Streamlined, fully photoreactive variant techsuit

Increases in overall stealth efficiency and emissions baffling

Increased compatibility with cross-platform hardware and software



Improvements in the ergonomics of the external architecture (refer to notes on attached visualization)

The MIRAGE set is designed to be highly customizable, and barring some exceptions, individual suits tend to diverge more and more from the base template according to the operator's needs (as well as logistical realities) as time goes on. In addition, Spartans pick their gear on a mission-by-mission basis depending on the requirements of the deployment scenario at hand.

Long-term operability with limited resupply opportunities requires a delicate balance between optimum stealth and carrying capacity. However, even with more irregular surface arrangements, PR systems remain obviously superior to conventional camouflaging techniques. Indeed, well-arranged asymmetric loadouts can actually expedite camouflaging capacity as they aid in breaking off the operator's silhouette. PR cloaks and "ghillie" camouflaging is often used to further this effect.

Pictured coloration is tentative, and has been streamlined for illustration purposes, though primary colors are, in a general sense, indicative of the actual suits worn by the pictured individuals.

S-G098

Primary: MA5K-S assault carbine [PR-enabled variant of the MA5K carbine w/suppressor attachment]





Secondary: M6C-S PDWS



Tertiary/support: M-44 PADS [Portable Automated Defense System; deployable sentry turret], grenades, detonation charges and mines, and one or more rocket launcher(s) [M41 SSM or M07 LAAW]

S-G228

Primary: deployment specific: M48 Stanchion SASR-I with photoreactive cowlings (+jack for battery recharge via suit reactor) OR BR55-I Battle Rifle [use of BR55 over the 85 model is in part due to both logistical reasons and (consequently fortuitous) personal preference]





Secondary: M7S SMG



Tertiary: grenades, potentially single M07 LAAW

1 - Standard GHOST ensemble with apt. gear. Note the PR sidearm holster, dump pouch and asymmetric UA back plating (controlled asymmetry conducive for camouflage effectiveness). COBRA pattern integrated combat knife sheath fancy but possibly unnecessary.



2 - Fairly standard setup, w/UA-reinforced helmet, w/a more defined equipment belt and an M41 SSM in carry. Note the gauntlets- the standard RIFT-II pattern is easy on the eyes, but has its share of functional hurdles (wrist vs forearm mobility!).

3 - We may have something with the gauntlets in this one; also note fully concealed chestplate strap attachment. Vertical attachment of M-44 PADS nonstandard but workable. Knife location potentially problematic with prone movement.

4 - Optics assembly novel but unnecessary for S-G098.



5 - Conspicuous equipment vest of questionable utility as MPAS allows pouch attachment directly on armor w/o supporting webbing. Encased PADS might make the turret less conspicuous (and less likely to stick to things).

6 - The shoulder region of the chestplate here is worth considering - very smooth. We've been trying to find viable alternatives to the strap attachment system for some time. Note the extended UA vambrace.



7 - Use of tactical slings is surprisingly common even with magnetized weapon attachment systems. Reconsider knife placement?



8 - MAG-fixed LAAW attachment vastly preferable to traditional sling system.

1 - More or less consistent fixtures of G228's combat ensemble include: the M42 Individual Camouflaging System [a piezoelectric smart-fabric chameleoflage cloak]; a long-distance comms device and aerial; a sharpshooter/JFO optics package on the helmet; and a TACPAD. Note the added UA bracer plate on the right forearm.

2 - Experimental application of UA helmet reinforcement with optics package on the side. Combat knife placement here is nonstandard and unintuitive to S-G228 and is only depicted for speculative purposes. Semi-rigid fragmented cloak configuration preferable to free-flowing config? Thankfully smart fabric allows both.

3 - Optics box configuration is novel but appealing for various reasons; earmarked for further consideration.

4 - Lower leg configuration interesting but asymmetric knee guards of questionable utility. Optics box may be too large and unwieldy compared to version shown in (3).

5 - Little of note here, though note integrated chestplate attachment strapping. Bulk of lower legs undesirable compared to standard GHOST pattern (?)

6 - Boot configuration is... different.



7 - Legs overloaded? Carrying capacity not a problem w/MJOLNIR; however, mobility may be. Fragmented M-42 configuration rather elegant, however, as is the optics package. M48 length/size definitely nonstandard.



8 - Note the recoil compensation assembly and the power cable on the M48; we might want to put some research into making the energy transmission wireless to prevent accidents (or just general awkwardness; S-G228 complains about it getting in the way).

More concept art for my MJOLNIR SPI variant , as customized for two of my Spartan-III characters: Zahra-G098 (top row) and Flynn-G228 (bottom row). To be pedantic, they are no longer strictly Headhunters (by the traditional definition) as of the "main" timeline of my fan lore (c. 2557-2558) but I deemed their role is similar enough for the label to apply.I've been working on this one on and off for a few months now. Most of the designs are based on sketches I've doodled on paper, but I've been modifying them as I went along (I didn't want to rush it). I made an effort to go back to the basics with this one and tried exploring some new angles to drawing the armor. There's a lot of fun to be had with the shape of the helmet alone -- I've noticed I've become too used to drawing it merely as a blob when there's more to the shape in different versions of the design.The basic idea for the variation and the format is, as usual, inspired by Bungie's (mainly Isaac Hannaford's) concept art for Halo Reach (along with some inspiration from Shi Kai Wang's early Halo CE ideas). I'll also give a shout-out to this very cool fan concept of SPI armor , which encouraged me to experiment a bit more with the shape of the armor itself further down the line (and reminded me that they should probably be carrying around rocket launcher(s) of some sort).As you might be able to tell, I'm a firm believer in visually portraying all the gear Spartans must inevitably carry around on missions. I mean, modern soldiers lug around tons of pouches and the like, and with Spartans, the fact they're both augmented and wearing power armor should eliminate the weight restrictions that apply to baseline humans.Lore:-------UNSC Transmission X017- MRG-STATMID-02Sent: 13 / 02 / 2557Encryption Code: REDPublic Key: N/AFrom: Franklin, E., PR-OPS, PROJECT MIRAGE DEVELOPMENT TEAM (WATERSHED DIVISION / MATERIALS GROUP)To: RADM Shan, L., UNSC ORDNANCE COMMITTEESubject: PROJECT: MIRAGE PROGRESS UPDATEClassification: CLASSIFIED (BGE Directive)The following is a general overview of the current status of the MIRAGE program as well as offshoots and parallel efforts of particular relevance. Where the initial report provides an overview of the GHOST system, the emphasis of this document is on the gamut of variation within the MIRAGE platform; as such, this document is written with the assumption the reader already possesses a basic familiarity with Project MIRAGE and the MJOLNIR GEN-2/GHOST infiltration armor system.The success of the first generation of GHOST battlesuits can be attributed, in part, to the changed landscape of conflict in the postwar era, more pointedly in regards to operability within "gray zones" where an overt UNSC presence (doubly so a SPARTAN presence) is found tactically, strategically, and/or politically undesirable. This encompasses, among others, belligerent colonial territories the UEG cannot visibly operate in without major political repercussions, as well as ex-Covenant polities of variable and/or unstable alignment (ref. files on POLTERGEIST, CRONUS, HIGH NOON, etc). Such operations comprise a significant percentage of the live deployments of the GHOST variant and will, in all likelihood, continue to do so in the coming years. However, the advantages provided by the suit's optical camouflaging should not be underestimated in the context of conventional combat operations, even despite the indubitable morale value of more "overt" Spartans highlighted by some elements within the special forces.With continued funding from the Ordnance Committee, the resources of MATGRU and the versatility of the GEN2 platform, the MIRAGE team has been able to make major strides in PR chameleoflage technology. As well, a number of "aftermarket" variations of GHOST by ORDCOM approved suppliers are already in circulation within the special forces community.Progress on MIRAGE has additionally informed the tandem efforts on the Watershed Division's still-ongoing SPI development program -- even with the advent of S-IV, the mass augmentation of infantry forces at large is still a long way off, and as technology improves, the SPI platform will offer an increasingly realistic alternative to other infantry armor systems -- first within the unaugmented special forces (ODST, etc.) and eventually the military at large. As the focus of SPI development has shifted from S-III to non-SPARTAN special forces, the project has given rise to a handful of variations tailored specifically for these new target demographics -- most notably the SPI/ODST model In light of its continued success, Project MIRAGE is moving on to the formal introduction of its second phase. Main projected improvements of the second-generation GHOST-pattern battlesuits (along with the requisite mid-life upgrades to extant platforms) include:Experience gathered on the field by Spartan special operators has greatly informed the MIRAGE team on future development of the GHOST ensemble, while the increased funding and additions to project staff have opened doors for greater specialization and modularity. The visualization accompanying this document is one of a number of similar concepts to explore potential developmental avenues of the MIRAGE/GHOST platform based on both operator experience and hard data garnered in the field, and focuses on the combat ensembles of some of the most longstanding users of the GHOST pattern armor -- S-G098 and S-G228, SPARTAN-III special operators assigned to UNSC Battlegroup Endymion within NAVSPECWAR/GroupONE/Task Force Theta/UCW OPS Team 7. The visualization has been produced by the Endymion Spartan Service Crew with AI assistance, and has been derived from both trends in S-G098's and -G228's armor configurations over the last thirteen months as well as suggestions offered by said Spartans. A summary of the accompanying textual documentation is included below.Basic notes for context:Standard weapon loadouts are as follows (NOTE: depictions of WEPS in visualization are subject to the same variation as the armor designs themselves):(NOTE: following notes from the technical team are presented in unedited form.)First row: Zahra-G098Second row: Flynn-G228////----