MA2B assault rifle

The MA2B Assault Rifle is a cut-down version of the standard MA5B Individual Combat Weapon System. It can be considered as a "Carbine".

Background
Like its relatives in the MA5 family, the MA2B is tough and reliable. It has electric targeting, an ammo supply indicator, and a recoil-reduction system. The MA2B can deliver an impressive fifteen rounds per second and uses .390 caliber ammunition.

The MA2B features a larger magazine than it's MA5 rifle counterparts. In addition to the standard Armor-Piercing rounds found in most Human firearms, it can use the "Shredder" round; an anti-personnel ammunition type made from Depleted Uranium.

The MA2B's caliber, though listed as .390 is more likely 7.62x51mm (.308) since the weapon is a stripped down version of the MA5B (referenced as such in The Fall of Reach during the battle of Sigma Octannus IV). Were it actually .390, it would be near impossible to have a larger magazine similar in size of an MA5 magazine with a larger caliber. It would also be impossible for the MA2B to fire the " shredder" rounds as they are also .30 caliber (.30, .308, and 7.62mm are all the same diameter bullet) The simplest way to explain this discrepancy is to assume that the number was derived from an incorrect metric to standard conversion of the caliber, or it was simply a typo.

Operational Use
The SPARTAN-II's were known to carry this weapon into action, usually when they were required to carry very little ordnance for a mission. John-117 and Blue Team used the MA2B on their first combat mission to capture Colonel Robert Watts of the Eridanus Rebels.

Related Links

 * MA5 Series