SRS99C-S2 AM sniper rifle: Difference between revisions

The '''Sniper Rifle System 99C-Series 2 Anti-Matériel''', abbreviated '''SRS99C-S2 AM'''{{Ref|'''[[The Art of Halo: Creating a Virtual World]]''', Weapons and Gear, page 100}} or just '''S2 AM''',<ref name="HCEM">'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Manual]]''', ''page 18''</ref> is a commonly-utilized [[sniper rifle]] in the arsenal of the [[United Nations Space Command]]. As evidenced by its designation, is part of the [[SRS99 Series]].

===Design===

The SRS99C-S2 AM is a gas-operated, magazine-fed sniper rifle chambered in the powerful [[14.5×114mm|14.5×114mm cartridge]].<ref name="H2M">'''[[Halo 2 Manual]]''', ''page 11''</ref> Its rate of fire is semi-automatic, and it is typically fed by 4-round detachable box magazines.{{Ref/Reuse|HCE}}{{Ref/Reuse|H2}} As befits their sniping role, they are issued with optics, such as the [[Oracle N-variant scope]].<ref name="GoO23">'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''Chapter 23''</ref>

A salient attribute of the rifle is its inherent reconfigurability; the optics, stock, barrel and firing mechanism are all designed in modular sections to simplify the tailoring of the weapon to specific needs.{{Ref/Reuse|TFoRChaper9}} Other potential components of the weapon include gyro compensators and adaptive texture barrel sheaths.<ref name="FS29">'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', ''Chapter 29''</ref>{{Ref/Note|In the reference given for this information, the weapon in question is only described as an "SRS99C", and not by the full SRS99C-S2 AM designation. Given what has been observed of the naming schemes of the SRS99 family, it is possible that this weapon is of a different series to the SRS99C-S2 AM. However, there exists insufficient evidence to justify the creation of a new page, and in light of the real-world context that other series of SRS99 were not depicted at the time of [[Ghosts of Onyx]]'s release in 2006 (the first depicted non-S2 variant of the SRS99 family was in [[Halo: Reach]], released in 2010), this information has been assumed by this article to pertain to the SRS99C-S2 AM.}} One configuration of the weapon, which was deployed during the [[Battle of Installation 04]], featured a noticeably longer barrel and different optic than the configuration observed later during the [[Battle of Mombasa]] and the [[Battle of Installation 05]].<ref name="HCE">'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', ''gameplay''</ref><ref name="H2">'''[[Halo 2]]''', ''gameplay''</ref> The former version mounted an optic capable of x2 and x8 magnification,{{Ref/Reuse|HCE}} and the latter an optic capable of x5 magnification, though both optics were [[smart-linked]] and capable of x10 magnification, and both weapons were employed firing APFSDS (armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding-sabot) ammunition.{{Ref/Reuse|H2M}}{{Ref/Reuse|HCEM}}  

During [[Operation: TALON]], [[Linda-058]] deployed her SRS99C-S2 AM with an alternate barrel designed to suppress firing report and muzzle-flash and, in order to compensate for the reduced muzzle velocity that came with this, re-chambered it to fire [[.450|.450-caliber ammunition]].  Additionally, she removed any sight or scope, instead deeming to rely on an [[Smart-link|integrated link]] between the weapon and her [[HUD]] for the close-quarters environment. She also brought a supply of extended magazines to last her the engagement.<ref name="TFoRChaper9">'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''', ''Chapter 9''</ref> She later employed the weapon in a different configuration during the [[Battle of Sigma Octanus IV]], this time with an [[Oracle N-variant scope|Oracle scope]].<ref name ="TFoRChapter20">'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''''', Chapter 20''</ref>

The [[smart-linked]] optics commonly employed with the SRS99C-S2 AM, when initiated, will project the view of the weapon's optic on the [[HUD]] of the user's visor, should they possess one. This targeting display indicates projected firing point of impact via a targeting reticle, remaining ammunition quantity in the weapon and loaded magazine, and level of zoom, which can be cycled between the lesser and greater  magnification (generally x2 to x8 for the first configuration, though it is capable of x10 zoom,{{Ref/Reuse|HCEM}} and x5 to x10 for the second). The display features notches to indicate elevation, and can be toggled with a [[night vision]] filter for functionality in the dark.{{Ref/Reuse|HCE}}{{Ref/Reuse|H2}}

While notably bulky and of limited use in close-quarters, the SRS99C-S2 AM is considered devastating when employed strategically, firing from a secured position.{{Ref/Reuse|H2M}} The [[14.5x114mm APFSDS]] ammunition it is most frequently utilized with has extremely vicious penetration capability, being able to pass through several armored soldiers in a row. While this is of benefit when engaging resilient armored targets, it is also cause for great caution in hectic firefights.{{Ref/Reuse|HCEM}} The Covenant begrudgingly considered this weapon to be both accurate and powerful, noting that headshots could result in immediate incapacitation for even energy-shielded infantry.<ref name="H2LCEM">'''[[Halo 2 Limited Collector's Edition Manual]]''', ''page 14''</ref>

SRS99C-S2 AM rifles were prominently employed by [[UNSC]] forces during the [[Battle of Installation 04]],{{Ref/Reuse|HCE}} with [[John-117]] notably deploying with one during the mission to board the ''[[Truth and Reconciliation]]'' to retrieve [[Captain Jacob Keyes]].<ref name="HTF4">[[Halo: The Flood]], ''Chapter Four''</ref> They were also employed in the early stages of the [[Battle of Earth]], and the [[Battle of Installation 05]].{{Ref/Reuse|H2}} [[Spartan]] [[Linda-058]] is particularly notable for her use of this weapon, specifically during [[Operation: TALON]],{{Ref/Reuse|TFoRChaper9}} the [[Battle of Sigma Octanus IV]],<ref name ="TFoRChapter20"/> [[Operation: FIRST STRIKE]],{{Ref/Reuse|FS29}} and the [[Onyx Conflict]].<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''Chapter 29''</ref>

{{Linkbox|gameplay=yes|gallery=yes|gallerypage=Images of SRS99C-S2 AM Sniper Rifle}}

*In ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', enemy NPCs do not acknowledge the sniper rifle's shot if they do not see the sniper, despite its loud ''crack'' in close-medium quarters. If the player downs an enemy with the sniper rifle, some will note the fallen AI, but will not search for the player as they would if the player fired with any other weapon. This can be most easily seen (and thoroughly used to the players advantage) during the opening sections of [[Truth and Reconciliation]], and is essential to getting the All According to Plan achievement in ''Halo: Anniversary''