M41 SPNKr

Template:Weapon The M41 Surface-to-Surface Rocket Medium Anti-Vehicle/Assault Weapon (M41 SSR), formally known as the Medium Anti-Vehicle / Assault Weapon, Bore 102mm, M41 Surface-to-Surface Rocket Launcher, and commonly known as the Jackhammer or the Spanker, is a heavy ordnance weapon used by the UNSC Defense Force. It is manufactured by Misriah Armory.

Overview

The M41 SSR has been in service with the UNSCDF for decades, as early as the Insurrection. It fires M19 102mm high-explosive shaped charge missiles. The weapon uses a unique system for loading and firing: rather than using a traditional magazine or single-shot system, it is fed by a pair of detachable barrels, each of which holds a single rocket. When one of the rockets is fired, the other is cycled into place; when both have been fired, the operator removes the barrel unit and inserts another. This allows the operator to quickly reload while in combat and greatly reduces the weight he carries without throwing the weapon away, as with some disposable rocket launchers of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.

The launcher has a 2x scope and can fire rockets over long distances with devastating accuracy, although the rockets' altitude decreases over long distances. The weapon possesses great firepower and, in many cases, is able to destroy even a Covenant Wraith tank with a single missile. Many M41s and their M19 rockets are equipped with target tracking systems; these systems allow the operator to "home" on a target, which often guarantees that the target will be struck, even if it attempts evasive maneuvers. Some launchers are capable of tracking both ground-based and airborne targets, while others are capable of tracking only aircraft. Some M41s lack any form of tracking technology, requiring the operator to "dumb fire" the weapon without targeting assistance.

Some M41s, primarily those used by the Army, feature a smart-linked sight, a trigger guard and an ergonomic thumbhole stock, adding the impression of greater bulk. However, most variants, including those used by the Marine Corps, lack these design features, possessing only a pistol-style grip and no trigger guard, resulting in a more skeletal overall appearance. Nonetheless, the Marine Corps makes limited use of the former model.

Changes among games

Changes from Halo: Combat Evolved to Halo 2

• The weapon has a different firing sound effect.
• The weapon's melee attack and reload speeds are faster.
• Holding the right trigger allows the player to home on vehicles, gun turrets, and Sentinel Enforcers in the campaign.
• Ammunition is indicated in the scope when zoomed in.
• The HUD ammunition indicator illustration is changed.
• The weapon's firepower and splash damage are decreased.

Changes from Halo 2 to Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST

• The weapon's missiles travel faster.
• The tubing has a metallic silver color rather than a synthetic black finish.
• It lacks the homing feature from Halo 2.
• It has a different firing sound effect.
• The weapon's melee attack and reload speeds are further decreased.
• The HUD ammunition indicator is again changed.

Changes from Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST to Halo: Reach

• The grips of the weapon are enclosed in a thumbhole design.
• It can now lock on to aircraft, but not other types of vehicles.
• It has slightly different firing and rocket detonation sounds.
• Rockets travel noticeably faster.
• Splash damage is increased.
• Rockets are mildly affected by gravity.

Tactics

Campaign

• No matter in what game, the M41 Rocket Launcher is always the best choice for passengers on any vehicle. The M6 Spartan Laser and Plasma Launcher take too long to charge, while the Fuel Rod Gun projectiles are too slow.
  • In Halo 2 and Halo: Reach, the Rocket Launcher has the ability to lock on to enemy vehicles, and this plays a vital role when facing fast moving vehicles such as Banshees or Ghosts. In Reach, though the rockets will only lock onto aircraft when used by the player, it will also lock onto ground vehicles and even infantry when used by an AI ally.
  • In Halo 3: ODST, AI characters' accuracy seems to have improved for gameplay balance. Give them the Rocket Launcher to strengthen one's allies and their firepower.
• In Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST, the M41 Rocket Launcher loses its tracking ability, so it is not recommended to fight aerial vehicles. Use it against enemy vehicles, provided that they are close.
• In Halo: Reach campaign level The Pillar of Autumn, it is better to save the M41 Rocket Launcher until one reaches the battle under the Template:UNSCship in the ship breaking yards. While the Sangheili will dodge the projectiles, predict where they would move to next and fire at that position. Even if the rocket doesn't hit them, use splash damage to lower their energy shielding.
• In Halo: Reach, the M41 Rocket Launcher can be used to get the "Lucky Me" achievement by firing it at a group of Unggoy.

Multiplayer

• In Halo 2, the M41 Rocket Launcher has a long range for locking on enemy vehicles. Whenever an opposing player commandeers a Banshee, use the Rocket Launcher to take it down.
• It doesn't need a direct hit from a rocket to kill another player. Players near the rocket's splash radius can be killed, and if they aren't killed, keep a scoped weapon to finish them off.

Trivia

• The M41 SSR is aesthetically almost identical to the SPNKR-XP surface-to-surface missile launcher from Marathon 2 and Marathon Infinity. This weapon is also the source of the M41's "SPNKr" moniker.
• On the last level of Halo 3: ODST there are four rocket launchers with 1000 rockets each for use in Vidmaster Challenge: Deja Vu. These only appear on the Legendary difficulty when the Iron Skull is activated. If any player boards a Warthog, these rocket launchers will not spawn.
• If the player uses Emile-A239's voice in Firefight, he will occasionally say "Someone's gonna pay!" when he readies a rocket launcher. This is a reference to the level If I Had a Rocket Launcher, I'd Make Someone Pay from Marathon 2: Durandal, which, in turn, was named after the Bruce Cockburn song If I Had a Rocket Launcher.

Gallery

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  The Rocket Launcher as it appears in Halo: Combat Evolved.

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  An in-game profile view of the Rocket Launcher in Halo: Combat Evolved.

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  An in-game profile view of the Rocket Launcher in Halo 2.

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  An in-game left profile view of the Rocket Launcher in Halo 3.

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  An in-game right profile view of the Rocket Launcher in Halo 3.

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  An in-game profile view of the Rocket Launcher in Halo: Reach.

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  A first-person view of the Rocket Launcher in Halo: Combat Evolved.

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  The 2x scope of the M41 Rocket Launcher in Halo: Combat Evolved.

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  SPARTAN John-117 fires an M41 at a Wraith.

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  An M41 rocket launcher with a synthetic black finish from Halo 2.

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  The M41 in use from Halo 2.

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  The right-side of the M41 SSR.

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  The left-side view of the M41 SSR.

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  A blueprint of the M41 SSR from Halo trilogy.

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  Models of the M41 as it appears in Halo Wars' cinematics.

• Reach M41 SSR MAV-AW.jpg

  Concept art of the M41 SSR MAV/AW for Halo: Reach.

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  A blueprint of the M41 SSR.

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  View through the scope of M41 Rocket Launcher in Halo: Reach.

List of appearances

• Halo: Combat Evolved
  • Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary
• Halo 2
• Halo 3
• Halo 3: ODST
• Halo Wars
• Halo: Reach
• Halo: The Fall of Reach (First appearance)
• Halo: The Flood
• Halo: First Strike
• Halo: Ghosts of Onyx
• Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe
  • Dirt
• Halo: Uprising
• Halo: Helljumper
• Halo Legends
  • Origins
• Halo: Landfall
  • Halo: Last One Standing

Sources

Template:UNSC Infantry Weapons