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The '''MA5 Series''' is a series of air-cooled, gas-operated assault rifles produced by [[Misriah Armory]] that are used by the [[United Nations Space Command]] [[United Nations Space Command Defense Force|Defense Force]]. It is part of the larger [[MA Series]].<ref name="Index"/> All MA5s are [[bullpup]] weapons, with the receiver and feeding system located behind the trigger, and are chambered for [[M118 7.62x51mm Full Metal Jacket Armor-Piercing|7.62x51mm ammunition]]. They also feature electronic ammunition counters. They serve as the standard-issue weapons of most UNSCDF personnel.<ref>http://www.bungie.net/projects/halo3/content.aspx?link=h3plasmapistol</ref> The MA5 entered service with the UNSCDF in [[2437]] and has remained the primary service rifle ever since.<ref>[http://gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2010/01/27/feature-Noble-Team-Profile-3.aspx Game Informer]</ref><ref>[http://www.bungie.net/projects/reach/article.aspx?ucc=ordnance&cid=24580 '''Bungie.net''': ''MA37 ICWS'']</ref><ref name="Waypoint">[http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/intel/theuniverse/tech/gallery/assault-rifle/7b27101b-fec7-41d9-9fe3-c4dcc04f01b1 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Assault Rifle'']</ref> The weapons of the MA5 series are capable of being outfitted with [[M301 Grenade Launcher]]s and [[underslung shotgun]]s.<ref name="McLees">[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=BAGAssaultRifle '''Bungie.net''': ''MA5C Assault Rifle'']</ref>
The '''MA5 series''' is a series of air-cooled, gas-operated assault rifles produced by [[Misriah Armory]] that are used by the [[United Nations Space Command]] [[United Nations Space Command Defense Force|Defense Force]]. It is part of the larger [[MA Series]].<ref name="Waypoint"/> The MA5 series rifle is the workhorse of the [[UNSC Marine Corps]] and the [[UNSC Navy|Navy]] and has been in service for more than fifty years.


The MA5 series was preceded in service by the [[MA3A Individual Combat Weapon System]],<ref>'''Halo: First Strike'''</ref> which itself was preceded by the [[MA2B Individual Combat Weapon System|MA2B]] and the [[MA1 Individual Combat Weapon System|MA1]].<ref name="Index">[http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/intel/theuniverse/tech#filmstrip '''Halo Waypoint:''' ''Tech Article Index'']</ref> It is unknown if any other models saw service between the UNSC's retiring of the MA3A and its adoption of the MA5.
== Specification ==
=== Design details ===
The MA5 series rifle is an air-cooled, gas-operated and magazine-fed weapon designed for automatic fire. It has an attached electronics suite that provides information on rounds remaining in magazine, compass heading, as well as several other "housekeeping" functions. The rifle performs well in a variety of environments especially given the perceived delicacy of the attached electronics suite. The MA5 rifle can be outfitted with a number of modifications including sound suppressors, a grenade launcher or a standard issue flashlight.


==Models==
The rifles in the MA5 series are capable of being outfitted with [[M301 Grenade Launcher]]s and [[underslung shotgun]]s.<ref name="McLees">[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=BAGAssaultRifle '''Bungie.net''': ''MA5C Assault Rifle'']</ref>
 
=== Firing mechanism ===
The MA5 series rifle is a bullpup rifle and is made of [[Titanium-A armor|Titanium-A alloy]] - the rifle is a gas-operated weapon with a rotating-bolt and therefore must be cocked before the first shot can be fired. The charging handle used to chamber the round is situated on the left side of the rifle and moves during operation. Once the first round is fired, the gases from that round and those to follow impinge upon a gas piston, which pushes back the bolt carrier, rotating the bolt inside which unlocks it and extracts the spent brass from the chamber and ejects it. As the bolt carrier group is propelled forward, it chambers another round. This cycle continues until the magazine is empty. Once the magazine is empty, the charging handle must both be pulled back and locked or must be fully cycled after a fresh magazine is inserted to chamber the next round. The magazine itself is located at the butt of the rifle and the magazine release button is located above the magazine well and has an arrow pointing down toward the housing.
 
The electronics suite is integrated along the top rail guard of the weapon. The MA5 is designed for the toughest of situations, able to be subjected to elements that would otherwise cause a weapon to malfunction, or render a weapon inoperable. It is used by Marines and other Naval personnel with improper equipment to uploading a targeting reticule to the user's heads-up display or [[neural interface]].<ref name="contactharvest">'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 136-138''</ref>
 
=== Ammunition ===
{{Main|M118 Full Metal Jacket Armor-Piercing|l1=M118 7.62x51mm FMJ-AP}}
The MA5 series rifle uses the M118 7.62x51mm Full Metal Jacket, Armor Piercing rounds. These rounds are designed to pierce body armor so the rounds are reasonably large, and are surrounded by a molded jacket of either steel or titanium, which enhances its armor-piercing capabilities. More "exotic" ammunition types, like [[shredder round]]s, are available for use, however these modifications are available only by Mission Conditional Requisition (MCR).
 
== Development history ==
The MA5 entered service with the UNSCDF in [[2437]] and has remained the primary service rifle ever since.<ref name="katprofile">[http://gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2010/01/27/feature-Noble-Team-Profile-3.aspx '''GameInformer''': ''Noble Team Profile #3'']</ref><ref name="MA37">[http://www.bungie.net/projects/reach/article.aspx?ucc=ordnance&cid=24580 '''Bungie.net''': ''MA37 ICWS'']</ref><ref name="Waypoint">[http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/intel/theuniverse/tech/gallery/assault-rifle/7b27101b-fec7-41d9-9fe3-c4dcc04f01b1 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Assault Rifle'']</ref> The MA5 series was preceded in service by the [[MA3A Individual Combat Weapon System]],<ref>'''Halo: First Strike'''</ref> which itself was preceded by the [[MA2B Individual Combat Weapon System|MA2B]] and the [[MA1 Individual Combat Weapon System|MA1]].<ref name="Waypoint"/>
 
== Known models ==
*[[MA37 Individual Combat Weapon System]] - The MA37, the [[UNSC Army]]'s designation of the MA5, was introduced in 2437 and is still favored heavily by the Army despite newer iterations of the series. The MA37 receives a thirty-two round magazine.<ref name="Waypoint"/>
*[[MA37 Individual Combat Weapon System]] - The MA37, the [[UNSC Army]]'s designation of the MA5, was introduced in 2437 and is still favored heavily by the Army despite newer iterations of the series. The MA37 receives a thirty-two round magazine.<ref name="Waypoint"/>
*[[MA5B Individual Combat Weapon System]] - The MA5B is commonly used by the [[UNSC Navy]] and [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marine Corps]]. It saw more frequent usage before and during the early years of the [[Human-Covenant War]]. Following the introduction of the MA5C, it is often relegated to use in short-range combat. The MA5B receives a sixty-round magazine.<ref name="Waypoint"/>
*[[MA5B Individual Combat Weapon System]] - The MA5B is commonly used by the [[UNSC Navy]] and [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marine Corps]]. It saw more frequent usage before and during the early years of the [[Human-Covenant War]]. Following the introduction of the MA5C, it is often relegated to use in short-range combat. The MA5B receives a sixty-round magazine.<ref name="Waypoint"/>
*[[MA5C Individual Combat Weapon System]] - The MA5C was introduced near the end of the Human-Covenant War. It is an improvement upon the MA5B, featuring a heavier barrel with a one-in-seven twist, a stronger spring mechanism, and a sturdier, more ergonomically designed handguard. It receives a thirty-two round magazine; the reduced magazine capacity in relation to the MA5B is part of an effort to prevent wearing of the magazine spring.<ref name="McLees"/> It is used by the Marine Corps and the Navy in short-to-mid range combat.<ref name="Waypoint"/>
*[[MA5C Individual Combat Weapon System]] - The MA5C is an improvement upon the MA5B, featuring a heavier barrel with a one-in-seven twist, a stronger spring mechanism, and a sturdier, more ergonomically designed handguard. It receives a thirty-two round magazine; the reduced magazine capacity in relation to the MA5B is part of an effort to prevent wearing of the magazine spring.<ref name="McLees"/> It is used by the Marine Corps and the Navy in short-to-mid range combat.<ref name="Waypoint"/>
*[[MA5D Individual Combat Weapon System]] - The MA5D is the successor of the MA5C, and is in service with the Navy as of [[2557]]. The MA5D receives a thirty-two round magazine.<ref name="GI 522012">[http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2012/05/02/the-arsenal-of-halo-4.aspx '''Game Informer:''' ''The Arsenal of Halo 4'']</ref>
*[[MA5D Individual Combat Weapon System]] - The MA5D is the successor of the MA5C, and is in service with the Navy as of [[2557]]. The MA5D receives a thirty-two round magazine.<ref name="GI 522012">[http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2012/05/02/the-arsenal-of-halo-4.aspx '''Game Informer:''' ''The Arsenal of Halo 4'']</ref>
*[[MA5K Carbine]] - The MA5K is a carbine variant of the MA5 that used almost exclusively by Special Forces units. It receives a thirty-round magazine<ref name="Waypoint"/> and is seemingly modular, capable of being assembled in various configurations.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''' cover art</ref>
*[[MA5K Carbine]] - The MA5K is a carbine variant of the MA5 that used almost exclusively by Special Forces units. It receives a thirty-round magazine<ref name="Waypoint"/> and is seemingly modular, capable of being assembled in various configurations.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''' cover art</ref>
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<references/>
<references/>


{{UNSC Infantry Weapons}}
{{UNSC rifles}}
[[Category:Assault rifles]]
[[Category:Assault rifles]]

Revision as of 01:44, August 31, 2012

The MA5 series is a series of air-cooled, gas-operated assault rifles produced by Misriah Armory that are used by the United Nations Space Command Defense Force. It is part of the larger MA Series.[1] The MA5 series rifle is the workhorse of the UNSC Marine Corps and the Navy and has been in service for more than fifty years.

Specification

Design details

The MA5 series rifle is an air-cooled, gas-operated and magazine-fed weapon designed for automatic fire. It has an attached electronics suite that provides information on rounds remaining in magazine, compass heading, as well as several other "housekeeping" functions. The rifle performs well in a variety of environments especially given the perceived delicacy of the attached electronics suite. The MA5 rifle can be outfitted with a number of modifications including sound suppressors, a grenade launcher or a standard issue flashlight.

The rifles in the MA5 series are capable of being outfitted with M301 Grenade Launchers and underslung shotguns.[2]

Firing mechanism

The MA5 series rifle is a bullpup rifle and is made of Titanium-A alloy - the rifle is a gas-operated weapon with a rotating-bolt and therefore must be cocked before the first shot can be fired. The charging handle used to chamber the round is situated on the left side of the rifle and moves during operation. Once the first round is fired, the gases from that round and those to follow impinge upon a gas piston, which pushes back the bolt carrier, rotating the bolt inside which unlocks it and extracts the spent brass from the chamber and ejects it. As the bolt carrier group is propelled forward, it chambers another round. This cycle continues until the magazine is empty. Once the magazine is empty, the charging handle must both be pulled back and locked or must be fully cycled after a fresh magazine is inserted to chamber the next round. The magazine itself is located at the butt of the rifle and the magazine release button is located above the magazine well and has an arrow pointing down toward the housing.

The electronics suite is integrated along the top rail guard of the weapon. The MA5 is designed for the toughest of situations, able to be subjected to elements that would otherwise cause a weapon to malfunction, or render a weapon inoperable. It is used by Marines and other Naval personnel with improper equipment to uploading a targeting reticule to the user's heads-up display or neural interface.[3]

Ammunition

Main article: M118 7.62x51mm FMJ-AP

The MA5 series rifle uses the M118 7.62x51mm Full Metal Jacket, Armor Piercing rounds. These rounds are designed to pierce body armor so the rounds are reasonably large, and are surrounded by a molded jacket of either steel or titanium, which enhances its armor-piercing capabilities. More "exotic" ammunition types, like shredder rounds, are available for use, however these modifications are available only by Mission Conditional Requisition (MCR).

Development history

The MA5 entered service with the UNSCDF in 2437 and has remained the primary service rifle ever since.[4][5][1] The MA5 series was preceded in service by the MA3A Individual Combat Weapon System,[6] which itself was preceded by the MA2B and the MA1.[1]

Known models

  • MA37 Individual Combat Weapon System - The MA37, the UNSC Army's designation of the MA5, was introduced in 2437 and is still favored heavily by the Army despite newer iterations of the series. The MA37 receives a thirty-two round magazine.[1]
  • MA5B Individual Combat Weapon System - The MA5B is commonly used by the UNSC Navy and Marine Corps. It saw more frequent usage before and during the early years of the Human-Covenant War. Following the introduction of the MA5C, it is often relegated to use in short-range combat. The MA5B receives a sixty-round magazine.[1]
  • MA5C Individual Combat Weapon System - The MA5C is an improvement upon the MA5B, featuring a heavier barrel with a one-in-seven twist, a stronger spring mechanism, and a sturdier, more ergonomically designed handguard. It receives a thirty-two round magazine; the reduced magazine capacity in relation to the MA5B is part of an effort to prevent wearing of the magazine spring.[2] It is used by the Marine Corps and the Navy in short-to-mid range combat.[1]
  • MA5D Individual Combat Weapon System - The MA5D is the successor of the MA5C, and is in service with the Navy as of 2557. The MA5D receives a thirty-two round magazine.[7]
  • MA5K Carbine - The MA5K is a carbine variant of the MA5 that used almost exclusively by Special Forces units. It receives a thirty-round magazine[1] and is seemingly modular, capable of being assembled in various configurations.[8]

Gallery

List of appearances

Sources

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Halo Waypoint: Assault Rifle
  2. ^ a b Bungie.net: MA5C Assault Rifle
  3. ^ Halo: Contact Harvest, page 136-138
  4. ^ GameInformer: Noble Team Profile #3
  5. ^ Bungie.net: MA37 ICWS
  6. ^ Halo: First Strike
  7. ^ Game Informer: The Arsenal of Halo 4
  8. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx cover art