Canon

VK78 Commando

From Halopedia, the Halo wiki

This article is about the UNSC infantry weapon. For other uses of the term "Commando", see its disambiguation page.
VK78 Commando
The VK78 Commando's Product Logo.

HINF VK78Commando Crop.png

Production overview

Manufacturer:

Vakara GesmbH[1][2]

Type:

Marksman Rifle[3]

Variants:

Impact Commando

Specifications

Length:

111 centimeters (43.7 in)[1]

Ammunition type:

M259 6.5x48mm[1]

Feed system:

20-round detachable box magazine[1][4]

Rate of fire:

Service history

In service:

Post-Covenant War conflicts[4]

 
The VK78 Commando is an infantry automatic rifle, with features of both light machine guns and designated marksman rifles. When zoomed, the weapon switches to semi-automatic for more accurate shots.[5]

The VK78 Commando is a weapon manufactured by Vakara GesmbH, in service with the United Nations Space Command.[1]

Overview[edit]

Design details[edit]

A Marine on Zeta Halo on patrol, holding a VK78 Commando.
A Marine on patrol, holding a Commando.

The VK78 fires 6.5 mm rounds on automatic, and is fitted via rail-mounting with a recon sight-style optic that can magnify up to at least 2×.[1] It is distinctive among human rifles in that it does not share the common bullpup configuration of weapons like the MA40 assault rifle and BR75 battle rifle, in which the magazine is inserted behind the trigger. Instead, the magazine well is located at an angle directly in front of the trigger guard.[6] The design of the weapon emphasizes ergonomics and reliability.[7] The VK78's charging handle is positioned on the left side of its body, just behind a side-mounted ammunition counter. Above the pistol grip is a fire selector dial, with two markings, the former of which is a row of red dots (presumably indicating fully-automatic) and the latter of which is a single white dot (potentially safe or semi-automatic). The weapon features numerous markings, including serial numbers, caliber specifications on the body and bolt carrier, and a small UNSC emblem atop a wedge-like protrusion in front of the top-mounted rail, behind the barrel. The VK78 used in 2560 features a matte black, grey and olive drab finish, with a prominent white strip across the weapon's front end.[6]

The sides of the upper receiver contain a proof mark indicating the weapon's year of manufacture and a certification that the weapon is safe to fire with nitrocellulose-based gunpowder. In the case of the VK78s supplied to UNSC Infinity forces in 2560, the weapons have the proof code FC, which translates to a manufacture year of 2552.

Usage[edit]

VK78s were employed as early as 2495, during which time they were selected by the Colonial Military Authority to replace aging stocks of HMG-38 heavy machine guns in then-current service.[1][2] By 2560, the Commando was employed by United Nations Space Command personnel during the Battle for Zeta Halo. Some Jiralhanae and Skimmers also used scavenged VK78s during the conflict.[4]

Variants[edit]

  • Impact Commando: A modified variant of the Commando with an increased magazine from 20 to 40 rounds. The magnification optics decreased from 2× to 1.4×.[8]

In-game information[edit]

Main article: Commando
Precision automatic rifle with heavy recoil. Effective medium to long range.[9][10]

The VK78 Commando is featured in Halo Infinite as an automatic tactical rifle, which deals kinetic damage. It is a precision weapon, meaning it is capable of inflicting headshots on unshielded targets, killing them instantly. Although automatic, it has a relatively slow rate of fire. The weapon has a single zoom level and is most effective at medium to long ranges, faltering in close quarters due to weaker aim assist than other weapons. It has significant recoil when fired consistently, which can make the weapon difficult to control and aim.[4]

Featured in both campaign and multiplayer, the Commando is a common weapon, being found frequently in weapon pads on multiplayer maps, or scattered around campaign levels. Ammo for the weapon is usually plentiful, as a result. It holds 20 rounds in its magazine in total. In multiplayer, it takes 9 rounds to strip the shields of a fully shielded spartan and takes 8 body shots or 1 head shot to kill them.[4]

Production notes[edit]

The letters in its designation, VK78, may be a reference to its manufacturer, Vakara.

Gallery[edit]

Concept art[edit]

Developmental images[edit]

Screenshots and renders[edit]

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 169
  2. ^ a b Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Showcase Sensitive (Retrieved on Jun 16, 2021) [archive]
  3. ^ a b Halo Support, Halo Infinite Weapon, Equipment, and Vehicle Inventory: "VK78 Commando Rifle. Fire mode switches from semi-automatic to fully automatic when zoomed in." (Retrieved on May 5, 2023) [archive]
  4. ^ a b c d e f Halo Infinite, gameplay
  5. ^ Halo Infinite, Forge - VK78 Commando Rifle description: "The VK78 Commando is an infantry automatic rifle, with features of both light machine guns and designated marksman rifles. When zoomed, the weapon switches to semi-automatic for more accurate shots."
  6. ^ a b Halo Infinite, In-game weapon model
  7. ^ Xbox Wire, Bank Now, Play Later: Halo Infinite Meets Monster Energy Global Partnership (Retrieved on Aug 31, 2020) [archive]
  8. ^ Halo Infinite, Forge - Impact Commando description: "High-capacity magazine with reduced accuracy but increased damage."
  9. ^ Halo Infinite, Weapons Bench description
  10. ^ Halo Infinite, Academy - Weapon Drills - VK78 Commando description