SRS99C-S2 AM sniper rifle

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The Sniper Rifle System 99C-Series 2 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

Main article: SRS99 Series

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. 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.^[4] 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.^[5]^[6] 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]

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.^[4] She later employed the weapon in a different configuration during the Battle of Sigma Octanus IV, this time with an Oracle scope.^[7]

The appearance of the SRS99C-S2 AM is characteristic of Series 2 iterations of the SRS99 family. While bulky, its body is streamlined and smooth, somewhat simple in design, and possesses a matte-black finish. The charging handle is positioned on the left side of the weapon, a tube-shaped protrusion with a metallic finish, and the ejection port is situated on the right. A square-shaped carry-handle is positioned above and in front of the scope. The configuration used on Installation 04 featured a solid stock, adjoined to the base of the pistol grip, while the later version lacked this, and its stock had a prominent cutout. The barrel is locked into the upper receiver of the weapon by a prominent, rounded collar.^[5]^[6]

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]

Usage

John-117, armed with an SRS99C-S2 AM during the Battle of Earth.

SRS99C-S2 AM rifles were prominently employed by UNSC forces during the Battle of Installation 04,^[5] with John-117 notably deploying with one during the mission to board the Truth and Reconciliation to retrieve Captain Jacob Keyes.^[9] They were also employed in the early stages of the Battle of Earth, and the Battle of Installation 05.^[6] Spartan Linda-058 is particularly notable for her use of this weapon, specifically during Operation: TALON^[4] and the Battle of Sigma Octanus IV.^[7]

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.
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.

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.