SRS99D-S2 AM sniper rifle

"What the hell am I supposed to do with this inside a Covenant ship?"

The Sniper Rifle System 99D-S2 Anti-Matériel, (abbreviated SRS99D-S2 AM), is an anti-personnel weapon system used by the United Nations Space Command.

Design details

SRS99D-S2 AM sniper rifles being machine assembled presumably at Misriah Armory on Mars, as depicted in Halo: Arms Race.

SRS99D-S2 AM sniper rifles being assembled at Misriah Armory on Mars.

File:Sniper Rifle Render.gif

A render of the SRS99D-S2 AM.

The SRS99D-S2 AM is a semi-automatic UNSC sniper rifle that fires 14.5 x 114mm APFSDS (Armor-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot) from a 4-round magazine. It is designed in the conventional layout, so the magazine and operating system are located in front of the trigger. The magazine does not fit flush.

This weapon is gas-operated. The action must be cycled to chamber the first round. Once the first round is fired, the gas from the previous round forces the bolt back, seating a new round on its return forward, and continues to do so until the mag is empty. Once the mag is empty and a new magazine is inserted, the bolt must be cycled, placing a new round into the chamber. This is not shown in-game. The charging handle is on the left side of the rifle - allowing the user to cycle the action without unseating the weapon - and is physically a part of the bolt, and travels during operation of the weapon. It appears that there is no ejection port illustrated on the weapon, though empty shell casings can be seen ejecting from the right side of the weapon during game play.

The SRS99D is about 187.5cm long and is completely modular. From the barrel assembly to the stock, everything can be changed to fit the current situation and satisfy the operator. The SRS99D in Halo 3 has some notable changes from the SRS99C models. First off, it is fitted with a 5x and 10x optic that shows real time images in infrared vision when not looking through it. When looking through it, the scope shows a target's distance and elevation. The SRS99D also has an altered foregrip and stock as well as an altered body and sports a trigger guard. The barrel also now has an iron sight. This weapon does not possess a safety and has a frame that serves as a carrying handle as well as a scope protector and a folding bipod located in front of the magazine on the underside of the rifle.

Sniper rifle/Human

Changes

Changes from the SRS99C (Halo 2)

Overall higher damage and slower fire rate.
New muzzle brake with front iron sight.
Handguard, body, and stock has been altered.
The scope now shows real-time with an LCD screen and infrared vision.
It now has a trigger guard.
The SRS99D-S2 AM now has a new flat matte black color finish to it.
Recoil affects aim.

Tactics

Main article: Sniping

Campaign

In the Halo 3 mission Sierra 117, there is a downed Pelican at Rally Point Alpha. There is a UNSC supply box with two sniper rifles. These can be useful when you get to the dam.
After the Hunter encounter on The Storm where you must face a hammer wielding Brute Chieftain the room to the far left contains a sniper rifle. Breaking the window will allow you to snipe Covenant forces.
Because the Sniper Rifle is extremely powerful, but has a small combat load, it is not good practice to use this weapon against weaker enemies (Grunts, Jackals). However, the Sniper Rifle's penetration capabilities and superb, long range accuracy make it excellent for killing higher ranking enemies at long range like Brutes and Hunters, which, in turn, disorganizes and demoralizes the enemy troops, making combat against a large ground force easier.
Sniping fallen grenades when enemies are close by is also an effective strategy.

Multiplayer

Sniping is easier if you turn down your look sensitivity. Unfortunately, this makes the shotgun and other close quarters combat weapons slightly harder to use in a chaotic environment.
If an enemy will be very difficult to snipe, don't waste a round on them. Wait until they're an easier target, or just switch your attention to another target.
Have a sniper set their sights on the enemy base in a CTF match, as they can take out enemy snipers and other defenders. That way, their team mates can swoop in and grab the flag.
If you can get a couple of players to cooperate, you can get to hard to access areas on maps like Valhalla, Longshore and Last Resort and snipe without worry that close range weapons like the shotgun flush you out.
The Sniper Rifle shot can be used in close combat as a shield remover, followed by a melee which will kill your opponent.
If you don't feel like moving to a new position after you take a shot, you should at least find a good piece of cover.
Always take your shots carefully with the sniper rifle. If you are unable to perform headshots, always aim for the body. The key to sniping is simply getting the kill, not getting a headshot every time.
A tactic performed by professional snipers today is to move from location to location after each kill or round fired, never revealing your location.
Catching snipers, assuming someone isn't watching their back is easy, when they are compromised, they usually panic, burning off a few rounds in an attempt to no-scope the enemy.
If you do camp, you should have only one person guarding your back. More than one person guarding you can look like a big threat if an enemy spots all those people.
If you are a good at shooting without your scope, or are simply looking for a power weapon, find the sniper on tight quarter maps like Construct, Foundry, Orbital and Ghost Town. Players will often ignore a sniper on these maps.
Another tactic is having one player with a sniper rifle and another with a close to mid-range weapon. The player with the close ranged weapon helps spot targets and defends the sniper from close range attacks.
Always carry a secondary close ranged weapon such as an Assault Rifle or SMG. Even more preferable are a shotgun or a Battle Rifle.
Watch your back. You can be absorbed into the little scope on your rifle, allowing someone to splatter or assassinate you.
Sometimes the best place to snipe is out in the open, away from the fight. However, after you fire a shot you are immediately exposed due to revealing your location.
When you are in close combat with a sniper but you are in scope, a quick way to remove scope is quickly pressing the Y Button twice. This will remove your sniper rifle out of its scope. Another way is to melee, though this will leave you vulnerable to nearby enemies.
Watch the Man Cannons when holding a sniper rifle; if another player jumps on it, you can usually pull off an easy head shot.
When playing Team Snipers, take your shot and then move elsewhere, so your location is not given away.

Trivia

Currently the term "APFSDS" is reserved for large Tank mounted weapons. In small arms such as the Halo sniper rifles it is called a Flechette.
Seeing as the rounds of the Sniper Rifle can penetrate through opponents, it makes it possible to get multiple head shots and kills with one round.
Unlike the SRS99C-S2 AM Sniper Rifle, the more recent sniper rifles lack a night vision function. This may be because of the differences in the weapon or because this version is not intended for use at night.
When you melee the rifle, the LCD screen, if watched a second before it stops moving, will still be pointing the direction you're facing, not where the scope is facing.
The max range of the scope's range finder is approximately 275m. The max distance the reticule will turn red on enemies is approximately 142m.
The UNSC Laser Designator uses the SRS99D's stock and handle/grip.
When throwing a piece of equipment, such as a Tripmine or Power Drain, the biped will appear to sink into the rifle and disappear until the throwing animation is finished.
In Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo 2, a cyan logo identical to the "trinity" emblem can be found on the stock of the Sniper Rifle System 99C-S2 AM. However, in Halo 3, the emblem is absent from the SRS99D. In part 1 of the Arms Race video trilogy, the SRS99D can be seen being made at Misriah Armory on Mars. However, the "Trinity" logo is seen on the rifle in the Halo 3 game booklet as well as in the Arms Race Part 1, where it is found on the stock of the "second" rifle in the magazine, and in part 3, it is visible on the stock of the rifle when T. Rymann uses it to kill the Brutes.

Gallery

Sniper Scope.png

The scope on the SRS99D S2AM.
A back view of the SRS99D.
First-person view of the SRS99D-S2AM in Halo 3.
An in-game angled view of the SRS99D-S2AM of Halo 3.
An in-game left profile view of the SRS99D-S2AM of Halo 3.
Ntw20 1.jpg

South African Denel NTW-20 anti-materiel rifle, which bears a clear resemblance to the Halo SRS99D sniper rifle.
The 5x scope of the SRS99D-S2AM sniper rifle in Halo 3: ODST.
The 5x scope of the SRS99D-S2AM sniper in Halo 3.
A design flaw with the SRS99D is that there is an ejected brass casing from the right side of the weapon; however, the ejection port is on the left side of the weapon.
Nathan Fillion, a Halo 3 voice actor, wields a real-world replica of the SRS99D.
The aiming reticule of the SRS99D.
A 14.5mm APFSDS round.