M36 Enhanced Service Rifle

The M36 Enhanced Service Rifle (ESR) is the culmination of the UNSC Army's design trials to develop a replacement for the M392 Designated Marksman Rifle, and a competitor to the UNSC Marine Corps' BR58 Service Rifle. 
After adopting the newest variant of the MA5-series assault rifle, the Army originally intended to join with the Navy and Marine Corps and adopt the BR58 Service Rifle as part of standardization. Inevitably, the politics between the branches took over. The Army's Ordinance Department believed they could develop a superior round to the M634 cartridge with superior penetration of Covenant energy shields.
== Development ==
In mid-2553, as the UNSC faced the need for an advanced rifle capable of penetrating Covenant energy shielding, the Army initiated a groundbreaking design competition. Their intention was clear – to develop a weapon that could surpass the capabilities of both the existing M392 Designated Marksman Rifle and the Marine Corps' BR58 Service Rifle. The specifications were demanding, calling for a 6mm cartridge with superior penetration capabilities against Covenant energy shields. The twist in the tale, however, was the insistence on a traditional rifle configuration, deviating from the prevalent use of bullpup designs in the UNSC's arsenal.
Notably, Misriah Armory, the go-to manufacturer for UNSC weapons and equipment, found itself excluded from this venture. The Ordinance Department of the Army sought innovation from alternative sources, signaling a shift in the traditional dynamics between the branches. Xtremus arms, an up and comer in the arms industry would ultimately submit the winning design.
The outcome of the design competition was the birth of the M36 Enhanced Service Rifle (ESR). Crafted by Xtremus Arms' team of skilled engineers and weapon designers, the M36 was a testament to the Army's commitment to technological advancement. Its 6mm cartridge was meticulously engineered for maximum penetration of Covenant energy shields, providing an effective counterpart and potential replacement to the MA5F ICWS.
The M36's traditional configuration, with a stock and grip in line with the barrel, set it apart from the bullpup trend that dominated UNSC firearms. This design choice had its roots in the Army's preference for familiarity and ease of transition for soldiers accustomed to more conventional layouts.
Xtremus Arms also submitted the winning cartridge - the 6x55mm LANCE (Light Anti-armor and Neutralization Cartridge). Weighing the need for a controllable, yet effective cartridge, Xtremus decided on a heavy penetrator round (147 grain). The combination of a heavy bullet and high velocity made for an effective shield defeating cartridge. 
Category:Troud38
Category:UNSC Weapons