Sound suppressor (ArmA 3)

The Sound Suppressor is a muzzle-fitted weapon attachment in ArmA 3.

Overview

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. In addition, suppressors will enhance the velocity of a weapon slightly which can provide a small boost to its effective firing range.

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 will not be capable of mounting one (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, subsonic ammunition is not available outside of specific weapons with integrated 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%.

5.56 mm

The 5.56 mm suppressor is available in either a Black, Khaki, or Sand camouflage finish. It is designed to be fitted onto weapons chambered to fire the 5.56×45 mm NATO round:

• NATO
  • The SPAR-16 series of modular rifles
• AAF
  • Mk20/Mk20C bullpup rifle/carbine
• FIA
  • TRG-21/TRG-20 bullpup rifle/carbine
• Syndikat
  • LIM-85 light machine gun

5.7 mm

The 5.7 mm suppressor is designed exclusively for use on 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.

5.8 mm

The 5.8 mm suppressor is designed for use on weapons chambered to fire the 5.8×42 mm round:

• CSAT
  • CAR-95 bullpup rifle
  • CAR-95-1 bullpup light support weapon

It is available in either a Black, Green Hex, or Arid Hex camouflage finish.

The 5.8 mm suppressor is unique for being able to conceal its heat signature, and will not light up on infrared sensors during and after continuous fire. There is otherwise no difference to the regular 5.56 mm suppressor (performance-wise).

6.5 mm

Available in a Black, Khaki, or Sand camouflage finish, 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 caseless only):

• NATO
  • The MX series of modular rifles
• CSAT
  • Katiba/Katiba Carbine bullpup rifle/carbine
• AAF
  • Mk200 light machine gun

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.

Stealth

The Stealth Sound Suppressor is a unique suppressor variant that is designed exclusively for mounting on the CMR-76 and Type 115 marksman/special purpose rifles. It is available in either a Black, Green Hex, or Arid Hex camouflage finish.

Like 5.8 mm suppressors, the Stealth Sound Suppressor absorbs heat and will not emit a thermal signature on infrared cameras even after sustained fire. In all other aspects, it is completely identical to the 5.56 mm variant performance-wise and the 5.8 mm variant appearance-wise.

Note that the Stealth Sound Suppressor is not capable of suppressing the Type 115's underbarrel anti-material rifle module. The Stealth Sound Suppressor is also not compatible with other 6.5 mm firearms (i.e. the NATO MX series).

7.62 mm

The 7.62 mm suppressor is available in either a Black, Khaki, or Sand finish. It is designed for use on firearms chambered to fire either the 7.62×51 mm NATO or 7.62×54 mm round:

• NATO
  • Mk-I EMR marksman rifle
  • SPAR-17 marksman rifle
• CSAT
  • Rahim bullpup marksman rifle
• AAF
  • Mk18 ABR battle rifle
• FIA
  • Mk14 battle rifle
• Syndikat
  • AK-12 assault rifle

.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. It is available in a Black, Green, and Sand finish:

• NATO
  • MAR-10 marksman rifle
  • SPMG general-purpose machine gun

The .338 suppressor increases the muzzle velocity of the parent weapon by 10%. There are otherwise no other performance differences to conventional 5.56 mm suppressors.

9 mm

Compact and light to attach, the 9 mm suppressor is designed for weapons chambered to fire the 9×21 mm round. It is only available in a Black finish:

• NATO
  • P07 handgun
• CSAT
  • Rook-40 handgun
  • Sting submachine gun
• AAF
  • PDW2000 submachine gun
• Gendarmerie
  • Protector submachine gun

9.3 mm

Available in either a Black or Tan finish, the 9.3 mm suppressor is designed exclusively for weapons chambered for the 9.3×64 mm round:

• CSAT
  • Cyrus marksman rifle
  • Navid general-purpose machine gun

The 9.3 mm suppressor increases the muzzle velocity of the parent weapon by 10%. There are otherwise no other performance differences to conventional 5.56 mm suppressors.

.45 ACP

The .45 suppressor is intended for use on weapons chambered for the .45 ACP round. It is only available in a Black finish:

• NATO
  • 4-five handgun
  • Vermin submachine gun
• AAF
  • ACP-C2 handgun

Both appearance and performance-wise, the .45 suppressor bears no differences to regular 9 mm suppressors.

Gallery

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Trivia

• On release, sound suppressors in ArmA 3 unrealistically reduced muzzle velocity, bullet damage, as well as not actually affecting weapon dispersion. They also caused all weapons to share the same firing sounds as each other (i.e. a suppressed TRG-20 with the 5.56 mm variant would sound the same as a suppressed Mk20C). Furthermore, many suppressors shared the exact same models and lacked camouflage variety.
  • The former two issues were subsequently fixed in later overhaul updates both prior to and after the Marksmen DLC's release.
  • Unique models and camouflage finishes on the other hand, were not changed until the release of the Apex DLC.
• An unused pistol suppressor model exists within the game files. Based on the real-world "Osprey" designed by Utah-based manufacturer SilencerCo, it would have supposedly been used for the 4-five pistol.
  • Likewise, the Vermin SMG also has an unused model which was presumably intended for its exclusive use as well.
• As seen in many of the pre-Alpha screenshots released to promote ArmA 3, flash suppressors for both rifles and sidearms were intended to have been included in the final game. Based on their appearance, they were modelled after the "KX" series of flash hiders designed by Noveske Rifleworks LLC.
  • Models for both flash hiders still exist in the game files, though it's not known as to why they were excluded from the final game.

See also

• Suppressor (ArmA 2)