AIR ASSAULT-class Mjolnir

AIR ASSAULT-class Mjolnir, also designated as the MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/AA variant, is a MJOLNIR armor variant originally designed by Ushuaia Armory, with the GEN2 version being manufactured by the Naphtali Contractor Corporation.

Design details
The GEN1 Air Assault helmet offers key advantages during airborne deployment scenarios. It has specialized optics that can provide real-time satellite imagery and enemy signature allocation. The helmet is compatible with the Type C1 UA module, AN/PZY-990T STARLIGHT remote sensor and AN/PZY-6011Y TYPHON Command Network Module.

Development history
While the Air Assault was developed for use by UNSC Army airborne units, the MJOLNIR variant differed from those used by the UNSC Army airbone units at a fundamental technical level. It was designed as an improvement to the ODST helmet and was heavily influenced by Ushuaia's previous work on the Marine Corps BDU. Air Assault helmets in the FC-I configuration were preferred by UNSC Army Pathfinders.

In 2535, after being tested at Ushuaia's Siófok Firing Range, the Air Assault helmet was introduced as a variant of the Mark IV MJOLNIR armor and was also adopted as the standard helmet of the UNSC Army's airborne division. In late 2551, the helmet was upgraded for use with the Mark V MJOLNIR system.

After the first wave of GEN2 systems, based on requests of veteran Spartan-II and Spartan-III operatives, the UNSC Ordnance Commission considered reassessing a refined and upgraded version of the Mark V version of this suit. This led to the creation of the INTRUDER-class Mjolnir.

As late as 2560, the GEN1 Air Assault helmet could still be requisitioned by Spartans, upgraded to be roughly equivalent to GEN3.

Usage
Spartan Catherine-B320 of NOBLE Team wore a Mark V AA helmet during the Battle of Fumirole and the Fall of Reach. During the Battle of Earth, ONI deployed security personnel with the Air Assault armor to prevent Covenant forces from gaining control of the skyhook defense complexes above Earth and Luna.

Design details
The Air Assault helmet's superficial design remained largely unchanged during the transition from GEN1 to GEN2. The GEN2 Air Assault helmet is equipped with a long range integrated comm network. The new pauldrons seem to have succeeded the GEN1 FJ/PARA in design and function as they have a low-drag pauldron system. The chest has a locking retrieval brace.

Development history
After the Human-Covenant War, the Naphtali Contractor Corporation began manufacturing the GEN2 version of the Air Assault helmet, as well as the matching torso armor and shoulder pieces. It was tested in the Buffalo Breaker Yards, and the Cascadian city of Mindoro. Air Assault met all of the UNSC Ordnance Commission strictures for ground combat.

GEN2 Air Assault served as the basis for GEN3 VOLANT-class Mjolnir.

Usage
GEN2 Air Assault provides functional support across a number of colonies as well as remotely deployed combat units. This set is also primarily used by ONI security personnel on the skyhooks above Earth and Luna. A slightly altered version of the Air Assault GEN2 is a favorite of Spartans tasked with assisting ANVIL Station security personnel.

The helmet is popular among Spartan fireteam leaders due to its communications system, though Napthali continues to market the helmet to the UNSC Army. Offshoots of the Air Assault armor have also been considered for adoption by unaugmented Delta-Six Division operators, but larger-scale adoption of the system has been hindered by its high cost, with each suit costing as much as a dropship.

Halo 3 MCC - GEN2
In the Halo: The Master Chief Collection version of Halo 3, the Air Assault variant was added as part of Series 5: Anvil content. With the updated Halo 3 armor customization options, the players can now fit their Spartan with Air Assault helmet, chest, shoulders, forearms and legs. The description of the armor pieces are the same for every set. The set is one of twelve armor sets originating from the cancelled Halo Online brought into The Master Chief Collection, originally known as Lander in the cancelled game.

Halo: Reach - GEN1
"The MJOLNIR/AA variant was developed as an improvement of the venerable ODST helmet."

The Air Assault helmet was introduced in Halo: Reach, notably the signature helmet worn by Catherine-B320. It can be unlocked for use in multiplayer.

Halo 4 - GEN2
Air Assault returned as an armor set in Halo 4.

Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta
In the Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta there was a "DPT" skin which became the "Disrupt" skin in the final game. This skin had descriptions for it as follows:
 * Helmet description: This coating incorporates impregnated metamaterials that mask the AIR ASSAULT armor's signature in both the near-infrared and near-ultraviolet spectrum.
 * Body description: AIR ASSAULT users take advantage of even the smallest tactical advantage to avoid being spotted in transit to the combat zone.

Halo 5: Guardians - GEN2
The Halo 4 design of Air Assault returned in Halo 5: Guardians as an armor permutation unlockable via the Requisition system. The Air Assault body component consists of the Air Assault chest and legs, with the Ricochet forearms and RG-63 Counter legs. The GEN1-styled Air Assault armor - modelled after the armor design employed by Catherine-B320 in Halo: Reach - returned to Halo 5 with the release of Memories of Reach, rebranded as the Intruder armor.

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

Attachments

 * CNM/BNR/FARNDALE
 * CNM/BNR/TYPHON
 * HUL(3)/BNR/COURIER PEARL
 * MK55 CBRN
 * TAC/RS/STARLIGHT
 * TAC/RS/WILLOW
 * UA/Type B1

Trivia

 * The Air Assault helmet, especially the GEN2 version, closely resembles the helmets worn by Orbital Drop Shock Troopers in Halo 2. The most prominent similarity is the faceplate, which is much less rounded than the version of the ODST helmet seen in post-Halo 2 media.
 * The GEN2 Air Assault chestplate closely resembles that of the MJOLNIR Mark V, the [B] Variant specifically, and the similar Mark IV variant worn by Gray Team.

List of appearances

 * Halo 3
 * Remember Reach
 * Deliver Hope
 * Halo: Reach
 * Halo 4
 * Halo: Initiation
 * Halo: Hunters in the Dark
 * Halo 5: Guardians
 * Halo Mythos
 * Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual
 * Halo Infinite
 * Winter Contention