HISS

H.I.S.S. Tank
Machine information
Machine type	Tank
Purpose	High Speed Sentry
Specialties	Anti-Tank
Weapon feature(s)	Twin 30mm Cannons
Military information
Service branch	Cobra Ground Forces
Designated pilot / driver(s)	Baroness, Cobra Commander, HISS Driver, Neo-Vipers, Rip It, Track-Vipers, Night-Creepers, HISS Gunner, or any qualified
Organizational information
Factions	Cobra
Subteams	None

The HISS is a Cobra assault vehicle.

Infantry can take an objective, but armor is the only true way to hold it. The Cobra HISS Tank was developed by Destro’s M.A.R.S. corporation to fulfill two separate needs on the battlefield, anti-personnel and heavy armor. The HISS tank is the most versatile and deadly opposition on any battlefield. Whether on city streets or through the dense jungle, the HISS can outrun, out-maneuver, and out-perform just about anything in its class. They are built with a modular design, allowing Cobra’s technicians to easily replace and repair battle damaged units with maximum efficiency. Although specialized drivers are selected and trained to pilot most HISS tanks, the cockpit design is simple enough for almost any basic trooper to understand and operate if necessary.

The Cobra HIgh Speed Sentry (HISS) Tank has been the dominant tank used by Cobra forces since the organization's inception. The HISS has been upgraded and remodeled over time, but all variants share a similar general design, featuring dorsal mounted cannons.

The HISS was developed to fulfill two separate needs on the battlefield, anti-personnel and heavy armor. the HISS tank is the most versatile and deadly opposition on any battlefield. Whether on city streets or through the dense jungle, the HISS can outrun, out-maneuver, and out-perform anything in its class. Built with a modular design allowing Cobra’s technicians to easily replace and repair battle damaged units with maximum efficiency. Although specialized drivers are selected to pilot most HISS tanks, the cockpit design is simple enough for almost any basic trooper to understand and operate.

Features[]

Dorsal–mounted twin 30mm automatic cannons capable of delivering 50 rounds per minute. 4,000 round capacity. Round-stopping, Shatterproof Plexiglas canopy modified with micro-steel mesh.

Low-level light and infrared scanners with micro-resolution radar for high-speed maneuvering and personnel motion detection.

Speed: (fully loaded) 75 mph road; 60 mph cross country.

Range: (fully loaded) 275 miles.

Weight: 9.75 tons.

Command cockpit interior: The Cobra H.I.S.S. Driver sits buckled with a 5-point harness adorned with Cobra logo before an illuminated control panel. Articulated joystick and throttle controls while targeting Joe combatants.

“Gull-wing” Canopy: The vehicle comes with features “gull wing” functioning doors with independent right and left sides that lift from center hinges allowing the Driver to enter from either side of the H.I.S.S.

Rear Cargo Bay: The rear personnel platform provides standing room for additional troops who can hold functional handrails. Below that is a retractable tow hitch on the rear of the vehicle. The center of the personnel platform flips up allowing the rear cargo door to drop. That reveals an illuminated troop transport cargo space. Inside is a jump seat and a weapon accessory storage rack.

Turret cannon: The 360-degree rotating turret includes control details and fits an additional gunner. The Double “Diablo” Cannon can swivel and elevate independently from one another.

Removable engine cover detail: Behind the cockpit sits the M.A.R.S.-developed HISS-CS22 propulsion unit beneath a removable cover. It connects to side exhaust port details.

Removable armor plating skirt: The Cobra H.I.S.S. comes with a removable armor plating skirt with reactive armor to provide extra protection for the road wheels.

Extendable cockpit boarding ladders: Flip-down boarding ladders descend from each side of the H.I.S.S. granting the Driver easier access to the cockpit.

History[]

Canon continuity[]

During the assault on The Pit that the HISS tanks were painted "Cobra Blue" to match the uniforms of the Cobra legions. A benefit of the unorthodox coloration was that the Cobra SNAKE Battle Armor was unable to fire on anything painted thusly and therefore the captured Kwinn and Snake-Eyes were unable to turn their weapons on the Cobra tanks. Later, during the Cobra Civil War, Serpentor made a statement by having the Baroness tied to the front of his HISS.

The Cobra H.I.S.S. II was first deployed by Cobra in 1989, driven by Track-Vipers.

MUX History[]

In the year 2000, an experimental H.I.S.S. III was introduced, piloted by Rip It. They ultimately were deemed too expensive for mass production.

Instead, a modified and upgraded Cobra HISS Tank IIB was deployed in 2003.

In 2005, a version of the HISS IV was updated for use by the Pit-Vipers. This upgrade was called the HISS IVb, or sometimes simply the HISS.

However, In 2008, The Baroness returned to the HISS mk I designs in her 'Back to Basics' plan to cut costs and return to easier times both in maintenance and tactics, when things worked better for Cobra. While There were minor upgrades to targeting systems and armor, the basic systems were a return to the tested and tried original.

An Arctic H.I.S.S. variant, using the Mk1 designs, was introduced in 2009 for operations in high altitudes and polar regions.

HISS tanks were used in Major Bludd's assault on Chicago in 2009, again in 2010 during the attack on the Panama Canal, and again in 2011 during the Al-Alawi Invasion and the Assault on the Antarctica Decepticon Base.

The H.I.S.S. Attack Scout, a much faster, lighter, and smaller recon tank, was deployed by Cobra in 2012. Although very different than the standard speed sentries, they too are piloted by Cobra H.I.S.S. Drivers.

In 2014, the HISS IVb was modified to create the Cobra Septic HISS Tank MK II.

In 2015, basic HISS tanks were upgraded, and specific HISS Gunners were trained to man them.

HISS Tanks were used extensively in the 2016 invasion of Benzheen by Trucial Abysmia.

Newly updated HISS tanks began shipping from MARS in Fall of 2023.

Variations[]

The original HISS tank was black, with an elevated pilot cockpit and twin cannons mounted on the back. Two Cobra soldiers could stand on the back of the tank. This version of the HISS was piloted by the HISS Driver.

A version of the HISS tank was simply called the Cobra HISS Tank. Featuring an elevated cabin, and troop transport capabilities, this version was also well armed. The HISS featured two side mounted missile launchers, two machine guns under the cabin and dorsal mounted missile launchers. This version was piloted by the Night Creeper.

Others using Mk1 designs[]

Septic Tank (1991)
H.I.S.S. III (2000)
Crimson Strike Team HISS Tank (2002)
Arctic H.I.S.S. (2009)

HISS II[]

HISS II Tanks are driven by Track-Vipers. They are a significant departure from the HISS mk 1 design.

HISS III[]

In the year 2000 an experimental H.I.S.S. III, based on the original HISS I designs, was introduced, piloted by Rip It and his HISS Drivers. They were deemed too expensive for mass production, and only a few of them entered service.

HISS IV[]

HISS IV Tanks are driven by Neo-Vipers. They are yet another departure from the HISS mk 1 design.

HISS IVb[]

In 2005 version of the HISS IV was updated for use by the Pit-Vipers. This upgrade was called the IVb, or sometimes simply the HISS.
Cobra Septic HISS Tank MK II (2014)

HISS V[]

HISS V Tanks are driven by H.I.S.S. Tank Drivers.

Others using Mk5 designs[]

Crimson H.I.S.S. Tank (2011)
GI Joe's Tread Ripper Tank (2012)

Cobra Commander's HISS[]

A Specialized HISS Tank was designed in 2012 for Cobra Commander's exclusive use.

This small tank is the staple of Cobra ground operations. Its small size and quick speed make it perfect for rapid deployment and serving as both anti-infantry and anti-aircraft defense. The unique triangular treads support the blue, armored body. On either side of the main body is a large silver Cobra logo. The large, almost snout-like cockpit extends forward from the body, armed with a 20mm rotating Gatling cannon. Behind the cockpit is a turret, sporting a heavy-impact missile launcher and a pair of 90mm cannons. The vehicle's serial number, 001, is stenciled in bold, red letters on the side of the cockpit, designating that this is the command HISS, usually containing Cobra Commander himself.

In 2020, Cobra Commander acquired a newly upgraded tank based on Mark 1 designs, with a crew of a H.I.S.S. Driver, H.I.S.S. Gunner, and H.I.S.S. Tactician.

Gallery[]

Footnotes[]

Where are the schematics for this?!

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References[]

This page uses content from Joepedia - The G.I. Joe Wiki. The original article was at H.I.S.S..

The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with Transformers Universe MUX, the text of Joepedia - The G.I. Joe Wiki is available under the Creative Commons Licensed.