Then vs Now vs Halo: SAWs

Community Halo Universe
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Hey there Halo canonites! This thread will present a rough evolution of the Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) from Human militaries throughout history, according to Halo canon. Don’t worry, reality still applies here as our reality is canon within the Halo Universe up until a certain point in history, which I and many others presume to be 2021. Anyways, this thread will showcase the first model of the SAW, the modern day model, and the latest model Humanity has to offer in the 26th century. I do this to put into perspective how much Humanity has come over the years in the Halo universe ever since the firing of the Halo Array.

One of the earliest Squad Automatic Weapons, the Madsen Machine Gun was used by many European belligerents during World War I and World War II:
-Madsen Machine Gun
-Video
-Weight: 9.07 kg or 20 lb
-Length: 1,143 mm or 45 in
-Caliber: Various Ammunition types, but can use 7.62x51mm NATO rounds.
-Action: Long-recoil operated
-Rate of fire: 450 RPM
-Feed System: 25-40 round detachable box magazine
-In-service: 1902-present
-First conflict utilized: Russo-Japanese War
-Origin: Denmark
-Manufacturer: Dansk Rekyl Riffel Syndikat A/S
-Year introduced: 1896

Squad Automatic Weapons in the early 21st Century were not widely used, but the most well known model was the M249 SAW:
-M249 SAW
-Video
-Weight: 8.16 kg or 18 lb
-Length: 40.74 in or 1,035 mm
-Caliber: 5.56x47mm
-Action: Gas-Operated, open bolt
-Rate of Fire: 800 RPM
-Feed System: 30 round STANAG magazine or 200 round M27 link belt or plastic drum cartridge
-In-service: 1984-present
-First conflict utilized: Gulf War
-Origin: United States of America
-Manufacturer: FN Herstal
-Year Introduced: 1976

The current model used by the UNSC Army is the M739 SAW, and was first introduced in the Insurrection. It was the best weapon of choice against Jiralhanae and Promethean Knights in heavy firefights.
-M379 SAW
-Video (starts at 5:45)
-Weight: 9.6 kg or 21 lb
-Length: 45.9 in or 1,170 mm
-Caliber: 7.62x51mm
-Action: Gas-operated, drum fed
-Rate of Fire: 850-900 RPM
-Feed system: 64-128 round belt drum magazine
-In-service: Approx. 2494-present
-First conflict utilized: Insurrection
-Origin: United Earth Government
-Manufacturer: Misriah Armory
-Year Introduced: Approx. 2490

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I think the M27 IAR is destined to replace the M249 in the near future so you can probably add that…
Also the M372 is utilized by all branches of the UNSC not just the Army.

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> 2533274907200114;2:
> I think the M27 IAR is destined to replace the M249 in the near future so you can probably add that…
> Also the M372 is utilized by all branches of the UNSC not just the Army.

I am aware of the M379 being used universally across the branches, I just said Army since that was its origin and where it is most likely dominantly used. As for the M27 IAR, since it hasn’t officially replaced the M249, I didn’t include it as the modern SAW.

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Scratch that. The M27 isn’t a squad automatic weapon/light machine gun. It’s simply a standard heavy duty infantry assault rifle, and as such, isn’t part of this category which only showcases light machine guns. Now, the M249 might be retired soon though.