"Our duty as soldiers is to protect humanity. Whatever the cost."
"You say that like soldiers an Humanity are two different things. Soldiers aren't machines. We're just people."-Conversation between CAPT Thomas Lasky and SPARTAN-II John S-117, five hours after the Phoenix Incident, circa 2557
Description: Seen as legends during the Human-Covenant War, revered by allies and feared by enemies, the SPARTAN's were equipped with some of the most advanced equipment and infantry fighting gear in the UNSCDF. In the Post-War era, this hasn't changed. With Improvements in combat technology and training, even the SPARTAN-IV's are respected and feared just as much by their allies and enemies.
Armor/Suit
Mark VIII MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor (GEN4)-Building upon the success of the GEN3, the Mark VIII GEN4 MJOLNIR is the pinnacle of Human infantry battle armor technology. The outer armor is made up of Titanium-C2, a sub-variant of Titanium-C1 made specifically for MJOLNIR armor. Its forging process details a lightweight Titanium-Tungsten carbon nanotube alloy, which is interwoven with diamond dust, being coated with boron carbide before honeycombed with a liquid chromium metal. The carbide would react to the chromium, forming a new ceramic-metal compound that filled in the pore spaces, before the composite is woven with a non-newtonian polymer, making the whole composite semi-flexible. This then underwent a forging/compressing where Sangheili based-low temperature plasma forges and anti-gravity generators heated and hyper compressed the alloy, the final results after the process is complete being a lightweight, yet hard and highly durable battleplate. This would form the main exterior shell of the armor, laminated with an EARN applicant to provide heat ablation and energy absorption. Under this shell is three under layers of ablative ceramic tiles, thermal resistant carbon fiber, and inner liquid nanocrystal, further adding ballistic and directed energy protection. Non-Newtonian nanomaterials are interwoven within each layer as well, adding extra flexibility. Backing this up is a bodysuit made from interwoven high-strength titanium-nanotube tri-weave and EARN applicant fibers woven over liquid crystal and radiation resistant layers, providing protection from a full spectrum of x-ray and gamma radiation. Further protection is added by a Mark-IV PANSPEC Energy Shield Generator as well. Regarding the augmenting abilities of the GEN4, the Reactive Liquid Metal Crystal Piezoelectric layer is improved, further enhancing the SPARTAN's physical abilities, allowing for running speeds in armor up to 120 kilometers per hour, quadrupling the wearers strength, increased reflexes and in general a overall improvement to SPARTAN's abilities. As for the powerplant, that task is up to a pair of compact, twin-linked Catherine-Halsey Mark-II Power Generation Helium-3 Pinch-Fusion boosted Powercells, which use highly focused magnetic fields to generate plasma that is converted into fuel used to power the armor systems. This can be used as a 'low-yield' nuclear device when the self-destruct failsafe is activated. One of the new features of the GEN4 are Integrated weapons, featuring two 'four-pack' shoulder micro-missile launchers and a module in the left arm that can be inserted with a 'smart' mini-grenade launcher, though this launcher isn't standard in the basic MJOLNIR model in order to shave off cost. A whole suite of sensors, electronics, and systems are featured in the suit as well. A micro AESA radar, Eye/Head tracking systems and Target Acquisition systems, a three stage motion scanner, a Terahertz Wave mini camera, micro thruster units, thermal optical camouflage, superconducting micro-couplers built into the gloves that can draw energy directly from the powercells, attachment modules, etc. The more expensive features of older MJONIR models such as the embedded crystaline computational matrix and Memory processor superconducting layer are removed from basic models to improve mass production.
Weapons
LAS-1B Advanced Combat Rifle-Using a upsized MAR-2C template, the Linear Assault System is specifically designed to be used by SPARTAN operators. It incorporates a more powerful set of micro mag-rails, and a juicer battery to power it, that can fire 9.52x04mm caseless tungsten carbide slugs with at a accurate range of over 2300 yards and with a muzzle velocity of 5180 m/s. The slugs deal more kinetic damage thanks to their outer layer being made of self-sharpening material, giving the 'SPARTAN' rifles, a common nickname associated with the LAS, awesome firepower only eclipsed by anti-material sniper-railguns. Backing up this firepower, the LAS can mount a number of attachments as well, with the most preferred one being the M903 Underbarrel 40mm Grenade Launcher, along with the M750 Reconnaissance Combat Optic scope. Now due to the certain limitations used, the LAS can only fire one slug every time the trigger is pulled, but that's where the most unique feature of the LAS comes into play, the Energy Capture system. Based on technology used by the Pillar of Autumn and modern UNSCN warships, the EC system is built into the overhead barrel cowling where electricity is recycled and immediately shunted back into the rails until the charge ran out, allowing for the user to fire a burst of three slugs everytime the trigger is pulled. Warning, while the LAS can be used by non-SPARTAN personnel, it is not recommended as due to the upped firepower of the weapon, the kick is much harder and will cause terrible bruising and aching in the firing shoulder after contestant use.
M454S Typhoon Stacked Munitions Weapon-When the UNSC Arms Division were figuring out what CQC weapon would repace the aging DTM series, many protoypes were convinced and tested. Only two models would make it through the tests and were considered viable replacments for the DTM shotguns, the X454 "Typhoon" and the XCQ48 "Bulldog". In the end, the Bulldog would be chosen as the successor, but that didn't mean the end for the Typhoon. Placed in the Advanced-Combat-Weapon-Systems program, the Typhoon would see use by SPARTAN operators and other UNSC Spec-Ops. Field reports showed that the Typhoon was quite effective in CQC situations, and particularly proved excellent against Flood combat forms. Due to this positive reception, the M454S would enter service in the SPARTAN branch and in units specializing in Flood combat. The Typhoon uses a special munitions storage system, where 4mm caseless rounds were stacked in ten separate barrels, each one made up of seventy-two rounds. Using an ETC acceleration system, an electrical charge triggering a plasma cartridge that would ignite the propellants, the Typhoon can fire its ammunition off at 500 rounds per second. This results in it being highly effective at shredding lightly armored, and unarmored combatants in practicality milliseconds, at the severe sacrifice of range, stability, and some accuracy. Though the last two aren't a problem for SPARTAN's
M7A Electro-Plasma Pistol-During the Great-War, many prototype plasma small arms were tested, with only a few successful models that were slated to enter service in the UNSCDF. One of these models was the X7 Directed Energy Magnum. Officially entering service in 2558, these weapons were first used by SPARTAN operators during the Requiem campaign. Here the M7A proved to be a massive boon to their arsenal, especially against the Prometheans. It uses a similar method of firing plasma to the M182L1, though instead of magnetic coils, the M7A instead uses rails to create a more focused magnetic field and the plasma it fires has a more noticeable electromagnetic interference effect. Plasma bolts fired from the pistol travel at a muzzle velocity of 2112 m/s and over 900 yards, and when they hit, they hit hard. Energy cells are contained in the side where they are ejected like a regular magazine when depleted, and a special liquid cooling system helps with overheating. The weapons, however, require lengthy maintenance and are quite heavy for their size, making them too expensive to produce on a scale large enough to arm each member of the UNSCDF with one and are mainly used by SPARTAN operators. Despite this, a few UNSCN Admirals favor this weapon for its pure firepower, often personalizing them.
M50 Combat Knife-The successor to the M11, the M50 is specifically built for use by SPARTAN operators. The blade is constructed using hyper dense alloys and materials, the final result being a monomolecular titanium-diamond carbide blade with self-sharpening abilities. Through this these blades are extraordinarily sharp and retain their edge even after repeated use. Combined with the average SPARTAN's strength, these blades can penetrate energy shielding or hardened armor.
Equipment
T54Z Holographic Form Emitter-Projects a hardlight holograph that forms a near-perfect replica of the operator currently equipped with it. This can be used for a variety of purposes, such as enticing enemies to leave defensive positions, fake a retreat, distract an enemy, or create an illusion. The downsides is that these can be easily disrupted and the programming of the holograph is very basic.
T11D Anti-Gravity Repulsor System-When activated this device focuses a antigravity field 'foward' that can be used to reflect enemy grenades and super charged plasma bolts or even be use to boost jumps and maneuverability.
T32I Grappling Hook Launcher-Product of Project MAGNES, the 'grappleshot' , a common name referring to the T32I, fires a grappling hook that can be used to improve maneuverability, get to high up places, board vehicles, and pull weapons and objects, or even enemy combatants towards the user. The hook itself is made from high-strength aluminium-weave layered with heat resistant carbon fibers, resulting in a very strong, hard to break cable.
Notes:
1. Energy Absorbant Regenerative Non-Newtionian (EARN)
2. The Energy Capture system idea actually came from SpaceCowboy2013's Halo/Star Wars crossover fic "Sins of A Galatic Empire", so all credit goes to them.