Heivilin, James E. From: Jim Heivilin [ccbanzai@showme.missouri.edu] Sent: Saturday, 21 March, 1998 13:30 To: Blue Planet List (E-mail) Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - Mechs vs. Tanks Date: Fri, 20 Mar 1998 16:33:28 -0900 (AKST) From: Auberon To: "'blue_planet@MPGN.COM'" Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - Mechs vs. Tanks On Fri, 20 Mar 1998, Jim Heivilin wrote: > I see the Mechs as stemming from the development of improved 'accessories' > for the infantry. A helmet with comm gear. A visor with vision enhancing > devices. Eventual development of 'armor' for the infantryman. Waldos and > servo-mechanics to make them faster, stronger, better (we can rebuild him). > Armoring the servos. Over time it evolves into the powered armor we are Up to this point I agree completely. I think powered armor, even on the order of the stuff in _Starship Troopers_ (the book), is a natural and reasonable conclusion of the growth of military technology. > all familiar with. Then it keeps getting larger and stronger and faster > until, voila, we have Mechs. Just MHO. *EXCEPT* As you make infantry stronger, faster, and able to carry more hurty things, you see mostly benefit. Once you get to the size where they can no longer fit into most hallways, you've passed the point of no return. An Atomic Monkey with (sleightly) powered armor could toss cars, use squad support guns like M-60s for rifles, and carry enough explosives to end Haven. On a medium-sized backpack full of heavy cells or one big industrial cell. Put him in a 50 foot tall 'mech, and yes, he can carry even bigger guns as rifles, but what's the point? I don't want to meet anything that M-60 or BMG loaded with explosive or APFSDS can't hurt. Your effectiveness is increased into the ridiculous realm, but you have to have an on-board fusion plant, and it cost one hell of a lot! For that matter, why even bother giving Supertroopers power armor? They're scary as hell without it! <:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::> Auberon "Ultimately most problems can be solved by applying a Large Brick to the Correct Skull. Difficulties arise when you don't have a brick or can't find the the right skull. The Devil is always in the details." *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@mpgn.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message.