MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VII

The MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VII was the fourth and last major iteration of the MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor [GEN1]. The armor's cost led it to be ultimately supplanted by the MJOLNIR [GEN2] line. The Mark VII was issued to at least one of the surviving Spartan-II supersoldiers, Naomi-010, on January 27, 2553.

Specifications and development history
The Mark VII was produced by a supplier other than Office of Naval Intelligence's Materials Group, which produced the previous models. It is more lightweight than prior versions. The Mark VII implements several features not exhibited by earlier MJOLNIR incarnations. Most notably, the armor contains nano-technological components which enable the armor to repair and upgrade itself autonomously without outside influences, such as while the user is in cryosleep. The Mark VII also features limited energy shield shaping. Naomi-010's Mark VII suit resembles the Mark V [B], which may be due to the Spartan's choice in her armor's appearance. The Mark VII also is able to recycle urine; this is done with precise calibration on a catheterized Spartan.

The Mark VII proved to be cost-ineffective to mass-produce and was never manufactured in large numbers, particularly in light of the development of the more versatile GEN2 platform which enabled more economical optimization for the different Spartan generations in service, while the first generation was mainly optimized for the Spartan-IIs. However, a number of technologies developed for the Mark VII program were incorporated to the MJOLNIR [GEN2] system. The closest GEN2 armor model to the Mark VII is the DECIMATOR variant, though it is mostly unknown outside of the Spartan special forces community.

By October 2558, the Mark VII was used as the testbed for the MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor (GEN3), but it remained uncertain if manufacturers would adopt the standards and cost accounting by the Unified Earth Government.

Hypothetical model (2535)
Theoretical design elements for a seventh iteration of MJOLNIR were proposed by Doctor Catherine Halsey in her personal journal in 2535; how many of these features were implemented in the final product is unknown. The Mark VII appeared to have been the last planned phase of the MJOLNIR project at the time. It would have utilized a power system that made use of a combination of plasma and fusion technology, slipspace de-insertion capability, active AI transfer protocols, and limited shaping of the suit's energy shield.

"Slipspace de-insertion capability" means that a Spartan would be able to exit a vessel traveling in slipspace and re-enter normal space, similar to the Long Range Stealth Orbital Insertion Pod. Halsey described "limited shaping of the energy shield" as the ability to form "partial overlaps, airfoils, etc." This incidentally would have been quite similar to the Forerunners' practice of shaping hard light.

Due to unexpected technological breakthroughs, some of these upgrades were implemented earlier than planned and are presumably featured in the production version of the Mark VII. For example, the Mark VI has integrated atmospheric insertion capabilities, which allow a Spartan to free-fall from space without a re-entry vehicle such as an SOEIV. However, this requires a drag chute or parachute, whereas the theoretical Mark VII would have all necessary technology integrated into the suit.

Unidentified MK VII permutation
A currently unidentified permutation of Mark VII encountered beyond September 2561 bears resemblance to previous GEN1 variants. It is unknown whether this permutation is utilised on the GEN3 platform.

List of appearances

 * Halo: Reach
 * Dr. Halsey's personal journal
 * Halo: Glasslands
 * Halo: The Thursday War
 * Halo: Mortal Dictata
 * Halo 5: Guardians
 * Halo Mythos
 * Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual
 * Halo Infinite