Hardened Uplink

The External Hardened Uplink (HUL) is a device compatible with helmet variants of the Mark V MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor.

Usage
The HUL was designed for acquisition of military intelligence, and is required for personnel employing the Recon or Pilot helmets while on sensitive operations. When used in conjunction with the Command Network Module, it is a favorite of pathfinder units employing the AIR ASSAULT-class Mjolnir helmet.

Compatibility
The HUL is compatible with the following helmets;
 * Mjolnir [B]
 * Commando
 * CQB
 * CQC
 * EOD
 * EVA
 * EVA [C] helmet
 * Grenadier
 * HAZOP
 * Mark VI
 * ODST
 * Operator
 * Pilot
 * Recon
 * Security

Variants
The HUL has three observed variants, each with its own distinct physical appearance. The modularity of the MJOLNIR armor has made it possible to attach multiple modules on the helmet. In cases where a HUL and a Command Network Module (CNM) are both employed, the configurations are designated "FC", "FC-I", and "FC-I[2]" depending on the HUL variant.

Standard HUL
The standard HUL variant resembles a cube, and can be worn on either side of the helmet. Its adoption is reserved for sensitive operations with personnel employing the Recon helmet.

Upgraded HUL-I
The external Hardened Uplink-Improved (HUL-I) is an upgraded variant of the standard issue HUL unit. It has only been observed as compatible to the JFO variant.

HUL[3]
HUL[3] refers to the third-generation external hardened uplink for military intelligence acquisition. Its adoption is required for sensitive operations with personnel employing the Pilot helmet.

FC configurations
The modularity of the MJOLNIR armor has made it possible to attach multiple modules on the helmet. In cases where a HUL and a CNM and are both employed, the configurations are designated "FC", "FC-I", and "FC-I[2]" depending on the variants used. FC refers to the configuration in which an external HUL and the "tall" CNM variant are both attached to the helmet. FC-I refers to the configuration in which an external HUL, along with the CNM-I, are integrated on the "camera" CNM variant, though this configuration has only been observed on the MJOLNIR/AA variant. FC-I[2] refers to the configuration in which both the HUL[3] and "tall" CNM are attached to the helmet.

Gameplay
The HUL and its variants serve as cosmetics and have no impact on gameplay.

Halo: Reach
All three variants of the HUL are available as attachments on several helmets in the armor permutations of Halo: Reach. The device is priced at different levels of Credits, depending on the base helmets. In Halo: The Master Chief Collection, the same HUL-attached helmets are unlockable in Season 1: Noble.

Production notes

 * During the Halo: Reach Multiplayer Beta, the "camera" variant of the CNM on the CQC helmet, along with UA attachment on the Mark V[B] helmet, was labelled as HUL. Both helmet attachments costed 5,000 credits.
 * In the final release of Halo: Reach, four mislabeled helmet attachments involved the HUL:
 * The standard HUL variant mislabeled as the CNM on the EVA[C] helmet.
 * The standard HUL variant mislabeled as the UA/HUL[3] on the EVA[C] helmet.
 * The standard HUL variant mislabeled as the HUL-I on the Recon helmet.
 * The "Camera" CNM variant mislabeled as the UA/HUL-I on the Mark VI helmet.

List of appearances

 * ''Halo Reach
 * Halo 5: Guardians
 * Memories of Reach