MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark V

"This - is everything I had always dreamed it could be."

- Dr.Halsey

The MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark V was the fifth version of the MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor series. The suit was issued to SPARTAN-II Commandos and members of Noble Team on November 24th, 2551 and was in service until October, 2552, when it was replaced by the Mark VI.

Introduction
In 2542, seventeen years after the MJOLNIR Mark IV entered service, production began on the next generation of MJOLNIR Armor, in order to improve SPARTAN-II/MJOLNIR effectiveness against the Covenant in combat. A team under the leadership of Chief Technical Officer Dr. Catherine Halsey would spend the next ten years developing the suit. Using data collected from the Mark IV, hundreds of minor technical improvements were made to the Mark V, the suit's armor plating underwent a total redesign and better materials were developed for its use. Separating the Mark V from the previous version of the system are two major breakthroughs in the ways in which the suit improves its wearer's combat effectiveness.

The first major difference was an addition of computer memory superconductor that would allow an AI to piggyback into the field with the operator to provide and gater real-time intelligence. The synthesis of an artificial intelligence with the human brain is not possible without an upgrade to the user's standard neural interface. This specialized version of the neural lace is issued to all SPARTAN-IIs before they can interface with the Mark V. Like the standard neural interface, the specialized neural lace translates electrochemical signals to digital code and routes them through an interface connection at the rear of the skull. Through this interface, the user's thoughts command the armor's movement and weapons; and input from the on board sensors comes directly to the user's mind. In addition, an AI personality and processing matrices can be carried by the armor and delivered to the suit via the specialized neural lace and on board storage in a crystal data chip no larger than a personal credit card. Without the armor, a SPARTAN's reaction time is charted at twenty milliseconds; with the Mark V, and a AI installed, the time translating thought into motion is rendered almost instantaneous.

The second major breakthrough was the addition of a self-recharging energy shield system, reversed engineered from captured Jackal Point Defense Gauntlets, which repel objects and energy bursts, plus any other hazardous elemental energies. While impacts on the shield place a substantial drain on the system's power supply, the system's energy regenerates once the user is no longer under fire. However, the adaptation of the shield covering the entire body weakens the magnetic field, making the Mark V's shield system vulnerable to ballistic arms fire.

The suit also possesses other upgraded features that enhance its wearer's abilities. It has numerous magnetic holsters for the attachment of additional weapons, equipment and ammunition packs; an upgraded heads-up display (HUD) linked to sensors that project shield strength, an improved motion detecting system in addition to providing other numerous readouts, including allies health and shield status.

In its final phase the MJOLNIR battle armor weighs a quarter ton, and with it's SPARTAN wearer, around 1,000 lbs. When in use and has a fully neural-linked system with an on board AI using the human mind for parallel processing. The SPARTAN/MJOLNIR combination is designed to be the most devastating intelligence tool ever created.

John-117 was the first Spartan to test the MJOLNIR Mark V with a Smart AI implemented within the armor during a "live-fire" combat scenario. His test was to ring a bell after going through an obstacle course. This course involved 10 ODST's, a minefield with Lotus Anti-Tank Mines, three automated 30mm chain guns, a forest of wooden poles, and an unexpected Skyhawk Aircraft utilizing four 50mm cannons and Scorpion Anti-Tank Missiles. This test showed that AI's could improve the armor's reaction times.

Armor variants and upgrades
A number of different variants of the Mark V were manufactured for use in the field. In addition, the armor system is compatible with components and variants created for the earlier or later MJOLNIR generations.

Variants compatible with the Mark V include, but are not necessarily limited to:


 * MJOLNIR Mark V[G] - Developed parallel to the Model 6 Grindell/Galilean Nonlinear Rifle as part of Project GUNGNIR.
 * MJOLNIR Mark V[B] - Privately manufactured variant issued exclusively to SPECWARCOM Group Three.
 * MJOLNIR Mark V[M] - also known as Security. Privately manufactured variant with radio antenna.
 * MJOLNIR/CQC - Close-Quarters Combat. Precursor of the MJOLNIR/C variant.
 * MJOLNIR/C - A more advanced Close-Quarters Combat variant.
 * MJOLNIR/HAZOP - A variant for missions considered too hazardous for standard equipment.
 * MJOLNIR/HP/HALO - Additional armor plating and hard points for missions involving High-Altitude Low Opening jumps.
 * MJOLNIR/EOD - A variant designed for explosive ordnance disposal.
 * MJOLNIR/AA - An "Air Assault" variant, developed as a part of a project to improve the ODST helmet.
 * MJOLNIR/MP - A shared asset with Beta-5 Military Police.
 * MJOLNIR/SCOUT - A variant with limited stealth capabilities.
 * MJOLNIR/FJ/PARA - A lightweight variant for airborne units.
 * MJOLNIR/RECON - A stealth variant specialized for reconnaissance missions.
 * MJOLNIR/OPERATOR - A variant used by Beta-5's Asymmetrical Action Group.
 * ODST Ballistic Battle Armor - The Mark V is compatible with several parts of the ODST armor, including the shoulders and the helmet.

Various upgrades were also designed along with the standard Mark V, in ONI's CASTLE facility on Reach to aid certain Spartan's abilities in combat. The following is a list of known upgrade components and variants:


 * Neural Induction Circuits - Allowed the Armor to respond to the wearer's movement at a faster rate.
 * Linear Accelerator - Doubles the strength of the energy shield system and allows the MJOLNIR to take more hits before failing.
 * Image Enhancing Computer - Better visual display on the MJOLNIR's Heads-Up Display.
 * Improved Tracking System - better tracking system on the MJOLNIR'S heads-up display, which improved accuracy at distances up to a thousand meters.
 * Improved Motion Sensors - Improves sensitivity readings on the motion tracker allowing for more accurate readings.

In addition, the Mark V armor supports different types of additional attachments, which enable various abilities. Some of these may be related to the add-ons described above. The armor is also compatible with various types of propulsion equipment, such as the T-PACK and a Jetpack.


 * Armor Lock - A compact generator device on the back of the user generates a powerful shield that offers temporary near-invulnerability to all ground weaponry and sends out an Electromagnetic Pulse once the lock down is disengaged.
 * Active Camouflage - Enabled by a device similar in appearance to Armor Lock, the active camo add-on can make the user nearly invisible for brief periods of time. As a drawback, the more the user moves, the more visible they become. In addition, all sound is muffled to the user while the camo is engaged.

Two upgrades are available for the helmet, the first adds a Command Network Module on the left side (CNM), and the second adds an Up-Armor plate (UA).

Armor components

 * Helmet: The helmet is one of the most crucial aspects of the MJOLNIR system. It is made of titanium and contains key features like a heads-up display that links to the brain and hands, and can identify equipment and display information about it when it is picked up by the wearer. Another feature is the direct neural interface system which connects to the wearer's neural implants. Two core processor chips are implanted into the subjects skull in the rear of the head. This is essentially comparable to an on board computer using parts of the human brain for processing, when the connector at the rear of the subjects head and receptors in the brain link to the helmets onboard sensors it creates the neural link needed to move the MJOLNIR suit. The helmet also contains other equipment to protect and aid the user in hostile conditions. This includes filters to remove toxins from the atmosphere, a supply to provide air to the wearer during EVA, thermal and motion sensors, communications, solar-powered lighting, and imaging and video gear. The helmet also contains the AI housing, where a ship-borne AI chip can be inserted, located on the back of the helmet. The Mark V helmet is essentially the same as the Mark IV helmet, upgraded to function with the Mark V's energy shielding system.


 * Titanium alloy outer shell: The outer shell of the MJOLNIR armor is comprised of a fairly thick titanium alloy. This plating covers the chest, arms, hip, legs, calves, feet and hands. This alloy is very resilient, can take significant punishment, and is nearly impervious to small arms fire. While enough shots from armor piercing rounds will breach the outer shell, the suit can take a few glancing blows from them without compromising the armor. The outer shell of all the MJOLNIR suits is covered with a refractive coating to help disperse the heat experienced from Covenant energy weapons. However one or two direct hits from any Plasma weapon will compromise the armor plating.


 * Titanium nanocomposite bodysuit: Sandwiched between the external armor and the internal padding is a thick black armored bodysuit. This suit has numerous functions, small but vital to the safety and survival of the wearer. The bodysuit is made of a titanium-based material, making it very strong and yet very flexible. It also serves as another layer of protection against ballistics attacks and is coated with a heat resistant material to disperse heat from plasma weapons.


 * Hydrostatic gel: Underneath the armored bodysuit is a gel-filled layer, this gel layer regulates the temperature of the suit and can reactively change its density to conform to the wearer's shape, the temperature inside the suit is controlled by the moisture absorbing cloth suit underneath the hydrostatic layer. The hydrostatic gel layer can also be pressurized to various levels to potentially save the wearers life should the wearer be subjected to high G forces or a high velocity impact; however, over pressurizing this layer can cause nitrogen embolisms.


 * Reactive crystal layer: Sandwiched between the external armor and the internal padding is a layer of piezoelectric material that deforms along a preffered axis when exposed to a electric charge. When creating the suit, the liquid crystal material is poured into a capillary system where electric charges can direct the formation of crystal geometries. This layer acts as synthetic muscle, allowing the Spartan access to approximately twice their normal strength. This is not due to a "Leverage Effect," but rather that a human-sized suit will provide about six hundred kilos of lifting power, in addition to an average Spartan's six hundred kilos of lifting power.  Assuming a Spartan has an average body weight of 200 kilos, and that CPO Mendez's assertion that:  "They can lift three times their body weight- which, I might add, is almost double the norm due to their increased muscle density," is indeed accurate.


 * Memory-Processor Superconductor Layer: A layer relatively new to the MJOLNIR line, introduced with the Mark V, that is capable of housing an A.I. Comprised of the same material as a starship's A.I. system, this layer allows an A.I. to travel with a soldier into the field.  The A.I. can then aid the soldier in software inrtusion, hardware hacking, and espionage by listening to enemy chatter.  As a side note, this layer is often confused with the Reactive Metal Liquid Crystal layer, which due to the latter's piezoelectric properties is impossible.


 * Magnetic weapon holder strips: The MJOLNIR armor features very small, yet powerful magnets placed on the legs, waist, and back of the suit that are used to hold any equipment or any weapons with a magnetic property. The suit also contains a magnet system within its boots that allows its wearer to stay attached to a metal surface in zero G environments and can be toggled on or off by the wearer.


 * Energy shields: First used on the Mark V, and later refined on the Mark VI, the energy shield device is reverse engineered from Covenant technology. Beginning in 2532 forty scientists and technicians would spend the next twenty years attempting to make some use of the technology. For decades the attempts at cracking their technology had met with failure after failure; some had given up and others in the scientific community believed the energy shield technology could never be cracked. However at some point before 2552 a breakthrough was made and for the first time the UNSC had successfully cracked and improved upon the technology.


 * Pressure seal: The pressure seal is a vital component to the MJOLNIR system; it keeps the system airtight underwater or in space. The seal is very strong, only breaking under extreme pressure, such as in a high velocity impact or when the hydrostatic gel has been overpressurized.


 * Biofoam injection port: The biofoam injectors on the Mark V is a port where a direct supply of biofoam or other medicines, must be administered from a standard military first aid kit when the wearer is injured, as the suit does not hold or generate its own supply inside the suit.


 * Fusion reactor: The fusion reactor is the most essential part of the MJOLNIR system, as it provides power to all equipment used by the armor, the reactor is built into the suit and allows for nearly unlimited movement. The fusion reactor in all versions of the MJOLNIR armor are half the size of a normal fusion pack that conventional marines carry around.


 * Force-multiplying circuits: Located throughout the armor, these systems boost the force applied by the user. They make hand-to-hand combat easier, but also make the armor difficult to adjust to; a slight motion can be translated into a potentially harmful one if not conducted correctly. For this reason it is only possible for SPARTANs to use this armor, as their strengthened bodies are able to withstand the increased power and speed of movement, which, in unaugmented human bodies, results in broken bones or death due to spasms caused by the pain of broken bones.


 * Reactive circuits: Reactive circuits are systems directly linked into the wearer's neural interface. They amplify the wearer's reaction time by connecting directly to the thoughts of the wearer, making it much easier to control and allowing for the soldier to be both more efficient and have a higher survival rate in combat.


 * Power supply control unit: The power supply control unit controls the power supply of the armor.


 * Lock-down system: The lock-down system protects muscles and joints from traumatic, high-impact injuries by seizing the suit into a rigid posture.

Trivia

 * It is possible to recreate the standard Mark V armor in Halo: Reach by equipping the Mark V helmet, Mark V shoulders, gold visor, and leaving all other armor options at default.
 * The default Mark V knee guards in Halo: Reach cannot be affected by custom coloration as they will always appear as gray.
 * Knee guards in certain pieces of concept art resemble the Grenadier knee guards, while most members of Noble Team are consistently seen with FJ/PARA knee guards. When added to the fact that the default knee guards are always silver, it becomes ambiguous as to which ones the Master Chief had as part of his Mark V.
 * It is possible that FJ/PARA are actually supposed to be default, and vice versa, as FJ/PARA are stated to be, and should be, smaller and more compact. Also, the majority of Noble team wears them, except for Jorge, who wears a heavily customized and upgraded Mark IV, and Kat, who wears the Air Assault helmet and FJ/PARA shoulders. It would make sense for her knees to be FJ/PARA as well.

List of appearances

 * Halo: Combat Evolved
 * Halo 2
 * Halo 3
 * Halo: Reach
 * Halo: The Fall of Reach
 * Halo: The Flood
 * Halo: First Strike
 * Halo: Ghosts of Onyx