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MA5 series: Difference between revisions

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{{Era|UNSC|HCW|Post}}
{{Status|Canon}}
The '''MA5 series''', collectively known as the '''MA5 Individual Combat Weapon System''', is a series of air-cooled, gas-operated assault rifles produced by [[Misriah Armory]]. Part of the larger [[MA Series]], the MA5 is the workhorse of the [[United Nations Space Command]]. Having been in service for more than fifty years,<ref name="EVG">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 16''</ref><ref name="Waypoint"/> more than a dozen models have been produced.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/weapons/assault-rifle '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Assault Rifle''] (defunct, backup on [https://web.archive.org/web/20110314221127/http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/intel/theuniverse/tech/gallery/assault-rifle/7b27101b-fec7-41d9-9fe3-c4dcc04f01b1 Archive.org])</ref> While the [[UNSC Marine Corps]] and the [[UNSC Navy|Navy]] use the MA5 designation, the [[UNSC Army|Army]] refers to the weapon as the '''MA37'''.
The '''MA5 series''', collectively known as the '''MA5 Individual Combat Weapon System''', is a series of air-cooled, gas-operated assault rifles produced by [[Misriah Armory]]. Part of the larger [[MA Series]], the MA5 is the workhorse of the [[United Nations Space Command]]. Having been in service for more than fifty years,<ref name="EVG">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 16''</ref><ref name="Waypoint">[http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/intel/related/gallery/assault-rifle/7b27101b-fec7-41d9-9fe3-c4dcc04f01b1 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Assault Rifle''] (defunct, backup on [https://web.archive.org/web/20111004174237/http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/intel/related/gallery/assault-rifle/7b27101b-fec7-41d9-9fe3-c4dcc04f01b1 Archive.org])</ref> the MA5 series is the oldest rifle platform currently utilized by the UNSC, with more than a dozen models still in use.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-locke-load '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Canon Fodder - Locke & Load'']</ref> While the [[UNSC Marine Corps]] and the [[UNSC Navy|Navy]] use the MA5 designation, the [[UNSC Army|Army]] refers to the weapon as the '''MA37'''.


== Specification ==
== Specifications ==
=== Design details ===
=== Design details ===
The MA5 series rifle is an air-cooled, gas-operated, 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 is rugged and sturdy, and performs exceptionally 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 [[M301 Grenade Launcher|grenade launcher]], an [[underslung shotgun]], or a standard-issue flashlight.<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 family of air-cooled, gas-operated, magazine-fed weapons designed for automatic fire. They typically feature an attached electronics suite that provides information on rounds remaining in the magazine and a compass heading, as well as fulfilling several other "housekeeping" functions. These rifles are rugged and sturdy, and perform exceptionally well in a variety of environments, especially given the perceived fragility of the attached electronics suite. MA5-series weapons generally come configured with a standard-issue flashlight mounted beneath the barrel, but can be fit with an [[M301 Grenade Launcher|grenade launcher]] or an [[underslung shotgun]].{{Ref/Site|Id=McLees|URL=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=BAGAssaultRifle|Site=Bungie.net|Page=MA5C Assault Rifle|D=16|M=12|Y=2007|LocalArchive=Machines, Materiel and Munitions from the Human-Covenant Conflict, 2525 - Present#MA5C Assault Rifle}}{{Ref/Novel|HSS|Chapter=25}}
 
The MA5 series rifle is a close- to medium-range weapon. It is most effectively used by fully automatic sustained fire at close range, or by using short, controlled bursts at medium range. Because of this, it is most effective at close range.


=== Firing mechanism ===
=== Firing mechanism ===
The MA5 series rifle is a bullpup rifle and is made of [[Titanium-A armor|Titanium-A alloy]]. The rifle is gas-operated 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 MA5 series rifle is a bullpup rifle and is made of [[Titanium-A armor|Titanium-A alloy]].{{Citation needed}} The rifle is gas-operated and fires from a closed bolt. 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. The electronics suite contains an LED ammunition counter that displays the number of rounds remaining in the inserted magazine, as well as displaying a magnetic compass. The suite can also project a targeting reticule on the user's [[HUD|heads-up display]] or [[neural interface]]; if such equipment is not available, pop-up iron sights within the cowling can be used.<ref name="contactharvest">'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 136-138''</ref>
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. The electronics suite contains an LED ammunition counter that displays the number of rounds remaining in the inserted magazine, as well as displaying a magnetic compass. The suite can also project a targeting reticule on the user's [[HUD|heads-up display]] or [[neural interface]]; if such equipment is not available, pop-up iron sights within the cowling can be used.<ref name="contactharvest">'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 136-138''</ref>


=== Ammunition ===
=== Ammunition ===
{{Main|M118 Full Metal Jacket Armor-Piercing|l1=M118 7.62x51mm FMJ-AP}}
{{Main|M118 Full Metal Jacket Armor-Piercing|l1=M118 7.62×51mm 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).
The MA5 series rifle uses the M118 7.62×51mm 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 metal, 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 ==
== 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"/>
The MA5 entered service with the UNSC Armed Forces in [[2395]] and has remained the primary service rifle ever since.<ref name="HOSFM">'''[[Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual]]''', ''page 188''</ref> In [[2437]], it was adopted by the [[UNSC Army]].{{Ref/Reuse|Waypoint}}<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://halo.bungie.net/projects/reach/article.aspx?ucc=ordnance&cid=24580 '''Bungie.net''': ''MA37 ICWS'']</ref>
 
The MA5 series was preceded in service by the [[MA3A assault rifle|MA3A Individual Combat Weapon System]],<ref name="HFS">'''Halo: First Strike'''</ref> which itself was preceded by the [[MA2B assault rifle|MA2B]] and the [[MA1 assault rifle|MA1]].{{Ref/Reuse|Waypoint}}


== Known models ==
== 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 due to its ruggedness and simplicity. The MA37 has a more skeletal cowling than other MA5 variants.<ref name="Waypoint"/>
*[[MA37 assault rifle|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 due to its ruggedness and simplicity. The MA37 has a more skeletal cowling than other MA5 variants.{{Ref/Reuse|Waypoint}}
*[[MA5B Individual Combat Weapon System]] - Much less accurate in comparison to the MA5C and MA5D, it is often relegated to use in short-range combat. The MA5B receives a sixty-round magazine.<ref name="Waypoint"/>
*[[MA40 assault rifle|MA40 Individual Combat Weapon System]] - An updated version of the MA37 that increases mechanical reliability and durability in more extreme conditions.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc162|Enc22|Page=162}}
*[[MA5C Individual Combat Weapon System]] - An improvement upon the MA5B, featuring a heavier barrel with a one-in-seven twist, a stronger magazine spring mechanism, a lower-profile electronics housing, and a sturdier, more ergonomically designed trigger guard. It receives a shortened 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"/>
*[[MA5B assault rifle|MA5B Individual Combat Weapon System]] - Much less accurate in comparison to the MA5C and MA5D, it is often relegated to use in short-range combat. The MA5B receives a sixty-round magazine.{{Ref/Reuse|Waypoint}}
*[[MA5D Individual Combat Weapon System]] - The MA5D receives a thirty-two round magazine like the MA5C, and also an increased capacity thirty-six 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> At some point before 2557, it became the standard-issue fully-automatic rifle of all UNSC branches.<ref name="Halo 4">'''Halo 4''' ''In-game description''</ref>
*[[MA5C assault rifle|MA5C Individual Combat Weapon System]] - An improvement upon the MA5B, featuring a heavier barrel with a one-in-seven twist, a stronger magazine spring mechanism, a lower-profile electronics housing, and a sturdier, more ergonomically designed trigger guard. It receives a shortened 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/Reuse|McLees}} It is used by the Marine Corps and the Navy in short-to-mid range combat.{{Ref/Reuse|Waypoint}}
*[[MA5K Carbine]] - The MA5K is a carbine variant of the MA5 that used almost exclusively by [[UNSC Special Forces|Special Forces]] units. It receives a thirty-round magazine<ref name="Waypoint"/> and is fairly modular, capable of being assembled in various configurations.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''' cover art</ref>
*[[MA5D assault rifle|MA5D Individual Combat Weapon System]] - The MA5D receives a thirty-two round magazine like the MA5C, and also an increased capacity thirty-six 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> At some point before 2557, it became the standard-issue fully-automatic rifle of all UNSC branches.<ref name="Halo 4">'''Halo 4''' ''In-game description''</ref>
*[[MA5K Carbine]] - The MA5K is a carbine variant of the MA5 that is used almost exclusively by [[UNSC Special Forces|Special Forces]] units. It receives a thirty-round magazine{{Ref/Reuse|Waypoint}} and is fairly modular, capable of being assembled in various configurations.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''' cover art</ref>


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:HaloReach_-_MA37.png|The MA37 assault rifle.
File:HR-MA37-left.png|The MA37 assault rifle.
File:HInf MA40 cutout 2.png|MA40 assault rifle.
File:HW-MA5-ICWS-AssaultRifle.png|The MA5B assault rifle.
File:HW-MA5-ICWS-AssaultRifle.png|The MA5B assault rifle.
File:H3-MA5C-ICWS-AR-Right.png|The MA5C assault rifle.
File:H3-MA5C-ICWS-AR-Left.png|The MA5C assault rifle.
File:H4-MA5D-AssaultRifle.png|The MA5D assault rifle.
File:H5G-Render-AssaultRifle.png|The MA5D assault rifle.
File:H4-MA5D-Schematic.jpg|A schematic of the MA5D.
File:HINF MA5KAvenger Crop.png|An MA5K carbine configuration.
File:Alternate MA5K.jpg|An MA5K carbine configuration.
File:Assault Rifle Comparisons.jpg|A comparison between the MA5B, the MA5C, and the MA37.
File:Assault Rifle Comparisons.jpg|A comparison between the MA5B, the MA5C, and the MA37.
File:HCEA-MA5B-AR-FirstPerson.png|[[John-117]] with an MA5B at the ready. The weapon's ammunition counter and HUD readout are visible.
File:HCEA-MA5B-AR-FirstPerson.png|First-person view of an MA5-series ICWS in ''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary''. The weapon's ammunition counter and HUD readout are visible.
File:2817467-gallery.jpg|John-117 wielding an MA5-series rifle in ''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary''.
File:HM-JohnI04.png|John-117 using an MA5-series ICWS in ''[[Halo Mythos]]''.
File:TML - fire.png|Marines firing their MA5s during the [[Skirmish on Mona Lisa]] in ''[[The Mona Lisa]]''.
File:Halo4-MasterChief-John117.png|John-117 wielding an MA5D.
File:Halo4-MasterChief-John117.png|John-117 wielding an MA5D.
File:H4-MA5D-Schematic.jpg|A schematic of the MA5D.
File:HINF - CU29 MarkIV.jpg|A [[Mark IV]]-clad [[Spartan-IV]] with an MA5 in ''[[Halo Infinite]]''.
File:HINF EvolvedMA5HUD.png|First-person view of the Evolved MA5 in ''Halo Infinite''.
</gallery>
</gallery>


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**''[[Prototype]]''
**''[[Prototype]]''
**''[[The Babysitter]]''
**''[[The Babysitter]]''
**''[[The Package]]''
**''[[The Package (animated short)|The Package]]''
*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
**''[[Pariah]]''
**''[[Pariah]]''
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**''[[Blunt Instruments]]''
**''[[Blunt Instruments]]''
**''[[The Mona Lisa]]''
**''[[The Mona Lisa]]''
**''[[Palace Hotel (short story)|Palace Hotel]]''
**''[[Palace Hotel]]''
**''[[Human Weakness]]''
**''[[Human Weakness]]''
**''[[The Return]]'' {{C|Motion comic only}}
**''[[The Return]]'' {{C|Motion comic only}}
{{col-2}}
*''[[Halo: Blood Line]]''
*''[[Halo: Blood Line]]''
*''[[Remember Reach]]''
*''[[Remember Reach]]''
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**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Invasion|Invasion]]''
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Invasion|Invasion]]''
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminal/Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary|Terminals]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary)|Terminals]]''
{{col-2}}
*''[[The Commissioning]]''
*''[[The Commissioning]]''
*''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]''
*''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]''
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*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]''
*''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]''
*''[[Halo 2 Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminal/Halo 2 Anniversary|Terminals]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo: New Blood]]''
*''[[Halo: New Blood]]''
*''[[Hunt the Truth]]''
*''[[Hunt the Truth]]''
**''[[All Hail]]'' {{C|Statue only}}
**''[[All Hail]]'' {{C|Statue only}}
**''[[The Cost]]''
**''[[The Cost]]''
**''[[Hunt the Signal]]'' {{C|Chess pieces only}}
*''[[Halo: Spartan Strike]]''
*''[[Halo: Spartan Strike]]''
*''[[Halo: Last Light]]''
*''[[Halo: Last Light]]''
*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''
*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''
*''[[Halo Online]]''
*''[[Halo: Ground Command]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos]]''
*''[[Halo: Tales from Slipspace]]''
*''[[Halo: Smoke and Shadow]]''
*''[[Halo Wars 2]]''
*''[[Halo: Envoy]]''
*''[[Halo: Rise of Atriox]]''
*''[[Halo: Retribution]]''
*''[[Halo: Legacy of Onyx]]''
*''[[Halo: Bad Blood]]''
*''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]''
*''[[Halo: Fireteam Raven]]''
*''[[Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual]]''
*''[[Halo: Lone Wolf]]''
*''[[Halo: Renegades]]''
*''[[Halo: Meridian Divide]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]
*''[[Halo: Point of Light]]
*''[[Halo Infinite]]''
*''[[Halo: The Television Series Season One]]''
**''[[Contact]]''
**''[[Reckoning]]''
**''[[Solace (TV Series)|Solace]]''
**''[[Inheritance]]''
**''[[Transcendence]]''
*''[[Halo: The Rubicon Protocol]]''
*''[[Halo: Hippocratica]]''
{{col-end}}
{{col-end}}


== Sources ==
== Sources ==
<references/>
{{Ref/Sources}}


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

Latest revision as of 13:21, November 6, 2024

The MA5 series, collectively known as the MA5 Individual Combat Weapon System, is a series of air-cooled, gas-operated assault rifles produced by Misriah Armory. Part of the larger MA Series, the MA5 is the workhorse of the United Nations Space Command. Having been in service for more than fifty years,[1][2] the MA5 series is the oldest rifle platform currently utilized by the UNSC, with more than a dozen models still in use.[3] While the UNSC Marine Corps and the Navy use the MA5 designation, the Army refers to the weapon as the MA37.

Specifications[edit]

Design details[edit]

The MA5 series is a family of air-cooled, gas-operated, magazine-fed weapons designed for automatic fire. They typically feature an attached electronics suite that provides information on rounds remaining in the magazine and a compass heading, as well as fulfilling several other "housekeeping" functions. These rifles are rugged and sturdy, and perform exceptionally well in a variety of environments, especially given the perceived fragility of the attached electronics suite. MA5-series weapons generally come configured with a standard-issue flashlight mounted beneath the barrel, but can be fit with an grenade launcher or an underslung shotgun.[4][5]

Firing mechanism[edit]

The MA5 series rifle is a bullpup rifle and is made of Titanium-A alloy.[citation needed] The rifle is gas-operated and fires from a closed bolt. 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. The electronics suite contains an LED ammunition counter that displays the number of rounds remaining in the inserted magazine, as well as displaying a magnetic compass. The suite can also project a targeting reticule on the user's heads-up display or neural interface; if such equipment is not available, pop-up iron sights within the cowling can be used.[6]

Ammunition[edit]

Main article: M118 7.62×51mm FMJ-AP

The MA5 series rifle uses the M118 7.62×51mm 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 metal, 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[edit]

The MA5 entered service with the UNSC Armed Forces in 2395 and has remained the primary service rifle ever since.[7] In 2437, it was adopted by the UNSC Army.[2][8][9]

The MA5 series was preceded in service by the MA3A Individual Combat Weapon System,[10] which itself was preceded by the MA2B and the MA1.[2]

Known models[edit]

  • 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 due to its ruggedness and simplicity. The MA37 has a more skeletal cowling than other MA5 variants.[2]
  • MA40 Individual Combat Weapon System - An updated version of the MA37 that increases mechanical reliability and durability in more extreme conditions.[11]
  • MA5B Individual Combat Weapon System - Much less accurate in comparison to the MA5C and MA5D, it is often relegated to use in short-range combat. The MA5B receives a sixty-round magazine.[2]
  • MA5C Individual Combat Weapon System - An improvement upon the MA5B, featuring a heavier barrel with a one-in-seven twist, a stronger magazine spring mechanism, a lower-profile electronics housing, and a sturdier, more ergonomically designed trigger guard. It receives a shortened 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.[4] It is used by the Marine Corps and the Navy in short-to-mid range combat.[2]
  • MA5D Individual Combat Weapon System - The MA5D receives a thirty-two round magazine like the MA5C, and also an increased capacity thirty-six round magazine.[12] At some point before 2557, it became the standard-issue fully-automatic rifle of all UNSC branches.[13]
  • MA5K Carbine - The MA5K is a carbine variant of the MA5 that is used almost exclusively by Special Forces units. It receives a thirty-round magazine[2] and is fairly modular, capable of being assembled in various configurations.[14]

Gallery[edit]

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]