M46 Vulcan: Difference between revisions

The '''M46 Light Anti-Aircraft Gun''', nicknamed the "'''Vulcan'''",{{Ref/Reuse|H4VG}}<ref>''Halo 4'' Warthog infobox ([[:File:Halo4 warthog.jpg|file link]])</ref> is a [[UNSC]] vehicle-mounted rotary machine gun. The successor to the [[M41 Vulcan]], the M46 is used as the primary armament on the [[M12 Chaingun Warthog]].{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=181}}

The M46 had entered service by February, [[2531]], and several units were carried aboard the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} when it [[Battle of Trove|went missing]] in that year.{{Ref/Game|Id=HW2|HW2}} The weapon would continue to be used sporadically throughout the [[Human-Covenant War]] alongside the M41 LAAG. It would make several appearances in [[2552]], when [[M12B Warthog]]s assigned to the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}} would employ them.<ref>''[[Halo: Fireteam Raven]]'', campaign level ''[[Rubble]]''</ref> They would again be used in the [[Battle for Earth]]<ref>''Halo 2: Anniversary'', campaign level, ''[[Outskirts]]''</ref> and [[Battle of Installation 05]] in October of 2552,<ref>''Halo 2: Anniversary'', campaign level ''[[Delta Halo]]''</ref> before gradually beginning to supersede the original M41 design. By [[2557]], the M46 appeared to be the standard armament of the M12B Warthog chassis in its chaingun configuration where it served in the [[Battle of Requiem]] and later [[Requiem Campaign]],{{Ref/Game|H4}} By [[2558]] the M46 had begun to be replaced with the [[M49 Vulcan]],{{Ref/Game|H5G}} but the debilitation of a number of key manufacturing sites led Misriah Armory to ramp production back up on the M46.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}

By [[2559]], Warthogs employed on [[Installation 00]] by the [[Ark Security Detachment]] and ''Spirit of Fire'' continued to use the M46 chaingun.{{Ref/Reuse|HW2}} During the [[Battle for Zeta Halo]] in [[2560]] M46 Vulcans were commonly used by the scattered UNSC forces against the [[Banished]].{{Ref/Game|HI}}

In the multiplayer, the Vulcan can be a powerful weapon, as it has both anti-personnel and light anti-armor capabilities. Its fast rate of fire allows it to focus down targets with relative ease, and it is reasonably accurate if used correctly. As its name suggests it is absolutely deadly to Banshees and the fact that a Warthog with one usually spawns on any map with a Banshee makes them a constant threat.

Some disadvantages to operating the LAAG turret are; the lack of protection to the operator, which makes sniping an effective way to counter them, as well as the weapon's tendency to overheat, which can temporarily render it useless. The lack of accuracy at long distances can also be a significant problem. As with the M41 LAAG from previous games (notably ''[[Halo: Reach]]'', where the mechanic was first implemented), the weapon's tendency to overheat in ''[[Halo 4]]'' is an overt gameplay mechanic. Gatling weapons are designed to distribute heat evenly among their multiple barrels; indeed, this is the very reason they have multiple barrels, as the long period between when each fires ensures that none receive more than a small heat increase. The gun does not overheat in ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]'' or ''[[Halo Infinite]]'' however.