Editing M68 Gauss cannon

{{Status|Canon}}

{{Center|''This article is about the model introduced in Halo 2. For the model introduced in Halo 5: Guardians, see [[M70 Gauss cannon]].''}}

{{Weapon infobox

|image= [[File:Gauss turret.png|300px]]

|service=[[Human-Covenant War]] <br> [[Post-Covenant War conflicts]]

|weight={{Convert|243|lb|kg}}<ref name="ENC">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''', ''UNSC Weapons'', ''page 321'' (2011 edition)</ref>

|length={{Convert|119.6|in|cm}}<ref name="H4VG">'''Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide''', ''page 80''</ref>

|width={{Convert|55.6|in|cm}}{{Ref/Reuse|H4VG}}

|height={{Convert|85.8|in|cm}}{{Ref/Reuse|H4VG}}

|ammotype=25x130mm <span class="explain" title="armor-piercing, limited penetration/frangible">APLP/F</span>{{Ref/Reuse|ENC}}<br/>

25x130mm M485 HV/FTHPP{{Ref/Reuse|vis}}<br/>

[[Anvil round]] {{C|When specially-modified}}<ref name="PL">'''[[Halo Wars 2]]''', ''[[Phoenix Logs]] - Forge's Warthog''</ref>

|range={{Convert|8|km|mi}}{{Ref/Reuse|ENC}}

The '''M68 Asynchronous Linear-Induction Motor''', more commonly known as the '''M68 Gauss Cannon''' (named after nineteenth century physicist [[Wikipedia: Carl Friedrich Gauss|Carl F. Gauss]]),<ref name="vis">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 78''</ref> 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/Note|1=''"While the Warthog gauss 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.}} Also known among the troops as the "68," "Rail Gun," "Tent Pole," and the "Gas Gun,"{{Ref/Reuse|ENC}} it can be mounted on a stationary stand, or on the rear of the [[M12G1 Warthog LAAV]].

==Design details==

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 13.7&nbsp;km per second.{{Ref/Reuse|PH}}{{Ref/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 as well as balancing issue. The projectile moves more quickly in ''Halo 3'' than in ''Halo 2''.}} The great velocity of the projectile is the key to the stopping power and performance of the Gauss cannon, giving it exceptional armor penetration at impressive ranges.

 

The M68 ALIM is primarily used in an anti-vehicle capacity by UNSCDF ground forces, though it can be used to devastating effect against infantry. It is often seen mounted on the Warthog in the same manner as the M41 LAAG, and while it does not possess the LAAG's extreme rate of fire, it displays near-pinpoint accuracy and overwhelming firepower, usually killing infantry targets with a single shot, and heavily damaging those in the immediate vicinity of where the round impacts. Its intended usage is similar to that of a [[M39 rocket turret]], though the rocket turret does not possess the all-around utility and adaptability of the M68 ALIM and causes much more collateral damage.

The M68 is an extremely accurate weapon, useful against most enemy infantry and vehicle units. Unsurprisingly it has proven to be devastating against light-armored vehicles; it can take out a {{Pattern|Karo'etba|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. Firing at the vehicle's armored front is less effective, but the rate at which the weapon cycles can compensate for this. 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 before moving onto smaller, less dangerous targets. Its relatively high rate of fire, when compared to other electromagnetic accelerator weapons, makes it a devastating precision weapon on any battlefield. Its anti-armor capabilities are second only to those of the [[SP42 Main Battle Tank|SP42 Cobra]]'s mounted [[M66 light rail gun]], and static defense platforms, such as the [[Mark 2488 Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|Onager]], and its portability more than makes up for this.

The M68 has few disadvantages, mainly the fact that the weapon (like all other vehicle-mounted turrets) offers little to no protection to the operator, and allows them to be easily sniped without the presence of a skilled driver. It lacks precision at extreme distances, but can still hit large targets (i.e. Wraiths and Phantoms) with a fair degree of accuracy. The Gauss Cannon can also cause permanent hearing damage when fired within 20 meters of unprotected infantry.{{Ref/Reuse|ENC}}  The M68's muzzle flash can also give away its user's position. {{Ref/Reuse|H4VG}}

*Outstanding against [[Deutoros-pattern Scarab|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. Doing this with a co-op player is even more effective.

*While operating on a similar principle to the [[M99 Stanchion]], 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.

*Despite being called a "Gauss Cannon", the weapon is instead a coilgun, having none of the operational mechanisms characteristic of an actual Gauss Cannon.  

{{linkbox|gallery=yes}}

File:H2-GaussHUD.png|HUD of the M68 in ''Halo 2''.

File:Ammo -Gauss.png|A Gauss slug of the M68 Gauss cannon from ''[[The Art of Halo 3]]''.

File:Halo3GaussHogLastResort.jpg|A Gauss Warthog on [[Last Resort]] in ''Halo 3''.

File:H3-GaussHUD.png|HUD of the M68 in ''Halo 3''.

File:Gauss turret.png|The M68 ALIM in ''Halo 3''.

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 in ''Halo 3''.

File:HTMCC-H3 Dubbo on a Gauss Hog.jpg|A Marine fires a Gauss cannon in ''Halo 3''.

File:Old HW Gauss 2.png|John-117 firing a Gauss cannon in ''Halo 3''.

File:H3ODST-StationaryGauss-Reference.png|Turnaround reference image of the mounted stationary Gauss cannon in ''Halo 3: ODST''.

File:Stationary Gauss Cannon.JPG|The stationary variant of the Gauss cannon in ''Halo 3: ODST''.

File:H3ODST Rookie&GaussCannon.jpg|The [[Jonathan Doherty|Rookie]] inspecting a destroyed Gauss cannon in ''Halo 3: ODST''.

File:HTMCC-H3ODST Dutch M68.png|[[Taylor Miles]] manning a stationary Gauss cannon in ''Halo 3: ODST''.

File:HW-M12G1svsInnies.png|Gauss cannons in ''[[Halo Wars]]''.

**''[[Palace Hotel]]''

*''[[Halo: Envoy]]''

*''[[Halo: Retribution]]'' {{Mo}}

*''[[Halo: Oblivion]]''

*''[[Halo: Hippocratica]]''

{{Ref/Notes}}

{{Ref/Sources}}