Walkers as Tanks |
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dafrca
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Post subject: Walkers as Tanks  Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2005 11:12 pm |
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One of the main images in a lot of SciFi is the large walking "Tank". Battletech, CAV, Heavy Gear, Epic, and War Machine come to mind in the game world.
So, is there a role for the walker on the battlefield?
Can it be the Tank?
Maybe just a Recon?
Going more with the Heavy Gear sized ones, maybe the upper end Troops (Terminators on Steroids)?
Thoughts, feelings, opinions, disgust. Share...
dafrca
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Markconz
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Post subject: Walkers as Tanks Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2005 12:20 am |
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Yes there are definite roles for walkers - why do armies use vulnerable tank tracks at present? Because they need all-terrain capability and tank tracks are the best way to do it so far. Once fluid and speedy bipedal robotics are worked out (not long now) they will be much more efficient. The neurology of bipedal walking is actually very complicated with heaps of feedback loops and the like, but those in the field are getting very close to achieving some remarkable results.
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dafrca
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Post subject: Walkers as Tanks Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2005 1:39 am |
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Do you think it will be "Walkers" like Heavy Gear or Robots with much lower profiles?
Is the "Tall Target" issue really and issue?
dafrca
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Markconz
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Post subject: Walkers as Tanks Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2005 1:52 am |
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| Quote (dafrca @ 17 2005 June,01:39) | Do you think it will be "Walkers" like Heavy Gear or Robots with much lower profiles?
Is the "Tall Target" issue really and issue?
dafrca |
I think that a permanently tall profile is a very bad idea on the modern battlefield - though the capacity for it could be useful - much easier to do with legs than tank tracks too. Being able to morph your profile is much for useful than always having the same profile - just as modern soldiers crawl, crouch or stand to make best use of available cover.
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Legion 4
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Post subject: Walkers as Tanks Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2005 5:12 am |
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Light AFVs, used in Traditional role of CAV - screening, pursuit and recon ...
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Markconz
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Post subject: Walkers as Tanks Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2005 7:20 am |
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| Quote (Legion 4 @ 17 2005 June,05:12) | | Light AFVs, used in Traditional role of CAV - screening, pursuit and recon ... |
But if economically and technologically it is possible to achieve efficient artificial bipedal locomotion - why not have heavy AFV's as well?
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dafrca
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Post subject: Walkers as Tanks Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2005 7:29 am |
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| Quote (Legion 4 @ 16 2005 June,21:12) | | Light AFVs, used in Traditional role of CAV - screening, pursuit and recon ... |
Sort of the role Armored Cars sometimes played.
Interesting.
dafrca
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dafrca
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Post subject: Walkers as Tanks Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2005 7:35 am |
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| Quote (Markconz @ 16 2005 June,23:20) | | But if economically and technologically it is possible to achieve efficient artificial bipedal locomotion - why not have heavy AFV's as well? |
To play devils advocate...
1) Ground Pressure. The same amount of armor on a tank and on a two legged biped. The tank will sink less as it spreads out the weight.
2) Cost. The tank will require less to make it work at the same tech level.
3) Maintenance. The complex system to make the robot work may cause it to be a maintenance issue. Sort of like the Fighter Airplane of today. Useful, but expensive to make and maintain.
Now I am not saying these "have" to be. Just offering some thoughts as to why it might not become the heavy armor.
dafrca
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dafrca
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Post subject: Walkers as Tanks Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2005 8:12 am |
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Mojarn Piett
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Post subject: Walkers as Tanks Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2005 9:18 am |
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1) They will have to be faster and more durable than humans and able to go oto places a human can go. And preferably to a few places a human _can't_ go. Otherwise you'll just send in poor grunts or regular scout vehicles and get the job done with less expensive tools.
2) Building on 1) I think we'll first see some kind of powered armor followed by some kind of support platform for infantry operating in dense terrain.
And one more problem about walkers: recovery. You can tow a tank with a broken track/transmission but you need a separate trailer assembly for a walker with a broken leg. And if it just happens to be in terrain normal vehicles can't go... 
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vanvlak
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Post subject: Walkers as Tanks Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2005 10:05 am |
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Mojarn, do you realise you've started to describe the Tau? Are they really the most reasonable future army? 
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Mojarn Piett
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Post subject: Walkers as Tanks Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2005 11:34 am |
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| Quote (vanvlak @ 17 2005 June,10:05) | | Mojarn, do you realise you've started to describe the Tau? Are they really the most reasonable future army? |
Space Marines, actually:
Powered armor = powered armor
Support platform = Dreadnought.
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MaksimSmelchak
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Post subject: Walkers as Tanks Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2005 2:19 pm |
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Well... the development of walkers as AFVs is really dependent on what government is in vogue at the time.
I too like democracies, but a democracy might not be the best form of government for a combatant.
The former USSR was willing to sacrifice its' troops and I still think that...
A government willing to sacrifice troops can field more poor bloody mudsuckers than robots could be fielded.
Maybe that will change, but I don't see it happening in the next twenty years or so...
I see AT weapons for infantry developing faster than viable walkers...
Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.
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- check out the 'soldier robot' section with the little spider droid thing.