M145D Rhino

Rhino

The Rhino is a UNSC tank in Halo Wars. Not much information has been released about it yet but that it is weaker than the Scorpion (according to the E3 '07 demo). It has been theorized to be a large and heavy tank due to the nature of its name.

Appearance
The Rhino seems to be a similar looking tank to the Scorpion with several differences. While it has a similar bogey set up for its tracks, it has six track sets. It is also greater in size, with a more robust gun turret and a even more unconventional track layout. The tracks are in similar places to the Scorpion but then there are two sets behind the vehicle, possibly providing support for the large gun.

Stats

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

Speculation
The Rhino appears to be a self-propelled artillery vehicle seeing as how in the picture it is firing on some target, presumably a large distance away. This would make the cannon at least 105mm or larger. Newer concept art shows two different possible Rhino "forms", one being a stationary, possibly deployed version, and the other being a slightly slimmer "mobile" version. These are likely the same vehicle, as the Rhino will most likely "deploy" into Artillery mode, like in some other Real-time Strategy games. Due to its appearance, some believe that the Rhino is an earlier model of the Scorpion tank. However, since it was seen in an earlier Halo Wars video that the Scorpion MBT is in use, it is probable that both tanks were in use at the time. Due to the amount of damage it does to buildings it could be used to take down structures where as the Scorpion tank would be more useful against vehicles. It is possible that it is an Assault Gun Carrier, designed to attack buildings through direct fire to support infantry actions.

Trivia

 * Most vehicles of the UNSC are named after an animal, for example: Rhino, Warthog, Scorpion, Elephant, Wolverine, Mongoose, Pelican, Hornet, Albatross.
 * In early Grand Theft Auto games, the spawnable tank is also named the "Rhino".
 * In Command & Conquer - Red Alert 2 the soviet MBT name is "Rhino Heavy Tank."
 * It looks similar to the Mammoth Tank of CnC 3 fame.
 * It also bears a passing resemblance to the Siege tank of Starcraft 1 and 2.

Related Links

 * Scorpion Tank - The UNSC Marine Corps and Army Main Battle Tank
 * Wraith - Covenant equivalent of the Scorpion/Rhino.
 * Rhino stats in gameplay video