MA37 assault rifle

The MA37 Individual Combat Weapon System (abbreviated MA37 ICWS or MA37 Assault Rifle), or more formally the Individual Combat Weapon System, Caliber 7.62 mm, MA37, also known as the MA5 by the Naval services, is a standard-issue service rifle of the United Nations Space Command. It was first introduced in 2437, and has remained as the primary service rifle of all branches of the UNSC ever since. Its counterpart in the Marine Corps and Navy is the MA5C Individual Combat Weapon System.

Design Details
The MA37 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. It has a high rate of fire, but due to its inaccuracy, it is ineffective at long ranges and inflicts low damage against energy shields.

The MA37 ICWS is a close to medium range weapon. It is most effectively used by fully automatic sustained fire at close range, or by using short, controlled bursts at medium range, and for this cause, it is more effective at close range. It is a balanced starting weapon that can be used effectively in the hands of a skilled player.

Changes from MA5C ICWS in Halo 3

 * Major cosmetic changes such as a more skeletal and detailed body.
 * Shorter overall length.
 * Max ammo capacity decreased from 352 to 288 rounds. (Highest ammunition count is 600 in Winter Contingency.)
 * Slower rate of fire and decreased damage per round.
 * Larger reticule.
 * Shots have hitscan properties, meaning they hit instantly.
 * Short, controlled bursts are much more accurate.
 * Reload and melee animations have been changed to make it feel more like the MA5B from Halo: Combat Evolved.
 * Smoke can be seen coming out of the weapon when fired and sparks can be seen when fired upon metal and rock.
 * The ammunition counter appears to be more of an attachement than an integrated part of the weapon, unlike previous incarnations of the MA5 Series.

Trivia

 * Bungie stated that the MA37 "will feel most similar to the Assault Rifle of the original Halo".
 * If the player participated in the Halo: Reach Beta, which was obtainable with a copy of Halo 3: ODST, a unique nameplate emblem of an MA37 is obtainable for use on Xbox LIVE in multiplayer.

List of appearances

 * Halo: Reach
 * Halo: The Fall of Reach