MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor (GEN2)

The MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor [GEN2] is the second system-wide generation of the MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor. GEN2 introduces many improvements to the suit's core architecture, specifically tailored for use by the Spartan-IV supersoldiers.

The production of second generation Mjolnir armor uses a spiral-development model, allowing the United Nations Space Command and its various contracted, corporate partners to create and design armor systems much faster and more efficiently than before.

Early history and development
"Spartan Thomas, you will get your armor when you show me you deserve to wear it."

- Commander Musa-096, to Spartan Joel Thomas and several other Spartan-IV trainees

Early iterations of the MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor [GEN2] were being field tested during the latter years of the Human-Covenant War, such as the VENATOR-class Mjolnir, which gained prominence during the United Nations Space Command's defense of Concord in 2551. The GEN2 Mjolnir armor was initially developed and created by the Office of Naval Intelligence's Materials Group as a response to the emerging SPARTAN-IV program, initiated on January 7, 2553. Several early models of the GEN2 Mjolnir armor were field tested by Spartan Tedra Grant. Some of the first contemporary models of the GEN2 Mjolnir armor were first tested in combat in January 2553 when New Colonial Alliance forces launched a raid on and the five Spartan-IVs in-training aboard the warship were forced to don the armor to help combat the insurgents.

As of 2558, GEN2 armor is standard-issue for nearly all active Spartans, having replaced the Semi-Powered Infiltration armor of the Spartan-IIIs. The remaining active Spartan-IIs, such as those on Blue Team, have since donned GEN2 armor. Initially, Spartan-II Naomi-010 used MJOLNIR Mark VII Powered Assault Armor, the last iteration of the first generation of Mjolnir armor. However, Mark VII never saw full implementation with the rest of the Spartan-IIs due to its complexity and expense. Eventually, the UNSC determined that continuing to fund the first generation of Mjolnir armor—that was only focused on the Spartan-IIs—was not worth the costs, particularly given the escalating costs and capabilities of the newer Spartan-IIIs and Spartan-IVs in GEN2 armor. As a result, the Mark VII has largely been phased out of production in favor of the GEN2 Mjolnir, though many technologies developed for the Mark VII have since been incorporated into the GEN2 armor.

Expansion of contractors
While the previous iteration of the MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor was often—though, not always—created and manufactured by organizations, departments, and branches of the United Nations Space Command, the Unified Earth Government has contracted numerous corporations to design GEN2 armor variants. For example, RKD Group was responsible for designing the MIRMILLION-class armor variant, though the group contracted Korolev Heavy Industries to produce the armor and licensed the suit's BIOS from Applied Heuristics. Even major military-industrial concerns, such as Beweglichkeitsrüstungsysteme, no longer control all aspects of their armors' tactical packages and software, both within the military and among private contractors. Production of some GEN1 variants was shifted between corporate entities, while other contracts were transferred from the military to private industries. In addition to these larger corporations, a major policy shift within the UEG has led to smaller corporations and businesses being given the opportunity to compete in the paramilitary, military, and security markets. Many smaller industrial design firms and military subcontractors have used the common GEN2 Mjolnir software and exoskeleton as a springboard for their own innovations. Nonetheless, UNSC organizations, such as Materials Group and the Watershed Division, still continue to manufacture several variants of the GEN2 Mjolnir armor.

In addition to human corporations, several other species have had a role in the development of GEN2 Mjolnir armor and its components. Notably, the HELIOSKRILL-class Mjolnir was designed by a Sangheili artisan-armorer designer who had managed to reverse-engineer the Mjolnir armor in an effort to test her skills against humanity's best armor manufacturers. This Mjolnir variant is designed by Sanghelios' Kolaar Manufactorum and fielded among the Spartan-IVs. Some VISR designs have been created using high-tier nanolaminates and scanning elements provided by the Sangheili, while others are even compatible with the Sangheili combat harness. As ties between the Swords of Sanghelios and UEG strength, many Sangheili artisans have gained interests in working with GEN2 armor. The "King" VISR utilized by some Spartans was initially created by a bored Huragok and subsequent attempts to copy the design have been met with varying levels of failure. Even Forerunner technology has been incorporated into the armor. Additionally, VISR kits with an unknown manufacturer have been found by ONI operatives in the arms markets of the insurgent-controlled Venezia.

Design and features
The armor was designed to compensate for the Spartan-IVs' less extensive physical augmentations in comparison to the previous two generations. As a result, the armor multiplies the strength of its wearer significantly more than the first-generation suits, granting the Spartan-IVs roughly equal strength as their GEN1-equipped predecessors while wearing the suit. The GEN2 suit is also lighter and stronger in construction than the first-generation Mjolnir line, weighing approximately a couple hundred kilograms. GEN2 Mjolnir integrates the vast majority of the armor's vital hardware systems within the inner techsuit itself, allowing for more streamlined production and easier implementation of specialized subsystems and armatures.

The GEN2 armor incorporates new ad hoc modification systems which allow the armor to use armor abilities, tactical packages, and support upgrades. Like its GEN1 predecessors it is backwards compatible—through hardware and firmware upgrades—with previous armor systems, including the Mark IV, Mark V, Mark VI, and the MJOLNIR variant of the Orbital Drop Shock Troopers' armor. In addition, GEN2 armor features integration with artificial intelligences, ranging from volitional smart AIs to simpler, yet complex, dumb AIs. The AIs that manage the Mjolnir BIOS and VISR are generally passive helpers that integrate, prioritize, and even subtly alter the torrent of data and sensory overrides fed to the armor's Spartan user, simplifying the chaos of the battlefield and reducing confusion. These AIs also handle mundane administrative tasks by filing munition expenditure forms, battle damage assessments, kill reports, and other paperwork on behalf of the Spartan. The typical suit of Mjolnir armor carries around a dozen or so of these AIs, each specialized in numerous tasks of war and science to aid the Spartan they are attached to. While these AIs are incapable of a human's oversight, they are still a valuable component of the armor.

Customization
"That armor was fantastic, but the colors on it never held up. It always came back from every mission scratched, scraped, and dinged to hell. And that was the way we liked it."

- Spartan Edward Buck, commenting on the armor's paint

Many Spartan-IVs choose to customize their armor in a variety of ways and are typically given the option to choose armor variant, paint color, visor model, and other cosmetic features. Even tech suits can be modified based on the Spartan's mission or need.

An assortment of armor configurations are available for all new Spartan-IV recruits as per UNSC Regulation 3A-950, and Spartans are capable of customizing their individual armor set with modular components from a wide range of special-purpose variants, based on their personal preferences, specialization and mission requirements. Selecting variants for purely cosmetic reasons is discouraged. The UNSC strictly forbids Spartans from attempting to repair or modify their armor on their own; all armor maintenance is only to be performed by qualified Class-61 technicians in dedicated facilities. Unlike the generally green coloration of the Spartan-IIs' Mjolnir armor, Spartan-IV armor comes in a profusion of distinct color patterns, with the members of specific teams sometimes (though not always) sporting a consistent coloration. However, any customization of the armor color must be in accordance to UNSC Equipment Code 20.00.62. The paint used on each GEN2 Mjolnir armor set is known to quickly deteriorate in combat, as little effort was made to invest in stronger quality paint.

While the suit's primary production model bears less significance than in the previous Mjolnir generations due to GEN2's more distributed design philosophy, the Materials Group's Warrior variant is officially considered the mainline model of the GEN2 armor. Another prevalent model is the Recruit variant, which is issued to all Spartan-IVs upon induction and colored gray and gold by default.

Armor variants and upgrades

 * Achilles - A variant that features an aggressive AI.
 * Air Assault - Utilized primarily by ONI security personnel on Earth's and Luna's space elevators and skyhooks.
 * Anubis - A variant with enhanced sensor suite
 * Argonaut - A variant with move-by-wire reflex enhancers.
 * Argus - A variant with an increase in situational and threat awareness
 * Athlon - A variant used in combat training exercises
 * Atlas - A variant that features modular armor and weapons.
 * Aviator - A variant designed for aircraft piloting. Required for use by Spartan F-41 Broadsword pilots.
 * Breaker - A variant with tactical supremacy and increased endurance
 * Buccaneer - A variant that uses off-the-shelf components.
 * Buzzsaw
 * Cain
 * Caladcholg - A variant with fast-switching Mjolnir muscle fibers
 * CIO - A variant for Counter-Intelligence Operators
 * Centurion - A variant for operational planning and situational awareness, upgraded from GEN1
 * Commando - A variant for special operations, upgraded from GEN1
 * Copperhead - A variant for covert ops
 * Cyclops - A variant with a more powerful fusion pack
 * Cypher - A variant that features a pilot program
 * Decimator
 * Deadeye - Designed for snipers
 * Defender - Designed for general area denial and tactical defensive abilities
 * EOD - A variant designed to facilitate explosive ordnance disposal, upgraded from GEN1
 * Enforcer - A variant designed for remote security base detail
 * Engineer - A variant designed for repairing and reconfiguring technology in combat
 * EVA - A variant designed for extra-vehicular activity, upgraded from GEN1
 * Fenrir - A variant with an embedded battle management AI
 * Flenser - A variant with high running endurance
 * Foehammer - A variant designed for better pilot synchronization
 * FOTUS - A variant based on Forerunner technology
 * Freebooter - A variant with seamless nanofabricated armor panels
 * Gladiator
 * Goblin - A variant with sensor-warping technology
 * GUNGNIR - Upgrade of GEN1 model developed by Project GUNGNIR
 * Gunslinger - A variant with a tweaked smart-link system to increase handgun accuracy
 * Halberd - A variant with a unique magnetic weapon lock arrangement
 * HAZOP - A variant for environments considered too hazardous for standard equipment, upgraded from GEN1
 * Helioskrill - A variant designed by a Sangheili prodigy
 * Hellcat - A variant based on ancient human armor
 * Helljumper - An improved version of ODST armor
 * Hermes - A variant used for orbital raids
 * Hoplite - A variant with targeting and datalink advancements that increases long-range heavy munitions accuracy, upgraded from GEN1
 * Hunter - A variant for target acquisitions.
 * Infiltrator - A variant designed for stealthy infiltration of enemy territory
 * Inquisitor - A variant that utilizes a Sentinel power cell instead of a fusion reactor
 * Interceptor - A variant that features highly configurable settings and a programmable neural interface
 * Juggernaut
 * Jumpmaster - A variant designed for free-fall combat drops
 * Legionnaire - A variant produced by RKD to be licenced to smaller companies
 * LOCUS - A variant designed for tactical and strategic infiltration. Known for its incredible resiliency
 * Mako - A variant designed for multi-environment adaptation
 * Marauder
 * Mark IV - Upgraded to function with the Mjolnir [GEN2] suite
 * Mark V - Upgraded to function with the Mjolnir [GEN2] suite
 * Mark VI - Upgraded to function with the Mjolnir [GEN2] suite


 * Mirmillion - A variant with optimized combat flexibility
 * Mongoose
 * Ni-Hard
 * Nightfall - A variant used on inhospitable worlds
 * Ninja
 * NOBLE - A variant designed for Battle Network Management
 * Nomad - A variant designed for remote expeditions in uncharted space
 * Oceanic - Designed for combat in waterfront areas
 * ODST - Upgraded to function with the Mjolnir [GEN2] suite
 * Omni - A variant that effectively uses Materials Group's GEN2 prototype sensor suite
 * Oracle - A variant designed to test modular system upgrades
 * Orbital - A variant designed for EVA activity
 * Operator - A variant designed to optimize vehicle operation, upgraded from GEN1
 * Paladin - A variant designed for processing and curating vast amounts of battlefield data
 * Pathfinder - A variant designed for missions in intel-poor environments
 * Pioneer - A variant designed for missions in unfamiliar, hostile environments
 * Prefect - A variant based on Forerunner personal armor
 * Protector - A variant designed for VIP security
 * Raider - A variant designed with Samurai-like aesthetics for intimidation of hostiles
 * Raijin - A variant that maximizes short-term combat performance
 * Rampart - A variant designed for combat in urban areas
 * Ranger - A variant designed for remote operatives engaging in hostile environmental conditions
 * Reaper - A variant based on Forerunner combat skins
 * Recon - A variant designed for stealth reconnaissance operations, upgraded from GEN1
 * Recruit - Issued to all Spartan-IV recruits prior to qualification for specialized models
 * Renegade - A variant designed for strategic reconnaissance
 * Ricochet - A variant designed for use in Ricochet combat training exercises
 * Rogue - A variant designed for extended solo operations, upgraded from GEN1
 * Samurai - A variant with increased situational awareness
 * Scanner - A variant designed to aid search-and-rescue teams
 * Sceptre - A variant designed for utilizing the new modular tactical package system
 * Scout - A variant designed for scouting operations, upgraded from GEN1
 * Security - A variant designed for ship and station defense, upgraded from GEN1
 * Seeker - A variant equipped with a full suite of signature masking mechanisms for reconnaissance
 * Shinobi - A variant with no known manufacturer
 * Soldier - A variant with extra storage space designed for battlefield support
 * Spectrum - A variant designed for engaging Covenant in close quarters inside starships
 * Stalker - A variant designed to aid in covert shadowing of a target, derived from Jiralhanae Stalker stealth harnesses
 * Strider - A variant for jaunt-combat excursions in isolated theaters
 * Technician - A variant for combat engineers
 * Teishin - A variant designed for augmented soldiers serving in paramilitary and clandestine agencies
 * Tracer - An advanced variant used for intelligence gathering
 * Tracker - A variant designed to aid in long-range pursuit of targets
 * Tremor - A variant that allows programmable grenades to be set to higher yields
 * Valkyrie - A variant designed for aerospace flight control
 * Vanguard - A variant designed for face-to-face enemy assaults
 * Venator - A variant optimized for single-enemy combat
 * Venture - A variant designed for survey missions in extreme environments
 * Void Dancer - A variant designed for exoatmospheric operations and threat assessment
 * Warrior - MJOLNIR's mainline armor kit. Designed for speed and mobility
 * War Master - Lethbridge Industrial's most popular and most exotic armor. Designed with multi-functional configuration for almost any combat scenario
 * Widow Maker - A variant designed with hardwired response protocols and quick-release mag-clamps
 * Wetwork - A variant designed for assassination operations

Attachments
The armor system is built to support a variety of attachments and equipment which allow it to utilize armor abilities. Some of them have been reverse-engineered from Covenant and Forerunner technology.


 * Airstrike - Calls in heavy munitions around the user
 * M2705 regeneration field - Applies a force to remove hostiles from the presence of the user and then temporarily appropriates armor system functions, targeting biological and combat vitality-oriented armor functions in order to heal the user and repair the armor
 * M805X thruster pack - A booster pack used to propel the wearer forward or to either side
 * Overshield - A Covenant-developed technology that strengthens the user's energy shielding system
 * Proximity mines - Deploys three mines that lock onto hostiles
 * Repel - Flash-freezes a small area, causing considerable harm to nearby personnel and equipment
 * Seeker drone - An explosive homing drone
 * Series 12 jetpack - Mitigates gravity, allowing mobility over challenging terrain
 * Shock chain - Creates an energy shield that damages enemies and restores the user's energy shielding
 * Stun blast - Creates a short-range electromagnetic pulse (EMP) which interferes with all electronic equipment within the radius of the pulse
 * Teleport - Allows near-instantaneous transport over short distances
 * Type-27 hologram - Creates a holographic projection of the user that can draw enemy fire
 * Type-3 active camouflage - Affords the wearer a brief period of near-invisibility in addition to scrambling nearby motion detectors
 * Z-2500 autosentry - A Forerunner-created support drone used to suppress enemy combatants
 * Z-4190 bubble shield - A stationary shield reverse-engineered from Forerunner technology
 * Z-5080 Promethean vision - A sonar-like Forerunner visual enhancement system that displays movement through solid objects
 * Z-90 hardlight shield - A shield made from hard light reverse-engineered from Forerunner technology

Armor components

 * Biofoam injectors: Allow for physical injuries to be sealed and repaired without the use of external medical kits.
 * Energy shielding: A protective barrier that surrounds the armor and protects the user from harm.
 * Inner skinsuit: The inner skinsuit is made of a moisture-absorbing synthetic material linked to an environmental control computer and the occupant's neural interface. It controls the suit's temperature and actively changes how the suit fits the user.
 * Compact fusion reactor: The fusion reactor is the most essential part of the MJOLNIR system, as it provides power to all equipment on the armor—the reactor is built into the suit and allows for nearly unlimited movement. [GEN2]'s fusion reactor is installed at the back of the torso carapace.
 * Magnetic weapon holder strips: The MJOLNIR armor features very small, yet powerful magnets placed on the legs, waist, and back of the suit that are used to hold any equipment or any weapons with a magnetic property. The suit also contains a magnet system within its boots that allows its wearer to stay attached to a metal surface in zero gravity environments and can be toggled on or off by the wearer.
 * Power supply control unit: Manages the power supply of the armor.
 * MJOLNIR GEN2 BIOS: The basic input/output system, standard firmware interface of the GEN2 suite.
 * VISR 4.0: Up to version 4.09, these visor installments are optimized and customized to facilitate specialized tasks. VISR 4.0 is capable of managing a Spartan's disparate sensor feeds, battlenet links, and suit diagnostic messages.
 * Force-multiplying circuits: Allows the user greatly enhanced reflexes and strength, improving mobility and combat effectiveness in close quarters.
 * Motion tracker: Shows movement of friendly and enemy units within the system's radius.
 * Pressure seal: The pressure seal is a vital component to the MJOLNIR system, it keeps the system airtight, underwater or in space. The seal is very strong and will only break under extreme pressure, such as in a high velocity impact or when the hydrostatic gel has been over pressurized.
 * Support upgrades: These customized and specialized upgrades allow combat advantages by modifying the core and periphery systems of GEN2.
 * Sprint module: Unlike previous armor systems, Mjolnir GEN2 has a built-in sprint module that allows the user to run at faster speeds by overriding safety protocols. It is functionally similar to the version developed by Kat-B320 of NOBLE Team, which saw widespread deployment across Reach in the planet's final days.
 * Tactical packages: These customized and specialized packages allow combat advantages by modifying the core and periphery systems of GEN2.
 * Titanium nanocomposite bodysuit: Sandwiched between the external armor and the internal padding is a thick armored bodysuit. The bodysuit is made of a nonrigid titanium-based material, making it very strong and yet very flexible. The suit has numerous functions, small but vital to the safety and survival of the wearer. It also serves as another layer of protection against ballistics attacks and is coated with a heat-resistant material to disperse heat from plasma weapons. Many components of the GEN2's titanium bodysuit are conspicuously fashioned after the shape of human musculature; this was less prominent in previous Mjolnir generations. Some models have portions of the bodysuit share their color with the external armor plating, though completely black bodysuits are still common. Certain fireteams or individual operatives are outfitted with customized techsuits that contain a host of undisclosed improvements or modifications to fit particular mission parameters or operator need.
 * Integrated thruster system: GEN2 suits are equipped with an array of shoulder- and back-mounted thrusters, increasing a Spartan's mobility in the field and presumably in vacuum environments. The system, which was added as part of a series-wide update, partly alleviates the need to use an external thruster unit or jetpack; however, it provides only limited thrust and as such does not fully replace external thrust apparatuses. It is still powerful enough to allow the user to hover a few seconds in mid-air when activated in a stabilizing arrangement. Integrated thrusters saw use in combat as early as March 2555.
 * Auto-repair and bypass nodes: Any damage that the armor plating suffers can be repaired by built-in, triply-redundant subsystems. These systems are receptive to nanomachines facilitating the repair. Additionally, bypass channels allow certain components to function if routing is compromised by extensive damage. Both these systems can fail, resulting in "scarred" armor plating.

Trivia

 * The way the GEN2 armor is equipped by UNSC Infinity's dedicated machinery onto its wearer is reminiscent of Iron Man armor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Tychus Findlay's CMC powered armor in Starcraft II.
 * All non-essential Spartan-IV NPCs in Halo 4 wear the full Recruit armor set and visor color. Steel serves as their suits' primary color and gold is the secondary color.

List of appearances

 * Halo 4
 * Spartan Ops
 * Halo: Spartan Assault
 * Halo: Initiation
 * Halo: Escalation
 * Halo 2: Anniversary
 * Halo: New Blood
 * Hunt the Truth
 * All Hail
 * The Cost
 * Hunt the Signal
 * A Hero Falls
 * The Hunt Begins
 * Halo: Spartan Strike
 * Halo: Hunters in the Dark
 * Halo 5: Guardians
 * Halo Online