proton-scattering warhead that powers the device, producing an explosive yield many times more powerful, kilogram-for-kilogram, than conventional nuclear weapons. Because of their great cost, these warheads are often used quite sparingly during starfighter combats.

Although there are many makes and models of proton torpedoes, the basic design is almost universal. A fissionable element, most often Nergon-14, is arranged in a small nuclear reactor which powers the torpedo's deflector shield system. The shield system protects the missile warhead from accidental detonation from glancing impacts from blasters or collision with debris.

Upon detonation, the small-scale nuclear reactor overloads, increasing the output of the shield system and setting off the proton scattering device of the warhead. This process takes less than a millisecond, in which time the proton torpedo explosion is "focused" in a specific direction, similar to the "shaped charge" armor-piercing weapons used by ancient militaries for killing heavily armored installations and vehicles. Because of this focusing effect, proton torpedoes are best used against targets sporting heavy shields or armor.

Equipped with special guidance, sensor, sublight ion propulsion and sometimes even ECCM equipment, proton torpedoes are capable of quickly hitting capital ship targets with high precision and accuracy. They are often launched by small-scale explosive charges and use their own ion engines to achieve strike accelerations in excess of 180 MGLT.