CQB-class Mjolnir

The MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/C variant, colloquially known as the Close Quarters Battle (CQB) armor, is a variant of the MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor manufactured by Beweglichkeitsrüstungsysteme.

Design details
The CQB variant specializes in the improvement of survivability in close quarters engagements, this was done in the dispersal of kinetic energy, by looking at alternate methods to disperse the kinetic energy versus momentum transferred by a Spartan during combat. In addition the CQB's armor components are designed to optimize joint mobility in close quarters, and have an improved field of view.

Although CQB surpasses CQC in overall integration, the variant's ability to allow ad hoc modifications is limited in comparison. The helmet is compatible with the AN/PCK-221 FARNDALE Command Network Module, the AN/PZY-990T STARLIGHT and PZY-955SSA WILLOW remote sensors and the Type C1 UA module.

Development history
As early as 2525 developmental Mjolnir permutations utilized physical architecture that would eventually be used for CQB. Samuel-034 used such a variant during the Battle of Chi Ceti and Daisy-023 used a similar variant.

When evaluating different opportunities to improve MJOLNIR across an assortment of engagement types, German-based Beweglichkeitsrüstungsysteme proposed two distinctive variants CQC and CQB with one focus. Using data gathered from the UNSC's campaign on Jericho VII, that focus was to further improve the survivability in close quarter engagements.

Field-tested at the Special Warfare Center Essen, in Deutschland, and integrating feedback gathered from the Special Warfare Center Seongnam, in Korea, CQB was ultimately launched as a successor to CQC on the Mark V platform. Its advances were eventually incorporated into the Mark VI series.

By 2558, the GEN1 CQB helmet could be requisitioned by Spartans for use with their GEN2 Mjolnir suits. As late as 2560, the GEN1 CQB helmet could still be requisitioned by Spartans, upgraded to be roughly equivalent to GEN3.

Usage
The CQB armor was used successfully throughout 2552.

Halo 3 - Mark VI GEN1
The CQB armor permutation is one of the default unlocked armor sets available in Halo 3. In the Halo: The Master Chief Collection edition of Halo 3, the CQB armor (like all Halo 3 permutations) is unlocked by default.

Halo: Reach - Mark V GEN1
The CQB helmet is available as an unlockable helmet armor permutation in Halo: Reach. Alongside the Military Police helmet and UA/Base Security [W] chest, it cannot be unlocked in Halo: Reach through regular in-game means. Instead, it is unlocked by completing achievements for Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST and career milestones on Halo Waypoint. Following the shutdown of Xbox 360 Halo online services in December 2021, this achievement will no longer be attainable.

The helmet is unlockable as part of Season 1: Noble in Halo: The Master Chief Collection.

Halo 5: Guardians - Upgraded GEN1
The CQB helmet was one of a number of Reach-themed helmets and armors added into Halo 5: Guardians via the Classic Helmet REQ Pack.

Halo Infinite - Upgraded GEN1
The CQB helmet and its attachments are available for multiplayer Spartan armor customization on the Mark V [B] armor core in Halo Infinite.

Trivia

 * According to a survey taken by Bungie around 14 March 2008, the CQB chest was the most used Spartan chestpiece in Halo 3, and the helmet was the fourth most used.

List of appearances

 * Halo 3
 * Halo: Reach
 * Halo Legends
 * Homecoming
 * Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series
 * Halo 5: Guardians
 * Halo Infinite