MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark V[B]

The Mark V[B] worn by SPARTAN-B312 with a UA attachment.

The MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark V[B] is a variant of the Mark V MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor.

Background

Along with the Mark V[M] and Mark VI[A] variants, the Mark V[B] is designed and manufactured by private organizations hired by the UNSC rather than developed by the UNSC specifically, due to numerous problems with funding. The Mark V[B] entered service in 2551 along with the standard Mark V armor set.^[1] However, components of the [B] variant were issued exclusively to members of SPECWAR Group Three, where it served as the default Spartan armor, being worn by all members of Noble Team, for example.The Mark V[B] was in some minds a stripped down Mark V and it was lighter, faster, and had more manuverability than the Mark V,the shield system was not as efficient than the Mark V.

Notable users of the Mark V[B] helmet include Thom-293 and SPARTAN-B312.^[2] It is also believed that the Mark V[B] was also a prototype of the Mark VI and was to bridge the Mark V and the Mark VI.

Characteristics

Currently, only one component of the Mark V[B] have been named and identified in the armory; it is unknown whether the default armor (minus the helmet) is also part of the V[B] armor range, or if it is merely a graphically updated version of the standard Mark V.

Helmet

Price: N/A, Default option
The Mark V[B] helmet is similar to the standard Mark V MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor, with a few key differences. The helmet has a sleeker design, resembling both the standard Mark V helmet and the ODST helmet, and seems to be somewhat of a combination of the two. Whilst the rear of the helmet is similar to the Mark V, the front strongly resembles the ODST helmet's triangular jaw guard and rounded top, with a flatter visor shape.

This helmet is the starting helmet for all players, and is purchased and equipped by default. Currently, there are two upgrades available for the Mark V[B] helmet; the UA (up-armored) upgrade for 750 cR (This is a combination of both of the Beta upgrades); and the UA/HUL, for 1500 cR, which adds an External Hardened Uplink to the right side of the helmet, redesigned from the Beta.

Trivia

In the Halo: Reach Multiplayer Beta, there were two upgrades available for the Mark V[B] helmet. An External Command Network Module or "CNM", standard issue to Special Force unit commanders (1000 cR), and an External Hardened Uplink or "HUL", required for sensitive operations (5000 cR).^[3]
While both the Mark V[B] and FJ/PARA shoulder pauldrons were present in the Halo: Reach Multiplayer Beta, the Mark V[B] shoulders were changed to the FJ/PARA variant in the final game. Currently, the Mark V[B] has no shoulder pauldron permutations.^[4]^[5]
The CNM and HUL attachments as seen in the Beta were merged into a single attachment, the UA upgrade, for the final game. The HUL is now an additional camera/sensor-like attachment on the side of the helmet, rather than being located on the top.
In the Beta, both the helmet's attachments were implied to be intelligence gathering/communications devices; however, in the final game, it appears that both of these upgrades are just extra armor added to the helmet for increased protection.
The CNM attachment from the beta strongly resembles the classic MJOLNIR sun visor, seen on both the Mark V and Mark VI helmets.
The UA/Multi-threat chest plate was previously seen in the Beta as the Scout chest plate, purchasable for 200 cR. The Beta version lacked the grenade belt.
The Mark V[B] has a built in night vision device.
Unlike the mainstream MJOLNIR armor, the characteristic protrusions behind the shoulders blend more smoothly into the back piece and are much shorter.

Gallery

A Spartan with the Mark V[B] helmet.
MJOLNIR Mk. V B.png

MJOLNIR Mk. V[B] with the up-armored upgrade attached.
Up-armored Mark V[B] worn by Thom-293.
UA Multi Threat.jpeg

The UA/Multi threat chest plate
The base Mark V[B], and its two upgrades.
The Mark V[B] shoulder plate as seen in Halo: Reach Beta Armory. Note that the pauldron is a part of the FJ/PARA variant in the final game.
Reach concept-MkV(B).jpg

Concept art of the Mark V[B] helmet.