[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] UL7IM4 G33K [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Sigma617 [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Gottalovec4 From what I've gathered it was a canon change. Now, MJOLNIR MK V was issued in 2542, not 2552, and the shielded variants that Noble Team had were issued in 2551 as ONI's experimental models, with the finished product with the combined and perfected shields as well as AI port being tested by Chief in 2552. [/quote] I actually quite like this change (if what you claim is actually true, it looks rather like the Halo 3 Armor description typo). It does not make sense to field a MJOLNIR iteration and then retire it for a new one in the space of 4 or so months. Even if it Mark V was literally just Mark IV with smaller fusion packs and Shields, it should have been used for years, not months.[/quote] It was basically Mark IV with shields. I don't think they were planning on fielding that until later (when MC gets his Mark VI) but due to the operation being presented they may have rushed it through prototyping on the previous armor variant and just issued it the Mark V designation. Even then, the only reason Mark VI exists is because of the significant changes to the mechanics and design of the armor for Halo 2.[/quote] This is what I'm saying. My hypothesised timeline is this. 2525: MJOLNIR MK IV issued on Chi Ceti, it is an early "proof of concept" model that has all the contained components we recognize now as MJOLNIR. 2531: New version released seen in Halo Wars, to Spartans being sent in Outer Colonies, hence why it looks brand new in cutscenes when it should be very banged up after 5 years of constant combat. 2534: Studies of Jackal Shield Gauntlets commenced by ONI to reproduce energy shield technology. 2541: *According to Halo wikia* Dr. Halsey begins work on Mk V, with many possible prototypes being produced and given to Spartan units for field testing. 2551: A working "beta" of the suit issued to NOBLE Team and the SPARTAN IIs issued November 24th, presumably to familiarize the commandos with the final product. NOBLE is given special access to indev hardware including the prototype energy shielding, not yet perfected in the Mk V. August 2552: John 117 tests out the "final" product of the Mk V project, including the new energy shields and AI port. This final version has removed many software bugs leading to "hundreds of minor technical improvements" However, this version has been rushed out by HIGHCOM for Operation "Red Flag" and Halsey being Halsey quickly allocates resources and sends designs for futher, un added improvements, so Seongnam on Earth, knowing her lab will soon be destroyed on Reach. October 2552: The "Mark VI" is issued to all surviving SPARTAN II Commandos. In reality this is just the culmination of the Mjolnir "Black" armor developed in Hiroshima, and the Mark V improvements like shielding and the AI interface. Mark VI is in reality a more polished, complete Mark V, including an in helmet zoom, reentry capability, and automated biofoam manufaturers and injectors. Stuff that Halsey couldn't put in at the last minute.