Helmet recorder

The view from a recorder.

Helmet recorders, also referred to as helmet cameras or helmet cams,^[1] are standard field issue equipment for UNSC ground forces. They are used to record an individual combatant's point of view during operations for future evaluation and intelligence on the enemy. Because data on the Covenant is scarce, the helmet recorder is an invaluable tactical resource to the ONI and the UNSC forces, who often retrieve this data and then debrief the wearer about the audio and video data they recorded. They store their information in the processed recorder chips.^[2]

The recorder is equipped with a night vision function, though picture quality is said to be poor.^[3] Curiously, it appears that these cameras stop recording when the user is incapacitated, such as when PFC Wallace Jenkins was attacked by the Flood. It may be that the impact simply caused an equipment malfunction.

The Spartan-IIs and Spartan-IIIs routinely utilized recorders to document engagements during their missions. Prior to 2547, ONI's Section Two had kept many of their early recordings classified with top secret encryptions in an attempt to keep the general public unaware of the existence of the Covenant and the Spartan Program.

Covenant Ossoonas are equipped with similar helmet-mounted recording units.^[4]

Use

During his time at Corbulo Academy, Cadet Michael Sullivan hacked into mission recordings in order to uncover ONI secrets. He managed to decrypt a top secret footage of a rebel stronghold raid in which UNSC forces began to fight alongside Insurrectionists against an unknown threat. He also showed his squad a shot of a strange large armored soldier.
Members of Alpha Company were equipped with helmet cams during Operation: PROMETHEUS. Footage of their final moments on K7-49 was later viewed by Colonel James Ackerson, Chief Franklin Mendez and Kurt-051.^[5]
During the Battle of Camber, a UNSC Marine's helmet camera recorded the point of view of a Marine as he prepared to fend off the Covenant assault on the planet's UNSC system headquarters. While the Marines were still gearing up, Supreme Commander Thel 'Vadamee and his strike team personally breached their barracks. Instead of slaughtering the humans immediately, the Sangheili waited until the Marines had armed themselves. This recording became the first proof of the Sangheili showing honor toward their enemies.^[6]
During an enemy raid on Carter Guard Armory in 2550, Shock Trooper B. Wright recorded an immense Jiralhanae pummeling his squad with their own fellow ODSTs. His helmet recording offered some within ONI the first glimpse of the Banished leader Atriox.^[7]
During the Battle of Sigma Octanus IV, SPARTAN-117 was equipped with something similar to a helmet recorder in Côte d'Azur. A fiber-optic cable equipped with a camera, he used this device to record an Engineer taking apart a car.^[8]
During the Battle of Installation 04, SPARTAN-117 got his first glimpse of the Flood while watching a recording he found in Private First Class Jenkins' helmet.
Real-time footage and data was recorded by Marines' helmets during the Battle of Installation 00. The information was transmitted to the UNSC Forward Unto Dawn, and when its fore returned, the Office of Naval Intelligence recovered all of it.^[9]
Following the Master Chief's return to Earth, the UNSC Security Council reviewed footage taken by John-117's helmet cam to determine whether the Ur-Didact had been killed during the New Phoenix Incident.^[1]