M739 SAW

M739 SAW
Production overview
Manufacturer:	Misriah Armory
Type:	Light machine gun
Cost:	3182 cR
Variants:	Appetite for Destruction The Answer
Specifications
Length:	117 centimeters (45.9 in)
Width:	23 centimeters (9 in)
Height:	31 centimeters (12.3 in)
Weight:	9.6 kilograms (21 lb)
Ammunition type:	7.62×51mm FMJ-AP
Feed system:	64-, 72- (standard), or 128-round linked belt
Operation:	Gas-operated, drum-fed
Rate of fire:	~1,080 RPM
Service history
In service:	Insurrection Human-Covenant War Post-Covenant War conflicts

The M739 Light Machine Gun (M739 LMG) is a squad automatic weapon (SAW) used by the United Nations Space Command armed forces. Designed and manufactured by Misriah Armory, the M739 is used in protracted engagements where sustained or suppressive fire is required. The weapon is fed ammunition by a 72-round belt in a drum magazine.

Overview

Design details

The M739 is a gas-operated, drum-fed fully-automatic light machine gun that fires 7.62x51mm FMJ-AP ammunition, something shared with other UNSC weaponry such as MA5 series-assault rifles and the M392 DMR. The fore of the weapon is covered in a heat shroud similar in visual design to the M247 GPMG in UNSC service, with an ammunition readout located mounted atop the weapon. The ammunition readout consists of a series of stacked yellow bars representing the magazine capacity of the weapon, which slowly deplete as ammunition is fired - transiting to orange and then red as the magazine nears empty. The drum magazine itself is located in front of the trigger.

The weapon itself has no built-in optics or magnification available. However, it is capable of smart-linking with UNSC helmets (such as MJOLNIR) to provide a heads-up display readout on an operator's visor. The weapon does have smart scope functionality, which projects a holographic HUD readout in front of the user.

Development history

SAWs increased in usage over the 22nd century during the first major colonial conflicts. In response, Misriah Armory began development of light machine guns that could serve in a SAW role. The M739 is the most recent addition to this, being introduced during the late years of the Insurrection, and continuing on into the Human-Covenant War. As of 2558, the UNSC continues to use the M739.

Variants

• Appetite for Destruction: a variant of the SAW featuring a high capacity drum magazine, increased ammunition capacity, and in-built stabilization jets.
• The Answer: a variant of the SAW with a lower rate-of-fire but with proximity-fused, high-explosive ammunition.

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  Appetite for Destruction.

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  The Answer.

Gameplay

	See our gameplay information related to M739 SAW on its gameplay page.
	Browse more images in this article's gallery page.

Changes from Halo 4 to Halo 5: Guardians

• Can now utilize the Smart Scope feature to decrease reticle bloom and increase range by 80%.
• Increased/decreased damage and added headshot bonus, killing in 11-14 rounds instead of 13, depending on the headshot bonus.
• It is classified as a Common REQ and can be summoned in Warzone at Level 4 energy.

Trivia

• The SAW has the same damage properties as the Assault Rifle in Halo 4's multiplayer, with 10 rounds to disable shields and 3 rounds to the body for a kill. This effectively makes the SAW an overall upgrade to the Assault Rifle with its higher rate of fire, higher accuracy, and higher magazine capacity. This similarity makes canon sense as both weapons use the same 7.62×51mm FMJ round.
• Earning four kills with the SAW without dying in Majestic DLC matchmaking will unlock the Last Man Grinning achievement.
• The Appetite for Destruction variant of the SAW is a reference to the Guns N' Roses' debut studio album of the same name.
• "The Answer" variants name and description may be a reference to Douglas Adam's Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy series, specifically the question to life, the universe, and everything, the ANSWER of which was 42.

Gallery

Halo 4

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  Concept art of the M739 SAW for Halo 4.

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  Conceptual exploration of the SAW.

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  Render of the M739 SAW in Halo 4.

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  In-game blueprint of the M739 LMG.

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  Reference of the M739 SAW.

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  First-person view of the SAW by John-117 in the Halo 4 campaign.

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  A Ranger-clad Spartan-IV reloading an M739 SAW.

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  Detail of the M739 LMG's drum magazine.

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  A Warrior-clad Spartan-IV wielding the M739.

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  A Pathfinder-clad Spartan-IV wielding the M739 LMG in War Games.

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  The M739 LMG being used against opposing Spartan-IVs in War Games.

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  The M739 LMG at the Type-26 Banshee spawn point on Exile.

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  A Spartan-IV firing an M739 LMG at an opposing Spartan-IV on Longbow.

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  Side view of an Operator-clad Spartan-IV wielding an M739 LMG.

Halo 5: Guardians

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  John-117 using a SAW against a Sangheili Warrior aboard Argent Moon in a Halo 5: Guardians prerelease screenshot.

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  First-person view of the SAW by Frederic-104 in the Halo 5: Guardians campaign.

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  Smart scope with the SAW by Fred-104 in the Halo 5: Guardians campaign.

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  Fred-104 with a SAW.

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  First-person view of the SAW in Halo 5: Guardians.

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  Smart scope with the SAW on Entombed.

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  Alternate view of the M739 SAW's smart scope.

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  A SAW being purchased at a REQ Station during a Warzone simulation in Halo 5: Guardians.

Halo 5: Guardians REQ cards

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  SAW Certification.

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  SAW.

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  Appetite for Destruction.

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  The Answer.

List of appearances

• Halo 4 (First appearance)
  • Spartan Ops
  • Infinity Briefing Packet
• Halo: Escalation
• Halo 5: Guardians
• Halo: Oblivion