M41 SPNKR

The M41 SPNKR is a multipurpose reusable rocket-assisted munitions launcher used by the UNSC.

Description
The M41 is a large but surprisingly light weight launcher, capable of firing a variety of guided and unguided munitions. By itself, the M41 is mostly a skeletal frame: with grips for both hands (the fore being retractable and adjustable), a small fire control system and optics suite, and a clamp and adapter for keeping the munitions secure and connected to the FCS.

A peculiar feature of the M41 is its follow up shot capability. The MU775 munitions adapter, which wraps arounds a select few missile/rockets, can hold between 1-4 different munitions depending on variant, for instance: the M41 can fire two M19 102mm multi-purpose rockets one after the other. In order for the follow up shot(s) to receive commands from the FCS, the munitions adapter must rotate in a revolver like fashion to interface with the launcher.

Like most munitions launchers used by Humanity, the M41 is capable of being used like a dumb fire rocket launcher, wherein the operate simply fires the weapon without a guidance lock. Should the operator wish to exploit the guidance capabilities of various missiles in service with the UNSC, the M41 can obtain a lock on the target using an infrared or contrast seeker. Depending on the munitions used, the M41 can switch between direct-attack or top attack modes, with the latter resulting in the missile flying in an upwards trajectory before diving down onto the target.

The M41 is also more than capable of hitting slow moving aerial targets, either with anti-tank missiles or dedicated anti-air missiles, making it the go to missile launcher for UNSC infantry.

Munitions
The M41 is capable of firing a variety of rockets and missiles of various calibers up to 155mm:


 * M19 102mm HEAT-MP. De-facto standard M41 missile used by the UNSC. The M19 is capable of defeating middle range armor, such as those used on M808 Scorpions and most-if-not-all CMA armor. The multi-purpose nature of the missile allows it to be used against other targets, however its small blast radius and lack of significant shrapnelling made it a subpar choice against anything other than armor. The M19 has a slow speed but an excellent effective range of six kilometers against ground targets, and up to four kilometers against air targets. Two per launcher.
 * M20 102mm Fragmentation. A ballistic rocket designed to be used against soft targets. Somewhat fell out of use during the Human-Covenant War as Grunts, Hunters and Elites tended to walk off shrapnel significantly more often than Humans. Two per launcher.
 * M8 75mm IRH. A legacy anti-aircraft heat seeking missile in service with the UNSC since 2398, mostly used out of necessity due to attrition and had trouble picking up the heat signatures of Covenant craft. Comes in sets of four.
 * M15 155mm HEAT. A large anti-armor missile designed to defeat even the UNSC's most well armoured main battle tanks. In practice, a faulty seeker made it notoriously difficult to obtain a lock. Most troopers use its contrast seeker to hit static targets like bunkers instead. It has a range of up to five kilometers and is one missile per adapter.
 * M32 155mm HEAT-C. A cluster missile that rains HEAT warheads on an armoured target, allowing it to defeat active-protection systems with sheer volume. By its very nature, it is top-attack only. One missile per adapter.
 * M33 155mm HE-F-C. Like the M32, the M33 releases a cluster of warheads, this time High Explosive Fragmentation.
 * M98 155mm M-P/A-C. A cluster missile that disperses mines into an area, especially effective at area denial. The warhead can accept a variety of different mines.