M202 XP machine gun

The M202 XP machine gun is a type of machine gun utilized by the UNSC.

Design details
The M202 XP machine gun is a single-barrelled, automatic firearm commonly seen mounted on UNSC automated defense turrets. They can be deployed on a number of platform types - one such example used during SPARTAN-III training on Onyx had have a minimum angle of fire and as such a person could stay out of the cone of fire to avoid getting shot. Their tracking speed is limited, meaning a fast enemy is capable of staying well ahead of its line of fire. They are secured to a platform by securing bolts. On the platform, the gun is hooked up by wires to a radar array that uses radar to target, a power supply that powers the turret, and an automated fire control. They can also be disassembled and be used manually, like a normal gun. For example, this was done in the Spartan-IIIs' training to combat the trainers with more than their bare hands.

Alternatively, multiple M202 XPs can be hooked up to the automated base defense turrets employed to guard UNSC Firebases. These turrets can mount two (or sometimes three) M202s alongside other weapons such as KG Mark 34 flame mortars, M41 Vulcan rotary cannons, M66 light railguns and Anaconda surface-to-air missiles to increase the versatility and power of the turret.

Ammunition
While the M202 XP is generally used to fire standard lethal ammunition in combat, in training scenarios it can be fitted to fire stun rounds.

Usage
M202 XP machine guns were widely employed during the early stages of the Human-Covenant War, as part of the automated base defense network seen on UNSC firebases. The platforms had three M202XP MGs mounted, and they were more sophisticated than those used in the training of Spartan-IIIs, allowing for a larger field of fire. By 2541 the guns were considered obsolete, and were seen used for training SPARTAN-III personnel at Camp Currahee on Onyx. They were still employed by forces as late as 2559 during their conflict on Installation 00.

Gameplay
In Halo Wars, the M202 is the machine gun found on the UNSC base turret. The initial model of turret features one machine gun, though the medium and heavy turret upgrades each add an extra M202 to the structure, totalling three machine guns when fully upgraded.

List of appearances

 * Halo: Ghosts of Onyx
 * Halo Wars
 * Halo: Escalation