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{{era|UNSC|HCW}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Ratings}}
[[File:H3 Crate M52B.png|thumb|A UNSC crate containing first version models of M52B body armor.]]
[[File:Marine halo 2.png|250px|thumb|right|A Marine wearing the M52B body armor with the CH252 helmet.]]
'''M52B body armor''' is a designation for certain armored protective vests worn by members of the [[UNSC Marine Corps]]. M52B body armor is usually worn with the [[CH252 helmet]] for greater ballistic protection. Nicknames for the body armor include BA, BO, Gear, and Shell.<ref name="ENC">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''', ''page 49''</ref>
The '''M52B Body Armor''' is an armored protective vest worn by members of the [[UNSC Marine Corps]]. It is a key component of the [[UNSC Marine Corps Battle Dress Uniform|Marine Corps Battle Dress Uniform]].<ref>'''Halo 2''', [[List of UNSC crates|crates]]</ref> It is usually worn with the [[CH252 Helmet]] for greater ballistic protection. Nicknames for the body armor include BA, BO, Gear, and Shell.<ref name="HE">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', ''page 49''</ref>


==Design==
M52B body armor is a designation encompassing at least two versions of general-use protective torso-wear primarily utilised by the [[UNSC Marine Corps]].{{Ref/Note|The [[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]], when referring to the M52B body armor, does so alongside illustrations of UNSC infantrymen as they appear in their [[Halo 3]] style. However, in-game crates can be found within [[Halo 2]], Halo 3 and [[Halo 3: ODST]] which depict the Halo 2 depiction of Marine body armor, labelled as M52B body armor. In addition, [[Halo: Uprising]] features depictions of Marines in different instances that resemble both Halo 2 and Halo 3 incarnations, indicating that the relevant body armor systems exist alongside one another in-universe. Thus, this article treats both the Halo 2 and Halo 3 designs as canonical and separate versions that are both known as M52B body armor.}}


==Description==
===First variant===
The M52B body armor consists of 14.5 lb (6.58 kg) of olive-green armor plating over [[Fatigues|combat fatigues]].<ref name="HE"/> The body armor is worn like a vest over the torso, and seemingly consists of two parts. A number of ammunition pockets, holsters, and other features can be attached to the armor.
[[File:SSONM_MarineOfficer.jpg|thumb|A Marine [[Unidentified Marine officer (Mombasa)|officer]] donning the M52B armor.]]
The first version of the M52B body armor was worn by Marines in 2552 during the earlier stages of the [[Battle of Mombasa]]<ref>'''[[Halo Graphic Novel]], ''[[Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa]]''</ref> as well as the [[Battle of Cleveland]],<ref>'''[[Halo: Uprising]]'''</ref> and consists of a chestplate and backplate assembly with a supplemental abdominal plate and linked lower-back plate that collectively maximise torso coverage. The chest, abdominal and lower-back plates are frequently affixed with varying configurations of pouches. The chestplate and backplate themselves are distinguished by their relatively square overall shape and the shallow, shaped cut-outs over its surface. The chestplate reaches up to either side of the wearer's collar and entirely over the wearer's trapezius in order to connect with the backplate, lacking prominent buckles or straps. The abdomen plate links with the lower backplate around the wearer's side similarly. This version of the M52B does not feature any kind of vest layer between the plating and the wearer's uniform and lacks integrated pauldrons, though separate pauldrons are typically worn with it with their own distinct strapping system and the plating assemblies do feature a secondary inwards-facing material layer.<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]'''</ref> Crates on which this version of M52B body armor are depicted and labelled were commonly encountered throughout UNSC staging areas and combat zones during the [[Battle of Earth]], including the [[Crow's Nest (location)|Crow's Nest]] base near [[Voi]],<ref>'''[[Halo 3]]''', ''campaign level [[Crow's Nest]]''</ref> and the Marine holdout in the [[Uplift Nature Reserve]] Section B visitor center during the [[Battle of Mombasa]].<ref>'''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''', ''campaign level [[Uplift Reserve]]''</ref>


The M52B armor is extremely resilient against ballistic weaponry, though it can easily be damaged by [[plasma weaponry]]. The armor consists of several layers, some of which include a ballistic shock-absorbing gel layer and a heat reduction gel layer to help reduce velocity and felt shock from ballistics, shrapnel, and explosives as well as reducing the burn caused by plasma once it reaches flesh. This heat reduction layer also reduces the chance of the plasma penetrating by counter-acting and dissipating the heat, effectively disarming the blast. While this armor protects the wearer from harm caused by weaponry it also has temperature-regulation units integrated into it to keep the wearer at optimum performance while eliminating the need to change depending on the environment. This also reduces the enemies ability to track soldiers via thermal energy as it is mostly hidden beneath this armor.<ref>'''Halo Encyclopedia''', ''page ???''</ref>  
===Second variant===
{{clear}}
[[File:Body armor frontback.png|250px|thumb|Front and rear views of the second version of M52B armor.]]
The second version of the M52B body armor weighs 14.5 pounds (6.58 kilograms){{Ref/Reuse|ENC}} and features a heavy chestplate with a layered surface and characteristic buckled straps running over the user's trapezius to secure it against the backplate, along with connectors under the arms. An additional buckle is located centrally on the bottom of the chestplate, and the chestplate and backplate are worn over a vest of flexible black material which covers the entire torso and runs partially down the upper-arms. The arm coverage of the vest extends only over the outwards-facing portion of the arm, is strapped over the underside, and features integrated pauldron assemblies. Below the pauldrons on each side, small shapes extrude from the black material, textured by a number of circular cut-outs. This version of the M52B features a prominent protective collar around the side and back of the neck. It lacks an abdominal plate, instead sporting a raised, brown-coloured patch of additional material over the stomach which tapers into groin protection, and a flat-topped discoloured plate at the bottom of the back with two attachment loops on it. This version was utilised by [[Ghost (Marine)|Sergeant "Ghost"]] and his unit some time prior to its continued usage in the [[Algolis Invasion]],<ref>'''Halo Legends''', '''[[Prototype]]'''</ref> as well as heavily during the latter-stages of the Battle of Earth.<ref>'''[[Halo 3]]'''</ref>


==Service history==
==Performance==
[[File:Body armor frontback.png|250px|thumb|Frontal and rear views of the M52B armor.]]
Performance-wise, the M52B armor is lightweight and durable, capable of sustaining surprising amounts of damage before buckling. The pockets and pouches which are often affixed to M52B body armor systems are an efficient method of storage for sufficiently sized items.{{Ref/Reuse|ENC}}
The earliest known use of the M52B armor was during the [[Harvest Campaign]] in [[2531]], though its service was seemingly very limited.<ref>'''Halo Legends:''' ''Homecoming''</ref><ref>[[Ralph-303]] and [[Hauser]], who wore M52B body armor during the Harvest Campaign, were killed by a [[Type-33 Light Anti-Armor Weapon]]. This weapon was first encountered in 2531; the campaign ended around late February 2531.</ref> Marine personnel were equipped with the M52B body armor during the [[Battle of Kholo]] in [[2539]],<ref>''The Return'' motion comic</ref> during the [[Battle of Algolis]], which occurred at an unknown point in the war,<ref>'''Halo Legends:''' ''Prototype''</ref> and during an inspection of the prison barge ''[[Mona Lisa]]'' in [[2552#October|October 2552]].<ref>''The Mona Lisa'' motion comic</ref> However, the armor is not known to have seen widespread use until the [[Battle of Earth]], which began on October 20, 2552.


Prior to the adoption of the M52B, a [[UNSC Marine Corps Battle Dress Uniform#Halo Wars|different body armor system]] was used with the UNSC Marine Corps BDU during the [[Insurrection]] and the early years of the [[Human-Covenant War]]<ref name="Origins">'''Halo Legends:''' ''Origins''</ref><ref>'''[[Halo Wars]]'''</ref>; by the summer of 2552, this system had been replaced - at least on the planet [[Reach]] - by [[UNSC Marine Corps Battle Dress Uniform#Halo: Reach|another body armor model]].<ref>'''[[Halo: Reach]]'''</ref><ref>'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'''</ref> It is likely that Marine forces on [[Earth]] had already been outfitted with the M52B armor by this time, as it was ubiquitous during the Battle of Earth, which began two months after the [[Fall of Reach]].[[File:Armor Label.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Label of the M52B in a crate containing the armor.]]
==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Marine halo 2.png|The M52B body armor as it appears in its first version in ''Halo 2''.
File:H2 Crate M52B.png|A crate containing the M52B in ''Halo 2''.
File:Civilians.jpg|A Marine wearing the first version of the M52B in ''[[Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa]]''.
File:MMO MarineArmorTest 1.jpg|Variations of the ''Halo 2'' stylisation of the M52B from the now-cancelled [[Titan (canceled game)|''Halo'' MMO]].
File:MMO MarineArmorTest 2.jpg|Variations of the ''Halo 2'' stylisation of the M52B from the now-cancelled ''Halo'' MMO.
File:MMO MarineArmorTest 3.jpg|Variations of the ''Halo 2'' stylisation of the M52B from the now-cancelled ''Halo'' MMO.
File:M52B-BattleOfEarthMarines-Uprising.png|thumb|UNSC soldiers wearing the first version of M52B body armor as it appears in ''Halo: Uprising''.
File:M52BMarineInCleveland-Uprising.png|thumb|A UNSC Marine wearing the second version of M52B body armor in ''Halo: Uprising''.
File:M52Bmarinearmor.png|A Marine wearing full battle dress with the second version of the M52B, as it appears in ''Halo 3''.
File:Halo3-MarineConcept.png|Concept art for the M52B as it appears in its second version in ''Halo 3''.
</gallery>


==List of appearances==
==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo 2]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo 2]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''
**''[[Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa]]''
*''[[Halo: Uprising]]''
*''[[Halo: Landfall]]''
**''[[Halo: Arms Race]]''
**''[[Halo: Combat]]''
**''[[Halo: Last One Standing]]''
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
**[[The Return|''The Return'' - ''motion comic'']]
*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''
*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''
*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
**''[[The Mona Lisa]]''
**[[The Return|''The Return'' motion comic]]
*''[[Halo: Uprising]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[Origins]]''
**''[[Origins]]''
**''[[Prototype]]''
**''[[Prototype]]''
*''[[Halo: Combat]]''
*''[[Halo: Initiation]]''
**''[[Halo: Arms Race]]''
 
**''[[Halo: Combat]]''
==Notes==
**''[[Halo: Last One Standing]]''
{{Ref/Notes}}


== Sources ==
== Sources ==
<references/>
{{Ref/Sources}}


{{Armor}}
{{Armor|Human}}
[[Category:UNSC technology]]
[[Category:UNSC technology]]
[[Category:UNSC armor]]

Latest revision as of 11:29, April 12, 2023

A UNSC crate containing first version models of M52B body armor.

M52B body armor is a designation for certain armored protective vests worn by members of the UNSC Marine Corps. M52B body armor is usually worn with the CH252 helmet for greater ballistic protection. Nicknames for the body armor include BA, BO, Gear, and Shell.[1]

Design[edit]

M52B body armor is a designation encompassing at least two versions of general-use protective torso-wear primarily utilised by the UNSC Marine Corps.[Note 1]

First variant[edit]

The ONI Photographer and the Unnamed Marine Officer of Mombasa.
A Marine officer donning the M52B armor.

The first version of the M52B body armor was worn by Marines in 2552 during the earlier stages of the Battle of Mombasa[2] as well as the Battle of Cleveland,[3] and consists of a chestplate and backplate assembly with a supplemental abdominal plate and linked lower-back plate that collectively maximise torso coverage. The chest, abdominal and lower-back plates are frequently affixed with varying configurations of pouches. The chestplate and backplate themselves are distinguished by their relatively square overall shape and the shallow, shaped cut-outs over its surface. The chestplate reaches up to either side of the wearer's collar and entirely over the wearer's trapezius in order to connect with the backplate, lacking prominent buckles or straps. The abdomen plate links with the lower backplate around the wearer's side similarly. This version of the M52B does not feature any kind of vest layer between the plating and the wearer's uniform and lacks integrated pauldrons, though separate pauldrons are typically worn with it with their own distinct strapping system and the plating assemblies do feature a secondary inwards-facing material layer.[4] Crates on which this version of M52B body armor are depicted and labelled were commonly encountered throughout UNSC staging areas and combat zones during the Battle of Earth, including the Crow's Nest base near Voi,[5] and the Marine holdout in the Uplift Nature Reserve Section B visitor center during the Battle of Mombasa.[6]

Second variant[edit]

Front and rear views of the second version of M52B armor.

The second version of the M52B body armor weighs 14.5 pounds (6.58 kilograms)[1] and features a heavy chestplate with a layered surface and characteristic buckled straps running over the user's trapezius to secure it against the backplate, along with connectors under the arms. An additional buckle is located centrally on the bottom of the chestplate, and the chestplate and backplate are worn over a vest of flexible black material which covers the entire torso and runs partially down the upper-arms. The arm coverage of the vest extends only over the outwards-facing portion of the arm, is strapped over the underside, and features integrated pauldron assemblies. Below the pauldrons on each side, small shapes extrude from the black material, textured by a number of circular cut-outs. This version of the M52B features a prominent protective collar around the side and back of the neck. It lacks an abdominal plate, instead sporting a raised, brown-coloured patch of additional material over the stomach which tapers into groin protection, and a flat-topped discoloured plate at the bottom of the back with two attachment loops on it. This version was utilised by Sergeant "Ghost" and his unit some time prior to its continued usage in the Algolis Invasion,[7] as well as heavily during the latter-stages of the Battle of Earth.[8]

Performance[edit]

Performance-wise, the M52B armor is lightweight and durable, capable of sustaining surprising amounts of damage before buckling. The pockets and pouches which are often affixed to M52B body armor systems are an efficient method of storage for sufficiently sized items.[1]

Gallery[edit]

  • The M52B body armor as it appears in its first version in Halo 2.

    The M52B body armor as it appears in its first version in Halo 2.

  • A crate containing the M52B in Halo 2.

    A crate containing the M52B in Halo 2.

  • A Marine wearing the first version of the M52B in Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa.

    A Marine wearing the first version of the M52B in Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa.

  • Variations of the Halo 2 stylisation of the M52B from the now-cancelled Halo MMO.

    Variations of the Halo 2 stylisation of the M52B from the now-cancelled Halo MMO.

  • Variations of the Halo 2 stylisation of the M52B from the now-cancelled Halo MMO.

    Variations of the Halo 2 stylisation of the M52B from the now-cancelled Halo MMO.

  • Variations of the Halo 2 stylisation of the M52B from the now-cancelled Halo MMO.

    Variations of the Halo 2 stylisation of the M52B from the now-cancelled Halo MMO.

  • UNSC soldiers wearing the first version of M52B body armor as it appears in Halo: Uprising.

    UNSC soldiers wearing the first version of M52B body armor as it appears in Halo: Uprising.

  • A UNSC Marine wearing the second version of M52B body armor in Halo: Uprising.

    A UNSC Marine wearing the second version of M52B body armor in Halo: Uprising.

  • A Marine wearing full battle dress with the second version of the M52B, as it appears in Halo 3.

    A Marine wearing full battle dress with the second version of the M52B, as it appears in Halo 3.

  • Concept art for the M52B as it appears in its second version in Halo 3.

    Concept art for the M52B as it appears in its second version in Halo 3.

List of appearances[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ The Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition), when referring to the M52B body armor, does so alongside illustrations of UNSC infantrymen as they appear in their Halo 3 style. However, in-game crates can be found within Halo 2, Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST which depict the Halo 2 depiction of Marine body armor, labelled as M52B body armor. In addition, Halo: Uprising features depictions of Marines in different instances that resemble both Halo 2 and Halo 3 incarnations, indicating that the relevant body armor systems exist alongside one another in-universe. Thus, this article treats both the Halo 2 and Halo 3 designs as canonical and separate versions that are both known as M52B body armor.

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition), page 49
  2. ^ Halo Graphic Novel, Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa
  3. ^ Halo: Uprising
  4. ^ Halo 2
  5. ^ Halo 3, campaign level Crow's Nest
  6. ^ Halo 3: ODST, campaign level Uplift Reserve
  7. ^ Halo Legends, Prototype
  8. ^ Halo 3

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