Visual Intelligence System, Reconnaissance

"It's simple: If you see green, squad up. If you see red, shoot."

- Urk, Bungie.net.

The Visual Intelligence System, Reconnaissance, abbreviated to VISR, is an integrated data management system incorporated into the helmets of Orbital Drop Shock Troopers, able to perform a number of functions. It can link into UEG, CAA and UNSC infrastructure systems at the local, national, and global levels, administered on a need/rating basis, allowing the user to store and review up to 610MB of audio files, as well as street navigational data, receive real-time mission data, and other important functions. It also includes low-light vision enhancement systems (ODST BIOS A29.817941B.01), raising the brightness of the surrounding area on the users Heads-Up-Display. It also highlights different objects and AI with different colors. "Friendly" combatants are highlighted in green, "enemy" combatants are highlighted in red, usable weapons are highlighted in blue and other points of interest are highlighted in yellow.

Trivia

 * Sgt. Johnson will also be able to use VISR Mode in Firefight even though he does not wear a helmet.
 * VISR is similar to the night vision scope on the Halo: Combat Evolved Sniper Rifle.
 * VISR seems to be more advanced then the Spartans heads up display as it has a vision enhancement mode to help see through low lighting, and an IFF system (able to tell friend from foe and important equipment) which Master Chief has none of the above so its odd to see more capabilities on a less advanced suit.
 * Its possible that VISR was one of the main projects that Colonel James Ackerson was researching in his Special Forces projects that rivaled Halsey's Spartan program. This might be the reason why ODSTs have this system and Spartans do not. Another reason might be Spartans wouldn't need the vision enhancement mode due to their augmentations but if that was the case it still does not explain why they would not install an IFF system into their armor as that would help identify friendly personnel on the ground.
 * The Spartans have an IFF system built into their suits (used in multiplayer and mentioned in multiple books) however it makes only a small appearance in Halo Combat Evolved when driving a crew mounted vehicle.
 * One possible but unlikely reason the Spartans don't have this system in Halo 2 and 3 was because it's new to ODSTs. Since the Mark VI armor was quickly produced, the system was probably never implemented.