SRS99C-S2 AM sniper rifle

This article does not have enough inline citations and/or does not adhere to the proper citation format. You can help Halopedia by adding citations.

Template:Weapon Infobox

The Sniper Rifle System 99C-S2 Anti-Matériel, abbreviated SRS99C-S2 AM^[1] or just S2 AM,^[2] is a commonly-utilized sniper rifle in the arsenal of the United Nations Space Command. It is part of Misriah Armory's SRS99 Series.

Specifications

Design

A configuration of the S2 AM employed by John-117 and the marines of the Pillar of Autumn on Alpha Halo in 2552.

The SRS99C-S2 AM is a gas-operated, magazine-fed sniper rifle chambered in the powerful 14.5×114mm cartridge.^[3] Its mode of fire is semi-automatic and it is typically fed by 4-round detachable box magazines. One configuration of the weapon, which was deployed during the Battle of Installation 04, featured a noticeably longer barrel than the configuration observed later during the Battle of Mombasa and the Battle of Installation 05.^[4] ^[5] The former version mounted an optic capable of x2 magnification, 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.^[3]^[2]

A salient attribute of the rifle is its inherent reconfigurability, with modular components including the optics, stock, barrel and firing mechanism being swappable. 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-caliber ammunition. Additionally, she removed any sight or scope, instead deeming to rely on an 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.^[6] She later employed the weapon in a different configuration during the Battle of Sigma Octanus IV, this time with an Oracle scope.^[7]

Performance

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.^[3] 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.^[2] 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.^[8]

Changes

Changes from Halo: Combat Evolved to Halo PC

Maximum telescopic zoom reduced from 10× to 8×.

Changes from Halo: Combat Evolved to Halo 2

Minor cosmetic changes and shorter overall length. Rifle identified as "AMB" variant.
Decreased the maximum reserve ammunition capacity down from 28 to 24.
Medium telescopic zoom increased from 2× to 5×.
Night vision function has been removed.

Changes from Halo 2 to Halo 2: Anniversary

Now capable of damaging and destroying vehicles.
Rate of fire reduced.

Trivia

During an interview, William O'Brien, an animator for Halo 2, said, "Robert McLees is definitely the go-to guy for the gun stuff. I wanted to come up with an animation for the sniper scope, an 'idle cycle'. If you activate the scope, and then sit too long without doing anything, the animation would kick in periodically, just to keep things interesting... Simple, right...? He replied, 'No way. If you adjust your scope in the field, you're dead. Snipers don't do that.' That's how detailed his weapon designs are -- not just guns, but how they work, and how a sniper would fire them. Amazing."
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
In the original Xbox 360 version of Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary the sniper rifle's reticule is far larger than it is in the original Halo: Combat Evolved on Xbox and PC. In the Halo: The Master Chief Collection version of Halo: Anniversary, the reticule returns once again to its original size.

Gallery

Side view of the SRS99C-S2 AM sniper rifle as seen in Halo: Combat Evolved.
Front and back views of the SRS99C-S2 AM sniper rifle as seen in Halo: Combat Evolved.
A first person view of the SRS99C-S2AM in Halo: Combat Evolved.
First-person view of the SRS99C on Blood Gulch.
The 2× zoom
The 10× zoom.
The 2× scope of the SRS99C-S2AM in Halo PC.
The 8× scope of the SRS99C-S2AM in Halo PC.
The night-vision function of the scope of the SRS99C-S2AM in Halo PC.
The SRS99C-S2 AM's targeting reticule in Halo PC.
Front and back views of the sniper rifle as seen in Halo 2.
An in-game profile view of the SRS99C-S2AMB Sniper Rifle in Halo 2.
A first person view of the SRS99C-S2AMB in Halo 2.
The Master Chief with an SRS99C-S2 AMB in Halo 2.
The SRS99C-S2 AMB's targeting reticule.
Views of the sniper rifle as seen in Halo Legends: Homecoming.