MA5D assault rifle

The MA5D Individual Combat Weapon System (ICWS) is an assault rifle used by the United Nations Space Command. 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 standard 7.62x51mm FMJ-AP ammunition from a 32- or 36-round detachable box magazine. It possesses a built-in ammunition indicator and magnetic compass for orientation similar to that of all other MA5 series rifles. It bears few noticeable design differences from the MA5C apart from an integrated muzzle brake.

The MA5D ICWS was in limited service use as early as 2525 when it was issued to officer cadets, drill instructors, and security personnel at the Corbulo Academy of Military Science, as well as Spartan Blue Team. It saw continued use throughout the war, though the MA5's B and C variants remained more common. By 2557 the MA5D had become standard issue. It is now favored due to its ruggedness and ability to withstand the conditions that are often faced on frontier colonies.

October 2558 variant
By October 2558 a variant of the MA5D existed with the "p/n 00118-B" body. It had the serial number of "007230814". This variant had a removable case at the top that hides a "P/N 16309" rail to attach various attachments onto it. This variant is often fielded with a Projection sight.
 * Recon MA5D: Assault Rifle with Recon sight. UNSC Army configuration with quick-acquisition sights for mid-range engagements.
 * Longshot MA5D: Assault Rifle with Longshot sight. UNSC Marine Corps Interim Fireteam Support (IFS) configuration for intermediate-range combat and long-range suppression.
 * Hybrid MA5D: Assault Rifle with Hybrid sight. This variant is a testbed for human-Sangheili technology sharing, fitted a modified Carbine holoscope.
 * COG MA5D: Assault Rifle with COG sight. Security configuration issued to ONI’s armed-response teams.

MA5D Attachments

 * Long Barrel: Increases range of bullet magnetism and aim assist.
 * Laser Targeter: Increases weapon accuracy by reducing bullet spread.
 * Silencer: Firing the weapon does not make the user show up on enemy radar. However, walking still gives away the user's position.
 * Stabilization Jets: Helps control vertical recoil.
 * Kinetic Bolts: Augments knockback and damage against vehicles.
 * Energy Bayonet: Increases melee damage and range, allowing for a one-hit kill against normal opponents.
 * Knight blade: Increases melee effectiness, with extra damage and knockback against vehicles.
 * Extended Magazine: Increases both ready and reserve ammunition capacity by 50%.
 * Threat Marker: Tracks targeted enemy personnel for a short time.
 * Sound Dampener: Increases effective range and reduces firing signature.

Changes from MA37 ICWS in Halo: Reach

 * Heavier but more controllable reticle bloom
 * More damage per round: only 13 shots are needed to kill a fully-shielded Spartan instead of 19.
 * 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.

Changes from Halo 4 to Halo 2: Anniversary

 * Less damage per round, 16 shots are required to kill a fully-shielded Spartan.

Changes from Halo 2: Anniversary to Halo 5: Guardians

 * Can now be zoomed in using the Smart Scope and have its bloom and max spread reduced at the cost of added recoil
 * Faster bloom regeneration
 * Magazine size increased from 32 rounds to 36
 * Reload speed slightly increased
 * Headshots now deal 2x damage on unshielded targets
 * Increased damage, killing in 13-15 rounds, depending on the headshot bonus

List of appearances

 * The Commissioning
 * Scanned
 * Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn
 * Halo 4
 * Spartan Ops
 * Infinity Briefing Packet
 * Halo: Spartan Assault
 * Halo: Initiation
 * Halo: Escalation
 * Halo: Nightfall
 * Halo 2: Anniversary
 * Hunt the Truth
 * All Hail
 * The Cost
 * A Hero Falls
 * The Hunt Begins
 * Halo: Spartan Strike
 * Halo: Last Light
 * Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series
 * Halo 5: Guardians
 * Halo Mythos: A Guide to the Story of Halo
 * Halo: Tales from Slipspace
 * On the Brink