Rolehalf-track gun air defense
Main weapon / systemquad .50-caliber M2 machine guns
Platform / layoutM3-family half-track chassis
MediaPrimary image integrated
Development and design
The M16 combined the M3 half-track family with the power-operated M45 Maxson mount carrying four .50-caliber machine guns. It offered high traverse speed and intense close-range fire. 1, 2
Operational use
The vehicle served in Europe and the Pacific and returned to combat in Korea. In both wars it was frequently effective against ground troops and positions when the aerial threat was limited. 1, 2
Role and significance
M16 is an important precursor to later short-range air-defense vehicles because it emphasized mobility, immediate reaction, and very high automatic-fire volume. 1, 2
Sources and further reading
Representative source set used for this profile. Primary image source and reuse terms are listed with the image.