MJOLNIR battle armor

MJOLNIR redirects here. For other meanings, see Wikipedia:Mjolnir (disambiguation)

The MJOLNIR battle armor is a fictional suit of battle armor in the Marathon Trilogy and Halo franchise, both in the novels and the video games.[1] The name is taken from the Norse god of Thor's mystical hammer, Mjolnir.

Overview

In the Halo series, the MJOLNIR battle armor is most recognizable as the Master Chief's trademark green armor. The suit provides him with, among a variety of benefits, enhanced strength, speed, and a recharging energy shield. Other SPARTAN-II soldiers, though only featured in the novels, wear identical suits of armor. The MJOLNIR armor was developed alongside the SPARTAN-II project to make the augmented supersoldiers even more formidable opponents.

Chronologically, the MJOLNIR battle armor first appears in Bungie's first Marathon game, though the two games do not share a continuity. The functions and history of the armor are largely products of the Halo series.

Armor history

In the Halo series, there are six iterations of the MJOLNIR battle armor, each representing an advancement in the technology behind the suits. Halo 3 also features several unique multiplayer variants on the latest versions of the armor, awarded by accomplishing set goals on the Xbox Live achievement list for Halo 3.

Mark I

The first MJOLNIR armor (though not named as such) was the Mark I, being the Navy's first experiment with powered exoskeletons. In comparison to the Master Chief's armor, the Mark I is a bulky exoskeleton that improves strength and stamina. A person in the suit can lift two tons (4,409 pounds) and run at 32 km/h (19.88 mph). The armor is nearly impervious to standard light weapons and possesses a self-targeting 30-millimeter minigun with mission-variable ammunition (stun rounds for training, live bullets for actual combat). Motion sensors and infrared scopes are also option equipment for improved performance.

The suit achieves movement through a hydraulic system. It also uses a large amount of power, requiring a long umbilical to feed it power continuously or a then-inefficient power broadcast system, both of which inhibited the Mark I's overall range and mobility in battle, thus restricting it to non-combat activities.

The Mark I, being impractical for the needs of the Spartan-II project, was completely scrapped, since the unarmored Spartan-IIs proved themselves superior to the Mark I in every respect.

Mark II

The Mark II battle armor is mostly similar to the Mark I, though slimmed down and with improved abilities over its predecessor. It still requires a direct link to a fusion reactor for power. Physically speaking, it is the strongest type of armor in the entire human arsenal.

Mark III

The next prototype, the Mark III, incorporated a power transmission-receiver so that power could be transmitted to it much like the Mark I armor and the Orbital Defense Platforms in orbit of major UNSC colonies. This design was quickly rejected for two reasons: first and foremost was its still-limited operating range, which the Spartan-IIs could not afford, and the vulnerable external power supply, which if destroyed would essentially turn the armor into a motionless coffin.

Mark IV

The Mark IV is chronologically introduced in Halo: The Fall of Reach, fielded from November 27, 2525 to August 29, 2552. Compared to the exoskeleton designs of the first three prototypes, the Mark IV is roughly human shaped, though still significantly larger than the average human. Among the improvements in this model are a self-contained power supply (a small fusion pack), reinforced outer plates to provide better protection, and finally a rubber under suit and a gel layer which both protect against blunt trauma and maintain a consistent climate for the wearer. The key to the massive strength and power lies in a layer of "liquid crystals"; these amplify the strength and signal sent from the nervous system, and translates them right into motion, and is capable to increase a person strength by 2 times and decrease reaction time by one-fifth. Unlike the previous armor models, only the Spartan-IIs are capable of using the armor successfully; unaugmented humans are either injured or killed by the suit's enhanced speed and reaction times.

The helmet of the MJOLNIR armor is also improved over the previous models. It has a built-in life-support system allows the wearer to breathe underwater, in space, or in toxic environments for a period of 90 minutes without risk. A computer system built into the helmet also monitors health and weapon status (ammo, available weapons, etc.) through a series of sensors. The HUD generates the relevant displays for the user, and the targeting reticle is able to distinguish between friend and foe. The HUD also contains acknowledgment lights and status monitors for teammates.

Mark V

The Mark V armor is the armor worn by the Master Chief in Halo: Combat Evolved, first introduced in Halo: The Fall of Reach, just prior to the Covenant attack on the planet, as an upgrade to the Mark IV. Though functionally similar to the Mark IV, the Mark V contains a number of improvements, the first and foremost of which is a full-body, rechargeable energy shield reverse-engineered from the arm-mounted shields used by Covenant Jackals. The Mark V armor is also capable of housing an A.I. (like Cortana), allowing faster reaction times as well as real-time mission intel. The Master Chief demonstrates the full lethality of the suit by defeating several armed ODSTs on an obstacle course.

Mark VI

In Halo 2, the Master Chief's severely damaged Mark V armor is replaced by the Mark VI. This model is slimmer than the previous version, giving the wearer increased movement. The utility belt and grenade belt are integrated onto the waist piece, allowing grenades to be clamped directly to the belt while ammo and other such utilities are placed in two large storage compartments on the side of the waist. The flashlight is redesigned to last longer and recharge faster, and the HUD no longer includes a health monitor (this aspect of gameplay is phased out in Halo 2) due to an on-board supply of biofoam, a medication for sealing wounds, thus allowing the Spartans to operate without a need of a medikit or requiring to know their health. The shielding system of the suit is more powerful, eliminating both fire and falling damage. It also is stronger and has a faster recharge time, eliminating the risk of injury to some degree during a firefight.

CQB Variant

In Halo 3, the MJOLNIR Mark VI/C variant is available as a specialized suit of MJOLNIR armor. Developed in Essen, Germany and tested in Songnam, Korea, the armor is intended to improve combat survivability in close combat beyond what even the standard Mark VI armor is capable of, particularly through methods of kinetic energy dispersal and joint mobility.

EVA Variant

Also available in Halo 3 is the MJOLNIR Mark VI/V variant, a model designed to improve performance in zero gravity and vacuum conditions. Developed at the UNSC Low/Zero Gravity Testing Facility on Ganymede, the EVA armor is intended to create a high degree of maneuverability in zero gravity without the use of thrusters and to increase exoatmospheric survival.

SCOUT Variant

An unlockable armor variant in Halo 3, the SCOUT armor was designed to improve stealth capabilities within battle and combat situations. This armor variant was designed and tested in Swanbourne, Perth, Western Australia.

Marathon - The MJOLNIR Mark IV Cyborg

During the course of the Marathon games, various text terminals mention ten MJOLNIR Mark IV cyborgs, which represent "all of the destructive knowledge of mankind." The identity of the protagonist is never solidly stated in the games. The manual states that he is a security officer aboard the UESC Marathon. However, in the Marathon 2 preview, the AI Durandal reveals the following:

"Were you ever curious about the tenth cyborg which was supposed to be on the Marathon? Why could Leela find only nine? Was it ever activated? Was it destroyed during the defense of the colony? You are right to be curious."

Real-life MJOLNIR Replicas

Inspired on the Halo video game series Troy Hurtubise developed a real counterpart for the MJOLNIR battle. The suit is functional and its capabilities were inspired by those present in the video games versions of the armor. The armor's features include a system that purifies air powered by solar panels located in the helmet, equipment for weapon transportation, a recording system, emergency illumination and a transponder that can be consumed if the wearer is in serious jeopardy. The armor offers protection against attacks with knives, blunt objects and small explosions and is bulletproof. Hurtubise expressed that he is able to improve this design for use in the military for a price of 2,000 dollars per piece. Several non-functional replicas of the MJOLNIR armor have been created, such as the work of Nightmare Armor Studios, Chris Bryan, MjolnirArmor.com, and Briar's Armor.

External links

• Marathon's Story: Facts and puzzling things about... You
• Marathon's Story: Facts and puzzling things about... The 10th military Mjolnir Mark IV cyborg
• Halo Armor Forum: Location of a Halo Fanclub