SCOUT-class Mjolnir

SCOUT-class Mjolnir, also designated as the MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/S variant, is a variant of the MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor that was developed by the Materials Group.

Design details
The Scout armor uses advanced materials to provide stealth properties, while the 'R' variant reduces infrared signature and radiation emissions. In the case of the Mk. V version, the helmet's visor also includes an enhanced optics system.

Development history
The Scout and Recon projects were run as parallel projects intended to develop a single variant of the MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor with stealth capabilities and no impact on endurance; out of the two, the Scout variant relies heavily on highly advanced materials. It was tested in the Office of Naval Intelligence's Beta-5 Division Ordnance Testing Facility at Swanbourne, Perth, in Western Australia. The Scout variant was developed for use with the MJOLNIR Mark V Powered Assault Armor and was later upgraded to function with the MJOLNIR Mark VI.

After the first wave of GEN2 systems, based on the request of an unnamed VIP, a one-off upgrade to the Mark V version of the suit was created, called VIGILANT-class Mjolnir.

Usage
Spartans who used GEN1 Scout-class armor tend to specialize in infiltration/reconnaissance and are also often exceptional snipers. Two examples of this are Linda-058 and Jun-A266.

Design details
The GEN2 variant was mostly unchanged from the Mark VI design, having similar abilities like ensuring the user can navigate a battlefield without generating a recognizable silhouette on enemy sensors.

It contains the most capable covert anti-tracking system and shroud-induction packages available for use. SCOUT armor also incorporates AI-assisted forward observation uplinks to direct aerospace and orbital strikes.

The helmet has a groove on it that helps orient shroud placementas well as a wide-scan visor plate. The chest has a spectrum-fracturing canopy emitter designed for extended active camouflage use, and a X900-Boulder emission shroud system (Swan-B5) that masks extraneous radioactive emissions. The reactor pack has a Bravado-120-T5 fitted stabilizer that guards against reactor pings. The kit also includes an IR-sig modulator.

Development history
During early development of the GEN2 variant, the Materials Group tested various form factors of the SCOUT helmet, before settling on a sleek shape reminiscent of the Mark VI [GEN1] model, Testing was done in the WG/Facility 58-32/B5D. Testing for the GEN2 version was swiftly done, as by January 2553 a copy of the armor was on board the.

Usage
It was favored by Class-8 FDO (Forward Deployed Operators) as it contained the most capable covert anti-tracking system and shroud-induction packages available for use. Commander Palmer, leader of the 's SPARTAN-IV contingent, wears a GEN2 Scout suit.

GEN3 compatibility
As late as 2560, the GEN1 Scout helmet could be requisitioned by Spartans, upgraded to GEN3 standards.

Usage
Some Spartans at the Avery J. Johnson Academy of Military Science made use of the upgraded Scout helmet.

Halo 3 - Mark VI
The Scout armor permutation is unlockable in Halo 3. The helmet features a cap-like protrusion, along its rim and a beak-like protrusion under the chin. It is usually best to use this armor for sniping because its thin, slit-shaped visor keeps it less visible than other helmets. Its general shape could be compared to a full face helmet or the helmet worn by UNSC marines. The shoulder pauldrons are straight and angular. Unlike other shoulder pieces, the Scout shoulders are attached slightly above the elbow, instead of on the shoulder. They are remarkably similar to the original Marine armor from Halo: Combat Evolved, and the shoulder plates of the Brutes in Halo 2. Like the other MJOLNIR variants, the chest plate is simply an attachment that is placed onto the already existing Mark VI armor. The chest armor consists of a H-shaped plate over the upper torso, and a pair of articulated plates attached to its bottom.

In the Halo: The Master Chief Collection edition of Halo 3, the Scout armor (like all Halo 3 permutations) is unlocked by default.

Halo: Reach - Mark V
The Scout set returns in Halo: Reach, though the Scout helmet features drastically different aesthetics than the Mark VI Scout helmet seen in Halo 3. The helmet resembles the MJOLNIR Recon variant in terms of basic design, with the visor being a wide slit. Two upgrades are available for the helmet, the first adds a Hardened Uplink/Remote Sensor Package (HU/RS), and the second adds a CBRN module with a Command Network Module on the right side. The HU/RS attachment in this form is unique to the Scout helmet, in all other appearances it looks more like a helmet mounted flashlight. All Scout armor types can be unlocked in the Halo: Reach's Armory through the game's purchase system via the use of cR. In Halo: The Master Chief Collection, the Scout set is attainable in the Season 1: Noble progression system.

Halo 4 - GEN2
Scout was one of the armor permutations to return, albeit completely redesigned for GEN2, in Halo 4. In The Master Chief Collection, the Scout set and its two skins, Apex (APEX) and Toxic (TOXC) variants, are available by default.

Halo 5: Guardians - GEN2
The Halo 4 design of Scout returns in Halo 5: Guardians. The helmet and body armor are unlockable as armor permutations through the Requisition system. The body armor includes the Scout chest and shoulders, Inner-plated forearms, and Outer-plated legs. The GEN2 Scout set has three alternate skins: Decoy, Observer, and Outrider.

Halo Infinite - Upgraded GEN1
The Mark V Scout helmet returns in Halo Infinite.

Trivia

 * The official Halo 3: The Official Strategy Guide mistakenly states that the shoulder pads are unlocked by gaining the We're in for Some Chop achievement.
 * In the first months of Halo 3 multiplayer, the Scout chest piece had a glitch; it would sometimes re-lock itself, even if the requirements for unlocking it had been achieved. Bungie fixed the glitch in the first Halo 3 Title Update.
 * The Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition) mistakenly displays the Scout helmet in place of the Rogue helmet, but also shows the Scout helmet when discussing the Scout permutation. This mistake was corrected in the 2011 edition of the Encyclopedia.
 * During the Halo: Reach Multiplayer Beta, the final model for the CQC shoulder pauldron was designated as the Scout shoulder pauldrons, and costed 200 cR. Similarly, the final model for the UA/Multi-Threat chest piece was designed as Assault/Scout chest piece, and costed 400 cR.
 * A coincidence relating to this armor is that both visual guides, the Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, and the Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide have this armor set on page 165.
 * A decoy is a unit or vehicle sent in place of the actual target to distract or confuse an enemy. An observer is a person or unit that (as its name suggests) observes targets, and an outrider is a security unit or person who goes ahead of a target's vehicle to check the path ahead.

List of appearances

 * Halo 3
 * Remember Reach
 * Deliver Hope
 * Halo: Reach
 * Halo 4
 * Spartan Ops
 * Infinity Briefing Packet
 * Halo: Spartan Assault
 * Halo: Initiation
 * Halo: Escalation
 * Halo: Fleet Battles
 * Halo 5: Guardians
 * Halo Mythos
 * Halo: Tales from Slipspace
 * Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual
 * Halo Infinite