M145D Rhino: Difference between revisions
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(Changing the Rhino's date of introduction to 2525, to conform to its appearance in TFoR:AS) |
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|consumables= | |consumables= | ||
|othersystems= | |othersystems= | ||
|firstuse=[[ | |firstuse=[[2525]]<ref name="TFoRAS">'''Halo: The Fall of Reach Animated Series'''</ref> | ||
|role=Plasma artillery platform | |role=Plasma artillery platform | ||
|era= [[Human-Covenant War]] | |era= [[Human-Covenant War]] | ||
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
===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- | 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-based 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" /> | 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" /> | ||
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==Operational history== | ==Operational history== | ||
===Human-Covenant war=== | ===Human-Covenant war=== | ||
The | The Rhino first entered service by at least [[2525]], where at least one of these artillery platforms were stationed aboard the {{UNSCShip|Atlas}}.<ref name="TFoRAS"/> On [[2531#February|February 9, 2531]], they participated in the [[Battle for Arcadia|invasion of]] [[Arcadia]]. Prior to their arrival, the Covenant established a large base at a [[Arcadia Forerunner ruins|complex]] of [[Forerunner]] ruins near an [[Arcadia ONI facility|ONI base]], over which they deployed an enormous [[Energy shielding#Covenant|energy shield dome]]. The crew of the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}}, the only remaining combat-ready UNSC forces in the system, requested several Rhinos from the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}}, which had been damaged in the initial stages of the attack. During a costly battle, ''Spirit of Fire''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marine]] complement, aided by a firebase built nearby, worked to escort the Rhinos into position. Professor [[Ellen Anders]] was able to determine that they needed five of them after an attempt to use three in conjunction with one another caused part of the dome to flicker but not fail. Finally, when five Rhinos were used simultaneously on the dome, they overloaded the shield's power supply and caused a section of it to disappear, allowing the ''Spirit of Fire'' to safely use its [[MAC]] guns to take out the shield generators and Covenant air defenses, destroying the dome.<ref name="Dome"/> | ||
Some of these Rhinos were then deployed to the ruins, where the Marines encountered a [[Type-29 Scarab|Scarab excavation platform]] that was still under construction. The remaining Rhinos then assisted in the destruction of the Scarab.<ref name="Scarab"/> The Rhino continued to see impressive use throughout the war, though it was rarely deployed. | Some of these Rhinos were then deployed to the ruins, where the Marines encountered a [[Type-29 Scarab|Scarab excavation platform]] that was still under construction. The remaining Rhinos then assisted in the destruction of the Scarab.<ref name="Scarab"/> The Rhino continued to see impressive use throughout the war, though it was rarely deployed. | ||
