Editing MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor

{{Status|Canon}}

The '''MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor System'''<ref>[http://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/intel/armor ''Halo Waypoint -Halo 4 Armor'']</ref> (pronunciation:''ˈmjɔːlnɪər'', ''myol-neer'') is a technologically advanced [[Powered exoskeleton|combat exoskeleton system]] designed to vastly improve the strength, speed, agility, reflexes, and durability of a [[SPARTAN Program|Spartan]] supersoldier. Though the development program is rendered in all capital letters (''i.e.'' Project: MJOLNIR), the armor itself is called '''Mjolnir'''.<ref>''Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide'', page 229</ref> The suit is named after the [[Wikipedia:Mjölnir|hammer of Thor]] in Norse mythology.

Created parallel to the [[SPARTAN-II program]] by the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]]'s [[Materials Group]], the Mjolnir armor is the most advanced piece of tactical military hardware in human hands. Each suit alone costs as much as a small starship. The brainchild of [[Catherine Halsey|Dr. Catherine Halsey]], MJOLNIR is an attempt to create a powered exoskeleton capable of taking full advantage of the physical capabilities of a Spartan.<ref name="sybex">'''Halo: Combat Evolved PC Strategy Guide''', ''page 5''</ref> MJOLNIR is considered by the [[Librarian]] to be the fulfillment of a millennia-old [[geas]] she had implanted in humanity a hundred millenia earlier, intended to help them [[Reclaimer|reclaim]] the [[Mantle]].<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Reclaimer (level)|Reclaimer]]''</ref>

Before Dr. Halsey initiated Project MJOLNIR, the [[UNSC Navy]] had developed various designs and prototypes for powered exoskeletons and armour systems, including the [[Mark I prototype exoskeleton|Mark I exoskeleton]],<ref name="FoR3">'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 71'', (2001 edition) ''page 81'', (definitive edition) ''page 90'' (2010 edition)</ref> the [[Mark III exoskeleton]],{{Ref/Book|Id=EVGCyclops|EVG|Pg=44}} [[ORION armor]],{{Ref/Site|Id=CF|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/anniversary-armory|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Anniversary Armory|D=03|M=11|Y=2021}} and [[HRUNTING Mark I exoskeleton|HRUNTING Mark I]].{{Ref/Reuse|journal1}} In [[2510]], Halsey inspected much of this previous work while performing a program review of [[Project HRUNTING]] on behalf of ONI. She judged HRUNTING to be an "interesting failure" for its lack of innovation, and inability to exploit recent technological breakthroughs.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22p77|Enc22|Page=77}} Later, during the early stages of planning for Project: MJOLNIR, Halsey would ultimately choose to start from scratch, due to both the limitations inherent in the previous antiquated designs,{{Ref/Reuse|journal1}}{{Ref/Reuse|FoR3}} and an unwillingless to shoulder the administrative burden of taking over and reforming an existing project such as HRUNTING. Instead, Halsey preferred to start fresh with an entirely new team, who were unbound by pre-existing dogma and assumptions about powered exoskeleton design.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22p77}}

The initial genesis of what would become Project: MJOLNIR can be traced back to as early as [[2511]]. By that year, Halsey was in communication with [[UNSC rank structure|Vice Admiral]] [[Michael Stanforth|Hieronymus Stanforth]] regarding the production of an armour system to complement the SPARTAN-II program, and had begun to brainstorm names for the project. In July, she penned an entry in her [[Dr. Halsey's personal journal|personal journal]] speculating that the [[Wikipedia:Piezoelectricity|reverse piezoelectric effect]] could be used to produce a bodysuit that enhanced the wearer's strength, by causing the suit to intelligently deform in response to the wearer's nerve impulses, adding extra force to their movements. This would become one of the defining features of MJOLNIR armour.{{Ref/Reuse|journal1}}

Work on Project: MJOLNIR would not begin in earnest for a further four years, however, with development beginning in [[2515]].{{Ref/Reuse|ENCY}} In that year, the project opened with a experimental phase, with a development platform that would be retroactively termed "Mark I" being used as a testbed for numerous trials and experiments over the following years.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22p77}} The armour underwent significant iteration in the decade following, with at two further distinct prototype platforms emerging and forty prototype suits being produced across these three platforms, before the first production model - what would come to be known as Mark IV - was finalised. Mark IV was put into production in mid-[[2525]] and issued to the surviving SPARTAN-II candidates in November of that year.{{Ref/Reuse|FoR2}}{{Ref/Reuse|ENCY}}

Initially, MJOLNIR was envisaged as an evolving platform, constantly and continuously updated with the latest technology as it became available. After a full decade, however, the Office of Naval Intelligence decided that it was no longer possible to facilitate this approach, much to Halsey's chagrin. In [[2535]], they mandated that MJOLNIR adopt a generational categorisation system, for the purposes of serialisation, prioritisation and progress-tracking, and as a means of fiscal oversight. Despite her reservations, Halsey agreed to the introduction of such a system, and produced a roadmap for future generations of the armour, in the hopes that it would "keep the accountants out of [her] hair and [her] work". The system devoted Marks I, II and III to prototype platforms produced between 2515 and 2525, while categorising all production models of MJOLNIR up until that point as Mark IV. Three further planned iterations, Marks V, VI and VII, were included in the roadmap, complete with rough technical specifications.<ref name="journal2">'''Dr. Halsey's personal journal''' ''January 7, 2535''</ref> Nevertheless, Halsey rarely used the "Mark" verbiage to describe the suits, due to her objections with its imposition by ONI.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22p77}}

After the end of the Human-Covenant War, the Materials Group developed the second system-wide generation of MJOLNIR, simply designated GEN2, as a response to the SPARTAN-IV project. GEN2 is lighter than the Marks IV through VI and is far more modular than previous systems. The previous iterations of MJOLNIR were retroactively designated GEN1 to distinguish them from the GEN2.<ref name="O+A">[http://halo.xbox.com/halo4#!an-epic-universe/ordnance-armor/cbbca9b3-5108-41aa-aa21-9b523de68266 '''Halo 4''': ''ORDNANCE + ARMOR'']</ref><ref name="Gameplay">[http://halo.xbox.com/halo4#!halo-evolved/gameplay/31afe32b-0e07-45c0-9424-3adc6e1eadca '''Halo 4 Official Site:''' ''GAMEPLAY'']</ref>

===Pre-production prototypes===

<!-- They should call this GEN0 in canon -->

Before any generation of MJOLNIR made it into formal production, a full decade was spent in the research and development phase of the program. Three major distinct development platforms emerged over this period, which would be retroactively designated Mark I, II and III, with each successively refining and building upon the last. Across these three platforms,{{Ref/Note|Id=EncFortySuits|The 2009 and 2011 editions of the ''Halo Encyclopedia'' claim that these manufactured suits were of the Mark I generation specifically, and that they were later "scrapped" - suggesting an intention to actually put them into service. However, the 2022 edition of the Encyclopedia revises this claim, stating that the "at least forty" manufactured suits were of the Mark I, II and III platforms overall (not Mark I specifically), and establishes that they were only ever testbeds for experimentation, never production-ready suits of armour. Due to the recency of the 2022 edition, and the frequent inaccuracies in the 2009 and 2011 encyclopaediae, this article favours the 2022 edition.}} at least forty different physical suits were assembled, each to a varying stage of completeness with regards to systems integration and functionality. Suits from this prototypical generation of MJOLNIR were never intended to be put into service, instead serving merely as development platforms for Halsey and her team to iterate on.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22p77}} Ultimately, the key failing of all three of these prototype platforms was the reliance on a local, external power source, requiring either a physical tether or for the user to remain within range of [[broadcast power]]. This made the designs impractical on the battlefield, as their range was severely limited by the lack of a mobile power source.{{Ref/Reuse|ENCY}}

====Mark I====

First developed in [[2515]], the Mark I was a development platform which served as a testbed for Halsey and her team to experiment with during the early stages of MJOLNIR development. Though bulky, unwieldy and difficult to control, the Mark I nevetherless pioneered the artificial muscles, embedded computer systems and control software that would become core to the MJOLNIR armour in later generations.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22p77}} The suit also contained a cutting-edge onboard computer that could assist the wearer by transmitting tactical and communications information to the standard neural implant issued to a soldier, though the suit did not possess the ability to carry an AI.{{Ref/Reuse|ENCY}} Despite these successes, the Mark I had one fatal flaw which would have to be overcome before MJOLNIR could ever be truly practical in the field: due to the tremendous amount of energy needed to power it, it had to remain physically tethered to a power source while in use.{{Ref/Reuse|ENCY}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22p77}}{{Ref/Note|The 2009 and 2011 editions of the ''Halo Encyclopedia'' also claim that the Mark I allowed the user to lift up to two tons (4,000 pounds) and run at 32&nbsp;km/h (19.88&nbsp;mph) for extended periods of time. However, these statistics were ascribed to the unrelated [[Mark I prototype exoskeleton]] by ''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'', and misattributed to MJOLNIR Mark I by the ''Encyclopedia''. Thus, they are not listed on this article.}}

 

====Mark II====

 

====Mark III====

 

Though an improvement, this design was still quickly rejected, for two main reasons. First, the armor still had a limited operational range as it had to remain within range of a bulky, immobile [[generator]]. Second, if said generator was disabled or destroyed, the suit would become inoperable, leaving its user locked inside the now-inoperable shell, helpless against enemy attacks.{{Ref/Reuse|ENCY}}

 

===GEN1 - First generation===

After a decade of research and development, MJOLNIR would, in [[2525]], enter what retroactively became known as GEN1 - the first generation of MJOLNIR to be actively deployed in the field. This generation lasted throughout the [[Human-Covenant War]], and was described as "revolutionary, in both form and function". Over the course of the generation, the design would see significant iteration and refinement, with the addition of many notable upgrades, including personal [[energy shielding]] and the ability to host an on-board AI to assist the wearer.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22p78|Enc22|Page=78-79}} Nevertheless, GEN1 was not without its drawbacks: it required extremely complex manufacturing methods to create, and each suit had to be custom-tailored for its Spartan wearer.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22p80|Enc22|Page=80}}

 

====Mark IV====

Despite the failure of the three earlier iterations of MJOLNIR, the MJOLNIR Mark IV armour would become the first MJOLNIR suit to see mass production and deployment onto the battlefield. Spearheaded by Dr. Catherine Halsey, the Mark IV was a radical redesign of the previous iterations. Most notably, it used an embedded miniature fusion reactor within the armour itself to power the suit, eliminating the cumbersome external generators that had plagued previous iterations. The MJOLNIR Mark IV armor was first fielded in November 27, 2525 and remained in service until November 24, 2551,<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=BWU_012910 '''Bungie.net''': ''Bungie Weekly Update: 01.29.10'']</ref> though it received innumerable iterative upgrades in the interim.

====Mark V====

====Black====

====Mark VI====

====Mark VII====

===GEN2 - Second generation===

===GEN3 - Third generation===

MJOLNIR GEN3 is the third generation of Mjolnir armor, incorporating lessons learned from GEN2 line of Mjolnir, while also seeking to restore some of the favorable design characteristics and materials of the GEN1 line.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22p85|Enc22|Page=85}} GEN1 Mark VII was used as the testbed for GEN3 improvements and when GEN3 Mjolnir began to be produced in [[2559#February|February 2559]],{{Ref/Reuse|HOSFM}}{{Ref/Generic|Id=DH|[[Discover Hope]]}} Mark VII would for the first time receive a full production run.{{Ref/Site|Id=CFDespite|D=30|M=3|Y=2023|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/despite-distance|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Despite Distance}} GEN3 introduced numerous upgrades when compared to the GEN2 platform, including enhanced energy shielding capabilities, a more compact and efficient fusion reactor, and variable-density hydrostatic gel dispersal membranes. While GEN3 did increase the overall use of exotic composites, several innovations in the manufacturing process and a refinement of the platform's modularity have resulted in a suit of armor that is more cost-effective and versatile than both previous generations.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22p85}} By [[2559#October|October 2559]], GEN3 Mjolnir armor would become the standard armor generation fielded by Spartans,{{Ref/Novel|Id=SOR2|SoR|Chapter 16}} though other armor systems such as the GEN1 [[B-class Mjolnir|Mark V[B]]] platform and its variants have been upgraded to be roughly equivalent to GEN3 Mjolnir, offering Spartans greater choice in the Mjolnir they field.{{Ref/Site|Id=CFParallel|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/parallel-threads|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Parallel Threads|D=30|M=3|Y=2023}}

The inner structure of the suit{{Ref/Book|Id=encyc91|[[Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition)]]|Section=Project: MJOLNIR|Page=91}} is a layer of piezoelectric liquid crystal that deforms along a preferred axis when exposed to an electric charge.{{Ref/Reuse|journaljul}} This layer acts as a sheath or a suit of artificial muscle; this reactive piezoelectric effect increases the mobility, speed, and all-around physical performance of the suit's user,{{Ref/Reuse|journaljul}} doubling their strength and increasing the reaction time of the user by a multiple of five. The material is amorphous, which circumvents a major obstacle in its design: custom fitting millions of the polygonal pieces under the second armor layer.{{Ref/Reuse|journalsep}} Knitted together at a molecular level the liquid crystal material is merely "poured" into a multilayered Sierpinski capillary system where microelectric fields can direct crystallization geometries.{{Ref/Reuse|journalsep}} The only downfall is the material's production, which involves classified super-toxic precursor materials and requires a zero-gravity environment.{{Ref/Reuse|journalsep}}  

[[File:H4-MJOLNIR-Skinsuit.jpg|thumb|300px|The [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI|MJOLNIR Mark VI]]'s nanocomposite bodysuit.]]

The outer shell of the Mjolnir armor is composed 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 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.{{Ref/Reuse|ENCY3}}   

File:MCC-H4Marks.png|Mark V, Mark VI, and [[Project KEYSTONE|Keystone]] in ''Halo 4''.

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