RECON-class Mjolnir

“

Ankara's renowned IMC took ownership of RECON production after the war.

”

Recon
GEN2 GEN1 Mark VI GEN1 Mark V
Production overview
Manufacturer(s):	Materials Group (GEN1) Imbrium Machine Complex (GEN2)
Testing site(s):	B5D Ordnance Testing Facility (GEN1) Anakara Resiliency Chamber (GEN2)
Type:	MJOLNIR (GEN1) Mark V Mark VI MJOLNIR (GEN2) MJOLNIR (GEN3) (Compatible)
Role(s):	Stealth operations

RECON-class Mjolnir, also designated as the MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/R variant, is a stealth-oriented variant of the MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor that was originally commissioned by the Office of Naval Intelligence and developed by the Materials Group, with the [GEN2] version being manufactured by the Imbrium Machine Complex.

GEN1 overview

Design details

The Recon armor was designed to provide the wearer with stealth capabilities and with little or no loss of endurance, specifically by reducing its infrared signature, reflective surfaces, and Cherenkov radiation emission. The visor of the Recon helmet employed the B5D-R/Optics Suite. On the MJOLNIR Mark V platform, the SAP/RECON shoulder pads served as armored active electronically scanned array panels; this functionality was inherited by its [GEN3] successor, the UA/Valens shoulder pads. There is also a non-Mjolnir version of the Recon variant used by ONI, the ODST S-1/ONI Recon BDU.

Development history

A prototype was created prior to the Fall of Reach concurrently with the Mark VI Prototype. Like the Mark VI Prototype, the armor underwent field tests to improve the final model. Before being finalized Recon was already shown to reduce armor silhouettes without decreasing survivability.

The Recon armor was developed parallel to the Scout armor in the Office of Naval Intelligence's Beta-5 Division Ordnance Testing Facility in Swanbourne, Perth, Western Australia.

In the post-war era, custom-built upgraded and up-armored RECON [GEN1] helmets remain in service with individual ONI operatives. Such helmets, equipped with cutting-edge stealth and cyberwarfare suites, were used by ONI teams responsible for information sanitation operations on Created-occupied Earth. As late as 2560, GEN1 Recon could still be requisitioned by Spartans, upgraded to be roughly equivalent to GEN3.

Usage

Recon helmets were invaluable for Spartan technical reconnaissance and electronic surveillance teams deployed in support of Operation: RED FLAG during the final year of the Human-Covenant War. SPARTAN-B312 applied to use the Recon armor in its Mark V testing phase, and was given permission to use it. After the Human-Covenant War, the Mark V helmet was worn by Hazel-A302 during her travels at Outpost Discovery.

ONI operative Captain Veronica Dare wore the S-1/ONI Recon BDU version of the helmet. Updated Recon armor was also used by Kilo-Five members Vasily Beloi and Malcolm Geffen.

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  Mark V Recon prototype variant.

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  Upgraded Mark V Recon prototype variant ordered by SPARTAN-B312.

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  Mark VI Recon variant.

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  Captain Veronica Dare wearing the S-1/ONI Recon helmet.

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  Dare's Recon helmet with its visor depolarized.

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  Hazel-A302 wearing her Mark V Recon helmet.

GEN2 overview

Design details

The helmet's visor system was changed to an APL-72 visor system. The chest has an infrared signature modulator, and an X900-Boulder emission shroud (IMC-spec). The reactor pack has a Bravado-120-B4 fitted stabilizer for masking reactor footprint.

It offers improved movement stabilizers and adjustable shield distribution channels for versatility during deep-field reconnaissance.

The GEN2 Recon helmet also contains a highly classified Auspex battlenet uplink featuring state-of-the-art ONI counter-cyberintrusion and firewall routines. The armor itself is fitted with emissions baffling and plasma electronic support activity sensors for observation missions behind enemy lines.

The greaves are an off-market system that feature exposed shield conduits.

Development history

As a result of the UNSC Ordnance Commission in 2553, Imbrium Machine Complex took over production of the Recon variant after the Human-Covenant War, where they refined and improved the existing architecture. The GEN2 variant was tested at Anakara Resiliency Chamber with it being quickly done, as by January 2553 a copy of the armor was on board the UNSC Infinity. The GEN2 Recon helmet's design became the basis for the GEN3 TRAILBLAZER-class Mjolnir helmet.

Usage

Most operators indicate the armor has a notably higher resiliency and much leaner reaction-time margin. The GEN2 armor was worn by Yeong-hao Holst, one of the first Spartan-IVs, during the Raid on UNSC Infinity in 2553. It also saw use by Spartan Anthony Madsen during the Requiem Campaign in 2557, and by Spartan Newman during the Battle of Ealen IV a year later. During Operation: VERTICAL UMBRAGE on February 14, Bonita Stone used the Recon GEN2 armor.

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  Yeong-hao Holst in his GEN2 Recon armor in 2553.

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  Anthony Madsen wearing GEN2 Recon armor during the Requiem Campaign.

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  Spartan Newman wearing GEN2 Recon armor during the Battle of Ealen IV.

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  Bonita Stone wearing GEN2 Recon armor during Operation: VERTICAL UMBRAGE.

In-game information

Halo 3 - Mark VI GEN1

The Recon armor was first unveiled on Bungie Day 2007, in a piece of artwork created by Isaac Hannaford. This followed the unveiling of the new armor permutations system, though only the Mark VI, EVA and CQB sets were detailed. The Recon armor remained a mystery until launch, when it was revealed as an exclusive set awarded by Bungie to community members for specific accomplishments that impressed the Bungie staff. The launch of Halo 3: ODST in late 2009 saw the Road to Recon challenge unveiled; players who unlocked all of the Vidmaster Challenges across Halo 3 and ODST were prompted to visit Bungie.net, whereupon they would be able to click an "Unlock My Recon" button in their service record.

The Road to Recon was discontinued in 2012, with the transition of all Bungie.net stat-tracking and online services to Halo Waypoint; as such the Recon armor is now unattainable in an Xbox 360 copy of Halo 3 without the use of modding. To compensate, 343 Industries unlocked the armor for all Xbox LIVE accounts in two waves around this time, though any accounts made since then will be unable to benefit from this.

In the Halo: The Master Chief Collection edition of Halo 3, the Recon armor (like all Halo 3 permutations) is unlocked by default.

Armor	Description	Unlock requirements (Halo 3)	Unlock requirements (Halo: MCC)
Recon	Helmet: The Mjolnir VI/R variant was developed concurrently with the Mjolnir Mark VI Powered Assault Armor. The goal was to increase stealth capability without impacting endurance.	Be granted the Recon armour by Bungie (2007-2009) Complete all Vidmaster Challenges in Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST (September 2009-March 2012) Unlocked for all Halo 3 players in two waves by 343 Industries (No longer attainable for new accounts)	Unlocked by default.
	Shoulder: In developing the Mjolnir VI/R variant, the goal was to increase the armor's overall stealth capabilities with little or no loss of endurance. This was achieved by relying on several tried-and-true methods.
	Chest: In developing the Mjolnir Mark VI Powered Assault Armor/R, the emphasis was to increase stealth capability, specifically by reducing it's IR signature, reflective surfaces, and Cherenkov radiation emission.
	MCC: The goal of the RECON variant was to increase stealth capability without impacting endurance.

Halo: Reach - Mark V GEN1

"The MJOLNIR, Prototype[R] is being developed concurrently with the Mark VI MJOLNIR PAA."

The Recon set returns in Halo: Reach, though largely unrelated to its Halo 3 predecessor in visuals. The Recon helmet was the subject of the game's pre-order bonus, with such purchases allowing players to use the Recon helmet with the UA/HUL[3] attachment on day one - this specific helmet variant cannot be unlocked any other way. The other Recon helmet, chest and shoulder armor types are unlockable in the game's purchase system via the use of cR. In Halo: The Master Chief Collection, the Recon set (including pre-order bonus) is attainable in the Season 1: Noble progression system, with an additional robot arm variant of the Tactical/Recon chest introduced in Series 5: Anvil.

Armor	Description	Unlock requirements (Halo: Reach)	Unlock requirements (Halo: MCC)
Recon helmet	Data gathered from these field tests will be used to improve the final production model.	Colonel, 100,000 cR	Series 1, Tier 3 ( 1)
Recon (HUL)	External hardened uplink for MILINT acquisistion; reserved for sensitive OPs.	Colonel, 75,000 cR	Series 1, Tier 74 ( 1)
Recon (UA/HUL [3])	Up-armored variant with hardened 3rd-generation uplink module for MILINT acquisition.	Pre-order Halo: Reach.	Series 1, Tier 10 ( 1)
Recon shoulders	The MJOLNIR[R] prototype reduces armor silhouette without decreasing survivability.	Corporal, 1,500 cR	Series 1, Tier 22 ( 1)
Tactical/Recon chest	Everything you need to find everything you need to find out.	Warrant Officer, 1,500 cR	Series 1, Tier 44 ( 1)
Tactical/Recon [R] chest	Spartans get all the best tech.	N/A	Series 5 Tier 70, ( 1)

Halo 4 - GEN2

Recon was one of the armor permutations to return, albeit redesigned for GEN2, in Halo 4. The helmet bears similarities to previous iterations, though the chest and shoulders have little design lineage. In The Master Chief Collection, the Recon set was available by default, though the introduction of armor customization in Series 4: Reclaimer saw the return of the SURGE skin, previously unusable in Halo 4.

Armor	Description	Unlock requirements (Halo 4)	Unlock requirements (Halo: MCC)
Recon	Description (H4): Ankara's reowned IMC took ownership of RECON production after the war.	Reach	Unlocked by default.
	Helmet description (MCC): IMC's take on the classic helmet pattern.
	Shoulders description (MCC): Modular left/right spaulder from Recon-class armor.
	Chest description (MCC): Final evaluations conducted in the Anakara Resilience Chamber.
N/A Recon Surge (SURG) skin	Description (H4):	Complete the Covenant Loadout Mastery commendation.	Unlocked by default.
	Helmet description (MCC) Recon helmet customized with SURGE coating.
	Shoulder description (MCC) Recon left/ right spaulder customized with SURGE coating.
	Chest description (MCC) Recon chassis customized with SURGE coating.

Halo 5: Guardians - Upgraded GEN1 and GEN2

The Halo 4 design of Recon returns in Halo 5: Guardians. The helmet and body armor are unlockable through the Requisition system. The body armor includes the Recon chest and shoulders, the Contoured forearms and an unknown leg model. The Classic Helmet REQ Pack saw the addition of the Recon (GEN1) helmet, based on the design seen in Halo: Reach. The GEN2 Recon set has three skins; RSO, BDA and ITG.

Helmet	Description	Unlock requirements (Halo 5: Guardians)
Recon GEN1 (helmet)	ONI teams responsible for information sanitization operations on Created-occupied Earth have access to cutting-edge stealth and cyberwarfare suites. Among these tools are upgraded and up-armored RECON [GEN1] helmets custom-made for individual operatives.	Rare REQ card Unlock the Classic Helmet REQ Pack for 1,250
Recon GEN2 (helmet)	The heavily classified Auspex battlenet uplink in the RECON helmet contains the latest counter-cyberintrusion and firewall routines from ONI.	Common REQ card
Recon RSO (helmet skin)	The heavily classified Auspex battlenet uplink in the RECON helmet contains the latest counter-cyberintrusion and firewall routines from ONI.	Uncommon REQ card
Recon BDA (helmet skin)	The heavily classified Auspex battlenet uplink in the RECON helmet contains the latest counter-cyberintrusion and firewall routines from ONI.	Rare REQ card
Recon ITG (helmet skin)	The heavily classified Auspex battlenet uplink in the RECON helmet contains the latest counter-cyberintrusion and firewall routines from ONI.	Ultra Rare REQ card
Recon GEN2 (body)	RECON armor is fitted with emissions baffling and passive electronic support activity sensors for observation missions behind enemy lines.	Common REQ card
Recon RSO (body skin)	RECON armor is fitted with emissions baffling and passive electronic support activity sensors for observation missions behind enemy lines.	Uncommon REQ card
Recon BDA (body skin)	RECON armor is fitted with emissions baffling and passive electronic support activity sensors for observation missions behind enemy lines.	Rare REQ card
Recon ITG (body skin)	RECON armor is fitted with emissions baffling and passive electronic support activity sensors for observation missions behind enemy lines.	Ultra Rare REQ card

Halo Infinite - Upgraded GEN1

The Mark V Recon helmet and its attachments are available for multiplayer Spartan armor customization on the Mark V [B] armor core in Halo Infinite. The Recon shoulders are available under the SAP series of shoulder pads.

Helmet	Manufacturer	Lore	Rarity	Unlock Requirements
RECON	Materials Group	RECON helmets were invaluable for Spartan technical reconnaissance and electronic surveillance teams deployed in support of Operation: RED FLAG during the final year of the Covenant War.	Legendary	Season 01: Heroes of Reach Battle Pass level 45 (Premium)
TAC/Recon Package	Misriah Armory	Field Rig Romeo is a popular nickname for this arrangement of tactical gear.	Rare	Season 01: Heroes of Reach Battle Pass level 43 (Premium)
SAP/RECON	Materials Group	Armored AAESA panels associated with RECON armor.	Rare	Right: Noble Intention Event Pass level 1 Left: Noble Intention Event Pass level 2

Attachments

• CNM/BNR/FARNDALE
• CNM/BNR/TYPHON
• HUL(3)/BNR/COURIER PEARL
• HUL-I/XFTREC/FLAMINGO
• TAC/RS/STARLIGHT
• UA/Type O5

Trivia

• On 7/7/09, players that beat a team of Bungie employees in Matchmaking were awarded Recon Armor.
• Unlocking the Vidmaster Endure Achievement will unlock Dare's Recon helmet as a wearable "hat" for the player's Xbox LIVE avatar.
• On March 31, 2012 Bungie.net transferred all Halo 3 and Halo: Reach record-keeping to Halo Waypoint. As part of the transition Recon armor was unlocked by default for all online Halo 3 profiles.
• BDA is a military acronym for "battle damage assessment", ITG is "Initial Terminal Guidance", and RSO can mean both "Range Safety Officer" (in rocketry) and "Radiation Safety Officer".

Gallery

Browse more images in this article's gallery page.

Halo 3

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  Concept art of the Recon armor.

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  The Recon armor on Halo 3: Mythic.

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  A frontal view of the Mark VI Recon armor.

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  A Spartan-II clad in full Recon armor.

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  A Spartan-II clad in full Recon armor.

Halo: Reach

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  Concept art of the Recon helmet.

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  A render of the Recon helmet with the UA/HUL[3] attachments.

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  A render of the Recon helmet with the UA/HUL[3] attachments.

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  The Recon base in gameplay.

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  Recon, with the UA/HUL[3] attachment in gameplay.

Halo 4

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  Concept art for Recon's GEN2 redesign (middle row, second-left).

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  Concept art of the Recon armor.

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  Three-dimensional models of the MJOLNIR (GEN2) Recon helmet and torso armor.

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  Three-dimensional models of the Recon leg armor.

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  Front render of the Recon armor in Halo 4.

Halo 5: Guardians

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  The Recon helmet in the Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta.

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  The GEN1 Recon helmet in the final release of Halo 5: Guardians.

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  GEN1 Recon with the GEN2 Recon skins in Halo 5: Guardians.

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  A Spartan-IV wearing GEN2 Recon armor preparing for War Games in the HCS season 2 trailer.

Halo 5: Guardians skins

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  Default skin.

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  RSO skin.

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  BDA skin.

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  ITG skin.

Halo Infinite

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  A Recon-clad Spartan wielding an MA40 assault rifle on Fragmentation.

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  A Recon-clad Spartan sprinting with a Posu'gelka-pattern needler on Launch Site.

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  A Recon-clad Spartan sprinting with an MA40 assault rifle on Fragmentation.

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  A Spartan-IV (far left) wearing GEN1 Recon on Live Fire.

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  A Recon helmet on the Hazmat core.

List of appearances

• Halo 3 (First appearance)
• Halo 3: ODST
• Halo: Reach
• Halo: Glasslands
• Halo: The Thursday War
• Halo 4
• Halo: Initiation
• Halo: Escalation
• Halo 5: Guardians
• Halo Mythos
• Halo: Bad Blood
• Halo: Outpost Discovery
• Halo Infinite