M145D Rhino: Difference between revisions
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===Development=== | ===Development=== | ||
During the [[Harvest campaign]] the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] procured large amounts of Covenant matériel in the hope of reverse-engineering it. These efforts yielded varied results, one of the most substantial being the [[Zeus 320mm plasma cannon|''Zeus'' 320mm cannon]], which, like most Covenant weapons, is capable of focusing and directing plasma as a projectile.<ref name="EVG"/> [[Chalybs Defense Solutions]], the creators of the [[M808 Scorpion]] and [[M850 Grizzly]] main battle tanks, was contracted to manufacture the M145D Rhino as a platform for the weapon.<ref name="EVG"/><ref group="note">The "D" in the Rhino's designation suggests that it is the fifth version of the M145. In the opening cutscene of the level ''Dome of Light'', [[Ellen Anders|Professor Anders]] refers to the vehicles as "plasma-base Rhinos". The most straightforward explanation is that is she noting the experimental tanks' armament, suggesting their use in eliminating the shield dome. However, it is also possible that she is differentiating the M145D from previous Rhino models, from which one may infer that the M145D is based on an existing design rather than built specifically for the ''Zeus'' cannon.</ref> | During the [[Harvest campaign]] the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] procured large amounts of Covenant matériel in the hope of reverse-engineering it. These efforts yielded varied results, one of the most substantial being the [[Zeus 320mm plasma cannon|''Zeus'' 320mm cannon]], which, like most Covenant weapons, is capable of focusing and directing plasma as a projectile.<ref name="EVG"/> [[Chalybs Defense Solutions]], the creators of the [[M808 Scorpion]] and [[M850 Grizzly]] main battle tanks, was contracted to manufacture the M145D Rhino as a platform for the weapon.<ref name="EVG"/><ref group="note">The "D" in the Rhino's designation suggests that it is the fifth version of the M145. In the opening cutscene of the level ''Dome of Light'', [[Ellen Anders|Professor Anders]] refers to the vehicles as "plasma-base Rhinos". The most straightforward explanation is that is she noting the experimental tanks' armament, suggesting their use in eliminating the shield dome. However, it is also possible that she is differentiating the M145D from previous Rhino models, from which one may infer that the M145D is based on an existing design rather than built specifically for the ''Zeus'' cannon.</ref> | ||
By February of [[2531]], the UNSC was field-testing the Rhinos. Several prototypes were kept on the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}}, apparently for this purpose. <ref name="Dome" /> | |||
===Operational history=== | ===Operational history=== | ||
