M41 SPNKr

The M41 Surface-to-Surface Rocket Medium Anti-Vehicle / Assault Weapon (M41 SSR MAV/AW), formally known as the Medium Anti-Vehicle / Assault Weapon, Bore 102mm, M41 Surface-to-Surface Rocket Launcher, and commonly known as the Jackhammer or the SPNKR (also stylised as SPNKr), is a heavy ordnance weapon used by the UNSC and Insurrectionists. It is manufactured by Misriah Armory. While it was obsolete before the Human-Covenant War began, it was not replaced by the M57 Pilum until the Created conflict to counter Promethean Knights. However, even after it was replaced it remained popular in War Games matches aboard the.

Design details
Though there have been various shoulder-launched rocket launchers in service with the UNSC Armed Forces since its creation, only the M41 rocket launcher has the tactical importance to be heavily manufactured. The M41 SSR has been in service with the UNSC for decades, as early as the Insurrection, during which it was used by the UNSC and the Insurrectionists. Over time, the M41's role shifted from an anti-vehicular weapon to an all-purpose heavy weapon.

The weapon is composed of two components: a reusable launcher with attached smart-linked fire control module. Second, a disposable magazine containing two rockets. The M41 rocket launcher typically fires M19 102mm high-explosive shaped charge missiles. The weapon uses a unique system for loading and firing: rather than using a traditional magazine or single-shot system, it is fed by a pair of detachable barrels, each of which holds a single rocket. When one of the rockets is fired, the other is cycled into place; when both have been fired, the operator removes the barrel unit and inserts another. As such, the M41 is considerably portable, allowing the operator to quickly reload while in combat and greatly reduces the weight he carries without throwing the weapon away.

Many M41s and their M19 rockets are equipped with target tracking systems; these systems allow the operator to track a target, which often guarantees that the target will be struck, even if it attempts evasive maneuvers. While the M41 rocket launcher is optimized for ground targets, certain models of the M41 features an integrated and enhanced tracking system, developed from tweaks by engineers at Misriah Armory. As such, some launchers are capable of tracking both ground-based and airborne targets, though others are capable of tracking only aircrafts. Some M41s lack any form of tracking technology, requiring the operator to "dumb fire" the weapon without targeting assistance.

Although the M41D rocket launcher has no magnification optics, it possesses a smart-linked fire control module. The M41D features a trigger guard, and an ergonomic thumbhole stock, adding the impression of greater bulk. However, the M41B model lack these design features, possessing only a pistol grip and no trigger guard, resulting in a more skeletal overall appearance.

The model used in October 2558 has a serial number of "00051405".

Variants

 * M41 SPNKr EM: Improved variant with four rockets per magazine and the ability to lock onto ground and air vehicles.
 * M41 SPNKr EX: Advanced variant that fires laser-guided cluster warhead rockets that detonate in proximity to enemies, releasing an effect similar to the fields of splinter grenades, albeit without the disintegration effect. It also produces a large red glare if used with Smart-Link.
 * M41 SPNKr Prime: Mythic variant that fires fast, powerful rockets. Spartans that use the SPNKR Prime in War Games also get boosts to movement speed, shield strength, and jump height.
 * M41B SPNKr: A variant with a pistol grip and no trigger guard, but features 2x magnification.
 * M41D SPNKr: A variant with no magnification optics used during Battle for Zeta Halo.
 * M41D SPNKr Tracker: An improved version of the M41 that can track targets. Used by Zeretus during the Battle for Zeta Halo.

Advantages
The rocket launcher spreads a huge amount of damage over a large area. It is capable of taking out entire groups of infantry at any range and can kill both the passengers and crew of nearly any vehicle like the M808B Main Battle Tank or a Wraith. Its ability to fire two shots in rapid succession is also a major advantage.

Disadvantages
The M41 SSR, though powerful, is implemented in-game as an anti-vehicle weapon, not designed for engaging infantry. Thus, its reload time is quite slow, as it takes about three to five seconds for the M41 to be fully reloaded. The rockets are slow and leave a trail of smoke in their wake, giving away the operator's position. Ammunition is often limited or unavailable, and the operator can carry only six extra rockets at once, for a total of 8 rounds. The biggest disadvantage to the operator is the blast radius of a rocket; if fired too close the splash damage can severely injure or kill its operator if fired carelessly into surrounding terrain or at a close enemy.

Halo: Spartan Strike and Halo: Spartan Assault
The M41 SSR is an exclusive weapon that can be purchased with 1000 Credits in both games. It is provided with 150 ammunition with a very high fire rate but a damage output 30% less than original damage (requiring five shots to destroy a Wraith). In Spartan Strike Mission E-5: Hold the Line, the player can equip the Rocket Launcher scattered around the LZ for free.

Changes from the M41B in Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST to Halo: Reach

 * The grips of the weapon are enclosed in a thumbhole design.
 * It can now lock on to aircraft, but not other types of vehicles.
 * It has slightly different firing and rocket detonation sounds.
 * Rockets travel noticeably faster.
 * Splash damage is increased.
 * Rockets are mildly affected by gravity.

Changes from Halo: Reach to Halo 4

 * Rockets' travel speed increased.
 * The sound of the weapon firing has been changed, akin to the "tube" sound of a grenade launcher.
 * The weapon no longer has an audible indicator to verify that a lock has been achieved.
 * The rocket now leaves a noticeable vapor trail when fired.
 * Rockets make more noise as they travel.

Changes from Halo 4 to Halo 2: Anniversary

 * Like the original Halo 2 version the M41 can lock onto both aircraft and land vehicles.
 * While the campaign uses the Halo: Reach model, the multiplayer version uses the Halo 4 redesign.

Changes from Halo 2: Anniversary to Halo 5: Guardians

 * The M41, like its Halo: Reach and Halo 4 incarnations, can only lock onto aircraft.
 * The M41 comes in many variations.
 * Its firing sound is similar to the Halo: Combat Evolved version.
 * Features some minor color changes with some spots on the weapon being orange.

Changes from Halo Wars to Halo Wars 2

 * Rate of fire increased slightly.
 * Base damage decreased; damage increases proportionally to unit veterancy.
 * Projectiles move more slowly.
 * Research requirements for RPG Trooper becomes easier.
 * M41 SPNKR now can be wielded exclusively by Douglas-042 with Professor Anders as the leader on level 2 hero upgrade on non-campaign gameplay.

Changes from Halo 5: Guardians to Halo Infinite

 * The M41's rockets glow a deep orange, making them more obvious in flight.
 * The rockets' splash damage drops off more sharply, compared to previous games.

Trivia

 * The weapon was identified as the M19 SSM rocket launcher in the game manuals of Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo 2 as well as in the Art of Halo 3. It was also referred to in Halo: Ghosts of Onyx as the M19 missile launcher. It was established in Halo: The Essential Visual Guide that M19 SSM refers to the rocket ammunition while the launcher itself is designated as the M41. The 2022 edition of the Halo Encyclopedia further expanded on the designation, giving the M41D designation to the rocket launcher that first appeared in Halo: Reach, while the M41B designation was given to the one first introduced in Halo: Combat Evolved.
 * The M41 SSR is aesthetically similar to the SPNKR-XP surface-to-surface missile launcher from Marathon 2 and Marathon Infinity. This weapon is also the source of the M41's "SPNKr" moniker.
 * In Destiny 2's Bungie 30th Anniversary Pack, the rocket launcher Gjallarhorn, which debuted in the original Destiny, makes an appearance. Its new alternate appearance is "GJNKR", referencing both the original Marathon weapon and the Halo weapon. However, the appearance of GJNKR looks more like the pre-release SPNKR 108 SAM than anything from Marathon. *If the player uses Emile-A239's voice in Firefight, he will occasionally say "Someone's gonna pay!" when he readies a rocket launcher. This is a reference to the level If I Had a Rocket Launcher, I'd Make Someone Pay from Marathon 2: Durandal, which, in turn, was named after the Bruce Cockburn song If I Had a Rocket Launcher.

List of appearances

 * Halo: The Fall of Reach
 * Halo: Combat Evolved
 * Halo: The Flood
 * Halo: First Strike
 * Halo 2
 * Halo: Ghosts of Onyx
 * Halo: Landfall
 * Halo: Last One Standing
 * Halo: Uprising
 * Halo 3
 * Halo: Helljumper
 * Halo 3: ODST
 * Halo Wars
 * Halo Legends
 * Origins
 * Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe
 * Dirt
 * Halo: Reach
 * Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary
 * Terminals


 * Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn
 * Halo 4
 * Spartan Ops
 * Halo: Spartan Assault
 * Halo: Escalation
 * Halo: Mortal Dictata
 * Halo 2: Anniversary
 * Terminals
 * Halo: Spartan Strike
 * Hunt the Truth
 * Halo 5: Guardians
 * Halo: Ground Command
 * Halo Mythos
 * Halo Wars 2
 * Halo: Retribution
 * Halo: Collateral Damage
 * Halo: Fireteam Raven
 * Halo: Silent Storm
 * Halo: Oblivion
 * Halo: Shadows of Reach
 * Halo: Divine Wind
 * Halo Infinite
 * Halo: The Rubicon Protocol