Editing M68 Gauss cannon

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{{Weapon
|image = [[File:Gauss turret.png|300px]]
|name = M68 Asynchronous Linear-Induction Motor
|manufacturer = 
|model = M68
|type = [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon]]
|size = ~1.25m x ~0.30m x ~0.30m
|damage per hit = Very high
|magazine = 750 rounds<ref name="ENC">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', ''page 307''</ref> (non-gameplay)
|maxammo =
|fire = Semi-automatic
|ammotype = 25x130mm slug
|operation = Asynchronous linear-induction motor
|rate of fire = 
|accuracy = Very High
|range = {{Convert|8|km|ft}} <ref name="ENC"/>
|era = [[Human-Covenant War]]
|counterpart = 
|affiliation = [[UNSC]]
}}
The '''M68 Asynchronous Linear-Induction Motor''', more commonly known as the '''M68 Gauss Cannon''', is a [[weapon]] that fires hyper-velocity, high-density projectiles similar to those of a [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon]], except on a much smaller scale.<ref>'''[[Halo: Reach]]''', ''Game Stats''</ref><ref name="PH">'''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''', ''[[Palace Hotel]]'', ''page 362''</ref><ref group="note">''"While the Warthog guass rifle is modeled as a magnetic acceleration cannon, the sound and effects are actually those of a railgun, which operates on a different principle. However, the sound and effects were so cool that we couldn't not use them."''<br />— ferrex providing [http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=27004812 additional information] about the M68.</ref> It can be mounted on a stationary stand, or on the rear of the [[M12G1 Warthog LAAV]].

==Specifications==
===Operation===
The M68 ALIM uses an [[Wikipedia:Linear motor|asynchronous linear-induction motor]] to produce a bipolar magnetic field capable of launching a 25x130mm projectile at an incredible speed of just under Mach 40, or approximately 13.7km per second.<ref name="PH"/><ref group="note">The speed of the Gauss Cannon's projectile in-game is much slower than its canonical speed of Mach 40. This is probably because of design and engine limits. The projectile moves more quickly in ''Halo 3'' than in Halo 2.</ref> The great velocity of the projectile is the key to the stopping power and performance of the Gauss cannon, giving it exceptional armor penetration.

===Role===
The M68 ALIM is an exceptional anti-vehicle weaponry used by the militarymen of the UNSCDF. The weapon can also be utilized as an anti-infantry weapon with reasonable effectiveness, though not as effective as the [[M41 Light Anti-Aircraft Gun]]. This is partly because of the smaller splash damage and slower rate of fire. However, this is compensated with its accuracy as well as high velocity. Its intended usage is similar t that of a [[102mm SC-HE Rocket Turret]].

===Advantages===
The M68 is an extremely accurate weapon, useful against against most enemy units. It has proven to be devastating against light-armored vehicles, it can take out a [[Ghost]] or a [[Banshee]] in one or two shots (depending on shot placement). The weapon is rather effective against Wraiths as well, provided the driver can out-flank the Wraith and fire upon its unprotected backside before it brings its [[plasma mortar]] to bear. The M68 is also very deadly if used against infantry, however users should aim at the most dangerous units like [[Sangheili]], [[Jiralhanae]] and [[Mgalekgolo]] in order to make full use of the weapon.

===Disadvantages===
The M68 has few disadvantages, mainly the weapon's slow fire rate. It is also quite difficult to use at long ranges, especially when shooting at moving targets.

The Gauss Cannon can also cause permanent hearing damage when fired within 20 meters of unprotected infantry.<ref name="ENC"/>

==Tactics==
*The M68 is an excellent anti-vehicle weapon. It will get rid of enemy light armor rather quickly.
*While not as effective against entire squads, it remains good against single infantry units.
*Outstanding against [[Scarab]]s in ''[[Halo 3]]'', since the Warthog on which the weapon is mounted is a smaller, faster target for it to hit. An effective tactic is to remain under the Scarab, avoiding the legs and the main gun, while your [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marine]] gunner targets the Scarab's legs. 
*Experienced gunners using this weapon can effectively use the cannon's extremely high damage and accuracy to 1-shot kill most enemies. This has led to many Gauss gunners being able to attain high multi-kills and [[Killing Spree Medal|killing sprees]], especially in [[multiplayer]].

==Appearances==
In ''[[Halo 2]]'', the M12G1 LAAV variant of the [[Warthog]] replaces the M12A1 LAAV version of the Warthog, which was featured in [[Halo PC]]. The M12A1 LAAV became problematic due to the prodigious reload time necessary for the launchers, and the slow speed of the rockets themselves, although it did not appear in the campaign. A stationary version of the M68 (one of which triggers the flashback level [[Kizingo Boulevard (level)|Kizingo Boulevard]]) appears in ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''. The M68 can also be used near the start of [[ONI Alpha Site (level)|ONI Alpha Site]]. In ''Halo Wars'', the Gauss Turret is the final upgrade to the Warthog. It allows for much greater offensive and defensive capabilities.

==Trivia==
===Miscellaneous===
*While operating on a similar principle to the [[M99 SASR]], the shells for the M68 appear to be designed to cause [[wikipedia:Hypervelocity|hypervelocity]] collisions, where the target and slug get almost entirely vaporized on impact. This is probably intended to reduce over-penetration.
*In ''Halo 3'', the screen on the cannon's firing mechanism will actually display its surroundings in real-time thermal imaging, similar to the scope of the [[Sniper Rifle System 99D-S2 Anti-Matériel]]. Unfortunately, this does not have any effect on gameplay, and is only in place for aesthetic reasons.
*In ''Halo 3'', the slug in mid-flight is blue with a blue tail, making it look like Covenant weapon's fire at first glance. This 'blue light' is most likely the slug heating the air around it to super heated levels due to friction with the atmosphere. In ''Halo 2'', the trail was yellow-orange.

===Production notes===
*During the ''Halo 2'' demo trailer, the Gauss fired at a fairly rapid speed. Later, in an early beta multiplayer phase the M68 seemed to be slowed down and also seemed to have lost all its hype. It was later revamped with its original rate of fire during the game's final stages.
*The ''Halo 3'' version of the Gauss Cannon is a bit weaker and has a slower rate of fire than its ''Halo 2'' version. Part of this reason is gameplay balance since the ''Halo 2'' version was allegedly claimed to be too powerful in-game.
*Though thought to be similar to the [[LRG Rail Gun]], the primary armament of the [[Cobra]] artillery vehicle seen in ''[[Halo Wars]]'', the Gauss Cannon actually functions on a completely different principle. A [[railgun]] simply uses an electrical current to force a magnetic projectile along using the principle of same-pole repulsion; a more complex coilgun, or Gauss gun as it is known in Halo, uses multiple coils to accelerate the projectile through the weapon.

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="150">
File:Gaussshot.jpg|A closeup of a Gauss cannon's projectile in the air. Note that the contrail starts out blue but fades to yellow.
File:Halo3GaussHogLastResort.jpg|A Gauss Warthog on Last Resort.
File:Stationary Gauss Cannon.JPG|The stationary variant of the Gauss Cannon.
File:Ammo -Gauss.png|A Gauss slug of the M68 Gauss Cannon from ''[[The Art of Halo 3]]''.
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
{{Appearances|Halo Wars|Halo 2|Halo: Uprising|Halo 3|Halo 3: ODST|Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe|Halo: Reach}}

==Notes==
<references group="note"/>

==Sources==
<references/>
{{Clear}}
{{UNSC Heavy Weapons}}
[[Category:Mounted Weapons]]
[[Category:Human Weapons]]