MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark V[B]

The complete Mark V[B] armor set

The MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark V[B] is the initial production model of the Mark V MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor. It entered service with the SPARTAN-IIs and select SPARTAN-IIIs on November 24, 2551.^[1]

Background

The first mainline model of the MJOLNIR PAA to incorporate energy shielding technology, the Mark V[B] is largely similar to the final version of the Mark V. The only major difference between the two is the [B] variant's lack of an accompanying upgrade to the wearer's neural lace enabling the wearer to interface with a smart AI. This did not come to fruition until John-117 and Cortana successfully tested the final Mark V on August 29, 2552.^[1]

Along with the Mark V[M] and Mark VI[A] variants, the Mark V[B] is designed and manufactured by private organizations hired by the UNSC rather than developed by the Materials Group due to numerous problems with funding. The Mark V[B] was the default armor set issued to members of SPECWAR Group Three, including NOBLE Team. While most members of the team modified their Mark V[B] suits to varying extents, Thom-293 wore a full, unaltered set of Mark V[B] armor.^[2]

The Mark V[B] helmet's only adopter was SPECWAR Group Three.^[3] Its physical architecture was already in by April 2526, as were precursors to the standard Mark V^[4] and the Mark VI.^[5] Due to the Mark V[B] helmet's limited issue, Spartans outside SPECWAR Group Three wore an upgraded version of the original Mark IV helmet in conjunction with their Mark V[B] suits.^[3]^[6] This model would later be used for the final iteration of the Mark V.

Gameplay characteristics

The Mark V[B] is the default suit of armor in Halo: Reach.^[1] The second and final generation of the Mark V is seen in Halo: Combat Evolved.^[6] The helmet is the only component of the set that can be specifically selected in the armory.

Helmet

Price: N/A (Default)
This helmet is the starting helmet for all players, and is purchased and equipped by default. Currently, there are two upgrades available for the Mark V[B] helmet; the UA (up-armored) upgrade for 750 cR (This is a combination of both of the Beta upgrades); and the UA/HUL, for 1500 cR, which adds an External Hardened Uplink to the right side of the helmet, redesigned from the Beta.

Trivia

In the Halo: Reach Multiplayer Beta, there were two upgrades available for the Mark V[B] helmet. An External Command Network Module or "CNM", standard issue to Special Forces unit commanders (1000 cR), and an External Hardened Uplink or "HUL", required for sensitive operations (5000 cR).^[7] The CNM and HUL attachments as seen in the Beta were merged into a single attachment, the UA upgrade, for the final game. The HUL is now an additional camera/sensor-like attachment on the side of the helmet, rather than being located on the top.
While both the Mark V[B] and FJ/PARA shoulder pauldrons were present in the Halo: Reach Multiplayer Beta, the Mark V[B] shoulders were changed to the FJ/PARA variant in the final game. In the final version of the game the Mark V[B] has no shoulder pauldron permutations.^[3]
In the marketing campaign for Halo: Reach, an exclusive armor piece would be given to players who preordered the game. During this time the armor piece was known as the "UA/Multi-Threat Mark V[B]." Any relation of this armor piece to the Mark V [B] is absent in the game.
In Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn, Fred-104's helmet resembles the Mark V[B]'s. In the real world, this is because the production team reused Thom-293's Mark V[B] helmet from the Deliver Hope short.

Gallery

Noble Six wearing a default Mark V[B] suit
The Mark V[B] suit on male and female Spartans
Reach concept-MkV(B).jpg

Concept art of the Mark V[B] helmet
The base Mark V[B], and its two upgrades
Overview of the Mark V[B] helmet
Up-armored Mark V[B] worn by Thom-293
The Mark V[B] shoulder plate as seen in Halo: Reach Beta Armory. Note that the pauldron is a part of the FJ/PARA variant in the final game.
Fred-104's Mark IV variant helmet, which later served as the basis for the Mark V[B]'s design