Verified — X Trench Run Math
That matches the movie’s tension — only a few minutes from “begin your attack run” to firing. The proton torpedoes must turn 90° downward into the exhaust port. But with a magnetic “bend” (in-universe), the real math is a gravity-assisted turn , similar to a ballistic curve.
[ a = \frac2 h v^2d^2 ]
[ \textLead angle \theta = \arctan\left( \fracv_\textlateralv_\texttorpedo \right) ] x trench run math
Eliminate (t):
No lateral motion needed if flying straight down the trench centerline — but if the port is offset, or the X-wing is drifting: That matches the movie’s tension — only a
[ t = \fracL\textspeed = \frac60,000 \text m180 \text m/s \approx 333 \text seconds \ (\text5 min 33 sec) ] [ a = \frac2 h v^2d^2 ] [
If (h \approx 20) m (depth to port), (d \approx 10) m (magnetic bending distance), (v \approx 100) m/s (torpedo speed after launch):