Editing Powered exoskeleton

{{Wikipedia|Powered exoskeleton}}
{{Era|Forerunner|Human|UNSC|HCW|Post}}
[[File:Ih onyx cover.jpg|250px|thumb|Several Spartans in powered exoskeletons: <small>(L-R)</small> the MJOLNIR Mark V, the MJOLNIR Mark VI, and the Mark II SPI armor.]]
A [[Wikipedia:Powered exoskeleton|'''powered exoskeleton''']] is a mobile machine consisting primarily of a skeleton-like framework worn by a person and a power supply that supplies at least part of the activation energy for limb movement.

==Description==
Powered exoskeletons are designed to physically assist and, in many cases, protect the wearer. They may be designed to assist and protect soldiers and construction workers, or to allow people to survive in other dangerous environments. A wide medical market exists for powered exoskeletons to provide mobility assistance for aged and infirm people. Other possibilities include rescue work, such as in collapsed buildings, in which the device might allow a rescue worker to lift heavy debris, while simultaneously protecting him from falling rubble.

The [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor]] designed by [[Catherine Halsey|Dr. Catherine Halsey]] is the most sophisticated UNSC powered armor project so far. As one of its main strengths, the MJOLNIR system eschews traditional mechanized joints in favor of a strength-enhancing layer of [[Polymerized lithium niobocene|electroactive liquid crystal]] and provides a cybernetic link which boosts the wearer's reactions by a factor of five.<ref>'''Dr. Halsey's personal journal'''</ref> While it is the most successful UNSC powered armor project, MJOLNIR is by no means the only effort to physically augment soldiers in combat. The [[HRUNTING Mark III (B) Cyclops|HRUNTING Mark III [B] Cyclops]] and the [[HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL Mark I ADS|HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL Mark I]] were exoskeleton systems derived from earlier prototypes developed by exoskeleton programs which predated MJOLNIR.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 44''</ref> Large-scale powered exoskeletons became more common in the years following the Human-Covenant War, with at least one model, the [[HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL Mark IX Mantis|Mantis]], seeing battlefield use.

The [[Semi-Powered Infiltration armor]] predominantly used by the [[Spartan-III]] supersoldiers provides modest physical enhancement<ref name="HM">'''[[Halo Mythos]]''', ''pages 76-77''</ref> as well as a rudimentary [[active camouflage]] by means of [[photoreactive panel]]s, allowing covert operations in enemy territory.<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''page 16''</ref> [[RKD]], an Earth think-tank, created [[Project HAYABUSA]] concurrently with MJOLNIR and while the two were developed separately, they share many characteristics, and are interchangeable to a degree.<ref>'''[[Halo 3]]'''</ref>

In [[2558]], [[Michael Crespo]] wore an older suit of [[ODST armor]] from the early [[Human-Covenant war]], which apparently had an exoskeleton installed in it. It was noted to be significantly less capable than MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor.<ref>'''[[Halo: Bad Blood]]''', ''Chapter 17''</ref>

The [[Forerunners]]' [[Forerunner personal armor|personal armor]] offered powered support to some extent. For combat use, they also developed armor suits known as [[combat skin]]s, using a class system based on numbers, on which the MJOLNIR Mark V<ref>'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', campaign level ''[[The Library]]''</ref> and Mark VI<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Halo (Halo 3 level)|Halo]]''</ref> would be rated Class 2.

==Known powered exoskeletons==
There are form fitting exoskeleton suits that act as armor, and there are larger exoskeletons that act as vehicles.
===Armored suits===
====[[Forerunner]]====
*'''[[Forerunner personal armor|Personal armor]]''' - Body-assist armor worn by virtually all Forerunners in everyday life
**'''[[Combat skin]]''' - Armor worn by Forerunners in battle

====[[Human]]====
*'''[[Project HAYABUSA|Hayabusa Powered Assault Armor]]''' - A UNSC powered armor system similar to the MJOLNIR armor
*'''[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor]]''' - The performance-enhancing body armor first used by the [[SPARTAN-II program|SPARTAN-IIs]] and later by [[SPARTAN programs|all Spartans]]
**'''[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor#Mark I|Mark I]]''', '''[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor#Mark II|Mark II]]''', and '''[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor#Mark III|Mark III]]''' - Prototype iterations of MJOLNIR, created before the first production model.
**'''[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark IV|Mark IV]]''' - First iteration of MJOLNIR to entire mass production and see combat service
**'''[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark V|Mark V]]''' - Introduced energy shields and [[artificial intelligence]] housing
**'''[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI|Mark VI]]''' - Introduced automated [[biofoam]] injectors
**'''[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VII|Mark VII]]''' - Last of GEN1.  Only known use is by [[Naomi-010]]
**'''[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor (GEN2)|GEN2]]''' - A broad array of suits developed [[Post-Covenant War conflicts|after]] the [[Human-Covenant War]]
**'''[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor (GEN3)|GEN3]]'''
*'''[[Semi-Powered Infiltration armor]]''' - The armor used by most [[SPARTAN-III program|SPARTAN-IIIs]]
*'''[[Nightfall armor]]''' - A suit of powered armor used by ONI operatives on missions in hazardous environments
=====[[Ancient humanity|Ancient human]]=====
*'''[[Ancient humanity#Technology|Ancient human battle armor suit]]''' - This powered armor was used by Ancient humans during Human-Forerunner wars. This armor works very similar to [[Combat Skin]].<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 112''</ref>

====[[San'Shyuum]]====
*'''[[Fighting skin]]''' - Highly advanced powered armor worn by [[Prelate]] in battle.
====[[Sangheili]]====			
*'''[[Sangheili harness]]''' - The powered armor worn by Sangheili. It also boosts the speed and strength of its user, though it remains less effective than the [[human]]-made [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor]].{{Ref/Book|Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition)|Page=131|Quote='''The Elite Combat Harness is the standard armor used by the Sangheili in all Covenant conflicts. Similar to the Spartans' mark VI in that it boosts speed and strength while adding a personal energy shield, the armor is actually less advanced and can withstand less damage than a Spartan's armor.'''}}

====[[Jiralhanae]]====
*'''[[Atriox#Equipment|Atriox's armor]]''' - Atriox dons an augmented power gauntlet which artificially enhances his strength to a significant degree.{{Citation needed}}

===Vehicles/Mechs===
====[[Forerunner]]====
* '''[[War Sphinx]]'''
* '''[[Seeker (vehicle)|Seeker]]'''

====[[Human]]====
*'''[[Cargo walker]]'''
*'''HRUNTING and YGGDRASIL'''
**'''[[HRUNTING Mark III (B) Exoskeleton]]''' - Also known as the Cyclops; a large exoskeleton mainly designed for non-combat tasks, such as construction and dock work
**'''[[HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL Mark I ADS|HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL Mark I Armor Defense System]]''' - An advanced development of a pre-MJOLNIR exoskeleton system
**'''[[HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL Mark II (D) armor system|HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL Mark II [D] Armor Defense System]]''' - Also known as the Mega-Mantis, a very large armored fighting vehicle akin to the later Mark IX "Mantis"
**'''[[Colossus|HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL Mark II [J] Armor Defense System]]''' - Also known as the Colossus, a successor to an older exoskeleton in the same line, the HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL Mark II [D]
**'''[[Mark IX Mantis ADS|HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL Mark IX Armor Defense System]]''' - A powered exoskeleton/armored fighting vehicle used by the [[UNSC Marine Corps]] after the [[Human-Covenant War]]
*'''[[Mark I prototype exoskeleton]]''' - A powered exoskeleton prototype, which was worn by trainers during combat training with [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan-II]] trainees.
*'''[[Mark III exoskeleton]]''' - A powered exoskeleton which would later be adopted by Project: HRUNTING, producing the Cyclops.
*'''[[Munitions loader]]'''
*'''[[Skyfire Exosuit]]'''
*'''[[Unidentified powered exoskeleton]]''' - A powered exoskeleton prototype, predating MJOLNIR.

====[[Unggoy]]====
*'''[[Goblin]]''' - A bipedal battlesuit of Unggoy design

====[[Jiralhanae]]====
*'''[[Decimus' exoskeleton]]''' - a custom combat suit worn by [[Atriox]]'s right hand
*'''[[Breacher Exosuit]]'''

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Halo3MC.png|The MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI.
File:HWunit Cyclops.png|A HRUNTING Mark III (B) Exoskeleton.
File:HRUNTING YGGDRASIL.png|A HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL Mark I Prototype Armor Defense System.
File:Cyclops mark II.jpg|A HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL Mark II [D] armor system under construction.
File:UNSC Mantis.png|A HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL Mark IX Armor Defense System.
File:H5G - Goblin render.jpg|A Goblin, a powered exoskeleton built by Unggoy.
File:HW2 Decimus mech.png|An exoskeleton piloted by [[Decimus]].
File:H4-Concept-PreHuman-Armor.jpg|Designs of an ancient human battle armor suit.
File:H4-Terminal-PreHuman-Death.jpg|An ancient human battle armor suit being used in combat.
File:TemTem.png|[[Tem'Bhetek]] wearing the Fighting skin.
File:Elites Comparison.jpg|thumb|300px|Three varieties of [[Sangheili harness]].
File:Halo 2 Anniversary Zealot.png|A Sangheili Zealot wearing the combat harness in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
File:H2A-ArbiterThelVadam-Render.jpg|An early model of Thel in [[Arbiter body armor|Arbiter armor]] in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
File:HaloMythos-H2A-ArbiterThelVadam.png|Half-body shot of Thel 'Vadam in [[Arbiter body armor|Arbiter armor]] in ''Halo 2: Anniversary'', as shown in ''Halo Mythos''.
</gallery>

==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}

{{Armor}}
{{UNSC Vehicles}}

[[Category:Armor]]