MA5C assault rifle

The MA5C Individual Combat Weapon System, abbreviated as MA5C ICWS and commonly known as MA5C Assault Rifle, is a standard-issue service rifle of the United Nations Space Command and the successor of the MA5B Individual Combat Weapon System. It was first introduced in 2437, and has remained as the primary service rifle of all branches of the UNSC ever since.

Design details
The MA5C is an air-cooled, gas-operated, magazine-fed, close-to-medium range fully-automatic bullpup rifle that fires 32 rounds of 7.62x51mm ammunition. Made of titanium alloy and polymer, the rifle possesses a built-in electronic suite that provides information on rounds remaining in the magazine, compass heading as well as other "housekeeping" functions that could be found on all other MA5 series rifles. Despite the perceived delicacy and fragility of attached electronic suite, the MA5C performs exceptionally well in a variety of environments. It can also be outfitted with a number of modifications including sound suppressors, a grenade launcher or a standard issue flashlight. Although not seen during gameplay, the MA5C has concealed iron sights used by UNSC servicemen with the improper equipment to up-link a targeting reticule to the user's neural interface.

The MA5C is one of the most versatile weapons in the UNSC’s arsenal and has been complimented by many of the UNSC’s other weapons as either the primary means to a kill or in a secondary role as the fallback weapon. The MA5C Rifle has received technical, as well as physical improvements over the MA5B Assault Rifle that include: a heavier barrel with a 1 in 7 twist; a redesigned cowling to house the electronics suite that reduces weight and increases portability of weapon; and a redesigned handguard which is sturdier and provides a more positive grip. The magazine capacity has been reduced to 32 rounds from the original 60 in the MA5B, and the rifle’s range and accuracy has been substantially improved over its predecessor, making it a more formidable assault rifle.

Ammunition
The MA5C uses the M118 7.62x51mm Armour Piercing, Full Metal Jacket Rounds. These rounds are designed to pierce body armour so the rounds are reasonably large, and are surrounded by a moulded jacket of either steel or titanium, which enhances its armour-piercing capabilities. More "exotic" ammunition types, like shredder rounds, are available for use, however these modifications are available only by Mission Conditional Requisition (MCR).

Development history
The MA5C is the third rifle in the MA5 Series, the workhorse of the UNSC Marine Corps that has been in service for more than 50 years. Although it was first introduced in 2437, the rifle was not made available to the UNSC uniformed services at this period. The MA5C slowly began replacing the MA5B after its introduction, and successfully became the UNSC's primary standard-issue service rifle in years later.

Advantages
The MA5C in both offensive and suppressive situations remains the Marine Corps' most reliable weapon. When fired in short bursts the MA5C Rifle can be effective at hitting targets at longer ranges, and the rifle's armor penetrating ability makes it key for handling even the toughest of infantry. The MA5C Rifle is effective at killing armored infantry at short-to-medium range and its high rate of fire allows its user to spray an area with suppression fire in defensive situations. At close range, the MA5C is arguably deadlier than the M7/Caseless Submachine Gun, as the firepower is approximately equal. The MA5C also provides the user with an ammo count on its digital readout, as well a compass pointing toward the arbitrary magnetic "north" position. In the hands of someone who can control his trigger finger, the MA5C becomes a deadly weapon in close-quarter situations.

Disadvantages
The MA5C's main disadvantage is that it is grossly inaccurate when fired in full-automatic. Even though substantially better than the MA5B, it is too inaccurate for use at longer ranges, which makes the user an easy target for long range weapons - at long range a high ratio of misses to hits is likely, especially if the target is moving. The magazine can run out very quickly in fully automatic fire and has relatively low power per round compared to many other weapons; an engagement with numerous and/or particularly resilient enemies will likely require the user to reload a few times before they die. It should be used as a secondary weapon for shorter ranges, paired with a long range weapon like the Battle Rifle.

Influences
The MA5C is based on a few different weapons. One inspiration for the MA5C Assault Rifle was the MA–75B Assault Rifle (with integral 40mm Grenade Launcher) from the Marathon series. The MA5 series of Assault Rifles have a very similar outline as the real world FN F2000 assault rifle. Bungie weapons designer, Robert McLees, claimed he was not inspired by the FN F2000 and that the similarities are purely coincidental.

MA37 Individual Combat Weapon System
At the request of the UNSC Army, the manufacturer of the MA5 series made ad hoc upgrades to the MA5C rifle, resulting in the MA5C ''Mk. IV''. The weapon was redesignated MA37. 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.

Changes from the MA5B in Halo: Combat Evolved to MA5C in Halo 3

 * Longer barrel for greater accuracy.
 * Redesigned electronics suite cowling to reduce weight and increase point ability.
 * Decreased magazine capacity down from 60 rounds to 32.
 * Different firing sound.
 * Increased maximum magazines.
 * Increased range and increased damage per round.
 * Decreased rate of fire and a faster reload time.

Changes from Halo 3 to Halo 3: ODST

 * The damage done to shields is decreased by 50%.

Changes from Halo 3: ODST to Halo: Reach

 * Major cosmetic changes such as a more 'skeletal' and detailed body.
 * Shorter overall length.
 * Decreased max magazine capacity down from 352 to 288.
 * Slower rate of fire and decreased damage per round.
 * Larger reticule.
 * Aesthetic changes that affect most UNSC weapons in Halo: Reach, such as hitscan.
 * Short, controlled bursts are much more accurate.
 * Reload and melee animations have been changed to make it feel more like the MA5B.
 * Smoke can be seen coming out of the weapon when fired and sparks can be seen when fired upon metal and rock.

Tactics
The MA5C/MA37 Assault Rifle is one of the weapons which players will love and loathe in equal measures. The rifle's rate of fire makes it a devastatingly powerful weapon in close range combat, and it's melee attack usually ensures victory in close quarter battles. In a skilled player's hand, the assault rifle can easily be a formidable weapon.

Campaign

 * A simple tactic for medium range AR combat is to "rapid-pulse" the trigger; in other words, rapidly press down on the trigger, as if firing a semi-automatic weapon, like the Carbine. This will result in rapid, accurate, controlled bursts. This is very useful in the early levels of the game.
 * Using controlled bursts, players can increase the accuracy and take down shielded Covenant units and finish them off with a melee.
 * Couple this weapon with a Plasma weapon such as a overcharged Plasma Pistol shot to weaken a shielded Covenant unit and then switch to this weapon to finish it off.

Multiplayer

 * Due to its high rate of fire, it is very capable of whittling down shielding in about less than two seconds.
 * If the opponent does not have an Energy Sword, Shotgun, Mauler, or other short-ranged weapons, then a good strategy is to get into close range and charge them, while firing all the way. If it were otherwise, then do not get up close to the opponent. Although long range weapons are the Achilles heel of the assault rifle, the weapons aforementioned would easily overpower the assault rifle at close range. Instead, use short controlled bursts while backing up to take him down.
 * Another tactic is to use the rifle for suppression fire. This means that you can spray the area of a target in order to get the enemy to keep their heads down. This is especially helpful if you are being fired upon by a sniper because even if one round hits the sniper, he is knocked out of the scope and will become disoriented. This gives you a chance to find cover or move in for the kill.
 * The Fragmentation Grenade used in combination with the Assault Rifle is also extremely effective. For example, if you are being pursued, jump around a corner and quickly throw the Fragmentation Grenade to bring down the target's shield. Once your gun is back in hand, open fire. This should most likely bring your target down, provided you do not get caught in your own grenade's blast radius, else you would be in the same situation as your adversary, although it usually depends on your enemy's weapon and skill.
 * Do not aim for the head; since automatic weapons have no headshot multiplier, and the MA5C is not an exception. You will, most likely, just waste ammo and have more shots go astray rather than kill your opponent faster, since the head is obviously a smaller target.
 * If you take out another player's shields with an entire magazine, but do not kill him, try quickly switching to a headshot-capable weapon (if you have one) and aim for the head. 1-2 headshots will usually kill if the player has no shields.

Trivia

 * All pre-release public pictures of the MA5C in first person showed Battle Rifle animations as placeholders before the final animations were in place in the final game.
 * In the Halo 3 Beta, the charging handle of the MA5C had an animation. This is, however, not present in Halo 3.
 * On the butt of the MA5C, a small Marathon Symbol can be found. The symbol can easily be seen in the renders shown in the Halo Encyclopedia. It is also found on the left side of the weapon just below the charging handle.
 * When tested, each individual round of the MA5C actually does slightly more damage than the BR55HB SR. However, this is offset by the MA5C's lower accuracy at mid-long range, and the fact that it has no headshot bonus.
 * The reload animation of the MA5C is slightly incorrect; the Master Chief pushes the charging handle forward after reloading, though he would have to pull it back slightly before it launched forward by itself. Also, he is seen riding the bolt (keeping his finger on the bolt while it slides forward). This is both incorrect and can cause jams in modern-day weapons, though it is possible that by the year 2552 such problems may have been corrected or at least reduced.
 * The green button on the MA5C is a power on/off switch for the weapon's flashlight, which is never used in game by playable characters.
 * The maximum reserve ammunition for the MA37 varies for certain campaign missions and exceeds the limit of 288 (e.g. 600 max in Winter Contingency)
 * In Fable 2, the MA5C can be obtained in the Knothole Island Expansion pack. It is called "Hal's Rifle".

Appearances

 * Halo: Uprising
 * Halo: Helljumper
 * Halo Legends
 * Halo 3
 * Halo 3: ODST
 * Halo: Reach