Editing M145D Rhino

{{Era|HCW}}

{{Vehicle Infobox

|manufacturer=[[Chalybs Defense Solutions]]<ref name="EVG">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 155''</ref>

|model=M145D

|length={{Convert|15.6|m|ft|sp=us}}<ref name="EVG"/>

|width={{Convert|9|m|ft|sp=us}}<ref name="EVG"/>

|height=

|mass=

|hull=

|armament=[[Zeus 320mm plasma cannon|''Zeus'' 320mm plasma cannon]]<ref name="EVG"/><ref name="Guide">'''[[Halo Wars: Official Strategy Guide]]''', ''page 28''</ref>

|crew=One operator<ref name="EVG"/>

|firstuse=[[2531]]

The '''M145D Mobile Artillery Assault Platform''' ('''MAAP'''), commonly known as the '''Rhino''', is an artillery tank used by the [[United Nations Space Command]]. It is unique among UNSC vehicles in its armament, a [[Plasma weaponry|plasma]] cannon that was reverse-engineered from [[Covenant]] technology.<ref name="EVG"/><ref name="Guide"/>

===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>

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" />

===Design===

The architecture of the M145D is similar to that of the M808B and M850, though it is longer and wider than the former vehicles. This larger chassis is designed to support the vehicle's six-bogey tread configuration, which in turn facilitates a lockdown mode - akin to that of the [[SP42 Cobra]] - when the cannon is fired.<ref name="EVG"/> The tank's middle tread bogeys extend farther outward than the forward bogeys. The rear bogeys lie between the middle ones and jut from the back of the tank's chassis; stabilizer mechanisms are mounted to the rear tracks.<ref name="EVG"/> The Zeus cannon is mounted to a large turret, akin to that of the Grizzly; the weapon is capable of traversing upward at a roughly forty-five degree angle. As with all plasma-based weapons, the ''Zeus'' is potent against [[energy shielding]].<ref name="Dome">'''Halo Wars''', campaign level ''Dome of Light''</ref><ref name="Scarab">'''Halo Wars''', campaign level ''Scarab''</ref>

The M145D's first known deployment was during the [[Battle for Arcadia]] on [[2531#February|February 9, 2531]]. During their invasion of [[Arcadia]], 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 Rhinos still exist as of [[2558]], though they have been used sporadically due to insufficient resources and a lack of refinements to the prototype. However, the data gleaned from the Rhino's development and use was later used on other projects. The Rhino initiative has seen renewed interest in development due to the interest of [[Isaac Richardson]], one of the UNSC's top procurement officers.<ref name="EVG"/><ref name="Waypoint">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/canon-fodder-clarity-grace '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Canon Fodder 4/4/2015: Issue 18 Clarity & Grace'']</ref>

Although the Rhino's firepower is weaker than that of the Scorpion, it has superior armor. A group of these tanks is powerful enough to destroy heavy armor, but the vehicle is intended to play a fire support role alongside a large UNSC force. Its secondary ability deploys it into a 'lockdown' mode like that of the Cobra and the [[M312 Heavy Recovery Vehicle|Elephant]], giving the Rhino a more powerful attack with increased range.

File:Ilmhalowarstheme1MediaBlade.jpg|Early concept art of the Rhino.

File:Concept_3.jpg|Concept art depicting a Rhino firing a conventional round.

File:Rhinox.jpg|A Rhino in an early build of ''Halo Wars''.

==Note==

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{{UNSC Vehicles}}