Semi-Powered Infiltration armor: Difference between revisions
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|manufacturer=[[Watershed Division]]<ref name="HM">'''[[Halo Mythos]]''', ''pages 76-77''</ref> | |manufacturer=[[Watershed Division]]<ref name="HM">'''[[Halo Mythos]]''', ''pages 76-77''</ref> | ||
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The '''Semi-Powered Infiltration armor''' ('''SPI armor''') is a [[UNSC]] combat [[armor]] system designed with an emphasis on stealth through the use of [[photoreactive panel|special photoreactive panels]].<ref name="goo14">'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''page 14''</ref> The armor was developed by the [[Watershed Division]], with [[Ruk Ariaustin]] as design lead. | The '''Semi-Powered Infiltration armor''' ('''SPI armor''') is a [[UNSC]] combat [[armor]] system designed with an emphasis on stealth through the use of [[photoreactive panel|special photoreactive panels]].<ref name="goo14">'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''page 14''</ref> The armor was developed by the [[Watershed Division]], with [[Ruk Ariaustin]] as design lead.{{Ref/Reuse|HM}} | ||
== Overview == | == Overview == | ||
Described as "part legionnaire mail, part tactical body armor, and part chameleon", the SPI armor features [[photoreactive panel]]s that mimic the surrounding textures, effectively being the UNSC equivalent to the [[Covenant]]'s [[active camouflage]] systems.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 16''</ref> The SPI armor features a full body armor with an enclosed helmet and [[heads-up display]]. The undersuit is equipped with a cushioning layer of liquid nanocrystal that provides more ballistic protection than three centimeters of [[wikipedia:Kevlar|Kevlar]] diamond weave, without the bulk.<ref name="goo171">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 171''</ref> The hardened armor plates, though advanced compared to standard UNSC infantry armor, can take only a few glancing blows before failing. | Described as "part legionnaire mail, part tactical body armor, and part chameleon", the SPI armor features [[photoreactive panel]]s that mimic the surrounding textures, effectively being the UNSC equivalent to the [[Covenant]]'s [[active camouflage]] systems.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 16''</ref> The SPI armor features a full body armor with an enclosed helmet and [[heads-up display]]. The undersuit is equipped with a cushioning layer of liquid nanocrystal that provides more ballistic protection than three centimeters of [[wikipedia:Kevlar|Kevlar]] diamond weave, without the bulk.<ref name="goo171">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 171''</ref> The hardened armor plates, though advanced compared to standard UNSC infantry armor, can take only a few glancing blows before failing.{{Ref/Reuse|goo14}} | ||
Though more advanced than the [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers]]' [[ODST armor|body armor]], the SPI armor is less powerful than the [[Mjolnir armor]] originally issued to the [[Spartan-II]]s.<ref>'''[[Halo: Glasslands]]''', ''page 207''</ref> Its main benefit is that it is drastically cheaper to produce than Mjolnir.<ref name="goo46">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 46''</ref> Although the SPI suit provides modest enhancements to the wearer's strength and mobility, | Though more advanced than the [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers]]' [[ODST armor|body armor]], the SPI armor is less powerful than the [[Mjolnir armor]] originally issued to the [[Spartan-II]]s.<ref>'''[[Halo: Glasslands]]''', ''page 207''</ref> Its main benefit is that it is drastically cheaper to produce than Mjolnir.<ref name="goo46">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 46''</ref> Although the SPI suit provides modest enhancements to the wearer's strength and mobility,{{Ref/Reuse|HM}} this amplification is not as drastic as that afforded by the Mjolnir.<ref>'''Halo: Last Light''', ''page 33'' (Google Play edition)</ref> Consequently, the SPI armor can be worn by any individual and does not require special neurological, skeletal or muscular [[Biological augmentation|augmentation]]; for example, the unaugmented instructors for the Spartan-IIIs often wore SPI armor.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''pages 89, 94''</ref>{{Ref/Reuse|g164}} The SPI armor is not as bulky or as heavy as the Mjolnir armor,<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 40''</ref> although the plating material is also less durable: [[Kelly-087]] dented a Spartan-III's chest plate with her fist when first encountering the Spartan-IIIs.<ref name="goo168">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''pages 168-169''</ref> | ||
The SPI armor generally lacks an [[energy shielding]] system, making the user far more vulnerable to enemy fire. However, the Spartan-III [[Headhunters]] wore experimental armor that was equipped with energy shields due to their elite nature and value. However, power must be drawn from the energy shields to recharge the suit's active camouflage module.<ref name="head212">'''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''', "[[Headhunters]]", ''page 212''</ref> | The SPI armor generally lacks an [[energy shielding]] system, making the user far more vulnerable to enemy fire. However, the Spartan-III [[Headhunters]] wore experimental armor that was equipped with energy shields due to their elite nature and value. However, power must be drawn from the energy shields to recharge the suit's active camouflage module.<ref name="head212">'''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''', "[[Headhunters]]", ''page 212''</ref> | ||
==Usage== | ==Usage== | ||
Although early versions of the SPI system were tested by [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers]],<ref name="g164">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 164''</ref> the armor was most prominently issued to the [[Spartan-III]] supersoldiers. | Although early versions of the SPI system were tested by [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers]],<ref name="g164">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 164''</ref> the armor was most prominently issued to the [[Spartan-III]] supersoldiers.{{Ref/Reuse|goo14}} With over 2,000 units of SPI armor manufactured during the [[Human-Covenant War]],{{Ref/Reuse|HM}} the SPI armor had been mostly phased out of use by Spartan-IIIs by [[2558]] in favor of Mjolnir. However, SPI continues to fill a usage niche in covert roles, particularly within ONI; the Spartan-IIIs in [[Veta Lopis]]' [[Ferret]] team often used SPI instead of Mjolnir due to the former's superior stealth capabilities.<ref>''Halo: Retribution'', Chapter 18</ref><ref>[https://twitter.com/TDenningauthor/status/912699859924393984 '''Twitter''': ''Troy Denning status update #912699859924393984'']</ref> The SPI armor has also been issued to non-Spartan personnel, such as Veta Lopis, whose suit was custom-built to fit her small frame.<ref>[https://twitter.com/TDenningauthor/status/879779858393440256 '''Twitter''': ''Troy Denning status update #879779858393440256'']</ref> [[SPARTAN-G059]], deployed as an ONI assassin, used SPI as late as 2558.<ref>'''[[Halo: Tales from Slipspace]]''', ''[[Knight Takes Bishop]]''</ref> As well, the photoreactive plating technology has seen limited but successful use in several special operations ODST units.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/canon-fodder-fifty-caliber '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Cannon Fodder: Fifty Caliber'']</ref> | ||
== Versions == | == Versions == | ||
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The Mark II was an improvement of the SPI Mark I, first used by the drill instructors of [[SPARTAN-III Beta Company|Beta Company]], and then by the Spartans of Beta and Gamma Companies.<ref name="goo89">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 89''</ref> The armor sports new photoreactive coating to boost its camouflaging properties. Although the new photoreactive coating can mimic a wide range of electromagnetic radiation, it is still sensitive to overload, making the wearer vulnerable for several seconds after a [[flashbang]] or [[plasma]] hit while the panels reset.<ref name="goo113">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 113''</ref> | The Mark II was an improvement of the SPI Mark I, first used by the drill instructors of [[SPARTAN-III Beta Company|Beta Company]], and then by the Spartans of Beta and Gamma Companies.<ref name="goo89">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 89''</ref> The armor sports new photoreactive coating to boost its camouflaging properties. Although the new photoreactive coating can mimic a wide range of electromagnetic radiation, it is still sensitive to overload, making the wearer vulnerable for several seconds after a [[flashbang]] or [[plasma]] hit while the panels reset.<ref name="goo113">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 113''</ref> | ||
The armor was proposed by [[Kurt Ambrose]] in [[2537]] for Alpha Company, but the request was denied because the armor was over budget.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 80''</ref> After Alpha Company's Pyrrhic victory in [[Operation: PROMETHEUS]], the Mark II was approved for mass production. After the augmentation of [[SPARTAN-III Gamma Company|Gamma Company]], small adjustments were installed into the Mark II SPI armor, | The armor was proposed by [[Kurt Ambrose]] in [[2537]] for Alpha Company, but the request was denied because the armor was over budget.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 80''</ref> After Alpha Company's Pyrrhic victory in [[Operation: PROMETHEUS]], the Mark II was approved for mass production. After the augmentation of [[SPARTAN-III Gamma Company|Gamma Company]], small adjustments were installed into the Mark II SPI armor,{{Ref/Reuse|goo99}} including experimental refits to the ballistic gel layers, upgraded software suites, and other functions, slated to be introduced to the systems prior to Gamma Company's deployment in [[2552]].<ref name="goo99">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 99''</ref> One improvement is that the armor is now hermetically sealed and contains an internal [[oxygen]] supply.<ref name="g251">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 251''</ref> | ||
==Armor components== | ==Armor components== | ||
;Mirage-class helmet<ref name="mythos">'''[[Halo Mythos]]''', ''page 77''</ref>: The default headgear of the SPI armor, the Mirage-class helmet features a large, bulbous faceplate somewhat similar to that of the [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/V variant|Mjolnir EVA variant]]. The visor is normally gold-mirrored in color<ref name="goo115">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 115''</ref> and can be depolarized. | ;Mirage-class helmet<ref name="mythos">'''[[Halo Mythos]]''', ''page 77''</ref>: The default headgear of the SPI armor, the Mirage-class helmet features a large, bulbous faceplate somewhat similar to that of the [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/V variant|Mjolnir EVA variant]]. The visor is normally gold-mirrored in color<ref name="goo115">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 115''</ref> and can be depolarized.{{Ref/Reuse|goo168}} The helmet supports a [[heads-up display]] with features similar to that of the MJOLNIR system, including TACMAP, TEAMBIO, and [[COM|TEAMCOM]] interfaces; a [[motion tracker]];<ref>'''Halo: Last Light''', ''page 146'' (Google Play edition)</ref> as well as team status lights.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''pages 17, 22''</ref><ref name="g114">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 114''</ref> The visor suite features an automatic magnification and image enhancement system controlled by the wearer's eye movements. For example, if the wearer squints while looking at a particular spot the system will automatically zoom in.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 19''</ref> Both the image enhancement and the visor's internal polarization can also be controlled manually.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 268''</ref><ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 345''</ref> The helmet possesses tactical lights<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 273''</ref> and a defogging vent to remove internal moisture.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 316''</ref> | ||
;Techsuit: The bodysuit of the SPI system is composed of a layered mesh of ballistic liquid nanocrystal that is significantly more effective than traditional body armor materials such as Kevlar while being less bulky. | ;Techsuit: The bodysuit of the SPI system is composed of a layered mesh of ballistic liquid nanocrystal that is significantly more effective than traditional body armor materials such as Kevlar while being less bulky.{{Ref/Reuse|goo171}}{{Ref/Reuse|g114}}<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 360''</ref> The techsuit's leggings<ref name="g141">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 141''</ref> and sleeves can be removed independently.<ref>'''Halo: Last Light''', ''page 125'' (Google Play edition)</ref> | ||
;Photoreactive panels: The outer shell of the SPI armor comprises a series of lightweight laminate plates with a photoreactive coating. | ;Photoreactive panels: The outer shell of the SPI armor comprises a series of lightweight laminate plates with a photoreactive coating.{{Ref/Reuse|HM}} The photoreactive panels act as [[active camouflage]] when active,<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 165''</ref> effectively blending the wearer with their environment.{{Ref/Reuse|goo14}} The coating also renders the wearer nearly invisible to infrared and passive light-gathering systems.<ref>'''Halo: Last Light''', ''page 95'' (Google Play edition)</ref> Since the photoreactive plates take time to recover after explosions such as a [[flashbang grenade]] and [[Plasma weaponry|plasma]] hits, the wearer is visible until the plates recover.{{Ref/Reuse|goo113}} With the exception of the [[Headhunters]]' suits, the SPI armor does not feature energy field-based active camouflage systems like those of the Covenant.{{Ref/Reuse|head212}} When inert, the plating is matte gray{{Ref/Reuse|mythos}}{{Ref/Reuse|g141}} or green, though some SPI suits have been known to use different colors such as red.<ref>'''Headhunters''' ''motion comic''</ref><ref>'''Halo Mythos''', ''page 135''</ref> | ||
;Rift-class gauntlets: The SPI suit is equipped with shock-resistant and force-amplifying gauntlets. | ;Rift-class gauntlets: The SPI suit is equipped with shock-resistant and force-amplifying gauntlets.{{Ref/Reuse|HM}} | ||
;Tactile bracers: The bracer armor pieces around the boots grant slight improvements to speed and dexterity with negligible shielding reduction. | ;Tactile bracers: The bracer armor pieces around the boots grant slight improvements to speed and dexterity with negligible shielding reduction.{{Ref/Reuse|HM}} | ||
;Environmental controls: The suit possesses rudimentary environmental regulation system to maintain a comfortable temperature for the wearer.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 22''</ref> However, the system is not designed for extended use and it will become increasingly uncomfortable to wear if used continuously over long periods of time.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 254''</ref> As of 2552, the Mark II SPI armor is also fully sealed and contains an internal oxygen supply. | ;Environmental controls: The suit possesses rudimentary environmental regulation system to maintain a comfortable temperature for the wearer.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 22''</ref> However, the system is not designed for extended use and it will become increasingly uncomfortable to wear if used continuously over long periods of time.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 254''</ref> As of 2552, the Mark II SPI armor is also fully sealed and contains an internal oxygen supply.{{Ref/Reuse|g251}} The armor also has an efficient cooling system and is significantly difficult to detect even with thermal scanners.{{Ref/Reuse|goo89}} | ||
;Biofoam injection ports: Like MJOLNIR, the SPI armor has dedicated ports allowing the quick injection of [[biofoam]] or other battlefield pharmaceuticals.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 362''</ref> | ;Biofoam injection ports: Like MJOLNIR, the SPI armor has dedicated ports allowing the quick injection of [[biofoam]] or other battlefield pharmaceuticals.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 362''</ref> | ||
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;Data socket: The SPI armor's gauntlet features a data port to which small electronic devices such as [[data pad]]s can be connected.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 310''</ref><ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 356''</ref> | ;Data socket: The SPI armor's gauntlet features a data port to which small electronic devices such as [[data pad]]s can be connected.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 310''</ref><ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 356''</ref> | ||
;Power cell: The armor is powered by a low-profile, shielded BA-55901/PLMD battery cell. | ;Power cell: The armor is powered by a low-profile, shielded BA-55901/PLMD battery cell.{{Ref/Reuse|mythos}} | ||
==Variants== | ==Variants== | ||
