MA5D assault rifle

The MA5D Individual Combat Weapon System (ICWS) is a gas-operated assault rifle used by the UNSC Defense Force. Like the rest of the MA5 Series, the MA5D is designed and manufactured by Misriah Armory.

Overview
The MA5D Assault Rifle is an air-cooled, gas-operated, magazine-fed, fully-automatic bullpup rifle that fires 32 rounds of 7.62x51mm ammunition. It possesses a built-in ammunition indicator and magnetic compass for orientation similar to that of all other MA5 series rifles.

Service history
The MA5D ICWS was in limited service use as early as 2526; it was issued to officer cadets, drill instructors, and security personnel at the Corbulo Academy of Military Science. By the summer of 2557, the MA5D had become the standard-issue service rifle of the Marine Corps and the Navy. It replaced the MA5B and MA5C variants, primarily the latter, which were in service throughout the Human-Covenant War.

Multiplayer
The MA5D's fully-automatic fire makes it an effective close-range weapon. Compared to the other automatic weapons in Halo 4, it is much more versatile due to its hitscan properties and flexibility of range, though it is occasionally outperformed by these weapons at more extreme close-range. It takes 16 rounds to kill a fully-shielded player in Multiplayer Matchmaking; 10 to shields and 6 to the body, allowing for a bare maximum of two kills from its 32-round magazine. In close-quarters, it is often advisable to finish your opponent with a melee after firing at least 6 rounds into their shields. The Assault Rifle is great as a secondary weapon to a precision weapon like the DMR or Lightrifle, allowing you to effectively occupy nearly all ranges of combat. However, like the other automatic weapons, is not reccommended for use as a primary weapon except when playing on smaller maps. The Assault Rifle can also be used effectively at distances approaching medium-range by firing in short, controlled bursts. Though this will drasticly increase kill times, making it unadvisable against players that have already engaged you with a precision weapon.

Differences from the MA37 ICWS in Halo: Reach

 * Heavily revamped appearance, resembling the MA5C from Halo 3.
 * New sound effects.
 * Heavier but more controllable reticle bloom.
 * More damage per round, returning to the classic 16-round kill on a fully-shielded SPARTAN.
 * Slightly increased rate of fire.
 * Maximum reserve ammo has been reduced from 288 rounds to 256 rounds, and a standard reserve of 224 rounds, forcing the player to scavenge for ammo more frequently.

Videos
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List of appearances

 * The Commissioning
 * Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn
 * Halo 4