- See also: Development of UNSC Weapons
The UNSC have a wide variety of weapons in their arsenal, with all having their own strengths, weaknesses and unique capabilities. These weapons, for the most part, are mostly projectile and mirror common 21st century weaponry, but still are able to give off a futuristic feeling. These weapons are based on ballistic capabilities and explosive munitions. They range from standard sidearms to large anti-infantry and vehicle rocket launchers. These weapons are usually extremely resilient to wear and tear and, unlike their Covenant counterparts, their ammunition stores can be replaced when low. These weapons rely on their penetrating power to do damage to the intended target, and because of this, Covenant Energy Shields have drastically reduced their effectiveness.
UNSC Weaponry - Covenant Perspective
Considered primitive by the Covenant, the UNSC weaponry is described by the Covenant Elite force as "mostly chemical and projectile, and some of them effective". To them, human weapons are inferior to the energy based weapons used by the Covenant. They have analyzed every single UNSC weapon at the Report on the Atrocity at Halo written by the Supreme Commander (a.k.a. The Heretic or The Arbiter) to the Prophet of Truth.
Projectile-based Weaponry
These weapons all use external ammunition sources, and rely on their ballistic force to do damage.
MA5 Assault Rifle Series
MA5B Assault Rifle
This infantry service rifle is a staple of the UNSC forces and an often a familiar and welcome sight to servicemen when in use. Its magazine allows it to carry 60 rounds of 7.62x33mm ammunition. Although it is capable of automatic fire, it has a highly noticeable decrease in accuracy after more than approximately two seconds of sustained fire (making the rifle useless at longer ranges). Short bursts are required to produce any sort of accuracy at longer ranges. This has led to its being phased out in favor of the more accurate MA5C ICWS. The screen on the barrel displays a magnetic digital compass that focuses on the largest body in-system for a constant guide as well as a digital readout of the current ammunition amount. This weapon is useful for dispatching enemies at close range, and with sustained fire it can take down a fully shielded opponent. However, its questionable accuracy makes this an unfavorable choice and not very useful at any range other than close, where a shotgun will often see you through in much better condition, but a soldier who is skilled can dispatch enemy infantry at farther ranges with short controlled bursts of three-to-four rounds. This weapon is only available in Halo: Combat Evolved.
MA5C ICWS Assault Rifle
This updated version of the MA5B houses a 32-round magazine of 7.62x51mm FMJ (Full Metal Jacket) rounds with more range and accuracy than its older variant, due to improved rifling twist. Power remains the same (Sixteen rounds to kill a fully shielded Spartan-II) but the firing rate has been significantly decreased, resulting in an increased time to take down an opponent. This, when fired in short bursts rather than fully automatic fire, allows it to be both more effective and accurate at medium to close range. It can be fitted with various attachments including a flashlight, and it retains the digital readout and compass in its design. Though it lacks the intimidating grumble of the MA5B, the higher-pitched clapping sound of the MA5C firing is misleading of its actual stopping power. The MA5C is only available in Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST, despite the fact that ODST takes place during the events of Halo 2.
MA5K Carbine
The MA5K is a cut-down version of the standard MA5B Assault Rifle. The weapon is most likely lighter and easier to carry than larger assault weapons, and so it is possibly appropriate to call it a carbine. Aesthetically, it is like a cross between an MA5B ICWS Assault Rifle and a BR55 Rifle, although the MA5K functions more like an Assault Rifle. It features a stripped-down design that appears almost skeletal.
BR55 Battle Rifle Series
BR55 Battle Rifle
This gas-operated, magazine-fed bullpup UNSC rifle is used as both a medium and long range rifle. It utilizes a 9.5x40mm round, and fires a three-round burst from a 36-round magazine. It is capable of both semi-automatic fire and fully automatic fire. At the rear end of the railing, there is a digital ammo counter to allow the shooter to know when they should reload. It is very accurate, and its relatively high rate of fire makes it a useful all-around infantry weapon. First implemented as a prototype in 2525, the BR55 has since become the staple mid-range rifle for the UNSC. The three-round burst makes it extremely useful as an anti-infantry weapon and it is capable of killing a fully shielded Spartan-II with four well-placed bursts to the head or otherwise seven bursts to the body. This weapon's accuracy and range make it extremely capable of dispatching unshielded opponents from a distance. The spread of the burst makes it imperative to fire at the target's center of mass (usually the target's chest), which will often result in at least one shot to the head. A skilled shooter can take advantage of the rifle's 2X magnification scope to kill an opponent at a distance with a reasonable degree of accuracy. It is, overall, an all-purpose weapon, putting aside the fact that it cannot penetrate most types of armor.
BR55HB SR Battle Rifle
This variant of the BR55 has a 36-round magazine and has the same capabilities as its predecessor, but with a longer barrel intended to increase the range and accuracy. It fires three rounds in quick succession with one pull of the trigger. However, on the field, the range and accuracy has been reduced compared to the BR55, due to a significantly higher bullet spread. It also has an additional trigger guard on its titanium alloy design. This weapon, like its predecessor, features a 2X scope.
M6 Magnum Sidearm Series
M6D Magnum Sidearm
A rather large handgun with surprising effectiveness, it was used by the crew of the Pillar of Autumn during their battle with the Covenant on Installation 04. Its KFA-2 2X electronic scope allows this weapon to become effective at medium to long ranges. It fires 12.7x40mm M225 SAPHE (Semi-Armor Piercing, High Explosive) Rounds that can easily penetrate and kill almost any unshielded target. It uses a magazine of twelve rounds and fires in semi-automatic mode only (the game allows you to hold down the trigger to fire it continuously. However, it is clearly seen that the trigger is pulled every time the weapon is fired - therefore, the weapon is not fully automatic). Nicknamed the "Handcannon" for its immense power, it can eliminate a fully-shielded Spartan-II in three to five shots. Its bullets will penetrate a target and explode violently, scrambling their internal organs and often causing fatal damage. This weapon is effective against mainly infantry and some light vehicles, as its explosive rounds do high damage to metal plating and internal structures.
It is best used against grunts (one shot near the head will kill), but it will usually take an entire magazine to penetrate an Elite's shields and kill it.
M6C Magnum Sidearm
The M6C Magnum Sidearm is semi-automatic, recoil-operated, magazine-fed pistol, firing 12.7x40mm M228 SAPHP (Semi-Armor Piercing-High Penetration) rounds from a 12-round magazine. Fired accurately in semi-automatic mode, it can be used as a powerful anti-personnel weapon. It is notable for its penetration against body armor, killing most unshielded targets, even Elites, in a single head shot. Its lack of an electronic scope and HE ammunition, present in the M6D model, make it less versatile and effective by comparison, although it can be dual-wielded; its successor cannot. In multiplayer it takes a total of nine shots to take down a player (normal shields, normal damage) or a total of five headshots on a regular Elite or Mark VI Spartan.
M6C/SOCOM
The M6C/SOCOM variant is a special issued handgun to the UNSC's Special Operations Units (ODST, etc.). The M6C/SOCOM variant has an integrated sound suppressor, muzzle brake, and Laser Aiming Module underneath the extended barrel. Its rate of fire is much faster than the original M6C, though its damage has been decreased due to use of subsonic ammunition (necessary for sound suppression). It is weak against shields and flesh and its only practical purpose is accurate and fast headshots on unshielded opponents. It is the secondary default weapon for most ODSTs and is usually the closest thing that you can get to a sniper rifle for most of the game. Certain models have been ‘up-sized’ to be used by Spartans in MJOLNIR armor.
In lieu of the KFA-2 sight used on the M6D PDWS, the M6C/SOCOM utilizes the VnSLS/V 6E smart linked x4 scope and is able to eliminate targets at increased ranges and with limited recoil due to the integral sound suppressor and compensator.
M6G Magnum Sidearm
The M6G Magnum is a semi-automatic, recoil-operated, magazine-fed, handgun that is able to be dual-wielded. It shares the explosive rounds of the M6D but has a more shallow magazine of eight rounds as well as a slower effective rate of fire. It lacks the linked electronic scope of the M6D, which is replaced by an unusable (in-game) laser sight. This allows it to be dual-wielded like its cousin, the M6C. It has short-medium range and good accuracy. It can be employed with great effect by an operator with a quick eye and steady hand, taking down fully shielded opponents in as little as five shots.
M7 Submachine Gun
M7/Caseless Submachine Gun
The M7/Caseless Submachine Gun is a fully automatic, gas-operated, magazine-fed, short range sidearm. It is possible for it to be dual-wielded. The SMG fires sustained bursts of 5x23mm Caseless FMJ (Full Metal Jacket) rounds from a 60-round magazine at a velocity of 427 m/sec (1300 ft/sec) with an extremely high rate of fire. This high rate of fire combined with the weapon's relatively low weight leads to tremendous recoil and forces the barrel steadily upward after continuous fire, causing your aim to "walk upward". Therefore, careful moderation of aim is required to maintain accuracy. It also sports a collapsible stock and foregrip. This weapon's spread and recoil make it unfavorable for anything but close-range combat. It also depletes its ammunition rather quickly, due to the high rate of fire. Although the ammunition depletes quickly, dual-wielding makes for an effective CQB weapon. As such, it has earned the highly appropriate nickname "Bullet Hose." Another feature of the M7 is the ability to attach a suppressor on the weapon, allowing Special Operations and Espionage to be performed more stealthily. In Halo 3:ODST, a helmet interface scope has been added.
DTM Shotgun Series
M90 Shotgun
The M90 is one of the oldest UNSC weapons, but its design has yet to be superseded by anything more effective. It has incredible stopping power and is peerless as an extreme close range (5-10m) weapon. It is a pump action shotgun, carrying up to twelve 8-gauge magnum (3.5") shells at a time with strong recoil. It is devastating at close range and in confined quarters, although it is ineffective at longer distances. It is unusual in that it is reloaded from the top. Three variants of this weapon exist: the MK I, II, and A variant. The first two differ only in their stopping power, while the third has a reduced number of shells. There is also a civilian DTM variant without the pistol grip that is very popular with local law enforcement officers. While powerful, this weapon's short range makes it only truly useful for close range situations and encounters.
M90A Shotgun
This variant of the M90 Shotgun has a lower ammo capacity of 6 shells, but a tighter choke than its M90 MK II variant, making it slightly more effective at mid-range combat than its predecessor and breaking it from its specialist restriction.
S2 AM Sniper Rifle Series
SRS99C-S2 AM Sniper Rifle
This Anti-Matériel Sniper Rifle has one of the most advanced ammunition types available to the UNSC. It is a gas-operated, magazine-fed weapon. It fires 14.5x114mm Armor-Piercing, Fin-Stabilized, Discarding Sabot (AP-FS-DS) rounds. These rounds are large in both length and width, and are equipped with four symmetrical fins on the sides of the round, stabilizing its trajectory to results of amazing accuracy, with a hit ratio of 97.3% at maximum range. These sabots are used to fill in the gap in the barrel to make a plug and are ripped off of the projectile before entering the actual target. This weapon utilizes a smart-linked electronic Oracle N-variant scope attached with two levels of magnification, that allows magnification from 2x up to 10x. It has high penetration, said to be able to penetrate "13 feet of meat and bone." However, its impressive penetration against soft targets leads it to be useless against Flood, which do not rely on internal organ systems as Human and Covenant do. It is highly effective against energy shielding, completely draining a Spartan-II's shield in one shot, killing them if shot in the head. It has a separate AMB variant that uses slightly different telescopic sights and rebuilt grip.
SRS99C-S2 AMB Sniper Rifle
This variant of the SRS99C appears in Halo 2. It is an upgrade of the standard SRS99C, featuring new sights (though with no night vision capabilities), and a better designed handle.
SRS99D-S2 AM Sniper Rifle
This variant of the S2 AM Sniper Rifle has an infrared/topographical scope attachment. It uses the same stabilized fin rounds but has increased penetration power, while a slower rate of fire and higher recoil. It also possesses a built-in iron sight. You can only use this weapon in Halo 3. When the scope is not zoomed, it displays a night vision image on the back of the scope, which changes depending on what it is aimed at.
Explosive Weapons Launcher
M19 SSM Rocket Launcher
The SSM Rocket Launcher or 'Jackhammer', as it is stated in Halo: Fall of Reach, is extremely simple in design and purpose. Nicknamed the "SPNKr", it fires HEAT (High Explosive Anti-Tank) missiles quite accurately at extreme range. Man-portable, shoulder-fired with an electronic scope with single 2X level of magnification, it is effective at most ranges. It houses a dual-barrel design that allows two consecutive rockets to be fired before reloading is necessary. Unlike most rocket launchers, this feature greatly reduces the amount of waste normally generated by fully disposable rocket launchers. It fires 102mm shaped-charge, high explosive rockets. It is most effective against Light Vehicles, Infantry, and Heavy Vehicles. Its lack of a tracking ability makes it only useful to specialists and must be well-aimed prior to launch. A variant of the model exists that sports a lock-on capability, allowing this weapon to become a "fire and forget" device. Its rockets have a large blast radius and can be devastating when used against groups of assailants.
M41 SSR MAV/AW (Rocket Launcher)
This variant of the M19 sports a smaller rocket in exchange for a higher range and rate of fire. However, it does not possess the lock-on feature in Halo 2. Halo: Combat Evolved's rocket launcher, listed above, also lacked a homing system.
LAU-65D/SGM-151 (Missile Pod)
The LAU-65D/SGM-151, also known as the Missile Pod, is an infantry-operated SSSA weapon. It carries eight high explosive missiles that can be fired in rapid succession, although when it is mounted there is no limit to the number of times the weapon can be fired. Its extreme size and weight means only a Spartan, or someone of comparable strength, can operate it free of its tripod (although this generally slows them down). It fires faster than the Rocket Launcher, and possesses a lock-on capability that makes it a great deal more effective against aircraft and rapidly advancing ground vehicles.
Machine Gun Turret
M247 General Purpose Machine Gun
The M247 is a belt-fed, air-cooled, fully-automatic 7.62mm machine gun found in two configurations - mounted and man-portable. The gun emplacements can be found in various locations throughout the Campaign and also appear in a number of different locations on the multiplayer maps. While using the turret, you are totally exposed to hostile fire. With a limited field of fire, the effectiveness of the turret depends on the direction your enemies are approaching. Its unlimited ammunition and high rate of fire makes it convenient for thinning out advancing forces, though it will cause the drivers of vehicles no small amount of anguish.
AIE-486H Heavy Machine Gun
The AIE-486H Heavy Machine Gun is a standard 7.62x51mm caliber Gatling-style heavy weapon in use by the UNSC for offensive and defensive purposes. It can be mounted on a tripod, vehicle, or detached and carried for use as a mobile weapon. It has a capacity of 200 rounds when detached, and takes a few seconds to reach its highest rate of fire. The weapon is heavy, however, requiring at least two Marines for transport on foot, or a single SPARTAN-II or Elite soldier (although this slows them down considerably.) Useful for thinning out infantry and can be used against light to medium armored vehicles.
Vehicle Mounted
M41 Light Anti-Aircraft Gun
The M41 LAAG is a .50 caliber, three-barreled, electrically-powered, drum-fed, linkless ammunition machine gun. The M41 LAAG has a cyclic rate of up to 550 rounds per minute. This turret has been devastatingly effective in countless deployments against other vehicles and, in particular, against infantry. The M41 LAAG can be found on the M12 Warthog LRV and the Elephant. In Halo: Fall of Reach it is stated that the M41 LAAG is not effective against the Banshee, though in the games it rips the Banshee apart with no trouble at all.
M68 Gauss Cannon
The M68 Gauss Cannon of the M12G1 Warthog LAAV (light anti-armor vehicle) fires 25mm projectiles. Its asynchronous linear induction motor produces a bipolar magnetic field to fire the projectiles at hyper-sonic velocity. Its design closely mimics the Magnetic Accelerator Cannon (MAC) gun found on UNSC Warships and on the Orbital Defense Platforms defending colony worlds, though obviously on a lesser scale in this case. Though firing single rounds, it can penetrate armor and can even stop tanks, but the Gauss Cannon's small area of effect makes it unsuitable against large groups of enemy infantry. Individual targets would usually take one shot to kill as long as you fire accurately. However, it is primarily designed to be used against armor and is relatively successful in doing so.
The M68 Gauss Cannon also appears mounted on Warthogs in Halo 3: ODST.
102mm SC-HE Rocket Turret
The 102mm SC-HE Rocket Turret is a triple-barreled weapon firing similar HEAT missiles to that of the M19 SSM and M41 SSR. It gives UNSC personnel a high degree of anti-armor capacity, with the ability to fire three HEAT rockets at any target. This makes it not only extremely efficient as an anti-armor weapon, but also good at dealing with large groups of enemy personnel as well. It is mounted on the M12A1 Warthog, but the UNSC ceased manufacturing of such Warthogs because of its high cost and relatively low effectiveness, and many remaining variants have been replaced by the M68 Gauss Cannon, making Warthogs sporting the 102mm a rare variant. The reloading of all three rockets takes around 3-5 seconds, which allows the enemy to return fire. Even when not moving, the large aiming reticule for the turret makes the rocket highly inaccurate and the gunner cannot control the rocket's flight path. This variant of the Warthog was only featured in the PC version of Halo: Combat Evolved.
Non-projectile Based Weaponry
M9 HE-DP Grenade (Frag Grenade)
Also known as the Fragmentation Grenade, or Frag Grenade for short, this explosive device functions as an effective way to clear infantry from cover, or to thin out tightly clustered groups of hostiles, and is fairly effective when engaging lightly-armored vehicles. The munition is made of a brittle metal shell that covers a core of high explosive compound fitted with an electronic detonator, and it achieves its effect upon detonation by rupturing the shell and sending tiny metal shards called shrapnel outward at high speed, as well as by causing internal damage through concussive and secondary shrapnel effects. The grenade seems to incorporate a safety feature that will not allow it to explode before making contact with a hard surface, removing the threat of detonation while still in the user's hand. The name M9 HE-DP, (High Explosive, Dual-Purpose), is generically applied to several variants of this grenade, however the desired explosive result are not the same. The M9 HE-DP Grenade in Halo: Combat Evolved is slightly more powerful with a significantly larger blast radius, along with a longer timed detonation fuse.
M7057/Defoliant Projector (Flamethrower)
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The M7057/DP is a standard chemical flamethrower, which projects and ignites a stream of a volatile, semi-liquid fuel. Flamethrowers are cumbersome and relatively difficult to use (psychologically as well as mechanically, especially because the explosive fuel is located on the weapon itself). Referring to the M7057/DP as a weapon is a bit of a misnomer as the "DP" in its nomenclature indicate that it is a defoliant projector which is to be used to rapidly clear away heavy foliage for in-theater construction projects and to destroy new or persistent growth from emplacements and/or hardened military assets. It is a great weapon for exterminating clusters of enemies, and is featured in the PC version of Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo 3 only.
Weapon/Anti-Vehicle Model 6 Grindell/Galileian Nonlinear Rifle (Spartan Laser)
The M6 Spartan Laser is a shoulder-fired directed energy weapon used by the UNSC. It fires an extremely powerful red laser capable of destroying vehicles and infantry with one accurate strike (varying with difficulty setting). When the trigger is pulled, a red targeting laser is painted onto the impact zone. The Spartan Laser will charge for three seconds before firing its powerful and destructive burst. It is capable of passing through multiple targets and reaches great lengths. The Spartan Laser is the most expensive weapon to produce. It costs 218,000.00 cR, more than the cost of four Warthogs armed with either the M41 or M68, 129 MA5B Assault Rifles, or over 7,200 M9 Fragmentation Grenades. Its heavy weight, expense, and difficult aiming system makes it useful only for special missions. In Halo 3, a player can only use the Spartan Laser five times per charge (uses up 20 battery units per shot).
Firing Table
The following table was created by testing all of the UNSC weapons on Avalanche. A game of Capture the Flag was started, and by looking at the flag, exact distance can be determined.
Weapon
The name of the weapon being tested.
Rounds until Melee kills
How many shots are needed to drop the shields to where one melee hit will kill the player.
Rounds to kill
How many rounds are needed to drain the shields and then kill the player.
Maximum one magazine range
How far away the player can stand and kill a player with one magazine of ammunition. This assumes that the player is firing fully automatic and not pumping the trigger.
Headshots to kill
How many shots are needed to kill a player if all hit the head.
Complete Maximum Range
The farthest away a player can be and still damage another player with his weapon. File:Firing table.jpg
Non-Game Weapons
These weapons consist of various munition-based weapons not seen in-game but mentioned in the literature. (Halo, Books 1-4; The Flood; First Strike; The Fall of Reach; Ghosts of Onyx) etc.
A sonic sniper rifle used by ONI for assassinations that leaves no entry or exit wound.
The "Confetti Maker" is a .308-caliber machine gun that grew into standard use by UNSC rebel factions around 2531. It is called the "Confetti Maker" because of the massive amount of empty cases it spews out, but is notable for its horrible accuracy.
The HMG-38 was used by UNSC Marine until they became obsolete in 2525.
The M6A is a variant of the M6 series sidearm mentioned in a Bungie update on the M6G.
The M6B is a variant of the M6 series sidearm mentioned in a Bungie update on the M6G.
The M6J is an UNSC Army variant of the M6 Pistol series.
The DTM/LE is a variant of the DTM Series.
The UNSC Army's resident Long-range, anti-matériel weapon.
The MA2B is a cut-down version of the standard MA5B.
The MA3 is an older variant of the MA5B Assault Rifle.
The MA5K is a cut-down variant of the standard MA5B Assault Rifle, used by the SPARTAN-IIIs.
The Combat Knife is a small knife on each shoulder of an ODST, and is also on the CQB body variant of MJOLNIR armor..
A missile launcher used in Halo: Ghosts of Onyx.