AIE-486H machine gun

AIE-486H Heavy Machine Gun
Production overview
Type:	Machine gun
Specifications
Ammunition type:	7.62×51mm FMJ-AP
Feed system:	200 rounds
Rate of fire:	About 600 rounds/min
Effective range:	100 metres (330 ft)
Service history
In service:	Human-Covenant War

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The AIE-486H heavy machine gun (abbreviated AIE-486H HMG or simply HMG), more commonly referred to as the Heavy Machine Gun Turret, is a United Nations Space Command ground weapon effective against infantry and light vehicles.

Specifications

Design details

File:Halo3 - HMG Schematic.png

A schematic of the AIE-486H Heavy Machine Gun in Halo 3.

The AIE-486H Heavy Machine Gun is a standard gatling-style heavy machine gun, generally used on a tripod mount by UNSC forces, notably during latter stages of the Battle for Earth and the Battle of Installation 00.^[2]

When fired, the AIE-486H takes some time to "spin up" before reaching its maximum rate of fire. The weapon can be capably wielded by a Spartan supersoldier or Sangheili when removed from its tripod, though this tactic is only sustainable until the weapon's ammunition supply is depleted.^[2]

The AIE-486 fires 7.62×51mm armor-piercing rounds at a high rate of fire, which make it efficient against Covenant troops, notably Elites.^[1]

Gameplay

Advantages

The AIE-486, like all machine guns, packs a powerful punch, filling the air with many rounds at a high rate (though not as much as the SMG). The AIE-486 is mainly a Support Weapon, providing support for front-line units. The AIE-486 is extremely effective against Covenant forces, and is strong enough to take down a fully armored and shielded Brute or Elite within about 5–10 seconds of continuous fire. A SPARTAN-II or an Elite is strong enough to forcefully detach the turret off of its mount, in opposition to dismantling the tripod and gun with tools. Once detached, the player will appear in a third-person view, and have slower movement and maneuverability, although the regular targeting reticule is still apparent. However, the player will only have 200 rounds of ammunition, whereas if the turret is mounted, the ammo will be infinite. The turret is also fitted with a titanium shielding, to protect the user from anyone attempting to shoot back.

Disadvantages

In its stationary form, the AIE-486 is a basic death trap if its user is flanked from multiple locations. Once detached from its tripod the AIE-486 has a limited ammunition supply, and once it runs out the turret must be discarded. In Halo 3, there is no physical way to reload the turret or remount it on the tripod. While wielding the turret, a Spartan II or Elite will move or strafe significantly slower than their normal speed. This could be due to the weight of the turret or, perhaps, a gameplay mechanic implemented for balancing the gameplay.

Trivia

Although it is called a heavy machine gun, the 7.62×51mm NATO round it uses would actually classify the AIE-486H as a medium or general purpose machine gun.
Like the M41 LAAG, the AIE-486H bears a striking resemblance to the GAU-19/A machine gun used by the United States military. The GAU-19 and AIE-486H both share the same distinctive flash suppressor and three-barrel build. Unlike the GAU-19, which fires .50 BMG (12.7×99mm) rounds, the AIE-486H fires the 7.62×51mm Saboted Light Armor Penetrator rounds.
During Forge matches, the mounted AIE-486H can be picked up, moved, and rotated, even while another player is using the turret. If the other player rips the turret from the base while this is happening, the player will duplicate the turret. This can be used to arm an entire team with turrets. These traits also apply to Type-52 plasma cannons, and anyone seated in the turret position of a vehicle won't be forced out like the driver will.
The AIE-486H is usable in Halo 3: ODST in its detached state, just as it is in Halo 3. This is done for gameplay reasons only, as an un-enhanced human should not be strong enough to pick the turret up easily, much less carry it around, fire it accurately on the move or be faster than a Spartan wielding one.
The NMPD Officers in Halo 3: ODST call it a .50 cal even though it uses the 7.62×51 NATO round.
In Halo 3 there is a faster way of walking with the turret than the normal speed without constantly dropping and picking up the turret, it is done by moving the left stick approximately at a 45 degree angle from the camera position; which make the player move straight and right at the same time in an angle of 45 degree but faster than walking directly straight. The player can move at the point where he wants by balancing the 45 degree of the movement by moving the camera at a point where the 45 degree angle move him straight to the place where he wants to go. It is suggestible the player use this technique when the area is free of enemies and move the turret into a normal position before the firefight starts so the player won´t be exposed and could attack quickly.

Gallery

HUD of the mounted AIE-486H in Halo 3.
HUD of the detached AIE-486H.
An angled view of a detached AIE-486H HMG.
An in-game profile view of the AIE-486H HMG in Halo 3.
A render of a Mark VI-clad Spartan-II holding an AIE-486.
An AIE-486H HMG turret unmanned in Crow's Nest.
John-117 using the AIE-486 on his way to the crashed Flood-controlled CCS-class Battlecruiser in Voi.
Halo Wars concept art of a Spartan wielding the chaingun.
A Mark IV-clad Spartan-II wielding an AIE-468H HMG in Halo Wars.
A Trio of Spartans with AIE-468Hs.
An ODST wielding a dismounted turret, alongside his squadmates in Halo 3: ODST.
Joshua-029 destroys a T-26A Banshee with an AIE-486H in Halo: Fall of Reach - Invasion.
UNSC Marines manning an AIE-486H in Halo Wars 2.