Assault rifle

Description
An Assault Rifle is a selective-fire firearm using a projectile with a muzzle energy in between those of a full-sized rifle and a smaller weaponlike a submachine-gun or a pistol. Assault rifles are categorized in between light machine guns, which are intended more for sustained automatic fire in a support role, and submachine guns, which fire a pistol cartridge rather than a rifle cartridge.

History
Assault Rifles date back to the end of the Second World War. Germany developed the first assault rifle, a weapon called the Sturmgewehr 44, in 1944, in an effort to provide their infantrymen with a firearm better suited to the mid-rnaged enagements of modern warfare. Then came the Russian AK-47, which basically set the definition of assault rifle. By the time of the Halo trilogy, most assault rifles also house an onboard electronics suite, showing ammo capacity, a compass and other information without the use of a HUD.

These could refer to the following:
 * MA2B Assault Rifle- The stripped-down version of the MA5B Assault Rifle.
 * MA3 Assault Rifle- The older variant of the MA5B Assault Rifle.
 * MA5 Series
 * MA5B Individual Combat Weapon System- The standard UNSC armament in from the early-2500's to 2552. It was phased out shortly after the Battle of Reach and the Battle of Installation 04. (Halo 1)
 * MA5C Individual Combat Weapon System- A new MA5 model introduced in late-2552 during the Second Battle of Earth and the Battle of Installation 00. (Halo 3)
 * MA5K Carbine- A special version of the MA5B Assault Rifle utilized by the SPARTAN-III's and other Special Operation forces.

Gameplay
The Assault Rifle was the most commonly used weapon in Halo CE (Combat Evolved), like the Battle Rifle in Halo 2. The Assault Rifle was taken out in Halo 2, and was then replaced by an SMG. The most likely reason was because it was too easy to kill with the Assault Rifle. As you fire with the SMG, your crosshair moves upward, making it harder to aim. The Assault Rifle was brought back in Halo 3. The Assault Rifle is the default weapon in most Matchmaking playlists.