MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark IV

MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark IV
GEN2 GEN1
Production overview
Manufacturer(s):	Materials Group
Testing site(s):	Damascus Testing Facility
Type:	MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor
Role(s):	General combat

"You're the only ones who can use them, Petty Officer. Who else could we give them to?"

— Doctor Catherine Halsey to John-117.

Despite its name, MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor Mark IV was the first production model of MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor. The suit was issued to Spartan-II commandos on November 27, 2525, and was in service until it was replaced by the Mark V on November 24, 2551. A hybrid variant could still be requisitioned by Spartan personnel as late as October 2558, albeit upgraded to function with the MJOLNIR [GEN2] suite; such suits are notably still used by select Spartan-IIs. With the advent of the MJOLNIR [GEN3] in 2559, the Mark IV was upgraded to be fully compatible with the new platform, and it can be requisitioned by Spartan personnel as late as 2560.

Introduction

Diagram of the Mjolnir Mark IV.

Developed parallel to the SPARTAN-II program by the Office of Naval Intelligence's Materials Group, the MJOLNIR powered assault armor was a radical redesign from previous large, bulky exoskeletons, streamlining their design into a compact suit of armor practical for use in the field. The brainchild of Dr. Catherine Halsey, the MJOLNIR armor represented her vision of creating a slim powered exoskeleton capable of taking full advantage of the physical capabilities of a SPARTAN-II. Planning and research for the revised MJOLNIR battlesuit began in 2511 alongside the SPARTAN-II project; over the course of 14 years, its development gave birth to many new technologies that would later see major adoption throughout the military.

MJOLNIR is a sealed system capable of extra-vehicular activity or operations in toxic atmosphere and vacuum. It is hardened against electromagnetic pulse and radiation, and has filters that are completely effective at removing toxins and bacteria from local atmosphere.

The armor's outer shell is composed of a multilayer alloy of remarkable strength which has been augmented with a refractive coating capable of dispersing a limited amount of Covenant energy weapon impact. Underneath the alloy shell is a thick black armored titanium nanocomposite bodysuit. Underneath that layer is a gel-filled layer. The gel layer regulates temperature and can reactively change its density in a few seconds. The inner skinsuit is made of a moisture-absorbing synthetic material linked to an environmental control computer and the occupant's special-issue neural interface. This network translates electrochemical signals to digital code and routes them through an interface connection at the rear of the skull. Through this interface the user's thoughts commands the armor's movement and weapons and input from the on-board sensors comes directly to the user's mind. The synthesis of machine and mind is so fast that it is almost impossible to chart the reaction time. Unfortunately, the system is so reactive that normal human beings cannot use the suit without injuring or even killing themselves. Only humans who have undergone the skeletal, neural and muscular augmentation shared by the Spartans are able to safely operate the suit.

Sandwiched between the external armor and the internal padding is the most devastating weapon the suit carries: a layer of polymerized lithium niobocene, a form of reactive metal liquid crystal. Woven by molecular tools into a super-dense layer, this layer is amorphous, yet it amplifies force, doubling lifting capability and increases reaction time by a factor of five. Such technology did not exist when work began on the Mark I prototypes.

Because of these advancements, the design is more akin to a conventional suit of armor as opposed to a powered exoskeleton; the user moves the suit and in return the suit moves the user. This allows for a highly compact design when compared to other combat systems. The armor contains numerous features including an integrated computer system which continuously monitors weapons and biological functions, as well as a limited function motion sensor system. The suit also contains a built-in rebreather system that can provide air for up to 90 minutes. The suit's helmet also features imaging and video recording, and thermal sensors among other features.

In its final phase, the armor weighs half a short ton (453.6 kilograms). At the time of its creation, it was the most advanced piece of tactical military hardware in human hands.

Development

A Mjolnir schematic dated September 25, 2524.

The Mark IV underwent several generational design changes throughout the Human-Covenant War, becoming a testbed for new technologies and hardware to help improve its integrity and efficiency in certain combat conditions. While some of these variants are rumors and have never been witnessed in the field, others have become common knowledge. 14 variants had been developed by January 7, 2535. The armor's external design went through multiple iterations; variants designed for a specific purpose tend, by necessity, to look different from the contemporary core model. However, each generational "Mark" is categorized by its internal components and software suite, not by its superficial appearance; therefore, while some Mark IV suits may look drastically different from one another, they are still essentially the same model.

In February 2525, Naval Special Warfare received a prototypical suit for evaluation and final testing. Over the next four months, the unit was tested to ensure proper function and to evaluate its capabilities. However, the prototype was built and fine-tuned for the SPARTAN-II supersoldiers. When a test was conducted to see if a normal human could operate the suit, an override meant to prevent unintended use led to the operator being killed by his own muscular twitches. A short time after the failed demonstration limited production of the MJOLNIR battlesuit was approved.

MJOLNIR was first issued to the Spartan-IIs on November 27, 2525. Numerous variant models, including the skunkworks Project COBALT, had been introduced by April 2526.

By 2535, the MJOLNIR system had become the single most expensive item ever produced by the UNSC, with each suit costing as much as a destroyer to manufacture. Although the project had been intended as a continuous, pioneering effort to shatter technological barriers, on or shortly before January 7, the budgetary commission overseeing the MJOLNIR project mandated a simplified generational system to categorize, prioritize, and serialize development neatly into fiscal-year budgets. Thus the "Mark" system was introduced, with the systems developed thus far being retroactively designated "Mark IV" to suggest continuity with the powered exoskeleton program that had preceded MJOLNIR's development.

Shortly after the budgetary meeting, Dr. Halsey brainstormed numerous improvements for the project going forward (including a number of design sketches), ranging from the now-redesignated Mark IV through the then-hypothetical Mark VII. Her conception for the Mark IV included technologies not available at the beginning of the war, including a standardized vacuum survival system, standard fusion power, and a new radar sensory package.

Advanced Hardware Program

The MJOLNIR Advanced Hardware Program concerns the development and furthering of hardware and technologies for testing, evaluation, and incorporation into later versions of the Mjolnir armor. The original goal of the program was to produce new technologies to aid the Spartan-IIs in the war against the Covenant, such as the prototypical energy shielding tested as early as 2531. Any changes in appearance of the armor are for research and development of future MJOLNIR components.

Suits

The MJOLNIR Mark IV platform used several armor and helmet configurations during its service.

Base suit

This suit was issued to the Spartan-IIs during the Battle of Chi Ceti in November 2525.

Variants

Various Mjolnir designs worn by Blue Team during the Battle of Chi Ceti.

• MJOLNIR/Ä - Ärger - Testbed helmet created for testing design improvements for the Mark IV armor.
• MJOLNIR/Ardent - Ardent - A helmet that was upgraded by the Spirit of Fire crew during the Second Ark Conflict.
• MJOLNIR/AA - Air Assault - Developed as an improvement of the ODST armor.
• MJOLNIR/CQC - CQC - Variant for close-quarters combat, including boarding actions and MOUT.
• MJOLNIR/E - Emil - Variant hardened to withstand an extended range of environmental conditions.
• MJOLNIR/EOD - EOD - Variant that improves the survivability of the user in close proximity to an explosion.
• MJOLNIR/G - Grenadier - Intended to provide additional protection against concussive force. The helmet is an up-armored variant of a prototypical Mark IV design. Used as a testbed for incorporating energy shielding technology into the MJOLNIR program.
• MJOLNIR/I - Isidor - Variant crafted with the help of the prodigal Spartan-II combat engineers of Yellow Team.
• MJOLNIR/K - Commando - Developed to improve a Spartan's tactical awareness on the battlefield.
• MJOLNIR/M - Security - Variant designed for ship and military site defense.
• MJOLNIR/Operator - Operator - Variant for ONI's Beta-5 Asymmetrical Action Group.
• MJOLNIR/Paladin - Paladin - One of Dr. Halsey's side projects, later improved with GEN3 Mjolnir technologies.
• MJOLNIR/Pilot - Pilot - Variant developed for use by the UNSC Air Force that was adapted for compatibility with Mark IV.
• MJOLNIR/S - Scout - Variant uses advanced materials to provide stealth properties.
• MJOLNIR/T - Theodor - Variant made by Materials Group at the Special Warfare Center.
• MJOLNIR/U - Ulrich - One of the first Mjolnir variants to feature programmable datacores dedicated to supporting modular equipment packages.
• MJOLNIR/Valiant - Valiant - Variant made by Emerson Tactical Systems.
• MJOLNIR/W - Wilhelm - A classified variant made by Materials Group at the Damascus Materials Testing Facility.
• MJOLNIR/Y - Ypsilon - Variant fitted with a low-profile VISR prototype.
• MJOLNIR/Z - Zacharias - Variant field tested by the first Headhunter deep strike teams.

Project: COBALT

Project: COBALT introduced a new Mjolnir chassis for Blue Team early in the Human-Covenant War.

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  John-117 wearing his set of COBALT CV.117 armor.

Unidentified variants

• Mark VI-like variant (2525): John-117 was equipped with this variant during the Battle of Chi Ceti on November 27, 2525.

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  John wearing the variant aboard the Covenant vessel Unrelenting.

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  Turnaround of the helmet.

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  Turnaround of the armor.

• Argus-like variant: Linda-058 wore this helmet during the Battle of Chi Ceti. It is very similar in appearance to the Mark VI and GEN2 Argus helmets she would later wear.

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  Linda wearing the variant.

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  Turnarounds of the Argus-like helmet.

• Centurion-like variant: Fred-104 wore this helmet during the Battle of Chi Ceti. It is very similar in appearance to the Mark VI and GEN2 Centurion helmets he would later wear.

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  Fred wearing the variant.

• CQB-like variant: Though the CQB variant proper did not enter service until 2535, the helmet's physical architecture saw use as early as 2525,

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  Samuel-034 wearing a proto-CQB helmet at Chi Ceti IV in November 2525.

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  Daisy-023 wearing a CQB-like helmet.

• EVA-like variant: A Spartan-II was issued this helmet during the Battle of Chi Ceti.

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  A Spartan-II equipped with the helmet.

• Hermes-like variant: Kelly-087 wore this helmet during the Battle of Chi Ceti. It is very similar in appearance to the GEN2 Hermes helmet she would later wear.

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  Kelly wearing the Hermes-esque helmet.

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  Turnaround of the Hermes-like helmet.

• Unspecified variant: During the Battle of Chi Ceti, a Spartan-II tested out this helmet.

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  A Spartan-II wearing the helmet.

Mark-V(B)-like suit

Designs similar to the later MJOLNIR/B variant saw use in April 2526.

Variants

• MJOLNIR/B - B - Variant worn by Fred-104 during the Battle of Circinius IV.

Unidentified suit

• Air Assault-like: During the Battle of Circinius IV in April 2526, Kelly-087 utilized a variant that had similar architecture to Air Assault armor (introduced in 2535). She wore the helmet in conjunction with the Mark IV (b) armor.

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  The variant worn by Kelly-087 in April 2526.

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  Another look of the armor worn by Kelly-087 in April 2526.

Mark-VI-like suits

Variants resembling the later Mark VI saw use as early as April 2526.

Variants

• MJOLNIR/V - EVA - Variant that specialized to improve survivability of Spartans when performing extra-vehicular activity in vacuum.

Unidentified variants

• Mark VI-like variant (2526): John-117 was outfitted with this variant during at least three separate engagements during the Human-Covenant War. Considerably slimmer than Mjolnir's initial production model, this variant bears a strong resemblance to the later Mark VI, especially the Mark VI GEN3 suit he would eventually wear.

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  John wearing the variant on Circinius IV in 2526.

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  John wearing the Mark VI-like variant.

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  John's armor during the time of Daisy-023's death.

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  John wearing the armor during Operation: WARM BLANKET in 2544.

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  Front view.

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  Left view.

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  Right view.

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  Back view.

• Cohort-like variant (2544): Solomon-069, Arthur-079, and Fred-104 used this helmet during Operation: WARM BLANKET. It is very similar in appearance to the GEN3 Cohort helmet Fred would later wear.

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  Solomon-069 wearing the helmet during Operation: WARM BLANKET.

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  Fred-104 wearing the same variant.

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  Front view.

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  Left view.

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  Right view.

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  Back view.

• Mark VI-like variant (2548): Owen-B096 was outfitted with this variant during the first part of the Battle of Meridian.

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Unknown Mark IV suit

• Gray Team variant: In 2535, Jai-006 wore a distinct variant of the Mark IV superficially resembling GEN2 RECRUIT-class Mjolnir. Another member of Gray Team wore a variant of Mark IV resembling Mark V[B].

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  A member of Gray Team wearing the variant at the Rubble.

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  Jai-006 in his Mark IV variant.

GEN2

Hybrid GEN2/MARK IV [GEN1]

After the Human-Covenant War, a GEN2 variant was developed that uses many components of the original Mark IV armor after firmware updates. This suit is still used as of October 2558, with Tom-B292 using the armor's forearms.

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  The Mark IV adapted for MJOLNIR [GEN2].

Red Team's hybrid GEN2/MARK IV

After Douglas-042's Mjolnir Mark IV armor was damaged by Atriox in May 2559, core components of the suit could not be replicated by the Spirit of Fire. Red Team took advantage of the GEN2 parts recovered from UNSC outposts, reverse-engineered solutions developed by Serina, and deft modifications made by Isabel to stay in the fight. The potential amalgamation of these changes could lead to completely new design permutations, customized for the needs of each Spartan.

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  GEN2 Mark IV

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  Jerome's GEN2 Mark IV.

Non-canon and dubious canon appearances

Silver Timeline Variants

• MJOLNIR/B - Berta - A variant designed alongside a Spartan-specific variation of HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL Mark I ADS. The one worn by Spartan-II Kai-125 had been modified with sniper targeting interlinks and "smart shot" interfaces.

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  Kai-125's Berta-class helmet.

• MJOLNIR/S - Samuel - A variant featuring sensor and BIOS improvements co-developed by Riz-028 after her analysis of Covenant hunter-seekers during the Arcadian campaign. Presumably named after Samuel-034.

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  Riz-028's Samuel-class helmet.

Inner armor components

• 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.

• Hydrostatic gel:

On top of the inner skinsuit is a gel-filled layer, which regulates the temperature of the suit and can change its density to conform to the wearer's shape. The temperature inside the suit is controlled by the moisture absorbing cloth suit underneath the hydrostatic layer. The hydrostatic gel layer can also be pressurized to various levels to potentially save the wearers life should the wearer be subjected to high G forces or a high velocity impact; however, over-pressurizing this layer can cause nitrogen embolisms.

• Liquid metal crystal piezoelectric layer:

Fitted in between the outer plates and the inner padding, is a layer of liquid crystal within a piezoelectric material that deforms along a preferred axis when exposed to an electric charge. This layer acts as a sheath or a suit artificial muscle; this reactive piezoelectric effect increases the strength, reaction time, mobility, speed, and all around physical performance of the suit's user. The material is amorphous, thus circumventing a major obstacle in its design: custom-fitting millions of the polygonal pieces under the second armor layer. Knitted together at a molecular level the liquid crystal material is merely "poured" into a multilayered Sierpinski capillary system where microelectric fields can direct crystallization geometries. The only downfall is the materials production, which involves classified super-toxic precursor materials and requires a zero-gravity environment.

• Pressure seal:

The pressure seal is a vital component to the MJOLNIR system as it keeps the system airtight whether underwater, in vacuum, or in a hostile atmosphere. 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.

• Titanium nanocomposite bodysuit:

Sandwiched between the external armor and the internal padding is a thick, black armored bodysuit. This suit has numerous functions, small but vital to the safety and survival of the wearer. The bodysuit is made of a titanium-based material, making it very strong and yet very flexible. 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.

• Lock-down system: The lock-down system protects muscles and joints from traumatic, high-impact injuries by seizing the suit into a rigid posture through modifying the density of the hydrostatic gel layer.

Outer shell and components

The outer shell of the MJOLNIR armor is comprised of a thick titanium alloy. This alloy is very resilient, being nearly impervious to small arms fire. While enough impacts from armor-piercing rounds will breach the outer shell, the suit can take a few glancing blows from them without compromising the armor. The outer shell of the MJOLNIR suit is covered with a refractive coating to help disperse the heat discharged by Covenant energy weapons. However, one or two direct hits from any plasma weapon will compromise the armor plating.

• Integrated Communications Helmet:

The MJOLNIR helmet (properly the Integrated Communications Helmet) is one of the most vital aspects to the MJOLNIR armor system. It is made of titanium and features a heads-up display (HUD) that links to the brain and hands; the HUD can identify equipment and display information about it when it is picked up by the wearer. It also features an environmental control unit that includes filters to remove toxins from the atmosphere, as well as a rebreather to automatically supply oxygen to the wearer during EVA. In addition the helmet contains thermal and motion sensors, communications, solar-powered lighting, and imaging and video gear.

The helmet's most important feature is the direct neural-interface system which connects to a Spartan's neural implants. Two core processor chips are implanted into the subject's skull in the rear of the head. This is essentially comparable to an on-board computer using parts of the human brain for processing - when the connector at the rear of the subject's head and receptors in the brain link to the helmet's on-board sensors it creates the neural link needed to move the MJOLNIR suit.

The first-generation helmet was retained for use with the 2535 model and was later upgraded for use with the Mark V.

• Titanium alloy outer shell/chest:

The titanium chest plating provides maximum ballistics protection across all generations of the Mark IV. The original version consisted of wide plating to allow for free rotation of the head and neck; the external microphone was located below the collar area and below that an environmental control unit. This model also had large arm sockets and the waist area consisted of free-rotating bearings which lock into the lower body or jumper armor section. Later versions of the chest plates are more angular and are joined via a hinge system on both the central brace and the shoulder connectors, allowing them to rise and fall with the user's movements.

• Titanium alloy outer shell/arms:

The first version's shoulder and arm plating consisted of an organic shape with larger shoulder area for ample protection; the upper assembly piece sat flush inside the upper-arm armor. The elbow armor was hinged to fit flush when the wearer's arm was straight, making hyperextension impossible without force adequate to destroy the plating. The forearm armor is the same with locking pieces to prevent over-rotation and the lower portion is attached to the handguard. The range of motion is adequate for firearm use and hand-to-hand combat, however the guard prevents hyperextension of the wrist. Later revisions to this armor discard this for more nanofabricated pieces and more mobility focused plating. The pauldrons are mounted at a downwards diagonal angle at the upper edge of the shoulder, independently of the armor below them. This allows the lower arm pieces to slide and rotate beneath them, and when the arms are raised, the angled pauldrons move with them.

• Titanium alloy outer shell/waist:

The MJOLNIR armor's torso plating is connected to the upper-torso plating by free-rotating waist connectors the waist plating contains ammunition/utility pouches. The lower-abdomen plate connects into a track for upper torso bending, the codpiece is connected to the femoral-artery armor.

• Titanium alloy outer shell/legs:

The MJOLNIR PAA's leg armor consists of two major plating sections, with a third piece protecting the knees. The earlier version of the armor consisted of the thigh armor which is actually two sections held together by two locking collars, the knee pads are secured on the sides. The lower leg contains reinforced piezoelectric bladders which secure ankle and lower legs to prevent impact injury from high-elevation jumps. The boots consist of 15mm-thick soles, which are secured by a foot covering hinge locking bolt.

• Magnetic weapon holder strips:

Available on updated outer armor components of the Mark IV the magnetic strips are very small yet powerful magnets placed on the legs, waist, and back of the suit and is used to hold any equipment with a magnetic property. The suit also contains a magnet system on the boots of the MJOLNIR suit that allow its wearer to stay attached to a metal surface in zero-G environments and can be toggled on or off by the wearer. In addition to the magnetic holders, the default Mark IV is also equipped with utility pouches on the waist and a clip for a holster capable of accommodating most UNSC sidearms.

• Biofoam injector port:

The biofoam injector is a port where a direct supply of biofoam or other medicines must be administered from a standard military first aid kit when the wearer is injured, as the suit does not hold or generate its own supply inside the suit.

• Fission reactor:

Integrated in the limited production model of the MJOLNIR PAA the nuclear fission reactor was the MJOLNIR armors source of power, the reactor was built into the suit and allowed for unlimited power. However, because of the delicacy and radioactive nature of the fission reactor its use was limited until it was replaced with a micro-fusion plant in the final production model in 2535.

• Microfusion reactor:

Integrated in the final production model in 2535, the microfusion cell is the most vital component to the MJOLNIR system as it provides power to all components of the MJOLNIR armor. The reactor is built into the suit and allows for nearly unlimited power. The fusion reactor in all versions of the MJOLNIR armor is half the size of a normal battery pack that conventional marines carry around.

• Power supply control unit:

The power supply control unit is integrated into the miniature fusion reactor located on the back of the MJOLNIR suit. It provides power distribution to the suit's functions and can be overloaded when too much power is allocated to one function or all functions for long periods of time.

• Fail-safe detonation system:

This system functions as a self-destruct mechanism in order to prevent a dead Spartan's armor from being compromised by hostiles. It is activated by a series of digits that only the Spartans know. When engaged, it produces a reactor overload that burns everything within a ten-meter radius, then produces a large blast.

• Low-impulse propulsion jets:

Located at the back of the suit beneath the fusion reactor, this component provides the ability to propel the MJOLNIR user over short distances and maneuver in zero-gravity environment.

Performance and durability

"As I suspected, nothing but a man."

— Atriox crushing Douglas-042's Mark IV helmet.

Mark IV MJOLNIR armor taking a hit from a Mgalekgolo's shield.

The Mark IV armor was the most advanced piece of military equipment humanity had created at the time of its distribution. This iteration of MJOLNIR is extremely resistant to gunfire, with most bullets simply bouncing off of the armor. Its gauntlets are also capable of shattering concrete without being damaged. The armor is able to take the blunt force of a two-ton Mgalekgolo's shield strike while simultaneously keeping the Spartan alive in the process. The helmet of Mark IV is extremely durable as well, being capable of withstanding the force of a gravity hammer swing by a Brute and sustaining the Spartan's life for a short period of time thereafter. The armor itself, albeit able to withstand such heavy blows, is not designed to continuously withstand high pressure or power. Douglas' left shoulder was broken after Atriox's armored hand was able to break through his armor.

During the Skirmish over Netherop, the Spartans of Green Team, Gold Team, and Blue Team launched themselves from the Starry Night during the vessel's slingshot manoeuvre. Although they eventually yielded against an abrupt roll in their trajectory, the Spartans clutching one another in a swaying column behind their respective team leaders proved strong enough to hold fast in the moment of their linear course; despite having thirty Gs of force being applied against them.

On-board their targeted Covenant vessel, John displayed a level of strength sufficient to pry open one of the ship's interior iris hatch-panels with his bare hands. A month afterwards, in a Covenant space elevator near the planet Naraka, John used his armor's strength enhancements to launch a Covenant pickup vehicle onto the far side of a large conveyor belt - providing cover for an M41-equipped ODST to barricade himself behind. Later, in the upper-terminus leading to a transit tube, John encountered an emergency iris hatch - this time, denting the thick panels with a frustrated bang of his fist.

Though if the armor takes damage it is no longer vacuum-sealed, this can be rectified using armor patches which seal the holes and make the armor vacuum-sealed again. Mark IV MJOLNIR armor is compatible with the patches used by ODSTs on their armor, making it easier to get extras in a combat situation. This was used twice by Blue Team during the Attack on Naraka to seal their armor when going into vacuum after the armor had sustained such damage that it was no longer vacuum-sealed. The lack of armor patching during the Battle of Chi Ceti had forced Samuel-034 to remain behind on the Unrelenting to die, causing the Spartans to start carrying armor patches in case such a situation ever arose again.

In-game information

Halo 5: Guardians

The Mark IV helmet and body armor are unlockable as armor permutations through the Requisition system. It only has one alternate skin, Arcadia.

Armor	Description	Unlock requirements
Mark IV GEN1 (helmet)	A battered Mark IV helmet once worn by the Master Chief is the last thing that SPARTAN-IV candidates see before beginning their grueling evaluation and preliminary augmentation cycle.	Legendary/Mythic REQ card
Mark IV GEN1 Arcadia (helmet skin)
Mark IV GEN1 (body)	As the basis for the GEN1 Mjolnir standard, many components of the original Mark IV can be used with GEN2 techsuits and VISRs after firmware updates. This hybrid GEN2/MARK IV [GEN1] suit is still used by select Spartan-II's.	Legendary/Mythic REQ card
Mark IV GEN1 Arcadia (body skin)

Halo Infinite

The Mark IV core was unlocked by default in CU29.

Armor	Manufacturer	Lore	Rarity	Unlock Requirements
Mark IV armor core	Materials Group	Stocks of Mark IV armor recovered from the Damascus archives have now been rebuilt under the direction of Dr. Halsey. These refits are fully compatible with official GEN2 and GEN3 standards but Halsey has her own ideas about the next step for Mjolnir.	Epic	Unlocked by default during CU29
Mark IV helmet	Materials Group	The Halsey-refit Mark IV helmets are masterpieces of military engineering. Each is a refurbished Covenant War-era relic, stripped down and packed with the latest Mjolnir technology.	Common
IMA/Garita	UNSC	Built for war.	Common
Mark IV gloves	Materials Group	Existing stocks of Mark IV armor have been recovered by the UNSC and rebuilt under the direction of Dr. Halsey. These refits are not fully compatible with official GEN2 and GEN3 standards as Halsey has her own ideas about the next step for Mjolnir.	Common
UA/Sopron	Materials Group	Supplemental armor plating	Common
IMA/Garita Omega	UNSC	Omega Team was present at the last stand of many once-great colonies. Through storms of glass and blazing atomic fire they bought time and saved what they could.	Legendary	Purchase "Valiant" Bundle from the Shop for 1,800 cR
IMA/Garita Omega Sykes	UNSC	Omega Team enforced the UNSC's draconian last-stand protocols in the darkest days of the Covenant War. Nothing of strategic value could fall into the hands of the Covenant, and the soft sound of metal leaving a sheath meant death followed.	Legendary	Purchase "Ardent" Bundle from the Shop for 1,800 cR
Tac/Garita Omega	UNSC	A sharp blade never runs out of ammo, doesn't need to recharge, and can't be disabled by EMP. It can be gripped even when mortally wounded and the Mjolnir's power has failed. It can never betray you or be turned by the Flood. And yet, some in the UNSC are surprised by the rapid adoption and popularity of knife-fighting skills among Spartans.	Legendary	Purchase "Paladin" Bundle from the Shop for 1,800 cR

Trivia

Browse more images in this article's gallery page.

• The sketches of the limited-production Mark IV in Doctor Halsey's journal are almost identical to an early concept for the MJOLNIR armor, apart from the helmet.
• Kelly-087's and Fred-104's Mark IV suits in Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn are kitbashed from the Air Assault and Mark V[B] suits used in the live-action "Deliver Hope" trailer for Halo: Reach. Fred's armor was later canonized as the Mark IV(b), though Kelly's remains unidentified.
• During the development of Halo 5: Guardians, the Mark IV armor was codenamed "A088" when it was conceived.

Gallery

Illustrations

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  John-117 wearing the Mark IV on the cover for the 2010 reprint of Halo: The Fall of Reach.

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  John-117 in his newly issued MJOLNIR armor in Halo: Fall of Reach.

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  The MJOLNIR Mark IV in Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series.

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  Jerome-092 using his Mark IV's thrusters in Something has Happened.

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  John-117 wearing his unidentified Mark IV variant on the cover of Halo: The Complete Video Collection.

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  Blue Team's Cobalt Mark IVs in Halo: Collateral Damage.

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  John-117 Cobalt Mark IV on the cover of Halo: Oblivion.

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  Spartan-IIs in various Mark IV armors in the Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition).

Halo Wars

Development images

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  An early model of the MJOLNIR in Halo Wars alongside a Hellbringer.

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  An early piece of promotional art for Halo Wars, used for internal briefs for Microsoft.

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  The full poster.

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  Another early render of the Halo Wars Mark IV.

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  A concept of the Halo Wars Mark IV.

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  Another early design of the MJOLNIR in Halo Wars. This version is featured in the game's announcement trailer.

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  An early render of the Halo Wars Mark IV model.

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  A later pass on the MJOLNIR design from Halo Wars.

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  An early version of the Mark IV for the Blur cutscenes in Halo Wars.

Screenshots and renders

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  Jerome-092 wearing his Mark IV armor.

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  Alice-130 wearing her early Mark IV armor.

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  Douglas-042 wearing his early Mark IV armor.

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  In-game model of a Spartan's armor in Halo Wars. The pauldrons are symmetrical in-game.

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  A render of the final Mark IV model used in the Blur Studios cutscenes for the game.

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  A render of the final Mark IV model used in the Blur Studios cutscenes for the game.

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  A render of the final Mark IV model used in the Blur Studios cutscenes for the game.

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  A render of the final Mark IV model used in the Blur Studios cutscenes for the game.

Halo Legends

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  Concept art of the Mark IV version featured in Halo Legends: The Package.

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  John-117, Kelly-087, and Fred-104 wearing the Mark IV armor with MOS-specific modifications in The Package.

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  Cal-141 wearing the Mark IV armor on Heian in The Babysitter.

Halo 4

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  John-117 being equipped with his original MJOLNIR armor in Scanned.

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  Technicians securing the back section of John's MJOLNIR in Scanned.

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  Concept art of Mark IV for multiplayer.

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  John-117 wearing the non-canonical Mark IV design from Halo 4's Prologue.

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  A team of Spartans in the non-canonical Halo 4 Mark IV armor.

Halo 5: Guardians

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  Concept art of the Mark IV [GEN1] armor.

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  Renders of the Mark IV [GEN1] armor.

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  A Spartan-IV wearing the Mark IV [GEN1] armor.

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  Render of the Mark IV [GEN1] armor.

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  The Spartan emblem printed on the Mark IV [GEN1] armor.

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  Render of the Mark IV [GEN1] Arcadia armor.

Halo Wars 2

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  Concept art of Red Team's Mark IV.

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  Concept art of Omega Team's Mark IV.

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  Red Team wearing MJOLNIR Mark IV.

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  Douglas-042's Mark IV being crushed by Atriox's power gauntlet.

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  Douglas-042's Mark IV helmet is crushed by Atriox.

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  Jerome-092's GEN2 Mark IV in cutscenes.

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  In-game view of Red Team in their Mark IV armor.

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  Blitz card art of Jerome-092's GEN2 Mark IV.

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  Blitz card art of Douglas-042's GEN2 Mark IV.

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  Blitz card of Omega Team's customized Mark IV.

Halo Infinite

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  Concept art of various helmets for the Mark IV armor core in Halo Infinite.

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  Concept art of various helmet attachments for the Mark IV core helmets.

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  Concept art of armor for the Mark IV core.

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  More concept art of armor for the Mark IV core.

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  More concept art of armor for the Mark IV core.

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  More concept art of armor for the Mark IV core.

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  More concept art of armor for the Mark IV core.

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  Concept art of the default gloves for the Mark IV core.

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  Concept art of more gloves for the Mark IV core.

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  Concept art of the prosthetic limbs for the Mark IV core.

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  First look at the default Mark IV armor core.

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  Several Spartans wearing the Mark IV core.

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  Omega Team's Mark IV armors.

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  Spartans wearing Mark IV alongside several Marines.

List of appearances

Halo: The Fall of Reach (First appearance) Halo: Ghosts of Onyx Halo: The Cole Protocol Halo Wars Halo Legends Homecoming Origins The Babysitter The Package Halo Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe Dirt Remember Reach Deliver Hope Halo: Reach Halo: Fall of Reach Covenant Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn Scanned Halo 4 (Prologue only)

Halo: Nightfall Halo 2: Anniversary Terminals Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series Halo 5: Guardians Halo Mythos Halo: Tales from Slipspace Something Has Happened Halo Wars 2 Halo: Legacy of Onyx (Forearms only) Halo: Collateral Damage Halo: Silent Storm Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual Halo: Oblivion Halo: Meridian Divide Halo: Shadows of Reach (Mentioned only) Halo: Divine Wind Halo: The Rubicon Protocol (Indirect mention) Halo Infinite