Nightfall armor

The Nightfall armor is a hostile environment variant of the ODST armor developed by Cascade Stronghold Technology. A variant of the armor designed for the MJOLNIR [GEN2] platform is available for use by Spartans.

Design details
Compared to the similar GEN2 ODST armor, major differences include a data crystal chip port on the back of the helmet (much like those featured on the Mark V and later MJOLNIR iterations) and a camera integrated into the brim of the helmet (which consequently extends farther over the faceplate). The helmet's visor is retractable and contains a sophisticated VISR suite capable of identifying and analyzing objects in the environment. The MJOLNIR iteration of the armour contains a AN/PZY-6011Y TYPHON Command Network Module on the side of the helmet.

The armor is powered to some extent and is able to effectively negate the impact of a substantial fall during a deployment from a dropship, for example. According to Colonel Randall Aiken of the Sedran Colonial Guard, without the hydraulics being powered up, the armor is essentially dead weight on the wearer. In this unpowered state, the operator can still move around in it, but are hampered in their movements especially in hostile environments in which they may need to move fast.

Development history
Cascade Stronghold Technology, the company that ported the ODST armor to MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor [GEN2], is also responsible for creating the MJOLNIR GEN 2 version of the Nightfall armor. The armor was built to function in extreme temperature conditions. The first models of the nightfall armor were deployed in 2551 to ONI operators and select ODST special forces units.

Developed at the Special Warfare Center in Seongnam, Korea, Nightfall combines elements of standard Marine Corps body armor, ODST combat armor, and MJOLNIR.

Usage
The armor is worn by Office of Naval Intelligence operatives.

Spartans recruited from the Marine Corps favor the GEN2 Nightfall armor when stationed on inhospitable worlds due to its best-in-class life support.

In 2556, Locke's team wore the armor during a mission to Alpha Shard in order to destroy deposits of a deadly new element. During an attack by Lekgolo worms, the team was forced to deactivate their armor's systems in order to avoid detection. At the suggestion of Colonel Randall Aiken of the Sedran Colonial Guard, the team removed and abandoned their armor as without the hydraulics and air conditioning, it was just dead weight and they could not risk reactivating it without drawing the attention of the deadly worms.

Halo 5: Guardians
Nightfall was first introduced as an armor set in Halo 5: Guardians. The Nightfall set has no alternate skin designs.

Trivia

 * In 2558, Michael Crespo wore an older suit of ODST armor from the early Human-Covenant war, which apparently had an exoskeleton installed in it. It was noted to be significantly less capable than MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor.. This armor may be an early iteration of Nightfall armor.

List of appearances

 * Halo: Nightfall
 * Halo 5: Guardians
 * Halo Mythos