Epoch MK1 General Purpose Submarine

## Overview

The Epoch represents the Objectivist's first foray into creating a submersible suitable for traversing the treacherous waters of Earth Beta (MGE). It is an absolutely state-of-the-art submarine combining multiple cutting-edge technologies into one package. Currently, one prototype exists with two more in production.

It is 125m long, 13m beam and 12m draught making it smaller than typical nuclear-powered submarines. A standard crew complement is 80, although the sub can function with a skeleton crew thanks to extensive automation.

## Description

At the heart of the Epoch is a one-of-a-kind phased array that can project sonar waves of a broad range of frequencies and directivities. Combined with an extensive passive sonar, this allows the Epoch to be as stealthy or as noisy as it needs to be in a given situation, such an ability being considered essential for survival in hostile waters. The phased array is also powerful enough that highly directional sonar beams can be used as a sonic weapon against underwater hostiles.

For power, the Epoch uses a cutting-edge fifth-generation fission fragment reactor, boasting the extremely high fuel efficiency required for long voyages with minimal fissile material. It also has a good safety profile and is fully controlled by the sub's onboard computer system.

The Epoch uses two low-noise pump-jet engines for thrust with vectoring allowing for high manoeuvrability. There are also four independent ballasts making up a considerable proportion of the submarine's volume, making it fast for its size on the Y axis.

The hull of the Epoch is teardrop shaped with an outer hydrodynamic light hull that also serves as ablative armour and two inner pressure hulls made from a high-strength titanium alloy that allows for significant weight reduction increasing the overall thickness of the hulls and thus the crush depth considerably. As well as providing redundancy, this design allows the sub to optimize mobility further, although its outward appearance is quite bulky relative to the interior volume.

Of course, the Epoch has teeth. Whilst, not a dedicated combat vessel it boasts a new class of turreted submarine weapons designed for defence against mobile underwater enemies. On both sides of the port and the stern there are 30mm chainguns that fire tungsten flechettes that are more effective underwater. At the top instead of a deck gun, the Epoch has two first-generation railguns equipped with 130mm shells of various payloads. The chainguns can be automated effectively by the computer and IFF system onboard with remote control from terminals in the control room and gunnery available. The railguns are remote controlled only.

The Epoch boasts its own arcanotech fabrication facilities even more advanced than the ones at HQ and efficiently packed storage. The crew can use the fabricators to produce tools, munitions, replacement parts and even fuel in a pinch, greatly increasing the maximum operational range.

The Epoch's standard loadout also comes with a considerable supply of munitions. Aside from hundreds of flechettes for the chainguns, the Epoch is the first Objectivist unit to field tactical nuclear ammunition. Several multi-kiloton fission shells can be used in the railgun against threatening foes or enemy bases. The same design is also available as a depth charge for static bombardment. The Epoch fields exactly one thermonuclear depth charge as a strategic weapon. More of this ammo may be fabricated if the materials are available.

Of course, there is a large supply of conventional explosives for use in the railgun and depth charges as well. The crew has an armoury with assault rifles re-designed to work underwater, specialized combat hardsuits that can survive depths of over 1000 metres without severely compromising mobility, underwater scooters, remote explosives and grenade launchers. Everyone onboard is expected to be trained in underwater combat.

## Purpose

So what is the purpose of the Epoch? Aside from scouting and combat which its powerful sonar and high mobility make it well suited for, it's also equipped to survey the sea floor which is why it was designed with such a high crush depth. Unfortunately, current material science makes it impossible to design a vessel of any significant size that can survive the lower abyssal or hadal zones, making investigation of the "Demons of Chaos" rumour still an impossibility.

The primary motivator behind the project was to develop a submersible capable of mapping and surveying hydrothermal vents where large veins of uraninite can be found. For whatever reason, Earth Beta is devoid of radioactives on the surface and thus oceanic mining is far more efficient. The Epoch is equipped with sample collection capability, although once surveyed, actual mining would be done via a surface-bound drill vessel with the Epoch possibly stationed as a defensive unit. The fact that the Epoch is so essential for obtaining uranium itself is also why the project got the green light to use a fission reactor and tactical nuclear weapons, which otherwise would be considered a huge waste of such a scarce resource.

Certain individuals in the Objectivists are lobbying for a second combat-dedicated vessel to be designed. This design would likely be far larger, field new 2nd generation railguns, ICBM launch capabilities and possibly an experimental DEW. However, such a project would never be greenlit unless the Epoch proves itself.