Editing M247 machine gun

{{Era|HCW}}
{{Weapon
| image=[[File:M247_1.png|300px]]
| name=M247 General Purpose Machine Gun
| manufacturer=[[Misriah Armory]]
| model=M247
| type=Machine gun
| cost=
| size=*Portable: 156 centimeters
*Mounted: 154.5 centimeters
| damage per hit=Medium
| magazine=Unlimited
| maxammo=Unlimited
| fire=Fully automatic
| ammotype= [[7.62x51mm NATO]]
| operation=
| rate of fire=About 600 rounds per minute
| accuracy=Short to medium
| range=Long (1,100 meters)<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', ''page 317''</ref>
| era=[[Human-Covenant War]]
| counterpart=*Mounted:[[Type-27 Anti-Infantry Stationary Gun]]
*Portable:[[Type-42 Directed Energy Support Weapon]]<br>
[[Type-52 Directed Energy Support Weapon]]
| counterwep=Explosives and scoped weapons
| affiliation=[[United Nations Space Command]]
}}
The '''M247 General Purpose Machine Gun''' ('''GPMG'''), formally known as the '''Machine Gun, Caliber 7.62 mm, M247''', is a machine gun used extensively by the [[United Nations Space Command]] [[United Nations Space Command Defense Force|Defense Force]]. It is a scaled-down version of the more widely utilized [[M247H Heavy Machine Gun]].<ref name="EVG">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 115''</ref>

==Overview==
The M247 GPMG is chambered for the ubiquitous [[M118 7.62x51mm Full Metal Jacket Armor-Piercing|7.62mm NATO cartridge]], unlike the M247H, which uses the [[Wikipedia:.50 BMG|12.7mm high velocity cartridge]].<ref name="EVG"/> The M247 is typically utilized as a mobile [[Wikipedia:Squad automatic weapon|squad automatic weapon]] and is fed via a box magazine. The operator usually deploys the weapon on a bipod, though it can be fired from the hip.<ref>[http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q311/Red_Raptor_album/M247GPMG.jpg Photobucket.com: Red Raptor's album - M247 SAW]</ref> The weapon's mobility allows personnel to quickly establish defensive perimeters or to provide suppressing fire.<ref name="Outskirts">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Outskirts]]''</ref><ref name="Metropolis">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Metropolis]]''</ref>

Although it is usually used as a mobile support weapon, the M247 GPMG is often permanently turret-mounted and bolted to the ground, with a large slab of armor protecting the operator. In this configuration, the weapon is fed by a drum magazine, which is considerably larger than the standard box magazine. The M247 GPMG is also commonly mounted in the troop bays of [[D77-TC Pelican]]s, which allows the dropship's crew chief to provide suppressing fire for embarking and disembarking troops; many Pelican-mounted M247s are equipped with underslung [[smoke grenade]] launchers.<ref name="Metropolis"/><ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Delta Halo]]''</ref>

==Gameplay==
===Tactics===
====Campaign====
*On ''Outskirts'', the M247 can be used to quickly kill the [[Mgalekgolo|Hunters]]. On ''[[Cairo Station (level)|Cairo Station]]'', players can use the M247 to eliminate the Covenant boarding party when it docks early in the level. In ''Metropolis'', the M247 appears again towards the end of the level. Here, players can use the turret to quickly dispose of the [[Sangheili|Elites]], [[Unggoy|Grunts]], and [[Kig-yar|Jackals]] that are deployed from the [[Type-47 Ultra Heavy Assault Platform#V2 model|Scarab]]. On ''[[Quarantine Zone (level)|Quarantine Zone]]'', a barricade of [[The Flood|Flood]] man a trio of turrets in front of the passageway to the [[Anti-gravity gondola|gondola.]]

====Multiplayer====
*The turret usually overlooks a good area and is readily accessible. While the gunner is capable of cutting down waves of infantry, its location, tactical value, and lack of mobility usually mark it as an immediate target if the assailant can hit the gunner from behind. Because of this, it is a good idea for the gunner to have a spotter. This is always a good multiplayer tactic, but here it applies especially well as the gunner's rear is completely unprotected, unlike that of its Covenant counterpart. The mobility of the [[Type-27 Anti-Infantry Stationary Gun|Shade]] is 360°, but the M247 only allows a 180° area of fire. Having an ally watching the gunner's back will substantially increase their effectiveness and potential lifespan.
*On maps with other vehicles, the gunner should be mindful of his limitations. The M247 is effective against infantry and light ground vehicles, not tanks. If an enemy Scorpion tank or Wraith approaches, the occupant should find cover immediately.
*When up against the M247, it is important to focus on the turret's three main weaknesses: its weakness to explosives, lack of cover, and the lack of mobility. Explosives will easily take the emplacement down, a sniper can take advantage of the gunner's lack of cover, and an experienced player will be able to maneuver behind the gunner and kill him.

== Trivia ==
*This weapon shares a very similar name to the real-world [[wikipedia:M249 light machine gun|Belgian M249]] and [[wikipedia:M240 machine gun|M240 machine guns]], as well as sharing a similar design and combat role.
*In the ''[[Halo 3]]'' [[Halo 3 Beta|Multiplayer Beta]], the packaging of the M247 can be found in the map ''[[High Ground]]'', though the weapon does not appear in the game.

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="150">
File:M247_3.png|Forward and rear views of a portable M247 GPMG.
File:H2-M247GPMG.png|A turret-mounted M247 GPMG.
File:Turret.jpg|Forward and rear views of a turret-mounted M247 GPMG.
File:M247 General Purpose Machine Gun.png|A Marine using the portable version of the M247 GPMG.
File:Halo 2 Vista Marine.jpg|A Marine carrying a portable M247 GPMG.
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo 2]]'' {{1st}}

==Sources==
<references/>

{{UNSC support weapons}}
[[Category:Machine guns]]