Editing Epoch-class heavy carrier

|manufacturer=[[SinoViet Heavy Machinery]]{{Ref/Book|Id=warfleet|HWF|Page=40-41}}

|length={{Convert|2563|m|ft|sp=us}}{{Ref/Site|Id=canon fodder|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-in-the-loop|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - In the Loop|D=30|M=06|Y=2021}}

|mass=35 million metric tons{{Ref/Reuse|warfleet}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}

|armament=*1 [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|56A2F9 light MAC]]{{Ref/Reuse|warfleet}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}

*2 [[Mark 15 Breakwater naval coilgun]]s{{Ref/Reuse|warfleet}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}

*12 [[M66 Sentry autocannon]]s{{Ref/Reuse|warfleet}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}

*20 [[Bident missile#M4020 Bident|M4020 Bident missile]] pods{{Ref/Reuse|warfleet}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}

*70 [[Archer missiles#M58 Archer|M58 Archer missile]] pods{{Ref/Reuse|warfleet}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}

*12 [[M870 Rampart point defense gun]]s{{Ref/Reuse|warfleet}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}

*20 [[M810 Helix point defense gun]]s{{Ref/Reuse|warfleet}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}

The '''''Epoch''-class heavy carrier''' ([[hull classification symbol]]: '''CV''') is a [[UNSC carrier|warship class]] in service with the [[UNSC Navy]].{{Ref/Reuse|warfleet}}  

The heaviest variety of carrier in service behind only the immense supercarriers, the ''Epoch'' class' tonnage exceeds that of both the ''[[Poseidon-class light carrier|Poseidon]]'' and the ''[[Orion-class assault carrier|Orion]]'' classes.{{Ref/Note|With the release of the ''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition)]]'', this has seemingly been retconned, with the ''Orion''-class listed as 40 million tonnes compared to the 35 million tonnes of an Epoch}} Often forming the core of most [[UNSC fleet]]s, the heavy carrier is capable of taking extreme damage in combat.{{Ref/Reuse|canon fodder}} It is one of the most lauded designs in [[SinoViet Heavy Machinery]]'s fleet.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}

The ''Epoch''{{'}}s primary armament lies is its [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|56A2F9 Magnetic Accelerator Cannon]], a rapid-fire variant of the MAC normally mounted on {{Class|Stalwart|light frigate|frigates}}. The ''Epoch'' often lent its firepower in coordinated volleys, despite the 56A2F9's intended use as a purely defensive weapon. The MAC is supplemented by two [[Mark 15 Breakwater naval coilgun]]s on the prow. To defend against fighters and smaller attack ships that usually break through its escorting battle group, the ship possesses twelve [[M66 Sentry autocannon]]s and [[M870 Rampart point defense gun]]s, although these are ineffective against larger [[Covenant]] warships. Supplementing the Ramparts are twenty [[M810 Helix point defense guns]]. Seventy [[Archer missile#M58 Archer|M58 Archer missile]] pods are fitted onto the hull for attacking strikecraft and larger ships, while a further twenty pods of [[Bident missile]]s are mounted on the wings. Although normally intended for use against other starships, the standard nuclear-pumped X-ray laser warhead can be replaced with kinetic rod bundles or fusion warheads ideal for surface bombardment.{{Ref/Reuse|warfleet}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}

All ''Epoch''-class heavy carriers have an embarked complement of both aerospace and ground units, which are crucial to their operation in UNSC battle groups. Eight hundred UNSC Marines - a full [[battalion]] - are designed to be accommodated on these capital ships. Twelve hangars are also fitted, each of which holds three [[Pelican]] [[dropship]]s and two [[space fighter]]s. Spacecraft which are too large to be stored in these, such as the [[GA-TL1 Longsword#C709|C709 Longsword]], can dock to the ship using a series of clamps and access umbilicals. An ''Epoch''-class heavy carrier is capable of projecting UNSC naval power by dominating a planet's orbit, and then deploy its strike fighters and troop transports to high-value areas on the surface.{{Ref/Reuse|warfleet}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}

The ''Epoch''-class entered service in the [[UNSC Navy]] in [[2475]], prior to the outbreak of the [[Insurrection]]. It served as a lynchpin of the Navy's expeditionary forces throughout the conflict and well into the [[Human-Covenant War]].{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} One ''Epoch''-class heavy carrier helped defend [[Alpha Corvi II]] from the Covenant on December [[2525]].{{Ref/Comic|Id=HCD1|HCD|Issue=1}} A ship of the line was assigned to [[Battlegroup Leviathan]] at some point during the [[Human-Covenant War]].{{Ref/Site|Id=Tabletop|URL=http://www.spartangames.co.uk/spartan-games-is-to-produce-halo-tabletop-miniatures-games|Site=Spartan Games|Page=Spartan Games is to produce Halo tabletop miniatures games|D=30|M=03|Y=2015}}