Guide:Epsilon

[[|250px|Epsilon cutter]]
Epsilon
Class Overview
Category	cutter
Operational	2263 - 2290
Constructed	805 total: Flight I: 461 (built 2263-2265) Flight II: 344 (built 2266-2268)
Dimensions
Length	86.0 m
Beam	gear stowed: 18.0 m gear extended: 28.2 m
Height	12.0 m
Mass	Flt I: 43,925 mt Flt II: 51,975 mt
Performance
Cruise Speed	Flt I: w 6.0 Flt II: w 5.0
Max Speed	Flt I: w 8.0 Flt II: 2 6.0
Endurance	15 months
Complement
Crew	Flt I: 25 Flt II: 28
Cargo	Mk II: 250 mt
Tactical Systems
Beam Weapons	2x phaser IV emitters (single) (port/stbd wings) 2x phaser III emitters (single) (port/stbd wings)
Shields	1-layer globular forcefield 1x navigational deflector (bow)
Transporters	1x GP (6-pad); Mk III 1x small cargo; Mk III
Canonicity
Design	FASA (Timo)
Name	FASA
History	FASA

Background: Hobbyist's Guide

The Epsilon was—in 2261—drafted as a twofold improvement on the Solar class of cutters. It was to introduce the PB-60 warp engine for higher performance, as well as provide the configuration with full transatmospheric, landing, and takeoff capabilities. In the end, customers also opted for re-engining their Solars and refurbishing their fatigued hulls, thus yielding PB-60-propelled cutters in 2262 already. Yet the first Epsilons of 2263 represented such a concentration of capabilities that nearly all government acquisition programs on revenue cutters from then on opted for this design, despite its higher unit cost.

The propulsion section of the Epsilon was from the start optimized for the PB-60 engine, featuring swept-back pylons that distributed the weight of the nacelles better than the straight Solar ones originally built for DB-2250 / PB-40. There was no radiator-clad reactor section now, as the newer engines could run on lower reactor output levels; the antimatter powerplant was neatly housed within the aft end of a smooth hull of ovoid cross section. Various support system appendages did project through the dorsal side, though, and there was a ventral canoe fairing for antimatter tankage and for mounting the central, non-retractable landing leg that also featured the main ground accessway. Two other legs would hinge out horizontally on their long, angled struts, stabilizing the craft on the ground.

The hull tapered as it extended forward, featuring a bow undercut in which an Arkenis D20 navigational deflector was housed. Atop were two saddle mounts for communications systems and sensors, as well as a small dome for the three-person flight deck.

Weaponry was mounted on stub wings that would fold out from the lower hull flanks, and comprised twin phaser mounts on each wing: one Type IV for antiship applications, and one Type III for atmospheric use and possible ground combat support duties. A gangway hatch was located on the port side of the hull just above the port weapons wing, and was equipped with forced entry tooling to enable boarding of uncooperative vessels, be it in law enforcement or rescue duty.

Some 460 units were produced in 2263-65. These saw widespread service in the starports of the outer colony worlds where the landing capability simplified maintenance considerably. Few were assigned as direct replacements of Solars, though: refurbished older craft and late production versions of Solar held on to the core starport assignments for the time being. They’d soon need a successor for their sheer fatigue, however. VXT thus conducted careful analysis on the desired characteristics of the follow-on design.

As the result, the next Epsilon variant was configured with large side sponsons for carrying of cargo and passengers (or in the typical case, impounded goods and incarcerated wrongdoers). Both sponsons now featured gangway hatches and associated tractor cranes for moving the cargo. The nose profile of this flight was trimmed down to keep the center of mass close to the original location atop the ventral takeoff engine, which was in turn swapped for a more powerful type. In contrast, the warp engines were downgraded for affordability: significant savings came from the adoption of the older DB-2243 familiar from Argon merchant transports. Performance was accordingly reduced to warp 5/6, and some seven thousand tons were added to total mass, yet satisfied customers eagerly bought some 340 craft to replace their Solars.

Star Fleet Training Command ended up purchasing just four Flight Is for basic training and later adding two ex-FCS Flight II craft for support duties. These were retired in 2290.

Gallery

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Notes

• Guide: Solar may have pertinent information regarding the Epsilons.

References

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• Back to the Table of Contents
• Small Craft
• Appendix A: Of Ship Statistics
• Appendix B: Glossary
• Appendix C: Star Fleet Organization - General Outline
• Appendix D: Abbreviations From Outside