User:Delta-269/Fighter Support Platform

Fighter Support Platform

A Fighter Support Platform, or FSP, is a class of large UNSC space stations used to supplement ODPs in defending locations of great importance, typically planets of high strategic value.

Stations placed in Geosynchronous orbit and deployed in groups, or clusters, of 2 to 5. The well-equipped and large bridge of an FSP is suitable for directing large-scale engagements. The most effective method to destroy these great Platforms is via Boarding Craft. These craft would avoid the heavy slugs, and then plant a bomb. In order to avoid this, the UNSC would attempt to repel the boarders by stationing a Marine company aboard them.

Facilities
Internally, the stations are remarkably spacious, complete with high ceilings and a monorail system to move personnel and equipment. It held two massive docking bays used to hold Longsword fighters. The design incorporates many features against potential hostile boarding action, including security stations and small arms racks situated at strategic locations.

Armament
The FSPs are remarkably under armed for a station of their size. Usually only having a dozen or so 50mm Autocannons placed at strategic locations on the hull. The stations are placed near ODPs to that the MAC Guns can help to defend them, and so their fighters can defend the ODP.

Powerplant
FSPs do not possess the power generation equipment necessary to control their systems. Instead, they receive power from ground-based generators. A possible strategy to neutralize the FSPs would be to disable the generators via ground assault, this would disable the platform's control systems without destroying it, allowing this valuable prize to be captured.

Earth
The outbreak of the Human-Covenant War prompted a massive expansion of Earth's defenses. Even as late as the Battle of Reach preparations had not yet been completed. By October 2552, some 30 FSPs were operational. Many of Earth's FSPs were named after points of interest that they roughly kept station over.

A portion and small section of the 30 platforms first saw action at the First Battle of Earth. The FSPs were also used in the Second Battle of Earth, but the Covenant had already destroyed most of the stations when Truth led a second fleet to Earth.

Known FSPs

 * London Fighter Station UNSCDF-FSP02
 * Winnipeg Fighter Station UNSCDF-FSP17
 * Orlando Fighter Station UNSCDF-FSP29