MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark V: Difference between revisions

The '''MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark V''' was the fifth version of the [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor]] series. The initial version of the Mark V [[powered exoskeleton]] was issued to the [[SPARTAN-II Program|SPARTAN-IIs]] and several [[SPARTAN-III Program|SPARTAN-III commandos]], including the members of [[Noble Team]], on [[2551|November 24th, 2551]],<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=BWU_012910 '''Bungie Weekly Update, 1/29/10''']</ref> while the final version of the armor was unveiled for [[Operation: RED FLAG]] in [[2552#August|August 2552]].<ref name="vis">'''Halo: The Essential Visual Guide''', ''page 119''</ref><ref name="enc">'''Halo Encyclopedia (2011)''', ''page 97''</ref><ref group="note">''Halo: The Fall of Reach'' and ''Halo Waypoint''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s ''MJOLNIR Project 2'' video state that the Mark V was issued on August 29, 2552. However, a number of later sources, including the aforementioned Weekly Update, Dr. Halsey's personal journal, the 2011 edition of the ''Halo Encyclopedia'', and ''Halo: The Essential Visual Guide'' retcon this, clearly stating that the Mark V was issued on November 24, 2551; the test performed by John-117 was intended to gauge the pairing of the Mark V suit with a piggy-backed AI, not to observe the suit's performance ''per se''. The two latter sources reveal that the suit issued in November 2551 was a prototype of the one issued in August 2552, explaining its noticeably different appearance in ''Halo: Reach''.</ref> The Mark V armor was in service until [[2552#October|October 2552]], when it was replaced by the [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI|MJOLNIR Mark VI]].<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[The Armory]]''</ref>

*'''Neural induction circuits''' - Allowed the armor to respond to the wearer's movement at a faster rate.<ref name="Strike">''Halo: First Strike'' page 140</ref>

*'''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 an upgraded version of the Mark IV helmet, modified to function with the Mark V's energy shield systems,<ref>'''Halo: Reach''',, ''Armory''</ref> though, like the rest of the Mark V system, it likely incorporates several other changes as well. The helmet supports various external upgrades, such as a Command Network Module and Up-Armor plating.

*'''[[Hydrostatic gel]] layer''': 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.<ref>[[Halo: First Strike]] Chapter 2, page 13 [[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]] Chapter 1, page 36</ref>

*'''[[Polymerized lithium niobocene|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.<ref>'''[[Dr. Halsey's Personal Journal]]''', ''September 1, 2525''</ref> 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.<ref>[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]] Chapter 8, Page 92</ref>

*'''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.<ref>[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]] Chapter 27, Page 286</ref>  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.

*'''[[Energy shielding#Human Energy Shielding|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<ref>[[Halo Encyclopedia]] Chapter 3, page 89</ref> 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.<ref>[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]] Chapter 27, page 249</ref>

*'''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.<ref>[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]] Chapter 13, page 114; chapter 27, page 248</ref>

*'''Lock-down system''': The lock-down system protects muscles and joints from traumatic, high-impact injuries by seizing the suit into a rigid posture through modifying the density of the hydrostatic gel layer.<ref>''Halo 3'', level ''[[Arrival]]''</ref><ref>''Halo Encyclopedia'', page 91</ref><ref>'''Halo: Reach''', level ''[[Tip of the Spear]]''</ref><ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLmtVh_bmhs ''Halo Reach Legendary Edition'' developer commentary, part 4]</ref>

In ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]'', John-117's visually updated armor is extremely distinct from the armor set that can be assembled in ''Halo: Reach'', being that of a visually enhanced version of the first game's Mark V character model. However, this appearance is not a disparity ''per se'', as ''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]'' and the 2011 edition of the ''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]'' state that the base Mark V suits worn by Noble Team, (and thus the Mark V platform featured in ''Halo: Reach''), were a precursor to the one worn by the Spartans assembled for Operation: RED FLAG.<ref name="vis"/><ref name="enc"/> It is also unknown how exactly this updated version is intended to be different from the MJOLNIR Mark V worn by Noble Team. In any case, the armor's appearance in ''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary'' contradicts his depiction in the [[John-117 in cryo|cryo Easter egg]].