Shoulder Angel
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Insurrection[2][3]
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The Shoulder Angel is a shoulder-mounted micro-missile/decoy launcher presumably developed for the ORION Project. The weapon is mounted over the shoulder of the ORION armor.[1][2][3]
Overview[edit]
Design details[edit]
The Shoulder Angel consists of a small launcher assembly with five launch tubes capable of firing micro-missiles and decoys.[1][2][3] In keeping with its name, it is designed to be mounted on an armature above either of the wearer's shoulders.[2][4][5]
Development history[edit]
Presumably developed as part of Colonial Military Authority's Project: MELAENO which kickstarted in 2491,[7] the Shoulder Angel is a component of the project's ORION Exoframe Load Carrier platform, mounted to the armor using a prototype fitting.[2] An updated model of the Shoulder Angel would later see integration as part of the ORION IIC prototype exoframe created by the Office of Naval Intelligence's Materials Group.[1][8]
Usage[edit]
Several of the Orion armor's components were field tested by ORION operative circa 2506 to 2507 during Operation: KALEIDOSCOPE,[2] though it is unclear if the Shoulder Angel was among said components. Former ORION operative Holden Agryna received a Shoulder Angel during his time with the program, and managed to keep the launcher long after the program was deactivated.[4] During Operation: METEORITE in 2551, Avery Johnson utilized a set of Orion armor featuring a Shoulder Angel.[5] Yet another former ORION operative, Sergeant Major Nolan Byrne, used a suit of Orion armor with a Shoulder Angel during the Battle for Earth in 2552.[4]
Production notes[edit]
- The Shoulder Angel was first featured on the 1999 design for John-117's armor, showcased in the Halo announcement trailer.
- The launcher is named in reference to the plot device used in fiction for dramatic or humorous effect where an angel representing one's conscience is depicted as resting on one's shoulder (often accompanied by a "shoulder devil" representing temptation on the other shoulder).
Gallery[edit]
The Shoulder Angel on the early Master Chief model in pre-Xbox Halo.
A Spartan wearing Orion armor with a Shoulder Angel in Halo 2: Anniversary.
The Shoulder Angel in Halo Infinite, mounted to the upgraded ORION IIC armor.
A Shoulder Angel on Orion armor in the Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition).
Avery Johnson utilizing Orion armor with a Shoulder Angel in Halo: Campaign Evolved.
List of appearances[edit]
- Halo 2: Anniversary (First appearance)
- Halo Infinite
- Halo: London Calling
- Halo: Campaign Evolved
Sources[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g h Halo Infinite, Armor Hall: TAC/Project AETHR chest description "Lightweight BPC plating and integral "Shoulder Angel" micro-missile/decoy launcher."
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Anniversary Armory (Retrieved on Nov 3, 2021) [archive]
- ^ a b c d e f Halo 2: Anniversary, Armory: Orion chest description "High-grade torso shell with prototype fitting for integrated "Shoulder Angel" micro-missile/decoy launcher."
- ^ a b c d Halo: London Calling
- ^ a b c Halo: Campaign Evolved marketing, Halo: Campaign Evolved New Missions Trailer
- ^ Halo Waypoint, Last Stand Operation Launch (Retrieved on Nov 3, 2025) [archive]
- ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 76
- ^ 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."
