Halo Waypoint/2009 to 2014/Universe/Weapons

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Weapons

Assault Rifle

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The term “Assault Rifle” is colloquially used throughout the UNSC Armed Forces to describe an array of Individual Combat Weapon Systems with the model prefix “MA.” It is the most commonly associated sidearm of the Army, Navy, and Marines; it is instantly recognizable due to its accentuated and bulky shroud, its practical but heavy design, and its overall efficiency across a wide spectrum of combat scenarios.

The MA series of rifles are typically air-cooled, gas-operated and utilize a rotating bolt. They are easy to clean, easy to use, and can survive harsh environmental conditions. They can carry a variety of ammunition types and magazine sizes, though the most recent iterations—like the Marines’ MA5C and the Army’s MA37—carry between thirty-two (32) and sixty (60) rounds per magazine. Assault Rifles traditionally use the standard 7.62mm round, which can be fired at a full range of settings, the most common of which is fully-automatic.

As of 2552, the most popular Assault Rifles currently in use are as follows:

- MA2B – Used sparsely across the UNSC Special Forces with .390 caliber ammunition.

- MA3A – Currently out of production, but still heavily used in the black market and by terrorist organizations.

- MA37 – Consistently in production since 2437, and still heavily favored by the UNSC Army.

- MA5B – Used effectively at short-range by the UNSC Marine Corps and Navy at 60 rounds per magazine.

- MA5C – Used effectively at short-to-mid-range by the UNSC Marine Corps and Navy with 32 rounds per magazine.

- MA5K – A cut-down, carbine variant with a 30 round magazine size, used almost exclusively during Special Forces operations.

The MA line of assault rifle remains one of the most dominant weapon series throughout human-controlled space, involved in nearly every military activity from the early 30’s to the Fall of 2552, during the final battles of the Human-Covenant War. Regardless of the persistence of newer weapon models, the MA line is fully expected to continue its military service in some shape or form for decades to come.