M2 HMG

M2 .50Cal
Country Of Origin	USA
In Service	1923 - Present
Used By	USA, Hungary, Australia, UK And More
Wars	World War II, Vietnam And More
Effective Range	2,000m
Maximum Range	2,500m
Weight	84.5lbs
Length	65 Inches
Cartridge	12.7mm x 99mm

Also known as 'Ma Deuce', the .50 Calibre (12.7mm) Heavy Machine Gun was designed by Browning and is the oldest weapon system still in general use and has achieved considerable export success.

Derived from an anti-tank rifle, turned into a machine gun, the basic design dates from the 1920s. The ubiquitous weapon could be found on anything from WWII era fighter aircraft through the latest M1A2SEP Abrams tanks. With an Rate of Fire of 550RPM and 100 round belts, the system was used as an AD, anti-personnel, and anti-armour weapon. Contrary to urban myth, there is no legal prohibition on the use of .50 calibre weapons against troops.

The design has had many specific designations; the official designation for the current infantry type is Browning Machine Gun, Cal. .50, M2, HB, Flexible. It is effective against infantry, unarmoured or lightly-armoured vehicles and boats, light fortifications, and low-flying aircraft.