Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Black Ops 6 AEK-973

Marksman RiflesUnlocked at Level 34Takes camo
Marksman RiflesAEK-973 — Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 weapon render

How do you unlock the AEK-973?

The AEK-973 is a marksman rifle that groups three shots into each burst in Black Ops 6. It is available from Player Level 34. Its Multiplayer, Zombies and Warzone camo challenges are separate; weapon levels are not a prerequisite for starting Military camos.

UnlockLevel 34
AvailabilityBase-game rank unlock; Prestige can relock player-level access unless a Permanent Unlock or blueprint entitlement applies.
Takes camoYes

Reviewed September 18, 2026. Compiled from official Call of Duty progression and seasonal articles plus the public Call of Duty Wiki camouflage tables, reviewed September 18, 2026. This is a source review, not an in-game verification or confirmation that historical events and packs remain available.

Sources: Call of Duty — progression and Mastery · Call of Duty — launch weapons and ranks · Call of Duty — Season 2 Special equip change · Call of Duty Wiki — full camo table · Call of Duty — Pack-a-Punch cosmetics and upgrades

Weapon sources: Call of Duty — launch weapon roster · Call of Duty Wiki — exact Special challenges

How does the AEK-973 play in Black Ops 6?

Rolea marksman rifle that groups three shots into each burst
Real-world basisBlack Ops 6 in-game weapon; this guide does not claim an unverified real-world equivalent.
Useful setupUse Gunsmith’s detailed statistics to check what a change does to this weapon, then test the result in the Firing Range; Keep any attachment, magnification or suppressor required by the selected Special challenge equipped until that challenge is complete
Challenge noteEach mode has nine Military camos, the two weapon-specific Specials listed below, and four Mastery stages. Complete requirements in their named mode.
Progression tipMultiplayer ends at Dark Matter, Zombies at Nebula and Warzone at Abyss. The final Mastery stages require the 33-weapon prerequisite and an individual weapon challenge. Prestige preserves weapon progression and camos.

AEK-973 — Multiplayer camo challenges

AblazeUnlock all nine Multiplayer Military camos on the AEK-973. Get 2 Kill without reloading 10 times in Multiplayer using the AEK-973.
Mirage - AEK-973Unlock all nine Multiplayer Military camos on the AEK-973. Get 50 Eliminations with a 4.0x or higher magnification scope in Multiplayer using the AEK-973.

AEK-973 — Zombies camo challenges

Blood MoonUnlock all nine Zombies Military camos on the AEK-973. Get 300 Eliminations with Napalm Burst in Zombies using the AEK-973.
VoidflameUnlock all nine Zombies Military camos on the AEK-973. Get 300 Eliminations with Cryo Freeze equipped in Zombies using the AEK-973.

AEK-973 — Warzone camo challenges

MoonriseUnlock all nine Warzone Military camos on the AEK-973. Get 5 Kills shortly after sprinting in Warzone using the AEK-973.
SoulfireUnlock all nine Warzone Military camos on the AEK-973. Get 3 Kills in a single match 5 times in Warzone using the AEK-973.

Mode mastery routes

MultiplayerGold Diamond Dark Spine Dark Matter
ZombiesMystic Gold Opal Afterlife Nebula
WarzoneGold Tiger King’s Ransom Catalyst Abyss

Every camo, exact unlocks — see the full Black Ops 6 camo directory.

Browse camos

AEK-973 — common questions

How do you unlock the AEK-973 in Black Ops 6?

The AEK-973 is a marksman rifle that groups three shots into each burst in Black Ops 6. It is available from Player Level 34. Its Multiplayer, Zombies and Warzone camo challenges are separate; weapon levels are not a prerequisite for starting Military camos. Base-game rank unlock; Prestige can relock player-level access unless a Permanent Unlock or blueprint entitlement applies.

How do you unlock camos on the AEK-973?

Start with nine Military camos in your chosen mode, then complete the two AEK-973 Special challenges shown on this page. Multiplayer follows Gold, Diamond, Dark Spine and Dark Matter; Zombies follows Mystic Gold, Opal, Afterlife and Nebula; Warzone follows Gold Tiger, King’s Ransom, Catalyst and Abyss. Each Mastery finish has its own prerequisite and weapon challenge.

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