LS Army M120 Rhino Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle

LS Army M120 Rhino Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle by GreenLead, on Flickr

Another 3D LEGO CADed MOC from yours truly



The M120 Rhino Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle is used by the Lego States Army as a lightweight air-droppable armored transport in Airborne Divisions, as well as for other duties such as convoy escort, Forward Operating Base (FOB) perimeter patrol and general-purpose transport of Military Police (MP) and Prisoners of War (POWs).

The Rhino seats a maximum of six, including the driver, side passenger and four infantry dismounts in the main passenger area at the back, although typically only two dismounts are onboard along with additional weapons and equipment. Alternatively, the main passenger area may be reconfigured for use as a command vehicle, with room for two officers and tactical computer consoles.

Armament consists solely of the M55 Archer Remote Weapons System (RWS) on the turret for additional short-to-midrange anti-infantry defense capabilities, operating fully autonomously to defend the MRAP and its occupant. Due to the lightweight space-saving design, the Sundance Smart All-Aspect Active Protection System (SA2-APS) typically fitted on most LS Army vehicles is not installed. Instead, the Rhino relies on its V-shaped hull, carbon nanotube reinforced composite armor plating and aluminium oxynitride transparent ceramic windows for protection against small arms fire and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). In addition, the chassis is specifically designed to break apart at strategic locations, to absorb the impact energy from bomb blasts or Rocket-Propelled Grenades (RPGs) and protect its occupants.

Designed and manufactured by Vectra Land Systems, the Rhino was requested by the Lego States Army in response to the significant casualties resulting from IED attacks by BestLockLand secessionist insurgency during the 2008 Northern Frontier War. Subsequently, the MRAP proved its worth during Operation Berserker in March 2009, as IED attacks on LS Army Airborne Infantry by Chechen regime troops merely resulted in mild concussions and bruises.

Since 2010, the Rhino has been upgraded with the replacement of the diesel powerplant with an all-electric drivetrain, GlobalCom joint military communications and intelligence network integration, chassis weight reductions and improved shock absorbers to permit deployment by conventional parachute drop or via Low Altitude Parachute Extraction System (LAPES).

Part of the Prometheus canon.

Based on an official Alpha Company Forums LEGO Military MOC Community model (Brian Carter / Evan Melick / Robin "GreenLead" Chang)

Woah! Very nice indeed!

Woah indeed! The detail in that is brilliant, I particularly like the use of the gate element as a windshield cover. Do you plan to build this in actual brick?

Captain Zuloo wrote:Do you plan to build this in actual brick?

As my LEGO collection is back home in NZ, and most of the parts are pre-2000 elements, it would be very unlikely for me to build this physically.

I'm leaving the task to ACF members roleplaying as Airborne Infantry Squad Leaders.

I really like the camo on this. An the bulbous shape of the rear, is it based on a real vehicle? It has a 'truthyness' about it.

I assume you have a cad file for it ie LDD or LDRAW etc. It would be good to have a link for it if you want (I followed a few of the links to your forum, and flickr but couldn't find it after a quick look.

peterab wrote:An the bulbous shape of the rear, is it based on a real vehicle? It has a 'truthyness' about it.

Many MRAPs in active service tend to have this shape, and indeed, one of the things I like to do with LEGO is to impart a sense of realism into the models I work on - it's part of my personal philosophy, I suppose.

peterab wrote:I assume you have a cad file for it ie LDD or LDRAW etc. It would be good to have a link for it if you want (I followed a few of the links to your forum, and flickr but couldn't find it after a quick look.

The only things I have on the forums / Flickr are PDF building instruction booklets. I don't put CAD files up there as my main target audience wouldn't know what to do with them!

The original concept for the Rhino came from a mockup by Brian Carter, a colleague of mine on Flickr He used LDD, but his model is incomplete. I consulted with him on various aspects of the project, and adapted it for the final "official" version, adding the wheels, decking out the interior with instrumentation and a few other gimmicks.

If you wish, I can email you copies of the LDraw files (including the custom stickers used).