ORION armor
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
| Orion | |
|---|---|
Front
 Rear
 | |
| Production overview | |
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Type: |
Powered exoskeleton prototype |
| Technical specifications | |
|
Feature(s): |
Shoulder-mounted "Shoulder Angel" micro-missile launcher |
The ORION Exoframe Load Carrier, often simplified to simply the "ORION armor", was a powered exoskeleton design developed by Project: MELAENO, as a sister project intended for use in the ORION program.[1][2]
Overview
Design details
The Orion armor encompasses a full-body armour suite, with a helmet notably reminiscent of select Mark IV and Mark V helmets of which it would serve as the grandfather of. The chest armor is equipped with a prototype fitting for a "Shoulder Angel" micro-missile/decoy launcher.[2]
Development history
ORION armor was created as a part of the Colonial Military Authority's Project: MELAENO - a project inspired by the Materials Group's Project: HRUNTING series of powered exoskeletons. Ultimately, only a few components of the armor underwent field testing before the project's cancellation.[1]
The Orion armor's forearms were field-tested by ORION operatives during Operation: KALEIDOSCOPE, during the Insurrection. Testing of the greaves was conducted by ORION candidate 029 on Mars, with the suit's hardware development studies later going on to provide useful data for the MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor project.[1] Classified MELAENO project files were dug up by Catherine Halsey in 2515 and the useful parts noted[1], with the suit's design ultimately going on to inform the MJOLNIR team on ensuring high range of motion and high levels of protection.[2]
The Orion exoframe was later used by the Watershed Division as a useful stepping stone in the development of the Semi-Powered Infiltration armor used in the SPARTAN-III program. As of 2559, many of MELAENO's successes and failures remain classified.[1]
Usage
What little of the Orion armor that was actually created was employed by ORION personnel during Operation: KALEIDOSCOPE, around 2506-2507.[2]
In-game information
Orion was implemented into Halo 2: Anniversary as a useable armor set in the 20th anniversary celebration event for Halo: The Master Chief Collection, marking the first time a new piece of customisation was implemented for the game. The set is available for purchase in The Exchange on the week of November 3, 2021 and again on the week of January 5, 2022.[3]
| Piece | Description | Unlock requirements |
|---|---|---|
 Helmet |
Project ORION had ambitious plans for complete super-soldier weapon systems, but only Dr. Halsey had the vision and genius to bring both hardware and wetware to fruition. | The Exchange,  2
|
 Chest |
High-grade torso shell with prototype fitting for integrated "Shoulder Angel" micro-missile/decoy launcher. | The Exchange, 2
|
 Shoulders |
ORION hardware development studies provided useful data for ensuring both range of motion and high levels of protection on later MJOLNIR designs. | The Exchange, 2
|
 Forearms |
Field-tested during Operation: KALEIDOSCOPE. | The Exchange, 2
|
 Legs |
Rigorous testing of the greaves was undertaken by candidate 029 on the red plains of Mars. | The Exchange, 2
|
Production notes
The Orion armor design dates back to the 1999-era armor seen at MacWorld 1999 during the Halo announcement trailer, which was used to officially unveil Halo: Combat Evolved to the public for the first time ever.
The armor made its first appearance in published Halo media in 2005's Halo Graphic Novel. The armour can be seen on page 69 as an unnamed extra during the story Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa, in a presumably non-canon appearance.[4] It was first featured in a canonical capacity in Halo: The Master Chief Collection for Halo's 20th anniversary.
Gallery
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Browse more images in this article's gallery page. |
Extremely early concept art for Halo: Combat Evolved, featuring Orion-clad cyborgs.
The original Macworld 1999 armour.
A squad of soldiers in Macworld armor, ported into Combat Evolved.
A look at the non-canon appearance of the ORION armor in Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa.
The Orion armour in the menus of The Master Chief Collection.
An Orion-clad Spartan holding a BR55 battle rifle.
Back view of an Orion-clad Spartan holding a battle rifle.
An Orion-clad Spartan holding a battle rifle.
An Orion-clad Spartan reloading a battle rifle.
An Orion-clad Spartan holding an M41 SPNKR.
An Orion-clad Spartan holding an M41 rocket launcher.
An Orion-clad Spartan holding an M7 SMG.
An Orion-clad Spartan reloading an SMG.
Two Spartans clad in Orion helmets and chest armours.
Orion armour in the Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition).
List of appearances
- Halo Graphic Novel
- Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa (First appearance, non-canon)
- Halo 2: Anniversary (First appearance)
Sources
- ^ a b c d e Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 76
- ^ a b c d Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Anniversary Armory (Retrieved on Nov 3, 2021) [archive]
- ^ Halo Waypoint, Celebrating 20 Years of Halo in The Master Chief Collection (Retrieved on Nov 3, 2021) [archive]
- ^ Halo Graphic Novel - Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa, page 96
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