MA5D assault rifle

The MA5D Individual Combat Weapon System (ICWS) is an assault rifle used by the United Nations Space Command. Like the rest of the MA5 series, the MA5D is designed and manufactured by Misriah Armory.

Overview
The MA5D assault rifle is an air-cooled, gas-operated, magazine-fed, fully automatic bullpup rifle that fires standard 7.62×51mm FMJ-AP ammunition from a 32- or 36-round detachable box magazine. It possesses a built-in ammunition indicator and magnetic compass for orientation similar to that of all other MA5 series rifles. The 2525 model bears few noticeable design differences from the MA5C apart from an integrated muzzle brake, and the overall bulkiness of the newer rifle.

The MA5D ICWS was in limited service use as early as 2525 when it was issued to officer cadets, drill instructors, and security personnel at the Corbulo Academy of Military Science, as well as Spartan Blue Team. It saw continued use throughout the war, though the MA5's B and C variants remained more common. By 2557 the MA5D had become standard issue. It is now favored due to its ruggedness and ability to withstand the conditions that are often faced on frontier colonies.

MA5D assault rifles issued to SPARTAN-IVs are given the same protective metamaterial coating used on the M6H2 Magnum.

Removable shroud variant
By October 2558, a newer variant of the MA5D existed with the "p/n 00118-B" body and the serial number of "007230814". This variant had a removable cover worked into the cowling, concealing a "P/N 16309" rail for the attachment of compatible systems, primarily optics. When no optic is present, an integral Projection sight with an emitter embedded directly above the rifle's display screen on the cowling is often leveraged for targeting.
 * COG MA5D: Assault Rifle with COG sight. Security configuration issued to ONI's armed-response teams.
 * Hybrid MA5D: Assault Rifle with Hybrid sight. This variant is a testbed for human-Sangheili technology sharing, fitted with a modified Carbine holoscope.
 * Longshot MA5D: Assault Rifle with Longshot sight. UNSC Marine Corps Interim Fireteam Support (IFS) configuration for intermediate-range combat and long-range suppression.
 * Morph MA5D: Assault Rifle with Morph sight. Test configuration issued to Spartans assigned to Infinity 's science field teams, fitted with a modified LightRifle holoscope.
 * Recon MA5D: Assault Rifle with Recon sight. UNSC Army configuration with quick-acquisition sights for mid-range engagements.

MA5D attachments

 * Energy bayonet: Increases melee damage and range, allowing for a one-hit kill against normal opponents.
 * Extended magazine: Increases both ready and reserve ammunition capacity by 50% for a total of 54 rounds per magazine and 324 reserve rounds.
 * Kinetic bolts: Augments knockback and damage against vehicles.
 * Knight blade: Increases melee effectiveness, with extra damage and knockback against vehicles.
 * Laser targeter: Increases weapon accuracy by reducing bullet spread.
 * Long barrel: Increases range of bullet magnetism and aim assist.
 * Stabilization jets: Helps control vertical recoil.
 * Silencer: Firing the weapon does not make the user show up on enemy radar. However, walking still gives away the user's position.
 * Sound dampener: Increases effective range and reduces firing signature.
 * Threat marker: Tracks targeted enemy personnel for a short time.

Changes from MA37 ICWS in Halo: Reach

 * Heavier but more controllable reticle bloom.
 * More damage per round: only 16 shots are needed to kill a fully-shielded Spartan instead of 20.
 * Slightly increased rate of fire.
 * Maximum reserve ammo has been reduced from 288 rounds to 256 rounds, and a standard reserve of 224 rounds, forcing the player to scavenge for ammo more frequently.
 * Secondary melee animation slightly changed.

Changes from Halo 4 to Turbo update

 * More damage per round: only 13 shots are needed to kill a fully-shielded Spartan instead of 16.

Changes from Turbo update to Halo 2: Anniversary

 * Less damage per round: now 16 shots are needed to kill a fully-shielded Spartan instead of 13.
 * Reticle is bloomed out slightly.

Changes from Halo 2: Anniversary to Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta

 * Recoil added.
 * Can now be zoomed in using the Smart Scope to have its range increased and its bloom and max spread reduced at the cost of added recoil.
 * Faster bloom regeneration.
 * Maximum reserve ammo is now 216 rounds, down by 8 from Halo 4.
 * Reload speed and pickup animation speed slightly increased.
 * Weapon switching speed increased.
 * Headshots now deal bonus damage on unshielded targets.
 * Inconsistent damage model, killing in 13-20 rounds, depending on the headshot bonus.
 * The magazine very slightly sticks out of the gun less.

Changes from Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta to Halo 5: Guardians

 * Headshot multipliers are removed.
 * Magazine size increased from 32 rounds to 36 to compensate for a slight damage decrease.

Changes from Halo 5: Guardians to HCS testing

 * Maximum reticle bloom increased.
 * Accuracy decreased.

Changes from HCS testing to Overtime

 * Aiming reticle is now 7% smaller, with maximum reticle bloom reduced as well.
 * Using Smart-Link no longer decreases bloom.
 * Accuracy slightly increased.
 * Weaker aim assist at close range.
 * Rate of fire has been slightly increased to 650 RPM.
 * Headshots now deal bonus damage on unshielded targets once again.
 * Increased/decreased damage, killing in 13-20 rounds, depending on the headshot bonus.
 * Headshot aim assist decreased by 99%.

Mistakes

 * In Halo 2: Anniversary's multiplayer segment, initiating a reload on an empty MA5D and holding the trigger down during the action will result in the animation being cut off before it can complete; however, the sound will still play out in spite of it.

List of appearances

 * The Commissioning
 * Scanned
 * Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn
 * Halo 4
 * Spartan Ops
 * Infinity Briefing Packet
 * Halo: Spartan Assault
 * Halo: Initiation
 * Halo: Escalation
 * Halo: Nightfall
 * Halo 2: Anniversary
 * Hunt the Truth
 * All Hail
 * The Cost
 * A Hero Falls
 * The Hunt Begins
 * Halo: Spartan Strike
 * Halo: Last Light
 * Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series
 * Halo 5: Guardians
 * Halo Mythos
 * Halo: Tales from Slipspace
 * On the Brink
 * Undefeated
 * Halo Wars 2
 * Halo: Retribution
 * Halo: Bad Blood
 * Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual
 * Halo: Lone Wolf
 * Halo: Outpost Discovery
 * Halo: Point of Light
 * Halo: The Rubicon Protocol