Canon

Powered exoskeleton

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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] Cyclops and the HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL Mark I were exoskeleton systems derived from earlier prototypes developed by exoskeleton programs 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 2558, Michael Crespo wore an older early-war suit of ODST armor, which apparently had an exoskeleton installed in it. It was noted to be significantly less capable than MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor.[6]

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[7] and Mark VI[8] 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

Human

Ancient human

San'Shyuum

Sangheili

Jiralhanae

Vehicles/Mechs

Forerunner

Human

Unggoy

Jiralhanae

Gallery

Sources

  1. ^ Dr. Halsey's personal journal
  2. ^ Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 44
  3. ^ Halo Mythos, pages 76-77
  4. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 16
  5. ^ Halo 3
  6. ^ Halo: Bad Blood, Chapter 17
  7. ^ Halo: Combat Evolved, campaign level The Library
  8. ^ Halo 3, campaign level Halo
  9. ^ Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder 142: System Shocks (Retrieved on Jun 30, 2023) [archive]
  10. ^ YouTube - jungle_penguins, Halo Wars 2: UNSC Hellbringer All Quotes: 0:39 "I feel like a tank in this thing! Does your exo chafe? Mine chafes." - Hellbringer ambient dialogue
  11. ^ Halo: Cryptum, page 112
  12. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition), page 131: "The Elite Combat Harness is the standard armor used by the Sangheili in all Covenant conflicts. Similar to the Spartans' mark VI in that it boosts speed and strength while adding a personal energy shield, the armor is actually less advanced and can withstand less damage than a Spartan's armor."