Equipment and Weaponry

Armor components

A study of the ODST armor.

The ODST battle dress uniform is comprised of several different components and layers that make the suit what it is, while technology from other projects across the military have been incorporated into the suit, ODST equipment still has proprietary technology that has not been adopted into other equipment for the military.

Helmet

ODST helmet

The standard helmet worn by Orbital Drop Shock Troopers, which was originally designed for use with the MJOLNIR system, Like the Beta-5 Division MP helmet, the ODST helmet is enclosed and can provide oxygen for fifteen minutes; unlike the Beta-5 Division MP helmet, however, the ODST helmet features a distinct, more rounded visor. This version is made of titanium and is coated with a heat-dispersing material; the inside of the helmet is lined with padding to provide comfort for the user. The visor is capable of polarizing, fully obscuring the user's face, or depolarizing, becoming nearly transparent, at the user's whim; the visor is generally colored silver-blue, though infrequently red, dark orange, silver, black, and golden polarization are also possible.

The ODST helmet is seemingly derived from the standard-issue CH252 helmet. The modern version of the helmet was adapted for use with MJOLNIR; the technological advancements made, such as CTCs, were incorporated back into the ODST helmet's regular production. It is made of titanium and is coated with a heat-resistant material to help disperse heat - the inside is lined with black padding to provide comfort when the user is wearing it. The helmet's faceplate is made of a strong, glass-like material with the ability to polarize. When polarized, the helmet's faceplate has a bluish silver color and obscures the wearer's face completely. However, the ODST helmets worn by the Spartan-IIs during their training had a golden-orange polarization, and Michaels wore a red-polarized helmet during the Battle of Ariel. There is also an up-armored variant of the standard helmet designed for close-quarters combat, designated the ODST-HS Combat Helmet.

The helmet provides excellent protection against small-arms fire and small explosive attacks. The helmet is also essential in providing an ODST the ability to perform EVA and also provides a heads-up display (HUD), giving the wearer basic information including a targeting reticule, weapon information, ammo capacity, and basic health readout. The newest version of the helmet integrates with the user's standard neural interface to provide more tactical data to the HUD. Helmet-integrated neural interfaces is another piece of technology that has seen widespread adoption from Project MJOLNIR. Along with this state-of-the-art equipment, the helmet is also equipped with its own thermal imaging and motion sensors. There are also several external optical modules that can be attached to the helmet, including the ODST-CNM used by some squad leaders or an optical/integration module which enhances smart-linking capabilities and communication systems.

Another version of the helmet is very similar in design, though its faceplate is noticeably less convex and is colored a deep shade of blue. This model bears less resemblance to the CH252 combat helmet, most notably in the backward-swept over the ears and jaw.

ODST BIOS

Main article: ODST BIOS

The ODST BIOS is firmware, designed to be the first code run by the ODST armor when activated. The initial function of the BIOS is to identify, test, and initialize system devices such as the heads-up display, VISR and other hardware. The BIOS handles most of the armors software functions when initiated. Updates to the BIOS allow newer hardware to be supported and function. BIOS versions can be viewed though the ODST armors magnification system when no weapon is being held or no zoom-supported weapon is being held.

VISR

VISR greatly broadens the range of information available to the individual combatant.

Main article: Visual Intelligence System, Reconnaissance

The Visual Intelligence System, Reconnaissance (VISR) is issued with the ODST helmet. The VISR proprietary data management suite enables a user to link into UEG, CAA, and UNSC infrastructure systems at the local, national, and global levels - however actual access level is administered on a need/rating basis. This allows the user to store and review mission content up to 610MB combined, the system also provides street level navigational data, and receive secure real-time mission data. In addition, every current issue helmet ODST BIOS A29.817941B.01 or later is equipped with low-light vision enhancement, which outlines hostile units in red, friendlies in green, weapons in blue, and objects of interest in yellow.

Body suit

The ODST body suit is composed of several different layers and materials. The inner layer of the black-gray undersuit is made of Kevlar to aid in protecting the wearer from small arms fire. The inner layer contains a heating and cooling system which regulates temperatures to keep the user warm or cool depending on the weather conditions - the heating and cooling system can also match infrared signatures of the current weather as well to allow an ODST to go undetected in hostile locations. The outer layer of the undersuit is coated with a heat-resistant material to aid in reducing temperatures experienced during orbital drop, and against Covenant plasma weapons. The body suit also doubles as a pressure suit to allow an ODST to perform extra-vehicular activity.

Armor plating

As with the helmet, the chest plate is composed of titanium and ceramic materials. It covers the chest from the bottom of the clavicle to the bottom of the rib cage, with another segment protecting the abdomen. Some body suits feature an armored collar that protects the wearer's neck, complementing the chest plate's coverage. A pair of wide, low-profile shoulder pauldrons are featured, though some ODSTs, such as snipers or CQB specialists, may opt for an alternate model or none at all. The shin and knees are well protected with titanium-ceramic guards, as are the forearms.

A different armor set features a much slimmer chest plate; a shorter collar; and smaller, lower-profile pauldrons. This version offers no protection to the groin. The greaves are nearly identical to those worn with the standard set.

Rucksack

Designated as the M/LBE Hard Case, the rucksack issued to ODSTs is, for all intents and purposes, an armored backpack that attaches to the back of the armored vest. The rucksack comes in a number of different variants. The main purpose is storage, which allows a trooper to store equipment, ranging from ammunition, to medical supplies, to explosives, to battery packs which provides power to any equipment an ODST may carry, and communications, which houses the necessary radio and satellite gear that an ODST squad requires to report in to their superiors. For longer missions, ODSTs can carry larger rucksacks with enough supplies for two weeks of operation without external resupply. Rucksacks have integrated magnetic holding devices to allow for external back mounting of additional equipment. Equipment with magnetic properties, such as longer weaponry, can be carried externally over the rucksack eliminating the use of extra straps or slings. Because the rucksack's casing is armored, it gives the ODST wearing it an additional layer of protection from behind.

The M7/s caseless SMG

The M7S Submachine Gun or the Suppressed SMG is a United Nations Space Command infantry weapon and variant of the M7/Caseless Submachine Gun. The M7S is equipped with a SS/M 49 sound suppressor, muzzle flash suppressor, and the SLS/V 5B reflex sight that uses a miniature reticle, making it more effective in dark areas and general close-quarters combat. A flashlight is attached under the suppressor off to the bottom left side of the barrel, but it is not usable. Sustained fire tends to cause the muzzle to "walk" upwards as recoil compounds. 

The M6C/s Pistol

The M6C/SOCOM variant is a special issued handgun to the UNSC's special operations units, and particularly used by the Orbital Drop Shock Troopers. It is used in operations that rely on stealth rather than direct engagements. Unlike most M6 magnum variants, the M6C/SOCOM has an integrated sound suppressor, and muzzle brake. In lieu of the KFA-2 sight used on the M6D PDWS, the M6C/SOCOM utilizes a smart-linked optics package with a 4× magnification; this configuration uses VnSLS/V 6E software, enabling the user to eliminate targets at long range while incurring limited recoil due to the integral sound suppressor and compensator.

The weapon features a laser aiming module with an integrated flashlight mounted under the barrel.

Ammunition

The M6C/SOCOM uses M225 12.7x40mm semi-armor-piercing high-explosive rounds, loaded in a 12-round magazine.