M41 SPNKr

The M41 Surface-to-Surface Rocket Medium Anti-Vehicle/Assault Weapon (M41 SSR), formally known as the Medium Anti-Vehicle / Assault Weapon, Bore 102mm, M41 Surface-to-Surface Rocket Launcher, and commonly known as the Jackhammer or the Spanker, is a heavy ordnance weapon used by the UNSC Defense Force. It is manufactured by Misriah Armory.

Design details
The M41 SSR has been in service with the UNSCDF for decades, as early as the Insurrection. It fires M19 102mm high-explosive shaped charge missiles. The weapon uses a unique system for loading and firing: rather than using a traditional magazine or single-shot system, it is fed by a pair of detachable barrels, each of which holds a single rocket. When one of the rockets is fired, the other is cycled into place; when both have been fired, the operator removes the barrel unit and inserts another. This allows the operator to quickly reload while in combat and greatly reduces the weight he carries without throwing the weapon away, as with some disposable rocket launchers of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.

The launcher has a 2x scope and can fire rockets over long distances with devastating accuracy, although the rockets' altitude decreases over long distances. The weapon possesses great firepower and, in many cases, is able to destroy even a Covenant Wraith tank with a single missile. Many M41s and their M19 rockets are equipped with target tracking systems; these systems allow the operator to "home" on a target, which often guarantees that the target will be struck, even if it attempts evasive maneuvers. Some launchers are capable of tracking both ground-based and airborne targets, while others are capable of tracking only aircraft. Some M41s lack any form of tracking technology, requiring the operator to "dumb fire" the weapon without targeting assistance.

Some M41s, primarily those used by the Army, feature a smart-linked sight, a trigger guard and an ergonomic thumbhole stock, adding the impression of greater bulk. However, most variants, including those used by the Marine Corps, lack these design features, possessing only a pistol-style grip and no trigger guard, resulting in a more skeletal overall appearance. Nonetheless, the Marine Corps makes limited use of the former model.

Changes from Halo: Combat Evolved to Halo 2

 * The weapon has a different firing sound effect.
 * The weapon's melee attack and reload speeds are faster.
 * Holding the right trigger allows the player to home on vehicles, gun turrets, and Sentinel Enforcers in the campaign.
 * Ammunition is indicated in the scope when zoomed in.
 * The HUD ammunition indicator illustration is changed.
 * The weapon's firepower and splash damage are decreased.

Changes from Halo 2 to Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST

 * The weapon's missiles travel faster.
 * The tubing has a metallic silver color rather than a synthetic black finish.
 * It lacks the homing feature from Halo 2.
 * It has a different firing sound effect.
 * The weapon's melee attack and reload speeds are further decreased.
 * The HUD ammunition indicator is again changed.

Changes from Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST to Halo: Reach

 * The grips of the weapon are enclosed in a thumbhole design.
 * It can now lock on to aircraft, but not other types of vehicles.
 * It has slightly different firing and rocket detonation sounds.
 * Rockets travel noticeably faster.
 * Splash damage is increased.
 * Rockets are mildly affected by gravity.

Changes from Halo: Reach to Halo 4

 * The appearance now resembles the M41 from the original trilogy, including the original coloring and shape.
 * Rockets travel speed increased.
 * The sound of the weapon firing has been redesigned.
 * The weapon no longer has a sound indicator to verify a lock on has been achieved.

Campaign

 * No matter in what game, the M41 Rocket Launcher is always the best choice for passengers on any vehicle looking to wield heavy firepower. The M6 Spartan Laser and Plasma Launcher take too long to charge, while the Fuel Rod Gun projectiles are too slow. However, the Rocket Launcher is still very slow to fire, and missing while on the move is remarkably easy, so it is sometimes advisable to take a less powerful "spray and pray" weapon instead.
 * In Halo 2 and Halo: Reach, the Rocket Launcher has the ability to lock on to enemy vehicles, and this plays a vital role when facing fast moving vehicles such as Banshees or Ghosts. In Reach, though the rockets will only lock onto aircraft when used by the player, it will also lock onto ground vehicles and even infantry when used by an AI ally.
 * In Halo 3: ODST, AI characters' accuracy seems to have improved for gameplay balance. Give them the Rocket Launcher to strengthen one's allies and their firepower.
 * In Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST, the M41 Rocket Launcher loses its tracking ability, so it is not recommended to fight aerial vehicles. Use it against enemy vehicles, provided that they are close.
 * In Halo: Reach campaign level The Pillar of Autumn, it is better to save the M41 Rocket Launcher until one reaches the battle under the in the ship breaking yards. While the Sangheili will dodge the projectiles, predict where they would move to next and fire at that position. Even if the rocket doesn't hit them, use splash damage to lower their energy shielding.
 * In Halo: Reach, the M41 Rocket Launcher can be used to get the "Lucky Me" achievement by firing it at a group of Unggoy.

Multiplayer

 * In Halo 2, the M41 Rocket Launcher has a long range for locking on enemy vehicles. Whenever an opposing player commandeers a Banshee, use the Rocket Launcher to take it down.
 * It doesn't need a direct hit from a rocket to kill another player. Players near the rocket's splash radius can be killed, and if they aren't killed, keep a scoped weapon to finish them off.

Trivia

 * The M41 SSR is aesthetically almost identical to the SPNKR-XP surface-to-surface missile launcher from Marathon 2 and Marathon Infinity. This weapon is also the source of the M41's "SPNKr" moniker.
 * On the last level of Halo 3: ODST there are four rocket launchers with 1000 rockets each for use in Vidmaster Challenge: Deja Vu. These only appear on the Legendary difficulty when the Iron Skull is activated. If any player boards a Warthog, these rocket launchers will not spawn.
 * If the player uses Emile-A239's voice in Firefight, he will occasionally say "Someone's gonna pay!" when he readies a rocket launcher. This is a reference to the level If I Had a Rocket Launcher, I'd Make Someone Pay from Marathon 2: Durandal, which, in turn, was named after the Bruce Cockburn song If I Had a Rocket Launcher.

List of appearances

 * Halo: The Fall of Reach
 * Halo: Combat Evolved
 * Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary
 * Halo: The Flood
 * Halo: First Strike
 * Halo 2
 * Halo: Landfall
 * Halo: Last One Standing
 * Halo: Uprising
 * Halo 3
 * Halo: Ghosts of Onyx
 * Halo: Helljumper
 * Halo 3: ODST
 * Halo Wars
 * Halo Legends
 * Origins
 * Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe
 * Dirt
 * Halo: Reach
 * Halo 4
 * Halo: Spartan Assault