Editing M231 machine gun

{{Status|Canon}}
{{Weapon infobox
|name=M231 medium machine gun
|image=[[File:H2AMPM808B.png|300px]]
|caption=An M808B Scorpion firing its coaxial M231 machine gun.{{Ref/Game|Id=H2AMP|H2A|Scorpion in-game model (multiplayer)}}
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|type=[[Machine gun]]
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|ammotype=[[7.62x51mm|7.62mm]] AP-T (Armor Piercing Tracer){{Ref/Book|Id=CEM|Halo: Combat Evolved manual|Page=22}}{{Ref/Book|Id=H2M|Halo 2 manual|Page=17}}{{Ref/Site|Id=bnet|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?cid=1637|Site=Bungie.net|Page=The Bungie Guide to Vehicles|D=13|M=10|Y=2014}}
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|operation=Fully automatic
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The '''M231 medium machine gun''' is an automatic weapon in service with the [[United Nations Space Command]]. The M231 is mounted parallel to the main gun on the [[M808B Scorpion|M808B Scorpion Main Battle Tank]].{{Ref/Site|Id=Waypoint|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/VEHICLES/SCORPION|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Scorpion|D=03|M=11|Y=2015}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=140}}

==Overview==
===Design details===
The M231 is a 7.62mm medium machine gun that primarily fires Armor Piercing, Tracer (AP-T) rounds.{{Ref/Reuse|CEM}}{{Ref/Reuse|H2M}}{{Ref/Reuse|bnet}} It is primarily employed on the [[M808B Scorpion|M808B]] variant of the Scorpion family, the the [[M808C Scorpion|M808C]] typically eschewing it in favour of a pintle-mounted [[M247T machine gun]]. The tank's operator controls both the main cannon and the machine gun, which track together on the turret. This eliminates the need for a separate gunner as is the case with the M808C.

The weapon may be mounted to the right{{Ref/Game|Id=CE|HCE|Scorpion in-game vehicle}}{{Ref/Game|Id=H2|H2|Scorpion in-game vehicle}} or the left of the Scorpion's [[M512 smooth-bore high-velocity cannon]].{{Ref/Game|Id=HW|HW|Scorpion in-game vehicle}} A variety of muzzle brakes are available for the weapon, including a long, inline model that fits flush with the barrel and a high profile type reminiscent of the [[SRS99 series|SRS99 sniper rifle series]];{{Ref/Game|HW|Scorpion Power Turret upgrade}} however, the weapon sometimes lacks a muzzle brake altogether.{{Ref/Reuse|H2AMP}}{{Ref/Reuse|CE}}{{Ref/Reuse|H2}}{{Ref/Reuse|HW}} A seemingly armored heat shroud can also be equipped.{{Ref/Game|Id=H2AC|H2A|Scorpion in-game model (campaign)}}

==In-game information==
The M231 appears as a usable weapon on the [[Scorpion]] tank in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', ''[[Halo 2]]'', ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]'', and ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''. In all four games, the weapon can be used while driving the Scorpion by holding down the left trigger. The weapon was taken away from the vehicle in ''[[Halo 3]]'' and all future incarnations of the Scorpion, in favour of a secondary gunner-operated [[M247T machine gun]] to encourage more teamwork and lessen the vehicle's domineering presence on the battlefield. The ''[[Halo: Reach]]'' and ''[[Halo 4]]'' incarnations of the Scorpion retain the weapon (or one similar to it) on their redesign of the M808C Scorpion design, though the weapon cannot be used in gameplay.

In ''[[Halo Wars]]'', the M231 reappears as a secondary coaxial machine gun for the Scorpion unit. A similar weapon appears on the [[M808S Scorpion]] in ''[[Halo Wars 2]]'', though has not been directly confirmed to be an M231 MMG. The Scorpions in these games can use their coaxial machine gun to fire upon enemy aircraft for basic air defence.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:HTMCC HCE ScorpionCoaxialTurret.png|The M231 in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
File:HTMCC H2 ScorpionCoaxialTurret.png|The M231 in ''Halo 2''.
File:Unsc scorpion 3renders.jpg|The M231 on the Scorpion in ''Halo Wars'', mounted on the right of the turret instead of the left. The Power Turret upgrade (right) also applies a muzzle break to the M231 MG.
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''
*''[[Halo: The Flood]]''
*''[[Halo 2]]''
*''[[Halo Wars]]''
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary)|Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo: Ground Command]]''
*''[[Halo Wars 2]]''

==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}

{{UNSC support weapons}}
[[Category:Machine guns]]
[[Category:UNSC ground weapons]]