the Rapid Heli-Integrated Neutralizing Offensive Vehicle (RHINO)

Another in a long line of two-in-one GI Joe devices, the Rapid Heli-Integrated Neutralizing Offensive Vehicle (or RHINO for short) is a powerful ground transport that has a miniature helicopter mounted inside, ready to spring forth at a moment's notice!

Both components of the RHINO (the ground vehicle and the helicopter) feature 'weapon ports', which allow the RHINO's weapons to be easily transplanted between components, and onto separate locations on the same vehicle even. It has these functions:

Armored Construction (s): the RHINO is built with a hardened, solid steel frame, shrapnel-resistant passenger covers, and all-terrain, self-sealing tires, providing it an m.s. of 13, as well as like, or +3, protection to the many passengers riding within.

Box Launchers (i): the RHINO's heaviest weapons are its two repositionable box rocket launchers. Each is loaded with three projectiles, and all six can be fired if necessary. These missiles inflict intensity 10 damage singularly, adding +1 for each additional projectile used.

Communications Array (i): the RHINO is equipped with an extremely powerful, gigahertz-frequency, frequency-wobbler radio system. This makes for intensity 5 communications power (with a 25 mile range), that features intensity 10 signal encryption.

Halogen Lamps (i): these twin lamps, mounted on front of the RHINO, are powerful light casting implements capable of producing intensity 10 illumination. This helps to deal with night conditions, and can provide an improvised blinding attack under certain (surprise) conditions.

Helicopter (i): the RHINO has an integrated mini-helicopter within its frame, which it can elevate via helipad and launch to provide its own air support in a pinch. This vehicle has several weapon ports, and can fly at intensity 7 speeds (around 225 MPH)

* Wing Guns (a): in addition to any weapon port armaments it may have at the time, the RHINO's helicopter also has two wing-integrated miniguns. Twinned, they inflict one's Agility +7 in Sdamage when firing short bursts, or their Agility +8 in damage when fired continuously.

Machine Guns (a): the RHINO is equipped with two machine guns, each of which can be positioned in a variety of locations on either vehicle. They can be fired to inflict one's Agility +6 in damage when firing short bursts, or their Agility +7 in damage when fired continuously.

Passengers: the RHINO is primarily a troop transport, and can carry a whole lot of folks. The front seats can hold two people, the helicopter can hold two folks, each side door can hold two people, and the rear bay can contain three Joes comfortably.

Propulsion (a): the RHINO, or at least the ground portion, can move pretty fast over the road. This heavily armed and armored troop transport can hit speeds of up to 90 MPH (intensity 3) on concrete, though somewhat less when used off-road.

Rocket Launcher (i): in addition to its two box launchers, the RHINO also has a tertiary, single-load projectile launcher as well. This device can be moved about the RHINO's various weapon ports as well, and its projectile inflicts intensity 10 damage upon impact.

Weapon Ports (i): The RHINO has multiple weapon attachment points on each component. The helicopter has six (two on the nose, two on each wing), and the ground transport has eight (rear corners, mid rear walls, sides, front right corner, and helipad mount).

2009 Variations

the Crimson Command Copter

The second version of the Crimson Guard's hovering air command vehicle, the Mark 2 Command Copter is also stolen from GI Joe as well. Essentially, the Guard salvaged one of the RHINO's 'lost' helicopters, gave it a red and silver color scheme, and called it good.

This particular variation on the RHINO's helicopter has all three missile launchers and both machine gun mounts installed, making it a supremely deadly rotary-wing command vehicle. Getting replacement parts may be a bit tricky for the Guard, however.

Extra Goodies:

GI Joe directories featuring a version of the RHINO:

Cobra directories featuring a version of the RHINO:

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