MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor [GEN2]

Warrior, the mainline version of the GEN2 suit

The MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor [GEN2] is the second system-wide generation of the MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor. The GEN2 introduces many improvements to the suit's core architecture, specifically tailored for use by the SPARTAN-IV supersoldiers.^[1]^[2]^[3]

Background

The GEN2 was developed by the Materials Group as a response to the SPARTAN-IV project. The armor was designed to compensate for the SPARTAN-IVs' inferior physical augmentations in comparison to the previous two generations. As a result, the armor multiplies the strength of its wearer significantly more than the first-generation suits (comprising Marks IV through VI), granting the SPARTAN-IVs equal strength as their GEN1-equipped predecessors while wearing the suit.^[3] The GEN2 suit is also lighter in construction than the first-generation MJOLNIR line.^[1]^[2]

The GEN2 armor incorporates new ad hoc modification systems which allow the armor to use armor abilities, tactical packages, and support upgrades. GEN2 is produced by at least seven manufacturers, both within the military and among private contractors. Production of some GEN1 variants was shifted between corporate entities, while other contracts were transferred from the military to private industries.^[1] Like its GEN1 predecessors it is backwards compatible (through hardware and firmware upgrades) with previous armor systems, including the Mark V, the Mark VI, and the MJOLNIR variant of the ODST armor.^[4]

While the suit's primary production model bears less significance than in the previous MJOLNIR generations due to the GEN2's more distributed design philosophy, the Materials Group's Warrior variant is officially considered the mainline model of the GEN2 armor. Another prevalent model is the Recruit variant, which is issued to all SPARTAN-IVs upon induction.^[5]

Armor variants and upgrades

Air Assault - Utilized primarily by ONI security personnel on Earth's and Luna's space elevators and skyhooks.^{[note 1]}
Aviator - Required for use by Spartan F-41 Broadsword pilots
CIO - A variant for Counter-Intelligence Operators
Commando - A variant for special operations, upgraded from GEN1
Deadeye - Designed for snipers
Defender - Designed for general area denial and tactical defensive abilities
EOD - A variant designed to facilitate explosive ordnance disposal, upgraded from GEN1^[6]
Enforcer - A variant designed for remote security base detail
Engineer - A variant designed for repairing and reconfiguring technology in combat^[7]
EVA - A variant designed for extra-vehicular activity, upgraded from GEN1
FOTUS - A variant based on Forerunner technology^[8]
GUNGNIR - Upgrade of GEN1 model developed by Project GUNGNIR
HAZOP - A variant for environments considered too hazardous for standard equipment, upgraded from GEN1
Infiltrator - A variant designed for stealthy infiltration of enemy territory
LOCUS - A variant ideal for its resiliency
Mark V - Upgraded to function with the MJOLNIR [GEN2] suite
Mark VI - Upgraded to function with the MJOLNIR [GEN2] suite
Mark VII - One of the first MJOLNIR [GEN2] armor created
ODST - Upgraded to function with the MJOLNIR [GEN2] suite
Oceanic - Designed for combat in waterfront areas
Orbital - A variant designed for EVA activity
Operator - A variant designed to optimize vehicle operation, upgraded from GEN1^[7]
Pathfinder - A variant designed for missions in intel-poor environments^[6]
Pioneer - A variant designed for missions in unfamiliar, hostile environments^[7]
Prefect - A variant based on Forerunner personal armor^[4]
Protector - Variant designed for VIP security
Raider - A variant designed with Samurai-like aesthetics for intimidation of hostiles
Ranger - A variant designed for remote operatives engaging in hostile environmental conditions
Recon - A variant designed for stealth reconnaissance operations, upgraded from GEN1
Recruit - Issued to all SPARTAN-IV recruits prior to qualification for specialized models^[6]
Ricochet - A variant designed for use in Ricochet combat training exercises^[4]
Rogue - A variant designed for extended solo operations, upgraded from GEN1^[7]
Scanner - A variant designed to aid search-and-rescue teams
Scout - A variant designed for scouting operations, upgraded from GEN1
Soldier - A variant with extra storage space designed for battlefield support
Stalker - A variant designed to aid in covert shadowing of a target, derived from Jiralhanae Stalker stealth harnesses^[7]
Strider - A variant for jaunt-combat excursions in isolated theaters
Tracker - A variant designed to aid in long-range pursuit of targets^[7]
Vanguard - A variant designed for face-to-face enemy assaults
Venator - A variant optimized for single-enemy combat
Warrior - MJOLNIR's mainline armor kit
War Master - Lethbridge Industrial's most popular and most exotic armor
Wetwork - A variant designed for assassination operations^[7]
Unidentified training armor - A variant used in combat training exercises^[9]

The armor system is built to support a variety of attachments and equipment which allow it to utilize armor abilities. Some of them have been reverse-engineered from Covenant and Forerunner technology.

Active camouflage emitter - Affords the wearer a brief period of near-invisibility in addition to scrambling nearby motion detectors
Autosentry - A Forerunner-created support drone used to suppress enemy combatants
Hologram module - Creates a holographic projection of the user that can draw enemy fire
Hardlight shield - A shield made from hard light reverse-engineered from Forerunner technology
Overshield - A Covenant-developed technology that strengthens the user's energy shielding system
S-12 Jump-Jet Pack - Mitigates gravity, allowing mobility over challenging terrain
Promethean vision - A sonar-like Forerunner visual enhancement system that displays movement through solid objects
Regeneration field - Applies a force to remove hostiles from the presence of the user and then temporarily appropriates armor system functions, targeting biological and combat vitality-oriented armor functions in order to heal the user and repair the armor
Repel - Flash-freezes a small area, causing considerable harm to nearby personnel and equipment
Seeker drone - An explosive homing drone
Stun blast - Creates a short-range electromagnetic pulse (EMP) which interferes with all electronic equipment within the radius of the pulse
Teleport - Allows near-instantaneous transport over short distances
Thruster pack - A booster pack used to propel the wearer forward or to either side

Armor components

Biofoam injectors: Allow for physical injuries to be sealed and repaired without the use of external medkits
Energy shielding: A protective barrier that surrounds the armor and protects the user from harm
Inner skinsuit: The inner skinsuit is made of a moisture-absorbing synthetic material linked to an environmental control computer and the occupant's neural interface. It controls the suit's temperature and actively changes how the suit fits the user.^[10]
Compact fusion reactor: The fusion reactor is the most essential part of the MJOLNIR system, as it provides power to all equipment on the MJOLNIR armor - the reactor is built into the suit and allows for nearly unlimited movement. [GEN2]'s fusion reactor is installed at the back of the torso carapace.^[11]
Magnetic weapon holder strips: The MJOLNIR armor features very small, yet powerful magnets placed on the legs, waist, and back of the suit that are used to hold any equipment or any weapons with a magnetic property. The suit also contains a magnet system within its boots that allows its wearer to stay attached to a metal surface in zero G environments and can be toggled on or off by the wearer.
Power supply control unit: Manages the power supply of the armor
MJOLNIR GEN2 BIOS: The basic input/output system, standard firmware interface to the GEN2
VISR 4.0: Up to version 4.09, these visor installments are optimized and customized to facilitate specialized tasks.^[12]
Force-multiplying circuits: Allows the user greatly enhanced reflexes and strength, improving mobility and combat effectiveness in close quarters
Motion tracker: Shows movement of friendly and enemy units within the system's radius
Pressure seal: The pressure seal is a vital component to the MJOLNIR system, it keeps the system airtight, underwater or in space. The seal is very strong and will only break under extreme pressure, such as in a high velocity impact or when the hydrostatic gel has been over pressurized.
Support upgrades: These customized and specialized upgrades allow combat advantages by modifying the core and periphery systems of the GEN2.
Sprint module: Unlike previous armor systems, MJOLNIR GEN2 has a built-in sprint module that allows the user to run at faster speeds by overriding safety protocols.^[1] It is functionally similar to the version developed by Catherine-B320 of NOBLE Team, which saw widespread deployment across Reach in the planet's final days.^[13]
Tactical packages: These customized and specialized packages allow combat advantages by modifying the core and periphery systems of the GEN2.
Titanium nanocomposite bodysuit: Sandwiched between the external armor and the internal padding is a thick armored bodysuit. The bodysuit is made of a nonrigid titanium-based material, making it very strong and yet very flexible. The suit has numerous functions, small but vital to the safety and survival of the wearer. It also serves as another layer of protection against ballistics attacks and is coated with a heat-resistant material to disperse heat from plasma weapons. Many components of the GEN2's titanium bodysuit are conspicuously fashioned after the shape of human musculature; this was less prominent in previous MJOLNIR generations. Portions of the bodysuit also share their color with the external armor plating, a feature not present in the GEN1 MJOLNIR.

Trivia

The way the GEN2 armor is equipped by UNSC Infinity's dedicated machinery onto its wearer is reminiscent of Iron Man armor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Tychus Findlay's CMC powered armor in Starcraft II.
All non-essential SPARTAN-IV NPCs in Halo 4 wear full Recruit armor with steel as their suits' primary color and rust as the secondary color.
SPARTAN-IV Tedra Grant field tested several early [GEN2] models.^[14]