MA series

A comparison between the MA5B, the MA5C, and the MA37.

The Individual Combat Weapon System series (ICWS series),^[1] MA line,^[2] MA Assault Rifle series^[3] or MA series^[2] is a line of small arms produced by Misriah Armory.^[1] It is the oldest rifle in use with the United Nations Space Command and is in use with every branch and division of the UEG's armed forces.^[4]^[1] Weapons of the ICWS series are given the prefix "MA".^[2]^[5]

OverviewEdit

Design detailsEdit

MA series weapons are gas-operated, air-cooled, and utilize a rotating bolt.^[2] They are magazine-fed^[4]^[1] and commonly chambered in the 7.62×51mm round,^[2] with specialist ammunition available via request.^[6] Fire modes include single shot, burst, and fully automatic.^[1] They are easy to clean and use.^[2]

HistoryEdit

By 2437, the MA5 series began to supersede other variants in adoption across all branches of the UNSC.^[1]

VariantsEdit

MA1 Individual Combat Weapon System: The MA1 was presumably the first iteration of the MA series. It was likely the immediate predecessor to the MA2.^[7]^[1]
MA2B Individual Combat Weapon System: The MA2B is, in many respects, a cut-down version of the later MA5B. It is chambered for .390 caliber ammunition and can fire fifteen rounds per second. The MA2B sees sparse service with UNSC Special Forces operators.^[2]^[8]

The MA2B assault rifle.

MA3 seriesEdit

MA3A Individual Combat Weapon System: A predecessor of the MA5 series. By 2552, it had been retired from service, though it was popular on the black market and was commonly used by terrorist organizations.^[2]^[9]
CM 300 carbine: A cost reduced version of the MA3 created for settlers and security forces in the late 24th-century.^[10]

MA5 SeriesEdit

Main article: MA5 series

The weapons of the MA5 series are capable of being outfitted with M301 Grenade Launchers and underslung shotguns.^[11]

MA37 Individual Combat Weapon System: The MA37 is the UNSC Army's variant of the MA5 series. The MA37 receives a thirty-two round magazine.^[2]
MA40 Individual Combat Weapon System: An updated version of the MA37 that increases mechanical reliability and durability in more extreme conditions.^[1]
MA5B Individual Combat Weapon System: The MA5B is commonly used by the UNSC Marine Corps and Navy. It saw more frequent usage before and during the early years of the Human-Covenant War. Following the introduction of the MA5C, it is often relegated to use in short-range combat. The MA5B receives a sixty-round magazine.^[2]
MA5C Individual Combat Weapon System: The MA5C is an improvement upon the MA5B, featuring a heavier barrel with a one-in-seven twist, a stronger spring mechanism, and a sturdier, more ergonomically designed handguard. It receives a thirty-two round magazine; the reduced magazine capacity in relation to the MA5B is part of an effort to prevent wearing of the magazine spring.^[11] It is used by the Marine Corps and the Navy in short-to-mid range combat.^[2]
MA5D Individual Combat Weapon System: The MA5D is the most recent iteration of the MA series.
MA5K carbine: The MA5K is a carbine variant of the MA5 that used almost exclusively by Special Forces units. It receives a thirty-round magazine^[2] and is seemingly modular, capable of being assembled in various configurations.^[12]