Canon

M41 SPNKr

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M41 SPNKr
An M41 SPNKR product logo.

H5G-SPNKr.png

Production overview

Manufacturer:

Misriah Armory[1][2][3]

Model series:

M41

Type:

Surface-to-surface rocket launcher

Specifications

Length:

55.4 inches (141 cm)[4][5]

Width:

10.2 inches (26 cm)[4][5]

Height:

17.4 inches (44 cm)[4][5]

Weight:

10.8 kilograms (24 lb)[4]

Ammunition type:

Feed system:

2-rocket disposable tube assembly

Effective range:

1,300 feet (400 m)[7][8]

Service history

In service:

Insurrection
Human-Covenant War
Post-Covenant War conflicts

 

The M41 Surface-to-Surface Rocket Medium Anti-Vehicle / Assault Weapon (M41 SSR MAV/AW), formally known as the Medium Anti-Vehicle / Assault Weapon, Bore 102mm, M41 Surface-to-Surface Rocket Launcher,[9] and commonly known as the Jackhammer or the SPNKr (pronounced "spanker"), is a heavy ordnance weapon used by the UNSC and Insurrectionists.[10] It is manufactured by Misriah Armory.[1][3][7] While it was obsolete before the Human-Covenant War began, it was not replaced by the M57 Pilum until the Created conflict to counter Promethean Knights.[10] However, even after it was replaced it remained popular in War Games matches aboard the UNSC Infinity.[11]

Overview

Design details

John-117 with an M41 on Installation 05.

Though there have been various shoulder-launched rocket launchers in service with the UNSC Armed Forces since its creation, only the M41 rocket launcher has the tactical importance to be heavily manufactured.[4] The M41 SSR has been in service with the UNSC for decades, as early as the Insurrection, during which it was used by the UNSC and the Insurrectionists.[10] Over time, the M41's role shifted from an anti-vehicular weapon to an all-purpose heavy weapon.[8]

The weapon is composed of two components: a reusable launcher with attached smart-linked fire control module. Second, a disposable magazine containing two rockets.[9][10] The M41 rocket launcher typically 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. As such, the M41 is considerably portable,[3] allowing the operator to quickly reload while in combat and greatly reduces the weight he carries without throwing the weapon away.

Many M41s and their M19 rockets are equipped with target tracking systems;[1] these systems allow the operator to track a target, which often guarantees that the target will be struck, even if it attempts evasive maneuvers.[1] While the M41 rocket launcher is optimized for ground targets, certain models of the M41 features an integrated and enhanced tracking system,[3] developed from tweaks by engineers at Misriah Armory.[4] As such, some launchers are capable of tracking both ground-based and airborne targets,[12][13] though others are capable of tracking only aircrafts.[14] Some M41s lack any form of tracking technology, requiring the operator to "dumb fire" the weapon without targeting assistance.[15][16][17]

Although the M41D SPNKr has no magnification optics attached, it possesses a smart-linked fire control module. The M41D features a trigger guard, and an ergonomic thumbhole stock, adding the impression of greater bulk. However, the M41B model lack these design features, possessing only a pistol grip and no trigger guard, resulting in a more skeletal overall appearance.[3]

The model used in October 2558 has a serial number of "00051405".[11]

Variants

  • M41 SPNKr EM: Improved variant with four rockets per magazine and the ability to lock onto ground and air vehicles.[11]
  • M41 SPNKr EX: Advanced variant that fires laser-guided cluster warhead rockets that detonate in proximity to enemies, releasing an effect similar to the fields of splinter grenades, albeit without the disintegration effect. It also produces a large red glare if used with Smart-Link.[11]
  • M41 SPNKr Prime: Mythic variant that fires fast, powerful rockets. Spartans that use the SPNKr Prime in War Games also get boosts to movement speed, shield strength, and jump height.[11]
  • M41B SPNKr: A variant with a pistol grip and no trigger guard, but features 2x magnification.[3]
  • M41D SPNKr: A variant with no magnification optics used during Battle for Zeta Halo.[3]

Gameplay

Main article: Rocket Launcher

Advantages

The rocket launcher spreads a huge amount of damage over a large area. It is capable of taking out entire groups of infantry at any range and can kill both the passengers and crew of nearly any vehicle like the M808B Main Battle Tank or a Wraith. Its ability to fire two shots in rapid succession is also a major advantage.

Disadvantages

The M41 SSR, though powerful, is implemented in-game as an anti-vehicle weapon, not designed for engaging infantry. Thus, its reload time is quite slow, as it takes about three to five seconds for the M41 to be fully reloaded. The rockets are slow and leave a trail of smoke in their wake, giving away the operator's position. Ammunition is often limited or unavailable, and the operator can carry only six extra rockets at once, for a total of 8 rounds. The biggest disadvantage to the operator is the blast radius of a rocket; if fired too close the splash damage can severely injure or kill its operator if fired carelessly into surrounding terrain or at a close enemy.

Halo: Spartan Strike and Halo: Spartan Assault

The M41 SSR is an exclusive weapon that can be purchased with 1000 Credits in both games. It is provided with 150 ammunition with a very high fire rate but a damage output 30% less than original damage (requiring five shots to destroy a Wraith). In Spartan Strike Mission E-5: Hold the Line, the player can equip the Rocket Launcher scattered around the LZ for free.


Trivia

  • The weapon was identified as the M19 SSM rocket launcher in the game manuals of Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo 2 as well as in the Art of Halo 3. It was also referred to in Halo: Ghosts of Onyx as the M19 missile launcher. It was established in Halo: The Essential Visual Guide that M19 SSM refers to the rocket ammunition while the launcher itself is designated as the M41.[1] The 2022 edition of the Halo Encyclopedia further expanded on the designation, giving the M41D designation to the rocket launcher that first appeared in Halo: Reach, while the M41B designation was given to the one first introduced in Halo: Combat Evolved.[3]
  • The M41 SPNKr, especially in its appearances starting from Halo: Reach, is aesthetically similar 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.
    • In Destiny 2's Bungie 30th Anniversary Pack, the rocket launcher Gjallarhorn, which debuted in the original Destiny, makes an appearance. Its new alternate appearance is "GJNKR", referencing both the original Marathon weapon and the Halo weapon. However, the appearance of GJNKR looks more like the pre-release SPNKr 108 SAM than anything from Marathon.[18]
  • 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

Halo: Reach

Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary

Halo 4

Halo 2: Anniversary

Halo 5: Guardians

Halo 5: Guardians REQ cards

Miscellaneous

List of appearances

Sources

  1. ^ a b c d e f Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 156
  2. ^ Halo: Reach: M41 SSR in-game model
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 176
  4. ^ a b c d e f Halo Waypoint, Universe: Rocket Launcher (Retrieved on Oct 29, 2015) [archive]
  5. ^ a b c Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide, page 68
  6. ^ Halo: Silent Storm, chapter 3
  7. ^ a b Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition), page 314
  8. ^ a b Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition), page 328
  9. ^ a b Bungie.net, Halo: Reach - Ordnance (Retrieved on Apr 12, 2016) [archive]
  10. ^ a b c d Halo Waypoint, Universe: Rocket Launcher (Retrieved on Apr 13, 2016) [archive]
  11. ^ a b c d e Halo 5: Guardians
  12. ^ Halo 2: Gameplay
  13. ^ Halo Wars: Gameplay
  14. ^ Halo: Reach: Gameplay
  15. ^ Halo: Combat Evolved: Gameplay
  16. ^ Halo 3: Gameplay
  17. ^ Halo 3: ODST: Gameplay
  18. ^ Imgur, Comparison