Changes: M-145D Mobile Artillery Assault Platform

Revision as of 12:52, 12 August 2013

The M-145D Mobile Artillery Assault Platform (MAAP), commonly known as the Rhino, is a UNSC artillery tank. Using a prototype plasma cannon, it represented the first successful attempt by the UNSC to introduce a reverse-engineered technology from the Covenant Empire.^[1]

Overview

The centerpiece of the Rhino is its experimental 320mm main cannon codenamed "Zeus." Based on technology recovered following the Liberation of Harvest, the cannon harnesses and directs plasma energy in a manner similar to other Plasma weaponry. However in order to fire its Zeus cannon the Rhino must be engaged in lockdown mode, rendering the vehicle immobile. It is for this reason that the Rhino features an unorthodox orientation for its six tread tracks and is much wider than the Scorpion or even Grizzly tanks.^[1]

During the Human-Covenant war the Rhino saw limited service but gave an excellent showing of itself during engagements with the Covenant, with information gathered from them used to further along other projects.^[1]

Operational History

During the Battle of Arcadia in 2531, UNSC Pillar of Autumn was equipped with at least five Rhino prototypes for field-testing. Captain James Cutter of UNSC Spirit of Fire requested for and made use of the Rhinos to knock out a massive Covenant Energy Shield which defended an area of the planet's surface.^[2] In the follow-up investigation of the area a pair of Rhinos were destroyed in a confrontation with an incomplete Super Scarab.^[3]

Halo Wars

The Rhino is meant to be a building destroyer, similar to the Destroyer class from Ensemble's previous game and the second to last of the Ensemble games altogether, Age of Mythology: The Titans. Its power is weaker than that of the Scorpion or the super powered Grizzly, but its base defense is stronger than the Scorpion's. A group of these tanks is powerful enough to take out other enemy heavy armor, but should be more of a fire support role alongside a large UNSC force, than a small group of these taking on a large Covenant army, but once fought into a Covenant base, a small group of these tanks could critically damage the Covenant's chances of winning, or could take the base out altogether (with the right amount of Infantry and Air Support supporting them). Its Y-button ability deploys it in a similar "lockdown" mode to that of the Cobra and Elephant, for a more powerful and longer range attack.

The Rhino is a unit exclusive to the campaign of Halo Wars, where it is used in a couple of missions: on the level Dome of Light for a specific purpose - to eliminate a Covenant energy shield, and on the level Scarab as a bonus unit. After that, the Rhino is not seen again. It is unusable in multiplayer, but besides its importance to the plot, otherwise plays similarly to the Cobra artillery in terms of speed, firepower, and even the sound effects of its deployed artillery cannon.

Air Damage: 0
Vehicle Damage: 19
Infantry Damage: 15
Structure Damage: 42
Defense: 36

Trivia

Rhino Time — A vehicle believed to be a Rhino

Though appearing in several screenshots of the pre-Alpha test version of Halo Wars, later screenshots failed to show any sign of the unit, leading some to believe it had been cut from the game like the Cougar. It later returned in screenshots,^[4] and the presence of the Rhino Hugger Achievement for the game confirmed its presence.^[5]
It appeared that originally the Rhino was meant to be usable in both Campaign and Multiplayer in more widespread use due to early screenshots, such as a more defense heavy version of the Scorpion. However, for whatever reason, it was fallen back on considerably and given a much lesser role.
Curiously it isn't shown and listed in the Halo Wars game manual. This may be due to its very limited presence in the game itself.^[6]
There is a tank of the same name in Command and Conquer: Red Alert 2, as well as the Warhammer 40,000 franchise.
The ship that supplied the Plasma Rhinos used by the crew of the Spirit of Fire was the Pillar of Autumn.
The Rhino's turret and gun barrel resemble the turret from the Tiger II Heavy Tank used by the German Army during World War II. Both share a design based on long range bombardment, a large caliber cannon to perform that role, and heavy armor to make sure it survives its mission. The slow turret rotation is also a trait that the Tiger II was known for.
The outer appearance of the Rhino seems to have some resemblance to some of the "Pre-Halo" concepts of the Scorpion from the 1999 preview of Halo.
The Rhino is depicted as a secret weapon by the in-game description.
The Rhino shares its name and function with the present-day South African military's G6-Rhino, the only difference being the body shape and chassis, as the G6 has 6 wheels rather than treads.
When used in game the Rhino functions like a cross between a Cobra and a Wraith with the Cobra's long range bombardment capability and the Wraith's arcing trajectory and plasma weapon.
When put in lock down the Rhinos will turn yellow indicating it is in position.