melta

Melta is a term used primarily in science fiction to describe a class of weapons or devices that breach heavy armor by delivering extreme heat to the target. The name is usually a shortened form of “melter” or “melta,” reflecting the intended effect of melting through metal and other materials. In many settings, melta technology concentrates energy to heat a small area rapidly, causing the target surface to reach its melting point in a fraction of a second and weakening or penetrating armor.

In popular franchises and tabletop games, melta weapons are common anti-armor tools and breaching devices. They are often depicted as short-range, high-damage options such as handheld meltaguns, larger melta weapons, and melta bombs used to breach doors, hulls, or armor plates. These devices are typically shown as capable of delivering devastating effects against armored targets but prone to overheating or heat management issues, which can limit their rate of fire or require careful handling.

Real-world physics provides no exact analogue to a melta weapon. The concept remains a fictional extrapolation based on the idea of rapidly delivering heat to overcome material strength. In this light, melta emphasizes heat-based armor penetration rather than kinetic impact or conventional energy weapons. The term serves as a storytelling device to illustrate extreme thermal effects in combat scenarios.

Etymology and usage notes: the term derives from “melt” and is widely used across sci-fi media to denote devices designed to melt through obstacles, particularly armor.