Know Your UNSC Forces

The UNSC:  UN Space Command

UNSC fighting forces are organized into three branches, The Army, The Fleet and Marines.  Minor service branched exist, such as the ODSF, Technical Corps and Science Service.

The UNSC Army

The UNSC Army is distributed among all core-world and colony planets.  The Army is considered a territorial organization  responsible for local (planetary) protection.  It is organized and equipped accordingly.

UNSC Marines

UNSC Marines are the UN's rapid response and primary war fighting force.  UNSC Marines are deployed in two arms:  Fleet Marines (rapid response) and Colonial Marines (war fighting).

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UNSC Fleet Marines

UNSC Fleet Marines are light infantry embarked upon the UN's general fleet, they form the UN's rapid response fighting force.   Fleet Marines are expected to excel in small-unit tactics as they will almost exclusively act in that role supported by assets from whatever UNSC ship they deploy from.  

 Fleet Marine light infantry in temperate battledress

A Marine FAC (Forward Aerospace Controller), NCO and Marksman.  FACs provide a vital link between Marines on ground operations and Fleet assets in low orbit. 

Specialist Marines, armed with an ATGM system, a heavy sustained fire MMG (gyro-stabilized harness) and a FAC with a laser-designator to direct Ortillery bombardments.  Graffiti on the shield of the designator reads “Press the ‘Smite’ button”

Orbital Drop Special Forces (ODSF)

Seen above, ODSF in light-infantry combat dress.  The ODSF is the primary Special Operations units of the United Nations Space Command.  ODST role in the Fleet is to act as Pathfinders and Special Forces. They are elite troops trained as an orbitally-deployed light infantry and special warfare tactics force.  

Where speed stealth are most essential the ODSF uses Exo-atmospere Insertion Pods ('Drop Pods') to deliver troops from low-orbit to planetary surfaces.  Seen above an Insertion pod in descent, final approach mode

A Drop Pod landed, cover ejected and ODSF trooper deploying

ODSF Spartan Force

ODSF Spartan teams are highly trained special forces trained and equipped for the most hazardous and dangerous missions.  They are the only troops who routinely used powered exo-armour.  The suits the Spartan teams use are at the cutting edge of human ingenuity and technical capabilities.  It is rumoured that Spartan team armour integrates capabilities derived from alien technology.

  

Spartan teams have a wide degree of latitude to select weapons and equipment most appropriate for mission success.  Seen above a Spartan Team preparing for deployment, note the varied weapon loads and armour modifications.

  

Support Equipment and Vehicles

M233 HMG on tripod

The M233 HMG is a mainstay of Fleet Marine sustained fire support.  It has proven reliable, robust and accurate over its service life

M10B Fox HMLV

The Fox is a High Mobility Light Vehicle, typically carrying a medium-machine gun.  It has excellent off-road handling, however, its payload has proven to be restrictive.  It is unable to support heavy weapon mounts or carry Spartan Team members.

M12A1  Warthog HMMV

The Warthog High Mobility Medium Vehicle was designed to address the capabilities gap created by the Fox series.    The Warthog is used as a weapons carrier and Spartan-support platform.  It has proven an excellent substitution for the Fox, retaining superb off-road handling (especially for a large vehicle) with outstanding payload characteristics.

M12G1 Warthog LAAV

A modified M12A1 Warthog armed with additional power couplings to support an anti-vehicle gauss cannon (designated: Light Anti-Armour Vehicle)

Pelican Dropship

The Pelican transatmospheric capable VTOL used by the UNSC for the transportation, insertion and pickup of personnel, vehicles and equipment. The Pelican is well armed, it is capable of loitering as gunship support for deployed Marines.  Seen above, a Pelican in flight

Seen above, a Pelican landed ready for Marines to disembark

Vulture Gunship

The Vulture is a heavily protected and armed gunship used for close air support of deployed Marines

Kestrel VTOL

The Kestrel is most commonly seen in UNSC army service.  Where Marines are deployed on operations with the Army the Kestrel provides an excellent transport option for Marines. 

M808 Scorpion Tank

The Scorpion series is an air-portable Main Battle Tank.   A Scorpion is seen above fitted with additional ERA blocks

Other UN service branches

UN Science Service

As Mankind pushed out into the stars the UN created the Science Service to accompany UNSC ships.  The Science service is there to explore new opportunities wherever they appear, from ancient alien artifacts to interactions with Alien species. The Science Service recruits the best and brightest scientists, and employs cutting-edge AIs in its research.  In a relatively short period of time the Science Service has amassed an enviable treasure trove of knowledge in its data-banks.  Seen above a small science team and its support AI (as holographic presentation)

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Huzzah!, Huzzah! I say...

I'm finished painting the 'Inspired by a video game' set, all figs and vehicles are done.  So I thought I'd round out the 'know your forces' set with the human faction.  I'm going to use this set for a game at the upcoming Ground Zero Games, East Coast Convention (GZG ECC).

http://www.warpfish.com/gzgecc/gzgecc21/index.shtml

Now I'm off to finish off some Hammer's Slammers Combat cars for another GZG ECC game...