Using magnetic fields to prevent a weaponized warp drive?

I've been thinking of ways that an FTL-capable galaxy would prevent weaponized FTL missiles.

Ignoring causality violations and paradoxes, I'm looking for a way to keep something based on an Alcubierre drive from being launched at a planet or other ship.

I didn't want to simply say "computers don't allow it" because a computer can be reprogrammed. I wanted there to be something intentional in the design of this drive that prevents it from being used as an FTL battering ram. Something that there was no workaround for because it's simply how it functions.

One idea came in the form of the magnetic fields produced by planets. Starships in this setting already use artificially produced magnetic fields to keep cosmic radiation out. Perhaps this field can also be the deterrent against an FTL object?

Is there a plausible way for a more powerful magnetic field (like that of a planet or a significantly larger ship/station) to tear an FTL traveling object apart in such a way that it does not impact its target, but instead harmlessly scatters away from/around it?

This would at least make FTL missiles impractical since they would have to be larger than their target or have to have equipment to generate a much more powerful magnetic field than its target.

posted almost 7 years ago

Arvex‭

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