The Sound Suppressor is a muzzle-fitted weapon attachment in ArmA 3.
Overview[]
NATO marksmen wielding a suppressed Mk18 ABR (left) and MXM (right).
Suppressors are designed to be fitted onto the muzzle of firearms. Once attached, the suppressor will alter the sound signature of the weapon and make it harder for enemies within range to hear the discharge.
Suppressors will also minimise (not remove) the weapon's muzzle flash, which can help prevent the shooter's position from becoming exposed at nighttime and prevent said shooter from being blinded. In addition, suppressors will enhance the velocity of a weapon slightly which can provide a small boost to its effective firing range.
Thermal signature comparison: an MX rifle fitted with a conventional suppressor (top) versus a specialised suppressor on the Type 115 bullpup (bottom)
The majority of suppressors do not mask heat emitted by the weapon's barrel. However, specific suppressor designs are designed with this capability in mind and will dampen heat emissions. This helps to reduce its thermal signature and makes the user less visible on infrared optics, cameras, and sensors.
It should be noted that sound suppressors are only interchangeable between firearms that are chambered for the same calibre. They will also inflict a higher inertia penalty on the user and do not reduce weapon recoil. In addition, not all weapons can actually be fitted with sound suppressors. Certain weapons lack threaded barrels and are incapable of mounting them (i.e. the AKM assault rifle or AKS-74U carbine).
Lastly, ammunition fired through suppressors remain at supersonic speeds and will emit an audible crack. Unlike in ArmA 2, dedicated magazines loaded with subsonic ammunition is not available outside of specific weapons with integral suppressors.
Variants[]
NOTE: Except for where they are explicitly stated to be different, all sound suppressors increase muzzle velocity by 5%, decrease muzzle flash by 90%, audible distance range by 96%, and reduce weapon dispersion by 20% (helping to improve accuracy, not decreasing).
5.56 mm[]
The 5.56 mm suppressor is designed to be used on weapons chambered to fire the 5.56×45 mm NATO round:
- LIM-85 light machine gun
- Mk20/Mk20C bullpup rifle/carbine
- The SPAR-16 series of modular rifles
- TRG-21/TRG-20 bullpup rifle/carbine
5.56 mm suppressors have a weight of 8 "mass" units. They are available in either a Black, Khaki or Sand colour finish.
5.7 mm[]
The 5.7 mm suppressor is designed exclusively for use on all variants of the ADR-97 bullpup submachine gun. It is only available in a Black finish.
There are few performance differences compared to regular 5.56 mm suppressors, save that the 5.7 mm variant only reduces muzzle flash by half (50%) and provides a 70% sound reduction as opposed to 96% (which is the baseline standard).
Appearance-wise, it is identical to that of the 9 mm suppressor but inflicts twice the amount of inertia penalty. 5.7 mm suppressors have a weight of 10 "mass" units.
5.8 mm[]
The 5.8 mm suppressor is designed solely for use on weapons chambered to fire the cased 5.8×42 mm round:
It is available in either a Black, Green Hex or Arid Hex camouflage finish, and has a weight of 8 "mass" units.
Performance-wise, there are no other differences when compared to the 5.56 mm suppressor.
Thermal damping[]
The 5.8 mm suppressor is unique for being able to dampen heat from the weapon's barrel and will not light up on infrared sensors after several rounds after fired.
However, it should be noted that some heat will eventually seep through and become visible on thermal optics if the weapon has not been given enough time to cool down after prolonged fire.
If too many rounds are fired in succession without providing the barrel an opportunity to cool down, the suppressor will no longer be able to mask or dampen its heat signature.
6.5 mm[]
The 6.5 mm suppressor is designed for use on all firearms chambered for the 6.5×39 mm round (both NATO and non-NATO, regardless of whether it is cased or caseless):
- CMR-76 bullpup marksman rifle
- Katiba/Katiba Carbine bullpup rifle/carbine
- Mk200 light machine gun
- The MX series of modular rifles
- The Promet series of modular bullpup rifles
- Type 115 special purpose rifle
A separate variant LMG variant is also available for use and shares the same appearance of the regular 5.56 mm suppressor. There are no functional differences compared to the regular 6.5 mm suppressor, however.
6.5 mm suppressors are available in a Black, Khaki or Sand colour finish. They all have the same weight of 10 "mass" units.
Stealth[]
| « | Sound suppressor used with late Chinese weapons such as Type-115. Its purpose is to stay relatively cold even after prolonged fire giving operative advantage when the enemy is using Thermal Imaging technology. Field Manual
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The Stealth Sound Suppressor is a unique suppressor variant that is designed specifically for mounting on the CMR-76 and Type 115 marksman/special purpose rifles.
However, it should be noted that several other 6.5 mm-chambered firearms, both of CSAT and non-CSAT in origin, may also mount a Stealth Sound Suppressor:
- CMR-76 bullpup marksman rifle
- Katiba/Katiba Carbine bullpup rifle/carbine
- Mk200 light machine gun
- The MX series of modular rifles
- The Promet series of modular bullpup rifles
- Type 115 special purpose rifle
It is available in either a Black, Green Hex or Arid Hex camouflage finish, and has a weight of 8 "mass" units.
Note that the Stealth Sound Suppressor is not capable of suppressing the Type 115's underbarrel anti-materiel rifle module.
Thermal damping[]
Like 5.8 mm suppressors, the Stealth Sound Suppressor absorbs heat and will not emit a thermal signature on infrared optics.
This will remain the case even after several rounds are fired in quick succession, though it should be noted that some heat will eventually seep through regardless. If too many rounds are fired, the suppressor will no longer be able to dampen the barrel's heat emissions and will itself begin to light up.
7.62 mm[]
The 7.62 mm suppressor is freely interchangeable on all 7.62 mm-chambered weapons regardless of whether it fires 7.62×39 mm, 7.62×51 mm NATO or 7.62×54 mm:
- The AK-12 series of modular rifles
- Mk14 battle rifle
- Mk18 ABR battle rifle
- Mk-I EMR marksman rifle
- Rahim bullpup marksman rifle
- SPAR-17 marksman rifle
It is available in either a Black, Khaki, Sand, Arid or Lush finish. No matter the variant, 7.62 mm suppressors have a weight of 12 "mass" units.
.338[]
The .338 suppressor is intended for use on weapons chambered to fire the .338 round (8.6×70 mm), both Lapua Magnum and Norma Magnum:
They are available in a Black, Green or Sand colour scheme, and have a weight of 10 "mass" units.
It should be noted that .338 suppressors specifically increase the muzzle velocity of the weapon by 10% rather than 5%. There are otherwise no other performance differences when compared to to conventional suppressor designs.
9 mm[]
Compact and light to attach, the 9 mm suppressor is compatible with most weapons that are chambered to fire the 9×21 mm round:
It is only available in a Black finish and only weighs a total of 6 "mass" units.
9.3 mm[]
The 9.3 mm suppressor is designed exclusively for weapons chambered for the 9.3×64 mm round:
It is available in either a Black or Tan finish. The 9.3 mm suppressor has a weight of 12 "mass" units.
When fitted, the 9.3 mm suppressor will increase the muzzle velocity of the parent weapon by 10% rather than 5%. There are otherwise no performance differences when compared to other suppressors.
.45 ACP[]
The .45 suppressor is intended for use on weapons chambered for the .45 ACP round:
Both appearance and performance-wise, the .45 suppressor bears no differences to regular 9 mm suppressors. It is only available in a Black finish and has a weight of only 6 "mass" units.
Gallery[]
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Notes[]
- Certain suppressor variants are compatible with weapons featured in third party-developed Creator DLCs. Please note that they are deliberately excluded from this article as they are not considered to be official content.
Trivia[]
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References[]
- ↑ Dušek, J, Havel, K 2015, OPREP - SHOTS FIRED, Arma 3, viewed 20 March 2023, <https://dev.arma3.com/post/oprep-shots-fired>.
- ↑ Kovařič, V 2016, SPOTREP #00058, Arma 3, viewed 20 March 2023, <https://dev.arma3.com/post/spotrep-00058>.
- ↑ van 't Land, J.J. 2021, SPOTREP #00096, Arma 3, viewed 20 March 2023, <https://dev.arma3.com/post/spotrep-00096>.
- ↑ van 't Land, J.J. 2020, SPOTREP #00095, Arma 3, viewed 20 March 2023, <https://dev.arma3.com/post/spotrep-00095>.
- ↑ ARMA 3 2013 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., \a3\weapons_f\acc\acca_snds_osprey_f.p3d
- ↑ ARMA 3 2013 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., \a3\weapons_f\acc\acca_mzls_smg_01_f.p3d
- ↑ Arma Platform 2012, Arma 3 - E3 2012 Showcases: Night Ops, 28 June, viewed 20 March 2023, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwXw0g2fweA>.
- ↑ ARMA 3 2013 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., \a3\weapons_f\data\ui\gear_acca_mzls_h_ca.paa
- ↑ ARMA 3 2013 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., \a3\weapons_f\data\ui\gear_acca_mzls_l_ca.paa
- ↑ ARMA 3 2013 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., \a3\weapons_f\acc\acca_mzls_h_f.p3d
- ↑ ARMA 3 2013 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., \a3\weapons_f\acc\acca_mzls_l_f.p3d
See also[]
| Weapon attachments of ArmA 3 | |
|---|---|
| Collimators | ACO (SMG) • MRD • Yorris J2 |
| Holographic sights | Mk17 Holosight (SMG) |
| Riflescopes | ARCO (AK) • ERCO • MRCO • PMS • RCO |
| Sniper scopes | AMS • DMS (Kir, Old) • Kahlia • LRPS • MOS |
| Thermal/Night vision | TWS (MG) • Nightstalker • NVS |
| Aiming devices | IR Laser Pointer |
| Illumination | Flashlight |
| Muzzle | SIMCOM Adapter • Sound Suppressor (5.56 mm, 5.7 mm, 5.8 mm, 6.5 mm, Stealth, 7.62 mm, .338, 9 mm, 9.3 mm, .45 ACP) |
| Weapon mounts | Bipod |
| (Parenthesis) denote variants. Marksmen DLC | Apex DLC | Contact DLC | |