Orbital defense platform: Difference between revisions

{{Era|H2|H3|FOR|FS|GOO}}

[[Image:Macstationcairolarge1ki.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''Cairo'', a typical Orbital Defense Platform.]]

An '''Orbital Defense Platform''' was a large [[UNSC]] space station used to defend locations of great importance, typically planets.  Stations were frequently placed in [[wikipedia:Geosynchronous orbit|geosynchronous orbits]] and deployed in groups, or ''clusters'', of 2 to 5.

The well-equipped and large bridge of an ODP was suitable for directing large-scale engagements.  Such was the case when [[Lord Hood|Fleet Admiral Sir Terrence Hood]] directed UNSC forces from a ODP during the [[First Battle of Earth|First]] and [[Second Battle of Earth]].

Internally, the stations were remarkably spacious, complete with high ceilinged common areas and a monorail system to move personnel and equipment. In addition to numerous small craft bays there were two docks for larger ships, such as freighters or even [[UNSC Frigate|frigates]]. The design incorporated many features against potential hostile boarding action, including security stations and small arms racks situated at strategic locations<ref>Halo 2, [[The Armory (Level)]], cutscene</ref>.

The primary armament was a Mk. V "Super" [[MAC]] gun, capable of causing severe damage to even a shielded [[Covenant]] warship with a single hit<ref>Halo 2, [[The Armory (Level)]], cutscene</ref>.  As with starship-mounted MACs, a platform's cannon was commonly controlled by an [[AI]].

:''Curiously no sources indicate the presence of additional weapons, such as point defense cannon commonly mounted on UNSC warships.  However, the possibility cannot be ruled out,

ODPs did not mount the power generation equipment necessary to fire their main armament.  Instead, they received power from [[Orbital Defense Generator|ground-based generators]].  A possible strategy to neutralize the formidable ODPs would be to disable the generators via ground assault.

{{Cairo Locations}}

By August [[2552]], [[Reach]] was protected by twenty ODPs.  During the [[Battle of Reach]], marines and [[SPARTAN-II|Spartans]] were deployed to protect the orbital platforms' planetside power generators but were ultimately unable to do so against determined enemy assaults. The disabling of the defense platforms was a major factor on the battles outcome<ref>[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]], page reference needed</ref>.

[[Image:DSC00212.JPG|thumb|left|200px|The destruction of ''Malta'']]

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<ref>[[Halo: First Strike]], pg. 104</ref>. By October 2552, some 300 ODPs were operational<ref>Halo 2, [[The Armory (Level)]], cutscene</ref>. Many of Earth's ODPs were named after points of interest that they roughly kept station over.

The ODPs were also used in the [[Second Battle of Earth]], but the Covenant might have already destroyed numerous stations when Truth led a second fleet to Earth <ref>Halo 2, [[The Great Journey (Level)]], cutscene</ref>.

*[[Athens Station]] UNSCDF-ODA144

*[[Cairo Station]] UNSCDF-ODA142

*[[Nassau Station]]

[[Category:UNSC]]

[[Category:Technology]]