ORION armor
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
| Orion | |
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IIC
 MELAENO
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Shoulder-mounted "Shoulder Angel" micro-missile launcher |
The ORION Exoframe Load Carrier, often simplified to simply the "ORION armor," was a powered exoskeleton design developed by Project: MELAENO, as a sister project intended for use in the ORION program but mostly remained as a concept.[2][3] The design was eventually realised on the Mirage IIC platform as the ORION IIC prototype exoframe variant.[4]
MELAENO overview[edit]
Design details[edit]
The Orion armor encompasses a full-body armor suite, with a helmet notably reminiscent of select Mark IV and Mark V helmets of which it would serve as the grandfather of. The chest armor is equipped with a prototype fitting for a "Shoulder Angel" micro-missile/decoy launcher.[3]
Development history[edit]
ORION armor was created as a part of the Colonial Military Authority's Project: MELAENO—a project inspired by the Materials Group's Project: HRUNTING series of powered exoskeletons. Ultimately, only a few components of the armor underwent field testing before the project's cancellation.[2]
The Orion armor's forearms were field-tested by ORION operatives in Operation: KALEIDOSCOPE, during the Insurrection. Testing of the greaves was conducted by ORION candidate 029 on Mars,[3] with the suit's hardware development studies later going on to provide useful data for the MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor project.[2] Classified MELAENO project files were dug up by Catherine Halsey in 2515 and the useful parts noted,[2] with the suit's design ultimately going on to inform the MJOLNIR team on ensuring high range of motion and high levels of protection.[3]
The Orion exoframe was later used by the Watershed Division as a useful stepping stone in the development of the Semi-Powered Infiltration armor used in the SPARTAN-III program. As of 2559, many of MELAENO's successes and failures remain classified.[2]
Usage[edit]
What little of the Orion armor that was actually created was employed by ORION personnel during Operation: KALEIDOSCOPE, around 2506-2507.[3]
ORION IIC overview[edit]
Design details[edit]
The ORION IIC prototype exoframe is primary designed around the MIRAGE IIC platform,[1] with parts tied to TAC attachments,[5] SAP attachments,[6] and UA attachments.[7]
The IIC is considered a realisation of original goals of the ORION program: the ultimate human weapon system, merging hardware, software, and wetware.[1] The chestplate is derived from a separate related project AETHR, and features lightweight BPC plating and a newer design for the Shoulder Angel missile launcher originally intended for the first-generation ORION suite.[5] The set also includes a WC2 Model 11, a wrist-wearable auxiliary computer module.[8] Overall, despite the improvements the set is still considered outmoded by MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor.[4]
Development history[edit]
ORION IIC was created by the Materials Group, part of the Office of Naval Intelligence, as a prototype,[1][4] with several parts such as the shoulders and knee pads being directly tied to the original ORION suits from the Insurrection era.[6][7] Testing for the helmet involves the installation of a visorplate, mounted atop testbed linear sensors and Visual Intelligence System, Reconnaissance (VISR) filters.[9]
Usage[edit]
The ORION IIC prototypes have reportedly seen usage in undisclosed operations throughout the post-war era,[4] with the Beta-5 Division approving of the thigh plate.[10]
In-game information[edit]
Halo 2: Anniversary[edit]
Orion was implemented into Halo 2: Anniversary as a useable armor set in the 20th anniversary celebration event for Halo: The Master Chief Collection, marking the first time a new piece of customisation was implemented for the game. The set is available for purchase in The Exchange on the week of November 3, 2021 and again on the week of January 5, 2022.[11]
| Piece | Description | Unlock requirements |
|---|---|---|
 Helmet |
Project ORION had ambitious plans for complete super-soldier weapon systems, but only Dr. Halsey had the vision and genius to bring both hardware and wetware to fruition. | The Exchange,  2
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 Chest |
High-grade torso shell with prototype fitting for integrated "Shoulder Angel" micro-missile/decoy launcher. | The Exchange, 2
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 Shoulders |
ORION hardware development studies provided useful data for ensuring both range of motion and high levels of protection on later MJOLNIR designs. | The Exchange, 2
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 Forearms |
Field-tested during Operation: KALEIDOSCOPE. | The Exchange, 2
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 Legs |
Rigorous testing of the greaves was undertaken by candidate 029 on the red plains of Mars. | The Exchange, 2
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Halo Infinite[edit]
Orion would return in Halo Infinite during 2025's Summer Update, releasing with the Last Stand Operation. Purchasable through Infinite's Shop, the Orion IIC armor and its associated components are primarily available on the Mirage armor core.
| Armor | Manufacturer | Lore | Quality | Introduced In | Unlock Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ORION IIC |
Materials Group | A realization of the Project ORION concept for the ultimate human weapon system: hardware, software, and wetware optimized for lethal effect. | Legendary | Last Stand | Purchase either:
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 ORION Visorplate |
Hardware module used to testbed linear sensors and VISR filters. | ||||
 TAC/Project AETHR |
Lightweight BPC plating and integral "Shoulder Angel" micro-missile/decoy launcher. | ||||
  SAP/HPAD |
A design that has stood the test of time. | ||||
 TAC/WC2 Model 11 |
Ruggedized wrist-wearable auxiliary computer module. | ||||
 UA/Thigh Plate |
B5D approved. | ||||
 UA/TYPE OPX |
Off the drawing board and onto the battlefield. |
Production notes[edit]
The Orion armor design dates back to the 1999-era armor seen at MacWorld 1999 during the Halo announcement trailer, which was used to officially unveil Halo: Combat Evolved to the public for the first time ever.
The armor made its first appearance in published Halo media in 2005's Halo Graphic Novel. The armor can be seen on page 96 as an unnamed extra during the story Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa, in a presumably non-canon appearance.[12] It was first featured in a canonical capacity in Halo: The Master Chief Collection for Halo's 20th anniversary.
Gallery[edit]
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Browse more images in this article's gallery page. |
Developmental images and illustrations[edit]
An early drawing of John-117 by Shi Kai Wang, featuring the design that would evolve into the Orion armor.
Extremely early concept art for Halo: Combat Evolved, featuring Orion-clad cyborgs.
The original Macworld 1999 armor.
A squad of soldiers in Macworld armor, ported into Combat Evolved.
A look at the presumably non-canon appearance of the ORION armor in Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa.
Orion armor in the Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition).
Halo 2: Anniversary[edit]
The Orion armor in the menus of The Master Chief Collection.
An Orion-clad Spartan holding a BR55 battle rifle.
Back view of an Orion-clad Spartan holding a battle rifle.
An Orion-clad Spartan holding a battle rifle.
An Orion-clad Spartan reloading a battle rifle.
An Orion-clad Spartan holding an M41 SPNKR.
An Orion-clad Spartan holding an M41 rocket launcher.
An Orion-clad Spartan holding an M7 SMG.
An Orion-clad Spartan reloading an SMG.
Two Spartans clad in Orion helmets and chest armors.
An Orion-clad Spartan holding a Plasma Rifle.
Halo Infinite[edit]
A Spartan (right) wearing the Orion IIC armour.
A Spartan clad in Orion IIC armour prepares to use active camouflage.
A Spartan wearing the Orion IIC armour.
A Spartan-IV wearing the Orion IIC armor on Live Fire.
The same Spartan-IV with Orion IIC's visorplate attachment.
List of appearances[edit]
- Halo Graphic Novel
- Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa (First appearance, non-canon)
- Halo 2: Anniversary (First appearance)
- Halo Infinite
Sources[edit]
- ^ a b c d e Halo Infinite, Armor Hall: Orion IIC - Helmet Description "A realization of the Project ORION concept for the ultimate human weapon system: hardware, software, and wetware optimized for lethal effect."
- ^ a b c d e f Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 76
- ^ a b c d e Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Anniversary Armory (Retrieved on Nov 3, 2021) [archive]
- ^ a b c d Halo Waypoint, Last Stand Operation Launch (Retrieved on Nov 3, 2025) [archive]
- ^ a b Halo Infinite, Armor Hall: TAC/Project AETHR - Chest Description "Lightweight BPC plating and integral "Shoulder Angel" micro-missile/decoy launcher."
- ^ a b Halo Infinite, Armor Hall: SAP/HPAD - Shoulders Description "A design that has stood the test of time."
- ^ a b Halo Infinite, Armor Hall: UA/TYPE OPX - Knee Pads Description "Off the drawing board and onto the battlefield."
- ^ Halo Infinite, Armor Hall: TAC/WC2 Model 11 - Wrist Description "Ruggedized wrist-wearable auxiliary computer module."
- ^ Halo Infinite, Armor Hall: Orion Visorplate - Helmet Attachment Description "Hardware module used to testbed linear sensors and VISR filters."
- ^ Halo Infinite, Armor Hall: UA/Thigh Plate - Utility Description "B5D approved."
- ^ Halo Waypoint, Celebrating 20 Years of Halo in The Master Chief Collection (Retrieved on Nov 3, 2021) [archive]
- ^ Halo Graphic Novel - Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa, page 96
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