Reverse Engineering and Prototyping–Xenotechnology department

The Reverse Engineering and Prototyping–Xenotechnology department (REAP-X) is a research and development subdivision of the Office of Naval Intelligence.

Role
The Reverse Engineering and Prototyping–Xenotechnology department is unknown outside ONI. REAP-X develops technologies that are then tested in the field by members of the other military branches. The department was formed from many smaller groups created during the Human-Covenant War. It helped disseminate new weapons and shield technologies to UNSC forces as the war neared its end by way of firms such as Misriah Armory.

Their activities include weapon development, technology research and analysis, reapplication of alien technology, vehicle development, and research into hard light technology. REAP-X was responsible for recovering and refitting Covenant vessels in hopes of adapting Covenant weapons, like the energy projector, for use by UNSC vessels. The REAP-X department's greatest breakthrough was the discovery of a working Forerunner slipspace drive used to complete the. The department utilizes many variants of standard military vehicles modified for special missions, as well as a line of vehicles of its own, including the siege bike, the Kestrel VTOL, and the quad walker. They receive virtually unlimited funding and resources.

Behind the scenes
REAP-X was initially announced by MEGA Brands through an email to Bloks Brigade members. The organization was announced with three new Mega Bloks builds. The builds were of never-before-seen vehicles, the UNSC Siege Bike, the UNSC Light Assault VTOL, and the UNSC Quad Walker. At the time it was unknown if the organization and vehicles were intended to be canon or if they were created solely by Mega Bloks, similar to McFarlane Toys' Hellspartan figure. In a Q&A edition of the Halo Bulletin, Frank O'Connor confirmed that REAP-X itself is canonical and that the vehicles were created in collaboration with 343 Industries; however, MEGA Brands were given considerable latitude in the vehicles' designs. O'Connor hinted that the vehicles also canonically exist, though not with the exaggerated aesthetic of the toys.