CQC-class Mjolnir

The MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/CQC variant, also known as the Close Quarters Combat (CQC) armor, is a variant of the MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor manufactured by Beweglichkeitsrüstungsysteme.

Design details
The MJOLNIR CQC variant was the first of its kind to aid and improve the Spartans' effectiveness in close quarters combat. The armor is designed for tactical, short range battles in urban areas, and as such the CQC variant offers an improved field of visibility and heavy ballistic protection. In addition, numerous sections of the helmet supports open-port conversion - this allows the user to add any type of compatible module to the helmet to further improve functionality, allowing a Spartan to adapt to changing mission conditions on the fly. The CQC's heavy pauldrons allow a soldier to swiftly and lethally close the gap between an enemy combatant despite being under fire. The CQC can be utilized for both military operations on urban terrain (MOUT) and boarding operations aboard ships which are comprised of tight, enclosed spaces.

The CQC helmet is known to be compatible with the MK55 CBRN module, the Type C1 UA module and the AN/PCK-221 FARNDALE Command Network Module.

Development history
The CQC variant was developed alongside the CQB variant by German-based Beweglichkeitsrüstungsysteme with a central focus on improving the wearer's survivability in close-quarter engagements.

By the early 2540's, it was field-tested at the Special Warfare Center Essen, in Deutschland, and integrating feedback gathered from the Special Warfare Center Seongnam, in Korea. The CQC's Mark IV variant entered service in 2548 and saw use among SPARTAN-II and SPARTAN-III soldiers. The CQC variant was further upgraded for use with the MJOLNIR Mark V in 2551.

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

Usage
Despite being surpassed by the CQB in overall integration, the CQC variant still retained popularity well after its production ceased. Many still prefer CQC's less traditional open-port conversion system to allow ad-hoc modification. Some Spartans continue to use CQC instead of the newer CQB because of the versatility and mobility the CQC provides. Spartan Rosenda A344 of NOBLE Team wore the CQC helmet during the Defense of Concord in 2551.

Halo: Reach
"Predecessor to current MJOLNIR/C variant; less rigid design allows for field upgrades."

Similar to the CQB in Halo 3, the CQC helmet is unlocked by default in the Armory. The other armor types are unlockable in the game's purchase system via the use of cR. In Halo: The Master Chief Collection, the CQC set is attainable in the Season 1: Noble progression system.

The helmet's design bears similar resemblance to the Mark VI helmet and the limited production helmet on the Mark IV. Two attachments are available for the helmet: the first adds a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Module for operations in hazard zones. The second adds an Up-Armor plate with a Hardened Uplink Module on the right side (UA/HUL) for MILINT acquisition. The CQC pauldrons are rectangular and flat in shape, and have two smaller "squares" on the top and bottom. These shoulders go down to about the elbow. They can be seen at the rank of Major, but require the rank of Lt. Colonel to be bought.

Halo Infinite - Upgraded GEN1
The CQC helmet and its attachments are available for multiplayer Spartan armor customization on the Mark V [B] armor core in Halo Infinite. The CQC shoulders are available under the SAP series of shoulder pads.

Production notes

 * In the Halo: Reach Multiplayer Beta, there were two upgrades available for the CQC helmet. An up-armored (UA) variant (2,000 cR), and an Hardened Uplink (HUL) variant which also includes the UA upgrade (5,000 cR). In the final game, the first variant features the CBRN module, which was not seen in the Beta, while the UA and HUL attachments as seen in the Beta were merged into a single variant: the HUL upgrade. Additionally, the HUL variant now employs the "Camera" variant of the attachment on the left side of the helmet, rather than the "Box" variant in the Beta.
 * In the Halo: Reach Multiplayer Beta, the now-CQC shoulder pauldrons were designated as SCOUT-class Mjolnir, and did not feature the arrow decal on the pauldron surface. In the final game, the shoulder pauldrons became the CQC shoulder pauldrons, and there were no replacements for Scout shoulder pauldrons. Similarly, the now-Assault/Commando chest piece was designated as Assault/CQC in the Beta, and after its move to Assault/Commando, there were no replacements for a CQC chest piece.

List of appearances

 * Halo: Reach
 * Halo 5: Guardians
 * Halo: Infinite
 * Winter Contention