AB-FSP (eibi:efesbi:)

A type of armoured combat vehicle common within more developed regions of space. Full terminology: Autonomous Bipedal Fire Support Platform. Used for long-range, highly mobile fire support, capable of crossing nearly any terrain and carrying heavy vehicle-mounted weapons and ordnance.

Development History

Originally drafted in the 2200s, this mech draws upon other designs through history and even science fiction. After a few decades of study and realization, the great minds at 19.G02.Kadingir, in cooperation with Lockheed Martin Vaillinainen (defunct since 2433), revealed the finalized design in 2236, to critical acclaim. Soon enough, major manufacturers and military-industrial companies started incorporating the brand new class of warmachine into their armoured vehicle production lists.   By the 2870s, the design is a staple throughout human space. Most militaries have at least a few, and the militaries of large clusters' central nations and the like use them regularly as part of military strategy.  

Design Specifics

Pilot

An AB-FSP is piloted by a single pilot. They are at the center of the vehicle's main body, immersed and protected within an Immersive Pilot Module, submerged into a viscous fluid, hermetically sealed, mentally linked, and life-supported by the machine.

Weapons

The mech can generally equip the same variety of weapons as any MBT could. These are equipped into two hardpoints, usually on the sides of the hull.   Weapon selection:

Railcannons

Missile Pod Systems and SAM Missile Pods

Heavy Autocannons

Plasma Cannons

Neurotoxin Projectors

Most models also include several micromissile pods along the hull, to dispose of potential close-range infantry assault. They vary in design as well, though most are necessarily antimatter, by the nature of micromissiles and their size.

Defensive Systems

The armour plating of the warmachine is usually composed similarly to contemporary main battle tanks: A steel-carbon nanotube frame, with armour panels consisting of graphene, ceramics, and aluminium, reinforced with variedly thick Carbon-Interlaced Aluminium Alloy plating. Variance between designs mostly consists of the shape of the plating, though some models have been known to incorporate other materials and composites.   Each AB-FSP is equipped with, at the very least, Hardened plasma shielding, usually two layers. Point-defense is usually composed of twelve low-power rapid-pulse laser turrets. Generally, the vehicles are also equipped with a high-power laser cannon on the top of the hull, used for taking down small targets, often drones or larger, slower ordnance.  

Variants

As the mechs have variable armament, common variants have emerged, equipped with specific weapons.  

The Cautren variant, named after Sanna Cautren. Equipped with a railgun as well as the twin-linked autocannons.

The Sigen variant, named after Konrad Sigen, who pioneered the development of long-range platforms in general, equipped with the missile pods and railgun, for very long-range assault. This variant has become the posterboy of AB-FPS loadouts over the centuries.

The Icarus variant, named after the mythological character, which takes two missile pods with SAM missiles, and replaces the micromissiles with faster and longer range SAM missiles, and the top turret with a faster-firing laser turret.

The Berserk variant, which puts two arms with Layered Chain Blades on them, to act as a melee mech of sorts. To that end, it also increases the shielding and speed at the cost of some point-defense and the micromissiles.

The Executioner variant, a markedly high-tech one, with more shield layers, and two improved plasma cannons. Absolutely devastating, but more expensive to build and maintain, resulting in them being only found in the ASTUN's use. Popular on Endured Wrath, mainly for the lack of anything to get in the way.

  There's plenty more variants, but outside these ones, most just are simply different weapon layouts, and these ones got popular.