Canon

M247H machine gun

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M247H Heavy Machine Gun
HReach-M247H-HMG-Side.png
Production overview

Manufacturer:

Misriah Armory[1][2][3]

Model series:

M247 machine gun

Type:

Machine gun

Variants:

Specifications

Length:

  • 160 centimetres (63.1 in)[1][2]
  • 163 centimetres (64.3 in)[4]
  • 164 centimetres (64.5 in)[3]

Width:

66 centimetres (26.1 in)[4]

Height:

64 centimetres (25.3 in)[4]

Ammunition type:

M340 12.7 x 99mm High Velocity, Explosive[1][2][5][6]

Feed system:

200-round box (varies by box size)[1][2][3]

Operation:

Air-cooled, gas-operated, electrically fired, drum/linkless-fed[2][4][7][8]

Rate of fire:

Automatic[2][3]

Effective range:

Close to medium[5]

Service history

In service:

 

The M247H machine gun, or formally known as the M247H Heavy Machine Gun (HMG), is a variant of the M247 machine gun. It is manufactured by Misriah Armory.[2][6][3]

Overview[edit]

Design details[edit]

Main article: M247 machine gun

Although its basic design has changed significantly over time,[1] by 2552, superficially, the M247H is near-identical to the standard M247.[3] The M247H is an air-cooled, gas-operated, electrically fired, linkless-fed weapon that fires M340 12.7 x 99mm High Velocity, Explosive (HVE) rounds.[2][7] The standard configuration of the M247H is affixed to a tripod turret base, similar to the older AIE-486H machine gun.[2] Like many other UNSCDF support weapons, the M247H is fitted with a metal shield near the rear of its barrel to protect the user, though some versions, including the one mounted on the UH-144S Falcon, lack this feature. The ammunition box is located behind this shield; the standard box contains 200 rounds, though this capacity varies.[2] The firing mechanism and trigger are located at the rear of the weapon and are accompanied by a pair of handles, allowing the operator to rotate it 180 degrees.[6]

Usage[edit]

The M247H is primarily used from a full-range, tripod-mounted position, providing a powerful suppressive covering fire.[4] It is generally used to provide suppressing fire, point-to-point cover fire, and, predominantly, direct fire in an anti-personnel role,[1] though it is also capable of destroying light vehicles with relative ease.[2][6]

Due to its light weight and ease of use, it is used at most UNSC bases and high-priority sites. Reports indicate that personnel have been seen firing the M247H from the hip to pursue enemies beyond the fixed weapon's range, though such situations are unlikely unless performed by a Spartan.[2] Even so, such reports remain unsubstantiated.[6]

Operational history[edit]

The M247H is formerly in service with the Colonial Military Authority, serving as the backbone of CMA heavy weapons teams.[3] A variant of the M247H, the M247 GPMG had entered service with the UNSC as early as 2526,[11] By 2552,[9] the M247H was widely adopted by the UNSC Army;[3] Jorge-052 of NOBLE Team notably employed a personalized variant of the M247H.[12] The weapon's impressive performance has led to its widespread integration across an array of vehicles, such as the UH-144S Falcon.[13] On Reach—the major UNSC stronghold—the M247H is manufactured at Misriah Armory's Rajtom Facility.[14] By 2557, the M247H is the most commonly used turret in the UNSC armed forces.[4]

Variants[edit]

In-game information[edit]

The machine gun is excellent against enemy infantry, especially when they are encountered in large numbers. However, the user is entirely exposed. Carrying the turret also greatly decreases the player's speed and maneuverability. The M247H will overheat after extensive use, forcing the user to wait for the gun to cool down or risk it inoperable until it is fully cooled. In Halo: Reach, Sangheili and Unggoy will use these turrets if in their vicinity. In Halo Wars 2, it has become an exclusive weapon for Alice-130.

Production notes[edit]

  • Early concept art by Isaac Hannaford for the Falcon's side-door guns closely resembles the AIE-486H machine gun from Halo 3, but was later changed to the M247H machine gun.
  • The weapon's formal designation Machine Gun, Caliber 7.62 mm, M247 in the official Halo: Reach website erroneously claims that the M247H uses 7.62mm cartridges,[7] which are actually used by the M247 GPMG.[2]
  • When firing, the weapon makes the same sound as the AIE-486H HMG, including the sound of the gun spooling up, despite the M247H having only a single barrel. Furthermore, the M247H is erroneously labeled as the AIE-486H Heavy Machine Gun in Bungie.net game stats.[15]
  • Like the AIE-486H HMG featured in Halo 3, if the Infinite Ammo setting is active, the detached turret will not have unlimited ammunition. However, if the Bottomless Clip setting is enabled, detached turrets will have infinite ammunition.
  • In Halo 4, the HUD elements for the M247H do not show a remaining round count when the weapon is dismounted as in previous games, but instead show a percentage of ammo left remaining, similar to its counterpart, the Pek-pattern plasma cannon. The same quirk appears with the Etilka REQ weapon in Halo 5: Guardians, which is especially curious considering that the game's standard machine gun turret, the M49 Vulcan, now once again displays a round count instead of a percentage when removed from its mount.

Gallery[edit]

Halo: Reach[edit]

Halo 4[edit]

Halo 2: Anniversary[edit]

Halo 5: Guardians[edit]

Halo Wars 2[edit]

Halo Online[edit]

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition), page 317
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 115
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 175
  4. ^ a b c d e f Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide, page 71
  5. ^ a b Halo: Reach, manual
  6. ^ a b c d e Halo Waypoint, Falcon (Retrieved on Mar 14, 2011) [local archive] [external archive]
  7. ^ a b c Bungie.net, M247H HMG (Retrieved on Feb 7, 2021) [archive]
  8. ^ Halo Waypoint, Halo 4 Interactive Guide - UNSC Weapons: Machine Gun (Retrieved on May 1, 2013) [local archive] [external archive]
  9. ^ a b Halo: Reach, gameplay
  10. ^ Halo 4, gameplay
  11. ^ Halo: Oblivion, chapter 4
  12. ^ a b c Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Noble Intentions (Retrieved on Jul 8, 2016) [archive]
  13. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 154
  14. ^ Halo: Reach, M247 machine gun in-game model
  15. ^ Bungie.net, Career Stats (Retrieved on Jul 24, 2019) [archive]