The Federal Quantum Timing System (codename System 10, originally Project 812) is a covert federal system in Vekllei that maintains precise clocks for useful purposes, including navigation, weapons guidance, acoustic triangulation and computer authentication. Using the fibre-optic lines of the Federal Fundamental Computing System that can transmit at the speed of light, System 10 allows the Commonwealth to retain precise timings independent of the positioning satellites that are vulnerable to sabotage. It also supports a number of legitimate commercial purposes.
The network comprises 47 caesium atomic clocks distributed across the republics primarily at facilities of the NSRE and military bases. Each clock keeps basically unimaginable accuracy to within one second per 300 million years. The Commonwealth Armed Forces use System 10 as a GPS-independent navigation reference, since the timings are accurate enough to use as calibrated inertial navigation for use in missile guidance.
Beyond military applications, the timing network also supports industrial purposes across the commons economy, and System 10 determines the national standard time for use in everything from power distribution to transport schedules.