Powered exoskeleton

There is more information available on this subject at Powered exoskeleton on the English Wikipedia.

Several Spartans in powered exoskeletons: (L-R) the MJOLNIR Mark V, the MJOLNIR Mark VI, and the Mark II SPI armor.

A powered exoskeleton is a mobile machine consisting primarily of a skeleton-like framework worn by a person and a power supply that supplies at least part of the activation energy for limb movement.

Description

Powered exoskeletons are designed to physically assist and, in many cases, protect the wearer. They may be designed to assist and protect soldiers and construction workers, or to allow people to survive in other dangerous environments. A wide medical market exists for powered exoskeletons to provide mobility assistance for aged and infirm people. Other possibilities include rescue work, such as in collapsed buildings, in which the device might allow a rescue worker to lift heavy debris, while simultaneously protecting him from falling rubble.

The MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor designed by Dr. Catherine Halsey is the most sophisticated UNSC powered armor project so far. As one of its main strengths, the MJOLNIR system eschews traditional mechanized joints in favor of a strength-enhancing layer of electroactive liquid crystal and provides a cybernetic link which boosts the wearer's reactions by a factor of five.^[1] While it is the most successful UNSC powered armor project, MJOLNIR is by no means the only effort to physically augment soldiers in combat. The HRUNTING Mark III (B) Exoskeleton and the HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL Mark I were exoskeleton systems derived from the earlier prototypes from the exoskeleton program which predated MJOLNIR.^[2] Large-scale powered exoskeletons became more common in the years following the Human-Covenant War, with at least one model, the Mantis, seeing battlefield use.

The Semi-Powered Infiltration armor predominantly used by the Spartan-III supersoldiers provides modest physical enhancement^[3] as well as a rudimentary active camouflage by means of photoreactive panels, allowing covert operations in enemy territory.^[4] RKD, an Earth think-tank, created Project HAYABUSA concurrently with MJOLNIR and while the two were developed separately, they share many characteristics, and are interchangeable to a degree.^[5]

In 2525, science lances were dispatched to the Chi Ceti system by the Prophet of Regret to study captured technology and equipment from the Damascus Testing Facility.^[6] Their efforts were presumably unsuccessful, as the facility was held and continued to develop new MJOLNIR armor variants throughout the Human-Covenant War^[7] and in the years that followed.^[8]

In 2558, Michael Crespo wore an older suit of ODST armor from the early Human-Covenant war, which apparently had an exoskeleton installed in it. It was noted to be significantly less capable than MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor.^[9]

The Forerunners' personal armor offered powered support to some extent. For combat use, they also developed armor suits known as combat skins, using a class system based on numbers, on which the MJOLNIR Mark V^[10] and Mark VI^[11] would be rated Class 2.

Known powered exoskeletons

There are form fitting exoskeleton suits that act as armor, and there are larger exoskeletons that act as vehicles.

Armored suits

Forerunner

Personal armor - Body-assist armor worn by virtually all Forerunners in everyday life
- Combat skin - Armor worn by Forerunners in battle

Human

Hayabusa Powered Assault Armor - A UNSC powered armor system similar to the MJOLNIR armor
MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor - The performance-enhancing body armor first used by the SPARTAN-IIs and later by all Spartans
- Mark I, Mark II, and Mark III powered exoskeletons - The powered exoskeletons that predated MJOLNIR; later retooled by the HRUNTING and YGGDRASIL programs
- Mark IV - First proper iteration of MJOLNIR; issued in at least three distinct generations
- Mark V - Introduced energy shields and artificial intelligence housing; fielded in two versions
- Mark VI - Introduced automated biofoam injectors
- Mark VII - Last of GEN1. Only known use is by Naomi-010
- GEN2 - A broad array of suits developed after the Human-Covenant War
- GEN3
Semi-Powered Infiltration armor - The armor used by most SPARTAN-IIIs
Nightfall armor - A suit of powered armor used by ONI operatives on missions in hazardous environments

Ancient human

Ancient human battle armor suit -This powered armor was used by Ancient humans during Human-Forerunner wars.^[12]

Sangheili

Sangheili harness - The powered armor worn by Sangheili.^[13]^{[citation needed]}

San'Shyuum

Prelate power armor - Highly advanced powered armor worn by Prelate in battle.

Vehicles/Mechs

Forerunner

War Sphinx
Seeker

Human

Cargo walker
HRUNTING and YGGDRASIL
- HRUNTING Mark III (B) Exoskeleton - Also known as the Cyclops; a large exoskeleton mainly designed for non-combat tasks, such as construction and dock work
- HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL Mark I Armor Defense System - An advanced development of the pre-MJOLNIR exoskeleton system
- HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL Mark II [D] Armor Defense System - Also known as the Mega-Mantis, a very large armored fighting vehicle akin to the later Mark IX "Mantis"
- HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL Mark II [J] Armor Defense System - Also known as the Colossus, a successor to an older exoskeleton in the same line, the HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL Mark II [D]
- HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL Mark IX Armor Defense System - A powered exoskeleton/armored fighting vehicle used by the UNSC Marine Corps after the Human-Covenant War
Munitions loader
Skyfire Exosuit