Canon

OSTEO combat engineering suit

From Halopedia, the Halo wiki

OSTEO
Renders of the Hazmat armor core.
HINF OSTEO armor front.png
Production overview

Manufacturer(s):

Imbrium Machine Complex

Type:

  • Combat engineering suit

Role(s):

Technical specifications

Feature(s):

Array of contingency systems[1]

 

The OSTEO combat engineering suit, also known as the HAZMAT armor, is a human armor system employed by unaugmented personnel as well as Spartan Operations personnel for HAZMAT operations.[3] The suit was created as part of Project: OSTEO.[1][4][5]

Overview[edit]

Design details[edit]

A Liang-Dortmund Corporation miner using an OSTEO combat engineering suit and an MA5D assault rifle.
A Liang-Dortmund miner using a mining rig of the OSTEO armor, created as a collaboration between Liang-Dortmund and the BXR Mining Corporation.[6]

The OSTEO armor platform incorporates an array of contingency systems focused on surviving extended operations in extraordinarily harsh working and combat environments. It is designed to be used by both Spartans and non-augmented personnel in all manner of dangerous conditions.[3] While other systems, such as Spartan MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor already protects against many things, OSTEO is more specialized towards the specific role of protecting against natural and artificial environmental hazards, and provides a platform that is not exclusively usable by Spartans. Where MJOLNIR offer protections to a Spartan operating in compromised conditions, OSTEO-derived technologies maximize life maintenance effectiveness for extended periods, providing more optimized solutions for a wider range of suitable operators—including non-augmented military and civilian personnel.[4] The OSTEO armor is also hardened against cyberattacks.[7]

The OSTEO armor platform—even when utilized by civilians—is outfitted with onboard solutions to interface with various infotech and artificial intelligence control systems, which have become ubiquitously integrated into twenty-sixth century industrial and environmental infrastructures. These features give OSTEO wearers the agility to deal with both the technological and physical sides of hazardous events that might befall a human colony or installation.[4]

The T21-HEX4 hip utility is considered part of the complete OSTEO suit, being included on the relevant shipping manifest, but only Imbrium Machine Complex knows what it does.[8]

Development history[edit]

In the years after the Human-Covenant War, private industry across several human colonies saw rapid development in many fields, with exoskeletal frames seeing considerable research and development. Project: OSTEO and its resulting combat engineering suit were among the fruits of these advancements. Primarily developed by Imbrium Machine Complex, the OSTEO armor system is the result of a shared-source initiative to build an armor platform wearable by both supersoldiers and non-augmented humans for everything from construction and exploration to security and combat applications.[4] Refitted Mark VI helmets called Mark VI CBRN were used throughout the testing and evaluation of OSTEO.[9] In the wake of the galaxy’s most recent conflicts, the United Nations Space Command has expressed interest in projects like OSTEO, modifying industrial-focused designs to used by Spartans and special forces operatives.[4]

Usage[edit]

A Liang-Dortmund security guard wearing an OSTEO combat engineering suit and equipped with an M20 PDW.
A Liang-Dortmund corporate security guard employing a combat rig of OSTEO.[6]

OSTEO armor is used by personnel who are sent on missions deep into dying Forerunner facilities, for hunters operating in and around poisoned water and air, search teams exploring sites scarred by chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons used in the Human-Covenant War,[3] as well as those facing pockets of Flood infestation.[4] It is also used by Spartan combat engineers working in demolition and hazmat missions, in addition to carrying out specialist tasks which require super-human reactions, strength, and situational awareness.[2]

Liang-Dortmund personnel involved in "de-glassing" activities on former-human colonies destroyed during the Human-Covenant War often use OSTEO suits for navigating the borderline-uninhabitable terrain of the worlds they're working on. LDC security forces use combat variations of OSTEO for guarding corporate assets at these sites, fitted with specialised peripheral equipment, helmets, and body armour.[6] The asteroid miners of the Imbrium Machine Complex corporation also use OSTEO rigs for operations in and around Elvie.[10] Likewise, BXR Mining Corporation also use OSTEO suits for titanium mining operations on the surface of KC-59.[11]

Variants[edit]

A series of diving suits on Molten.
Heavy OSTEO rigs used for deep-sea, toxic, and volcanic environments, alongside enduring glass storms. However, it is noted for its bulk.[6]

A list of variants compatible with the OSTEO armor platform:

  • Ashmaw - A variant designed for use on derelict ships and hazardous moons
  • Burrowlens - A variant for Spartans who are mediators of the larger war machine
  • Exo - A variant to protect against a range of hazards, from small-arms fire to high-energy plasmas
  • Farkas - A variant for Spartans operating in former Human-Covenant War battlegrounds
  • Gourdian Knight - A variant for protectors of the fallow court
  • Mark VI CBRN - A variant consisting of a refitted Mark VI helmet
  • Notus - A variant for usage in highly poisonous, corrupted, and blighted environments
  • Oberon - A variant designed to compensate for the loss of Smart AIs
  • Ogun - A variant for scavenging critical components from destroyed ships
  • Project CORSAC - A variant for missions without the need of visors
  • Serket - A variant with several layers of redundant filters and seals
  • Skarbnik - A variant for Spartans infiltrating dying Forerunner structures
  • Steelheart - A variant to deal with Flood-infected victims
  • Temfor - A variant with many precautions against the Flood
  • Theon - A variant formerly exclusive to ONI Zeta-2 whisper teams
  • Voidspear - A variant to protect spaceborne combat engineers

In-game information[edit]

Halo 5: Guardians[edit]

OSTEO suits appear multiple times throughout Halo 5: Guardians, though were not named as such until a Canon Fodder blog in 2025. The OSTEO rigs in the game are not usable by the player, and can predominantly be seen in the levels Glassed, Meridian Station, Unconfirmed, and Evacuation, as the mining and combat suits worn by the Liang-Dortmund miners and security personnel. Another, more specialised and bulky variant of OSTEO, can be found in the game's multiplayer component as a static prop on several maps including Molten.[6] This latter variant has the appearance of a bulky diving suit and is primarily found as a scenery object on the map Fathom, and can be placed as a static prop in the game's Forge mode.

The UNSC diver Easter Egg in the game also reuses the heavy OSTEO model.

  • Various Liang-Dortmund miners and security troops using OSTEO rigs.

    Various Liang-Dortmund miners and security troops using OSTEO rigs.

  • The UNSC diver Easter Egg.

    The UNSC diver Easter Egg.

Halo Infinite[edit]

Like Chimera before it, the Hazmat armor core was available by default during Season 04: Infection, the fourth season of Halo Infinite multiplayer. It was first revealed on May 26, 2023, in an advertisement for a cross-promotion with Dr. Squatch soap.[12]

Armor Manufacturer Lore Rarity Unlock Requirements
HINF Hazmat Core Icon.png
Hazmat armor core 		Imbrium Machine Complex Project: OSTEO combat engineering suits incorporate an array of contingency systems focused on surviving extended operations in extraordinarily harsh working and combat environments. Common Unlocked by default during Season 04: Infection
Icon of the Osteo helmet.
Osteo 		Imbrium Machine Complex Spartan combat engineers work in close cooperation with their Army and Marine cousins in demolition and hazmat missions, in addition to carrying out specialist tasks which require super-human reactions, strength, and situational awareness. Common Unlocked by default during Season 04: Infection

Attachments[edit]

The following attachments are not exclusive to the OSTEO helmet, and are compatible with other helmets on the Hazmat core.

  • Signaltech Deepeye

Trivia[edit]

The OSTEO combat engineering suit is likely named after the Greek word ostéon, meaning "bone."

Gallery[edit]

Main-Superintendent.png Browse more images in this article's gallery page.

Concept art[edit]

  • Concept art of civilian OSTEO-clad miners for Halo 5: Guardians.

    Concept art of civilian OSTEO-clad miners for Halo 5: Guardians.

  • Concept art of civilian OSTEO-clad miners for Halo 5: Guardians.

    Concept art of civilian OSTEO-clad miners for Halo 5: Guardians.

  • Concept art of civilian OSTEO-clad miners for Halo 5: Guardians.

    Concept art of civilian OSTEO-clad miners for Halo 5: Guardians.

  • Concept art of civilian OSTEO-clad miners for Halo 5: Guardians.

    Concept art of civilian OSTEO-clad miners for Halo 5: Guardians.

  • Concept art of civilian OSTEO-clad miners for Halo 5: Guardians.

    Concept art of civilian OSTEO-clad miners for Halo 5: Guardians.

  • Concept art of civilian OSTEO-clad miners for Halo 5: Guardians.

    Concept art of civilian OSTEO-clad miners for Halo 5: Guardians.

  • Concept art of civilian OSTEO-clad miners for Halo 5: Guardians.

    Concept art of civilian OSTEO-clad miners for Halo 5: Guardians.

  • Concept art of civilian OSTEO-clad miners for Halo 5: Guardians.

    Concept art of civilian OSTEO-clad miners for Halo 5: Guardians.

  • Concept art of civilian OSTEO-clad miners for Halo 5: Guardians.

    Concept art of civilian OSTEO-clad miners for Halo 5: Guardians.

  • An early concept piece for the "diving suit" OSTEO rig in Halo 5: Guardians.

    An early concept piece for the "diving suit" OSTEO rig in Halo 5: Guardians.

  • Concept art for the "diving suit" OSTEO rig in Halo 5: Guardians.

    Concept art for the "diving suit" OSTEO rig in Halo 5: Guardians.

  • Early concept exploration for the OSTEO combat engineering suit for Halo Infinite.

    Early concept exploration for the OSTEO combat engineering suit for Halo Infinite.

  • More concept exploration of the suit. Note the Farkas-like helmet on the right Spartan.

    More concept exploration of the suit. Note the Farkas-like helmet on the right Spartan.

  • Concept exploration of various helmets for the suit.

    Concept exploration of various helmets for the suit.

  • Near-finalized concept exploration for the OSTEO combat engineering suit.

    Near-finalized concept exploration for the OSTEO combat engineering suit.

  • Finalized concept art of the OSTEO combat engineering suit.

    Finalized concept art of the OSTEO combat engineering suit.

  • The previous concept art with an alternate set of shoulder pads.

    The previous concept art with an alternate set of shoulder pads.

  • Concept exploration of several helmets and attachments for the OSTEO suit.

    Concept exploration of several helmets and attachments for the OSTEO suit.

  • More concept exploration of helmets and attachments for the OSTEO suit.

    More concept exploration of helmets and attachments for the OSTEO suit.

  • More concept exploration of helmets and attachments for the OSTEO suit.

    More concept exploration of helmets and attachments for the OSTEO suit.

  • Concept art of the Lifeguard Heartguard chest armor.

    Concept art of the Lifeguard Heartguard chest armor.

  • Concept art of the Lifeguard Doc chest armor.

    Concept art of the Lifeguard Doc chest armor.

  • Concept art of the Trapbox chest armor.

    Concept art of the Trapbox chest armor.

  • Concept art of the First Responder chest armor.

    Concept art of the First Responder chest armor.

  • Concept art of the Pro-Tek Buster chest armor.

    Concept art of the Pro-Tek Buster chest armor.

  • Concept art of the CombiGuard chest armor.

    Concept art of the CombiGuard chest armor.

  • Concept art of the Venezian Omnicorder chest armor.

    Concept art of the Venezian Omnicorder chest armor.

  • Concept art of the Sample Pack shoulder pad.

    Concept art of the Sample Pack shoulder pad.

  • Concept art of the Lifeguard OXYLINK shoulder pad.

    Concept art of the Lifeguard OXYLINK shoulder pad.

  • Concept art of the Bracepad shoulder pad.

    Concept art of the Bracepad shoulder pad.

  • Concept art of the Fan Vent shoulder pad.

    Concept art of the Fan Vent shoulder pad.

  • Concept art of the Threatwave SMI shoulder pad.

    Concept art of the Threatwave SMI shoulder pad.

  • Concept art of the Type HPE gloves.

    Concept art of the Type HPE gloves.

  • Concept art of the GuardGrip gloves.

    Concept art of the GuardGrip gloves.

  • Concept sketch of the Green Steel utility.

    Concept sketch of the Green Steel utility.

  • Finalized concept art of the Green Steel utility.

    Finalized concept art of the Green Steel utility.

  • Concept art of the Crowbar utility.

    Concept art of the Crowbar utility.

  • Concept art of the QuickFlush utility.

    Concept art of the QuickFlush utility.

  • Concept art of the Dualpack Dousers utility and Biolocker shoulder pad.

    Concept art of the Dualpack Dousers utility and Biolocker shoulder pad.

  • Concept art of the Lifeguard OXYLINK kneepad.

    Concept art of the Lifeguard OXYLINK kneepad.

  • Concept art of the K-SHOK Dampeners kneepad.

    Concept art of the K-SHOK Dampeners kneepad.

  • Concept art of the Type KIRST kneepad.

    Concept art of the Type KIRST kneepad.

  • Concept art of various attachments.

    Concept art of various attachments.

  • Concept art of the boots used with the OSTEO combat engineering suit.

    Concept art of the boots used with the OSTEO combat engineering suit.

  • Concept art of the prosthetic limbs associated with the OSTEO combat engineering suit.

    Concept art of the prosthetic limbs associated with the OSTEO combat engineering suit.

  • Concept art of the prosthetic hands associated with the suit.

    Concept art of the prosthetic hands associated with the suit.

Promotional images[edit]

  • Hazmat (left), as seen on the Dr. Squatch-Halo Infinite tie-in website.[13]

    Hazmat (left), as seen on the Dr. Squatch-Halo Infinite tie-in website.[13]

  • Another look at the Hazmat core in the Dr. Squatch advertisements.

    Another look at the Hazmat core in the Dr. Squatch advertisements.

  • A closeup of Hazmat's chest plate.

    A closeup of Hazmat's chest plate.

  • A pair of Hazmat armors.

    A pair of Hazmat armors.

  • Hazmat render.

    Hazmat render.

Screenshots[edit]

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Halo Infinite, Armor Hall: Hazmat - Armor Core Description "Project: OSTEO combat engineering suits incorporate an array of contingency systems focused on surviving extended operations in extraordinarily harsh working and combat environments."
  2. ^ a b Halo Infinite, Armor Hall: Hazmat - Helmet Description "Spartan combat engineers work in close cooperation with their Army and Marine cousins in demolition and hazmat missions, in addition to carrying out specialist tasks which require super-human reactions, strength, and situational awarenes."
  3. ^ a b c Halo Waypoint - Halo Infinite, Customization Overview - Season 4 (Retrieved on Jun 19, 2023) [archive]
  4. ^ a b c d e f Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - System Shocks (Retrieved on Jun 30, 2023) [archive]
  5. ^ Twitter, Halo (@Halo): "TECH DATABASE - PROJECT: OSTEO The fruits of Project: OSTEO, this combat engineering suit is built to stand against all manner of threats and dangerous conditions, for use by both Spartans and non-augmented personnel. #FictionFriday" (Retrieved on Jul 2, 2023) [archive]
  6. ^ a b c d e Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Tasty Tomes (Retrieved on Mar 24, 2025) [archive]
  7. ^ Twitch, Halo: Halo Infinite Season 4 Preview (6/16 @ 1pm pt) "But also is unique because it is hardened against cyberattack. So, it is able to have a higher level of cybersecurity than any other cores or armors, and it's suited for the infection that we have." - Sean Baron (at 39:13) (Retrieved on Jun 16, 2023) [archive]
  8. ^ Halo Infinite, Armor Hall: T21-HEX4 Utility Description "It's part of the shipping manifest of a complete OSTEO, but only IMC knows what it does, exactly."
  9. ^ Halo Infinite, Armor Hall: Mark VI CBRN - Helmet Description "Refitted Mark VI helmets were used throughout the testing and evaluation of OSTEO."
  10. ^ Halo: Saturn Devouring His Son
  11. ^ Halo: From the Soil to the Stars
  12. ^ Twitter, Halo (@Halo): "Rank up your routine with the LIMITED EDITION Spartan Scrub soap and the new Spartan Shield deodorant from @drsquatchsoapco Plus unlock free Halo Infinite in-game content for Season 4 with the code inside the soap box!" (Retrieved on May 26, 2023) [archive]
  13. ^ Dr. Squatch, Halo (Retrieved on May 26, 2023) [archive]

v • d • e
 
List of armor permutations by game title

v • d • e
 
List of armor permutations in Halo Infinite
Spartan armor
Mark VII Achilles • Agitator • Anubis • Armet • Argus • Aviator • Barrister • Brawler • Camazotz • Cavallino • Celox • Cestus • Champion • Cohort • Copperhead • Courier • Deadeye • Dirgesinger • Dokkaebi • Dominar • Eclipse • Emissary • Enigma • Firefall • Fire Serpent • Flanker • FOTUS• Hawker • Hayabusa • Helioskrill • Helljumper • Helsinger • Hermes • Hunter • ISR • Kai-125 • Linebreaker • Magister • Mark V Zeta • Mark VI • Mark VI MOD • Mark VII • Mark VII [H] • Menachite • Mercury • Prefect • Raider • Rampart • Renegade • Riz-028 • Rockeye • Scanner • SECOPS • Security GEN1 • Security GEN3 • Shinobi • Soldier • Sovereign • Spartanstein • Stormfall • Talon • Thremaleon • Trailblazer • Trendlock • Tribune • Trooper • Torchbearer • Tormenter • Vannak-134 • Venator • Vindicator • Volant • War Master • Warmonger • Wetwork • Winterknight • XM55 AICH • Zvezda
Mark V [B] Air Assault • Commando • CQB • CQC • EOD • EOD GEN1 • EVA • EVA GEN1 • Grenadier • GUNGNIR • HAZOP • JFO • Liberator • Mark V • Mark V [B] • Mark VI • Military Police • ODST • ODST Hardshell • Operator • Pilot • Recon • Rogue • Scarred Comet • Scout • Scout GEN1 • Security
Rakshasa AKIS II-GRD • Artaius • Assailer • Bunyip • Cambion • Conqueror • Cutthroat • Direwolf • Echo Nine • Firbolg • Lechuza • Locus • Morrigan • Negotiator • Rakshasa • Rasetsu • Scorn • Shikari • Stribog • Taskmaster • Ullr • Viper
Mirage IIC Athlon • Balor • Belus • Bruma • Erinyes • Extender • Hermes IIC • Inciter • Infractor • Mirage IIC • Neith • Nexus • Orion IIC • Responder • Savage • Skymarcher • Squire • Street Viper • Tyro • Veles • Whisper
HAZMAT Ashmaw • Burrowlens • Exo • Farkas • Gourdian Knight • Mark VI CBRN • Notus • Oberon • OSTEO • Ogun • Project CORSAC • Serket • Skarbnik • Steelheart • Temfor • Voidspear
Mark IV Ardent • Emil • Heartguard • Hellcat • Isidor • Lancer • Mark IV • Orcus • Paladin • Theodor • Ulrich • Valiant • Wilhelm • Xantippe • Ypsilon • Zacharias • Ärger • Ökonom
Spartan armor accessories
AAP • FC • FCI • SAP • TAC (Assault) • UA (Collar • Type FJ) • UTIL (HP)
Other
Fractures Spartan armor
Yoroi Azechi • Chonmage • Hakushika • Hikeshi • Ikari • Jingasa • Kabuto • Kawari • Kendo • Otomosho • Yokai
Eaglestrike Boggart • Brodie • Eaglestrike • Kerberos • Lancejack • Leadbelcher • M199X • Sky Marshal
Chimera Abatur • Aristos • Chimera • Deltajock • Flenser • Fomorian • Geist • Grendel • Grimghast • Merrow • Mimir • Peaceweaver • Rectifier • Strigoi • Sundered Star • Thresher • Wendigo
For a complete list, check out our armor category.

v • d • e
 
List of armor permutations by generation

v • d • e
 
MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor
Mainline armor generations
Mark I • Mark II • Mark III • GEN1 (Mark IV • Mark V • Black • Mark VI • Mark VII) • GEN2 • GEN3
Armor components
Competing and related projects
ARTAIUS • Buccaneer • COBALT • HAYABUSA • HRUNTING • MELAENO • Mirage • OSTEO • Rakshasa • Orcus • Shinobi • SPI • YGGDRASIL
Armor permutations (by generation)
Supplemental equipment
v • d • e
 
Other Mjolnir
Anvil station armor
Air Assault • Aviator • Compass • COS • Deadeye • Demo • Hammerhead • Hivemind • Infiltrator • Lancer • Navigator • Nomdagro • Pioneer • Rhine • Soldier • Suture • Tanker • Warrior
Rakshasa
AKIS II-GRD • Artaius • Bunyip • Cambion • Lechuza • Locus • Morrigan • Rakshasa • Rasetsu • Scorn • Shikari • Stribog • ULLR • Viper
Mirage IIC
Athlon • Balor • Belus • Erinyes • Extender • Mirage IIC • Neith • Nexus • Skymarcher • Squire • Street Viper • Tyro • Veles
Hazmat
Other
For a complete list, check out our MJOLNIR armor category.
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