Rhino Runner
| RhinoRUNNER | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Armour Group, Inc. |
| Production | 2004-present |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Armored Car |
| Body style | Bus |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 6-cylinderturbodiesel5.88 liters @240 hp |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | unknown |
| Width | unknown |
| Height | unknown |
| Curb weight | 13short tons[1] |
TheRhino Runneris a type ofarmored busused extensively inIraq,especially on the infamousRoute IrishbetweenBaghdad International Airportand TheGreen Zone.It is a customized vehicle created byLabock Technologies,which was purchased in 2008 by another company called Advanced Blast Protection. In 2010 Advanced Blast Protection was purchased by Armour Group, Inc. The Rhino Runner® is made in various sizes with different purposes. Duties include normal transport of civilian contractors and military personnel, and usage by VIPs, including transport of prisoners involved in theIraqi Special Tribunal.
Known specifications
[edit]- Custom-built from chassis up.[2]
- Side and back doors, emergency exit hatch on roof.[2]
- Dual A/C system.[2]
- 360-degree protection includes floor, exhaust system protected by armored grille, and glass.[2]
- 12 discreet gun ports[1][2]
- 6-cylinder turbo diesel 5.88 liters 240 hp.[2]
- NIJLevel IV materials(composite armorandbullet-resistant glass) tested against.30caliberAP (U.S. APM2) 166 grain 2850 feet per second.[2]
- Instead of adapting armoring for an existing vehicle, Labock uses the most appropriate chassis and motors, and custom builds vehicles with protection againstAP (armor-piercing) bulletsand significantbomb blast protection.[3]
- The Rhino Runner is fully protected (sides, front, back, roof, floor, and even glass) against up to Type IV (NIJ standard) includingNATOcalibers.[3]
- Special composite bulletproof armor, which is so light that it floats in water, and ONEWAY® Return Fire Glass that prevents bullets from penetrating, but enables someone to shoot through the glass from inside the vehicle.[3]
- Available in a range of seating capacities (17, 24 and 36 people) and configurations for purposes such as prisoner transport,ambulance,SWAT,command and control, and they can be made to order.[3]
- Apart from the 360-degreeballisticprotection, the vehicles have a side and back door and an emergency exit on the roof andrun flat tiresfor when changing a tire is not a viable option.[3]
Usage
[edit]
The Rhino Runner is mostly used for transportation of civilians and the press between the Baghdad International Airport and the Green Zone. It is also used to transport soldiers from one base to another.
VIPshave been known to use the Rhinos, includingU.S. Secretary of Defense Donald RumsfeldandGeneral Richard Myers.
An unpublicized usage of the buses is to transport VIP prisoners, such as the now-deceasedSaddam Hussein,between their confinements and the tribunal.
