Canon

Project GUNGNIR

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This article is about the program. For the Mjolnir armor variant, see GUNGNIR-class Mjolnir.
The symbol for Project GUNGNIR.

Project GUNGNIR, also known as the GUNGNIR Program,[1][2][3] was a UNSC program under the supervision of Section Three of the Office of Naval Intelligence,[4] designed to provide supplementary matériel for the SPARTAN Program.[5] Section Three's then-head Vice Admiral Michael Stanforth had some degree of involvement with the project.[4]

Overview

M6 Spartan Laser

Main article: M6 Spartan Laser

Project GUNGNIR was developed to provide supplementary matériel for the SPARTAN Program. The project's most notable creation was the Model 6 Grindell/Galilean Nonlinear Rifle, more commonly known as the Spartan Laser.[1] A directed-energy anti-vehicle weapon, the Spartan Laser was refined over time, resulting in multiple variants, such as the cheaper M6/E variant (derived from the chin-mounted variant on AV-22 Sparrowhawks),[6][7] the safer M6/V Spartan Laser,[8] and the M8C G/GNC mounted on the G79H-TC Pelican.

Supplementary armor systems

Main article: GUNGNIR-class Mjolnir

Project GUNGNIR also developed supplementary armor systems,[5] including the G variant of the MJOLNIR Mark V armor, which consists of a helmet, shoulder pauldrons, and knee guards,[1] as a modification of the standard Mjolnir armor for optimizing the use of the Spartan Laser.[9] These modular armor components, including the shoulder pauldrons and knee guards, were also employed on the cross-branch Battle Dress Uniform, which was adapted into the UNSC Army BDU, the UNSC Marine Corps BDU, and a variant of the ODST armor.[10][11]

After the Human-Covenant War, the rights to creating the Gungnir-class Mjolnir were acquired by Hannibal Weapon Systems, which developed and tested the MJOLNIR [GEN2] variant of the armor at WG/Facility 93-00/Kotka on New Carthage.[12] The armor has evolved into a well-rounded suit,[13] with some SPARTAN-IVs favoring the helmet for its isolated video optics, Wyrd III sensory optimization, and enhanced cranial plating.[12] The results of the project would also see use outside its original scope: the target acquisition and tracking system from the GUNGNIR helmet was adapted into various UNSC weapon systems,[14] while the GUNGNIR MOD 6 attachment on the MJOLNIR [GEN3] armor saw further improvements, adding new weapon interfaces, extended IFF range, and deeper battlenet synchronization among GUNGNIR-equipped Spartans.[15]

Production notes

  • In Norse mythology, Gungnir ("swaying one") is Odin's magical spear, which is an infallibly accurate weapon. The Spartan Laser's abbreviation, M6 G/GNR, bears a notable resemblance to the name "Gungnir." Like the Gungnir of mythology, the Spartan Laser is an extremely accurate weapon. The symbol for Project GUNGNIR is also derived from the Norse Gungnir symbol. The symbol is located on the side of the Spartan Laser, and on the faceplate of the GUNGNIR helmet in Halo: Reach.
  • The GUNGNIR symbol can also be seen on the side of the forklift in Halo: Reach.

Gallery

List of appearances

Sources

  1. ^ a b c Halo: Reach, Armory: GUNGNIR - Helmet Description
  2. ^ Halo: Reach, Armory: GUNGNIR - Shoulder Description
  3. ^ Halo: Reach, Armory: GUNGNIR - Knee Guard Description
  4. ^ a b Halo 3: ODST, campaign level ONI Alpha Site: ONI Memorial
  5. ^ a b Halo Waypoint, MJOLNIR 2 (Retrieved on Mar 14, 2011) [local archive] [external archive]
  6. ^ Halo Waypoint, Cannon Fodder: Locke & Load (Retrieved on Apr 13, 2016) [archive]
  7. ^ Halo Waypoint, Cannon Fodder: Local Units (Retrieved on Mar 31, 2017) [archive]
  8. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 179
  9. ^ Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 89
  10. ^ Halo: Reach, campaign level Exodus
  11. ^ Halo: Reach, campaign level The Pillar of Autumn
  12. ^ a b Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide, page 154
  13. ^ Halo 5: Guardians, Armor Permutations: GUNGNIR - Body Description
  14. ^ Halo 5: Guardians, Armor Permutations: GUNGNIR - Helmet Description
  15. ^ Halo Infinite, Armor Hall: TAS/GUNGNIR MOD 6 - Helmet Attachment Description "GEN3 GUNGNIR adds new weapon interfaces, extended IFF range, and deeper battlenet synchronization with other GUNGNIR-equipped Spartans."