SRS99-AM sniper rifle

"Anti-materiel rated; particularly useful against delicate equipment - like brains."

- Halo: Reach Manual

The Sniper Rifle System 99 Anti-Matériel, more formally known as the Special Applications Rifle, Caliber 14.5 mm, SRS99, is a United Nations Space Command sniper rifle.

Background
The SRS99 first entered service with the Army in 2460. Because of its modularity and ongoing manufacturer support, the SRS99 was adopted by all branches in 2521.

Design Details
The SRS99 is a semi-automatic, gas-operated rifle that fires 14.5x114mm ammunition from a four-round detachable box magazine. It can be fitted with high power rounds, which, according to Jun-A266, can "take the hat off an Elite at 2,000 yards." The ejection port is on the right side of the weapon and the charging handle is on the left side. Unlike all other known models of the SRS99 series, this variant features a thumbhole stock instead of a pistol grip, and its body sports a black and navy blue finish in addition to the gray of its successors. Also unlike its successors, it can be seen utilizing a sling-mount in-game. The SRS99's scope is similar to the SRS99D-S2 AM's scope, as both display green outlines of objects.

Advantages
The SRS99 proves its worthiness as a long range weapon, capable of picking off single targets with a lethal shot, it can be used to neutralise significant threats that would be a problem for the player to tackle in close quarters combat. Other than serving an offensive role, the SRS99 can also be used to 'cheat' on enemies when their emplacements are unknown: its scope is a very efficient tool for surveillance, reconnaissance and scouting, allowing the user to relay information back to other team mates so that they will be prepared for any surprises that the opposition had rigged.

Disadvantages
The SRS99 is very cumbersome to use in short range combat: the length of its barrel makes it troublesome for users to aim it in tight quarters. A sniper's shot will also give off a white trail of water vapor which can be traced back to the shooter's location. Because of this, a sniper's general location can be estimated after very few shots, leaving the shooter the choice of going to a new position or facing the possible counterattack. Ideally, a sniper would move and shoot at the same time, but the narrow field of view in the scope can make the user clumsy and situationally unaware, and the shifting viewpoint makes tracking targets more difficult. A skillful target will also make scoring headshots difficult: a single hit scored on a sniper will automatically cause the sniper to exit scope mode, so a single grenade can kill the sharpshooter if the enemy aims properly..

Trivia

 * In the Halo: Reach Beta the scope shows the identity of its user, SPARTAN-B312, as "ID-NOBLE6," regardless of whoever wields it. There is also a small UNSC logo on the left of the scope. The Noble 6 ID tag has been removed in the final version of the game.
 * Though the Sniper Rifle features reticle bloom, it only has a very miniscule effect on the weapon, retracting almost to its smallest size before firing. This can be tested by firing the weapon as fast as possible with the "Bottomless Clip" setting turned on. After many consecutive shots, the reticle will reach a point where it is fully bloomed.
 * The sniper rifle is portrayed as a true anti-materiel rifle in Halo: Reach; it is now capable of destroying armored vehicles in at least 4 shots.
 * The rifle appears to have a rear "notch" type sight, but no front sight. The rear sight also does not appear to be adjustable for elevation or windage, but has markings for windage. This is very strange for a weapon that may need to be used without a scope in some situations, such as if the scope is damaged.
 * The rifle is based from several real life weapons, including the Denel NTW-20, AW l96 and the Barret M82,sharing The NTW-20's carry handle, barrel and amunition, the M82's semi-automatic function, foregrip and the l96's thumb-hole stock
 * Although the Sniper Rifle has a bipod, it is never seen to be used in gameplay, nor any cutscenes.
 * It is not recommended to use the Sniper Rifle in conjunction with the Bubble Shield. If you fire while inside the shield it will become heavily damaged and if you fire with your barrel partially protruding out of the shield you will commit suicide.

List of appearances

 * Halo: Reach