Rhino Runner
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Rhino Runner is a type of armoured bus used extensively in Iraq, especially on the infamous Route Irish between Baghdad International Airport and The Green Zone. It is a customized vehicle created by Labock Technologies, with configurations for various purposes. Duties include normal transport of civilian contractors and military personnel, and usage by VIPs, including transport of prisoners involved in the Iraqi Special Tribunal.
Contents |
[edit] Known specifications
Website specifics[1]
- Custom built from chassis up.
- Side and back doors, emergency exit hatch on roof.
- Dual A/C system.
- 360-degree protection including floor with multiple discreet gun ports.
- 6 cylinder turbo diesel 5.88 liters 240HP.
- NIJ Level IV materials (composite armor and bullet resistant glass) tested against .30 caliber AP (U.S. APM2) 166 grain 2850 feet per second.
Specifics written by gizmag[2]
- Instead of adapting armouring for an existing vehicle, Labock uses the most appropriate chassis and motors, and custom builds vehicles with protection against AP (armour piercing) bullets and significant bomb blast protection.
Rhino Runner after an IED explosion.
- The Rhino Runner is fully protected (sides, front, back, roof, floor, and even glass) against up to Type IV (NIJ standard) including NATO calibres.
- Special composite bulletproof armour, which is so light that it floats in water, and one-way bulletproof glass that prevents bullets from getting to you, but enables you to shoot through the glass at those shooting at you.
- Available in a range of seating capacities (17, 24 and 36) and configurations for purposes such as prisoner transport, ambulance, SWAT, command and control, and they can be made to order.
- Apart from the 360-degree ballistic protection, the vehicles have a side and back door and an emergency exit on the roof and run flat tires for when changing a tire is not a viable option.
Because this is an armoured vehicle, certain specifications are not readily available due to trade secrets.
[edit] Usage
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. US State Department Personnel are reportedly forbidden from using the buses or any other land route, and are instead whisked by helicopter.
VIPs have been known to use the Rhinos, including U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, General Richard Myers, Toby Keith, Al Franken, and Saddam Hussein Al Franken Show (January 26, 2007)
An unpublicised usage of the buses is to transport Saddam Hussein and all other VIP prisoners between their confinements and the tribunal.
[edit] Gallery
 U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld inside a Rhino Runner while in Baghdad. |
 Saddam Hussein being escorted to the tribunal. |
[edit] References
- ^ Labock Technologies Specialized Armor Vehicles accessed May 4th, 2006
- ^ The toughest bus on the planet gizmag June 18, 2005 accessed May 4th, 2006
