The M45A Compact Ranged Weapon System, also known as the M45A Marksman Rifle, was a long range weapon used by the United Nations Space Command during the Swarm War. Designed as a smaller, more manageable alternative to full scale sniper rifles, the M45 essentially bridged the gap between high calibre, long range sniper rifles and smaller calibre, shorter ranged battle rifles. The M45A CRWS was versatile in that it could be used as a dedicated sniper rifle, but also function in a designated marksman role where true battle rifles were unsuitable or unavailable. Effective at mid and long ranges, skilled users could utilise the weapon effectively at shorter ranges too, though the weapon's relative small size allowed for more capable weapons to be carried to this end. The M45A was intended to f