M79 rocket launcher
| M79 Multiple Launch Rocket System | |
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| Production overview | |
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Manufacturer: |
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Type: |
Missile launcher |
| Specifications | |
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Length: |
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Height: |
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Ammunition type: |
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Capacity: |
6 missiles |
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Salvo fire (6 tubes)[2] | |
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Optics: |
None[2] |
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The M79 Multiple Launch Rocket System (M79 MLRS) is a rocket launcher emplacement utilised by the United Nations Space Command.[3][1] Throughout the Human-Covenant War, it saw heavy use as the primary armament of the M12R Rocket Warthog, though in the post-war years has begun to see steady replacement by the M80 MLRS model. Despite this, it remains one of the most prominently-used MLRS systems in UNSC service.[2]
OverviewEdit
Design detailsEdit
The M79 consists of two rocket pods affixed to a centrally-located turret, which contains the launcher's sensor equipment. Each pod has three cells, allowing the launcher to hold a total of six rockets. When fired, all six are fired in one salvo - the turret is capable of locking onto aircraft or dumb-firing the rockets for use as ground artillery.[2]
AmmunitionEdit
The M79 is a 65mm launcher, generally used to fire M510 Argent V Automatic Self-Guided Missile (ASGM)-2s.[3][1][2]
VariantsEdit
There are two variants of M79 in use in the UNSC, though only minor differences are observed between them. The first is a war-era model in use by at least around the time of the Fall of Reach in 2552, measuring 190 centimeters (74.9 in) in length.[1] This launcher remained in use until at least around 2557 among the forces of UNSC Infinity,[4] and fires a rocket every 2-3 seconds.[5][4]
The second model is only marginally different, with a length of 177 centimeters (69.5 in).[2] This model is in use aboard 2559-2560-era Infinity deployments operating in the Zeta Halo conflict. It fires a rocket every second.[6]
UsageEdit
M79s are generally used as emplaced units for site-defence, or as a weapon mount on a larger vehicle. They are compatible in any standard turret mount such as those used on Warthogs, meaning they can be asily swapped with an M41 Vulcan, M68 Gauss cannon, or other similar weapon. When used in such a manner, this is usually an M12R Light Anti-Aircraft Vehicle,[2][7] though two are also used on the standard loadout for the M510 Mammoth.[8][9][10][11]
The successor M80 and M80B MLRS' are compatible on all standard fittings used by the M79. They were originally introduced to serve as a post-war replacement for the aging war-era M79s, though the M79 is still one of the most widespread MLRS units in UNSC usage.[12]
GameplayEdit
Despite having similar ordnance to a rocket launcher, the M79 should not be operated similarly to its hand-held brethren. Each individual rocket fired by the weapon is less damaging than a rocket launcher's (due in part to being nearly 40 mm smaller), and have a much smaller splash damage radius. As such, the weapon is excellent for spam tactics; fire a barrage, wait, fire another, wait and so on. The near-unstoppable wave of projectiles is more than enough to flatten any resistance. It is also devastating against aircraft; while with a handheld launcher the user has only two rockets available before a reload, the M79 can overwhelm even the most expertly piloted vehicle with the sheer number of rockets it puts out. A single barrage is more than enough to eliminate a Banshee or Falcon.
Surprisingly, the weapon is only moderately effective against infantry. The small splash damage of the rockets, coupled with their long reload time and slow flight speed, means that an infantry target on foot can easily dodge out of the way of a volley.
GalleryEdit
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Browse more images in this article's gallery page. |
Renders of the M79 from Halo: Reach.
An M79 MLRS firing at a Karo'etba-pattern Ghost during the Battle at Szurdok Ridge.
A screenshot of the Rocket Warthog's weaponry firing in the level Tip of the Spear.
A head-on in-game preview of the M79 MLRS in Halo: Reach.
An M12R Warthog FAV firing off its M79 MLRS.
A view of one of the M510 Mammoth's M79 MLRS turrets in Halo 4.
Control console of an M79 MLRS, c. 2557.
A rocket fired from the M79 MLRS.
HUD of the M79 in Halo 4.
The front of the M79 in a Warzone base in Halo 5: Guardians
The backside of the M79 in a Warzone base in Halo 5: Guardians
An M12R Warthog fitted with a M79 in Halo Infinite.
HUD of the M79 in Halo Infinite.
An Argent V missile being fired from a M79.
List of appearancesEdit
SourcesEdit
- ^ a b c d e f g h Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide, page 79
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 180
- ^ a b Halo: Reach manual, page 9
- ^ a b Halo 4, M79 MLRS in-game weapon
- ^ Halo: Reach, M79 MLRS in-game weapon
- ^ Halo Infinite, M79 MLRS in-game weapon
- ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 137
- ^ Halo Waypoint, Halo 4 Interactive Guide - Vehicles: Mammoth (Retrieved on May 1, 2013) [local archive] [external archive]
- ^ Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide, page 115
- ^ Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual, page 202
- ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 144
- ^ Halo Waypoint, Missile Launcher (Retrieved on Jan 23, 2016) [archive]