Archive:Halo Waypoint/2009 to 2014/Universe/Weapons

Assault Rifle
The term “Assault Rifle” is colloquially used throughout the UNSC Armed Forces to describe an array of Individual Combat Weapon Systems with the model prefix “MA.” It is the most commonly associated sidearm of the Army, Navy, and Marines; it is instantly recognizable due to its accentuated and bulky shroud, its practical but heavy design, and its overall efficiency across a wide spectrum of combat scenarios.

The MA series of rifles are typically air-cooled, gas-operated and utilize a rotating bolt. They are easy to clean, easy to use, and can survive harsh environmental conditions. They can carry a variety of ammunition types and magazine sizes, though the most recent iterations—like the Marines’ MA5C and the Army’s MA37—carry between thirty-two (32) and sixty (60) rounds per magazine. Assault Rifles traditionally use the standard 7.62mm round, which can be fired at a full range of settings, the most common of which is fully-automatic.

As of 2552, the most popular Assault Rifles currently in use are as follows:

- MA2B – Used sparsely across the UNSC Special Forces with .390 caliber ammunition.

- MA3A – Currently out of production, but still heavily used in the black market and by terrorist organizations.

- MA37 – Consistently in production since 2437, and still heavily favored by the UNSC Army.

- MA5B – Used effectively at short-range by the UNSC Marine Corps and Navy at 60 rounds per magazine.

- MA5C – Used effectively at short-to-mid-range by the UNSC Marine Corps and Navy with 32 rounds per magazine.

- MA5K – A cut-down, carbine variant with a 30 round magazine size, used almost exclusively during Special Forces operations.

The MA line of assault rifle remains one of the most dominant weapon series throughout human-controlled space, involved in nearly every military activity from the early 30’s to the Fall of 2552, during the final battles of the Human-Covenant War. Regardless of the persistence of newer weapon models, the MA line is fully expected to continue its military service in some shape or form for decades to come.


 * Source: Halo Waypoint: Assault Rifle (defunct, backup on Archive.org)

Magnum
The sidearms which fall into the M6 PDWS series represent, without a doubt, the most prominent handguns among all of the UNSC’s Armed Forces, local law enforcement, and even human criminals. Developed and produced by Misriah Armory, the M6 series is a recoil-operated, magazine-fed selection of sidearms with an incredibly large array of variants and customizations, all of which are officially issued in three different finishes: hard chrome, black polymer, and electroless nickel.

Among the many variants in production, the following are the most common:

- M6A – Standard issue/black polymer finish

- M6B – “Officer's model”—issued with smart-linked scope [KFA-2]/hard chrome finish

- M6C – “Up-sized,” standard issue/black polymer finish

- M6C/SOCOM – Accurized—issued with smart-linked scope [VnSLS/V 6E]/black polymer finish

- M6D – ”Up-sized,” ”Officer's model”—issued with smart-linked scope [KFA-2]/hard chrome finish

- M6E – Standard issue/electroless nickel finish

- M6F – “Officer's model”—issued with smart-linked scope [KFA-2]/electroless nickel finish

- M6G – “Up-sized,” standard issue/electroless nickel finish

- M6H – “Up-sized,” ”Officer's model”—issued with smart-linked scope [KFA-2]/electroless nickel finish

- M6I – Select-fire variant; detachable shoulder-stock/black polymer finish

- M6J/C – Carbine variant; 355mm barrel, detachable shoulder-stock/electroless nickel finish

- M6K – Police "undercover" variant; 6 round magazine capacity/black polymer finish

Their cartridges typically run the range of 12.7 x 40mm SAP-HE (Semi-Armor Piercing, High Explosive) ammunition, making them incredibly effective in the field, despite being somewhat bulky in design. Several variants are also issued with the KFA-2 smart-linked scope which allows the user to have data transferred directly to their armor’s heads-up display. For decades, the M6 series has remained at the forefront of the UNSC’s armament, a powerful and effective tool against all manner of infantry—alien or domestic—something which will likely remain unchanged in the years to come.


 * Source: Halo Waypoint: Magnum (defunct, backup on Archive.org)

Frag Grenade
Largely unchanged for centuries, the M9 HE-DP Antipersonnel Grenade is the standard fragmentary explosive used by all branches of the UNSC. Its vaguely spherical design, its digital timer fuse and its magnetic latching transportability have all contributed to the prominence of its use in the field.

In addition to its other attributes, the M9 is yet another example of UNSC matériel enhanced and up-sized for use by augmented soldiers, namely the SPARTAN-II and classified SPARTAN-III personnel. While standard infantry uses a variant roughly 9.4 centimeters (3.7 inches) in diameter, Spartans have been known to use grenades at up to 21.1 centimeters (8.3 inches), which contain significantly more filler thereby creating a larger area of effect.

The standard M9 fragmentation grenade is filled with approximately 190 grams (6.7 ounces) of ComL, a generally stable mixture which is extremely destructive when primed and detonated. When detonation does occur, the grenade’s steel casing, segmented into projectiles, is launched in predetermined directions and with expectedly efficient results. While the killing radius of the standard fragmentation grenade is roughly five meters (16 feet), anyone within 15 meters (49.2 feet) is susceptible to injury, or worse.


 * Source: Halo Waypoint: Frag Grenade (defunct, backup on Archive.org)

DMR
The M392 DMR, or Designated Marksman Rifle, is an air-cooled, gas-operated medium-to-long range rifle which fires 7.62 x 51mm FMJ-AP ammunition. Used predominantly by the UNSC Army, the DMR provides soldiers with a functionally reliable alternative to the dominant assault rifle and battle rifle series, with a clean and sturdy overall design and modular hardware components made to withstand a variety of battlefield conditions.

At 109 centimeters (42.9 inches) long, the DMR bears a standard bullpup design with a guarded pistol grip and an EVOS-D optical attachment allowing 3x magnification. It supports a 15-round magazine capacity with two modes of fire: automatic and semi-automatic and is typically fielded in areas where the more versatile but shorter-ranged MA37 or MA5C assault rifles are at a disadvantage.

For decades, the M392’s operation and use was widespread in the UNSC’s armed forces, but with the advent of the BR55 Battle Rifle, and more specifically the heavy barrel variant in 2548, it was quickly surpassed in production in nearly every branch. Nevertheless, the UNSC Army still relies heavily on the DMR, using it during conflicts late into the war, on planets such as New Jerusalem, Tribute, Reach, and eventually, Earth.


 * Source: Halo Waypoint: DMR (defunct, backup on Archive.org)

Grenade Launcher
The M319 is a single-shot, break-action grenade launcher which fires a 40mm high-explosive, dual-purpose grenade. In standard firing mode, the grenade will detonate on contact with the target, creating a concussive impact which is almost always lethal. In its alternate firing mode, the grenade launches but its detonation contents remain inert until the user releases the trigger. This feature allows the weapon’s operator to fire and detonate the grenade strategically, through indirect fire, or simply remote discharge.

With its first line released in 2263 by Misriah Armory, the M319 Grenade Launcher still holds a surprising amount of sway within the UNSC Army. Historically, this has been attributed to its simple design and its resilience in the field, even in difficult environmental conditions.

Though it was wildly effective during the early years of the rebellion, its contemporary import was made even more evident during the battles against the Covenant. Despite the fact that the aliens’ higher-ranking units sport energy shielding, the M319 could be used with incredible results against the unshielded lower-ranked infantry such as Unggoy, Kig-yar, and even some Jiralhanae detachments. For these reasons, it is likely that this weapon will continue to be used by deployed UNSC Army troops.


 * Source: Halo Waypoint: Grenade Launcher (defunct, backup on Archive.org)

Machine Gun Turret
One of a number of machine gun turrets employed by the UNSC, the M247H is an air-cooled, gas-operated, electrically-fired machine gun which is fed linkless 12.7mm HVE (High Velocity, Explosive) rounds. Due to its comparatively light weight and ease of transportability, the M247H is used at most UNSC base locations and high-priority sites.

In its default configuration, the machine gun is affixed to a turret base tripod, with a defensive plate shield and ammunition box residing at its center axis. The heavy barrel points forward while the weapon’s firing mechanism and trigger are located at the rear, allowing the gun to be maneuverable in 180 degrees by any qualified personnel. Though rare, some reports have indicated that soldiers have detached the M247H and fired it from the hip, using it to pursue enemies past the gun’s fixed range of fire. Such reports, however, remain unsubstantiated.

The weapon is primarily used to apply suppressing fire, point-to-point cover fire, and, predominantly, direct fire. While the M247H is the most ubiquitous of the UNSC’s contemporary machine gun turrets, the M247 GPMG (General Purpose Machine Gun) and the AIE-486 HMG are both utilized with great frequency across most theaters of war.


 * Source: Halo Waypoint: Machine Gun Turret (defunct, backup on Archive.org)

Focus Rifle
Remaining mysterious even in post-war times is the Covenant’s Focus Rifle, or T-52 Special Applications Rifle. Developed in the cavernous war factories deep within High Charity, the Focus Rifle appears to be the product of reverse-engineered Forerunner technology and, more specifically, technology which is employed by Sentinel drones. While much of the Covenant’s arsenal originates from the knowledge gleaned from dormant Forerunner artifacts, the Focus Rifle is a repurposing of existing, active Forerunner machines—in this case, beam weapons, which were captured, disabled and reconstituted.

The T-52 SAR is 145.2 centimeters (57.2 inches) from end to end, its length consisting of an elongated firing channel, a centralized coil set, and an ergonomic—for Sangheili—grip within a exotic metal alloy stock. The optics system enhances visuals from 3.5x to 9.5x magnification, and is smart-linked by default to Sangheili battle harnesses and Kig-Yar marksman hardware. The rifle’s coil set gathers and primes the plasma energy before electromagnetically directing and accelerating it down the firing channel—a continuous beam of superheated plasma, strikingly reminiscent of the Sentinel Beam.

The downside of the Focus Rifle is easily its energy expenditure, which is significantly higher than that of other Covenant weapons. While it can be recharged in the field, the time committed to such a task, and the frequency at which it is needed, tempers the T-52’s overall effectiveness to some degree. Still, in the hands of an experienced marksman, the Focus Rifle can deliver an incredible amount of damage to the most heavily shielded or armored opponent.


 * Source: Halo Waypoint: Focus Rifle (defunct, backup on Archive.org)

Concussion Rifle
Engineered by the Merchants of Qikost, the Concussion Rifle’s overall design predates the Writ of Union and the formation of the Covenant, one of many examples of technology introduced into the alliance's armament by the Sangheili, by way of their pre-existing military dominance. Though its physical configuration has evolved since its first inception, its core purpose and functionality remains unchanged.

Unlike much of the Covenant weaponry, the T-50 uses magazine cells rather than a battery system, and thus requires the kind of reload usually experienced with traditional ballistic weaponry. In the case of the Concussion Rifle, the cell allows the semi-automatic firing of six bolts of explosive plasma. The energy and its delivery system are strikingly similar in design to that of the Covenant’s heavier mortar vehicles, though the aliens themselves are reticent to include the rifle in the same category.

The Concussion Rifle’s size and power dictate that it be used only by higher-ranking infantry and officers, namely Sangheili, and more specifically those with leadership roles within Zealot or Special Operation classes. For this reason, those who use the weapon are trained in specific battlefield tactics often associated with it.


 * Source: Halo Waypoint: Concussion Rifle (defunct, backup on Archive.org)

Plasma Grenade
The Plasma Grenade is easily the most recognizable of the Covenant’s antipersonnel grenades, fielded by just about every unit and always found in large numbers. Covenant records indicate that it has been in production, largely unchanged, for centuries and its functionality remains impressively effective.

The grenade’s design is relatively simple, though well beyond humanity’s existing technology. Upon priming the grenade, it is quickly engulfed in a white-blue flame as latent plasma forms around it. The grenade is then thrown at a target, typically one emitting a notable heat signature. When striking the target, the plasma bonds the grenade to the subject’s mass until it detonates.

The bonded explosion is lethal against unshielded infantry and, for the most part, against shielded infantry as well. When a single grenade detonates near others, the explosion can create a chain reaction from all of the grenades, generating a significantly larger killing radius. This raw, violent efficiency, married to the grenade’s unique abilities adhesive, make it an unparalleled munition for the Covenant frontlines.


 * Source: Halo Waypoint: Plasma Grenade (defunct, backup on Archive.org)

Plasma Launcher

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Plasma Cannon

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Fuel Rod Gun

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Energy Sword

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Spike Rifle

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Gravity Hammer

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