The Mech: Militarily Feasible?

[The Heik]

Ok since versus threads DO [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.170105?page=1] get locked out, I figured that I would rephrase the question

To explain, recently I was doing some concept work on some different Mech ideas when one of my friends mentioned to me that basically putting legs on a tank was impractical, and it got me to thinking: Would the Mech, or the rough idea, ever become a modern military practice?

I actually would agree with my friend, if only because of the pure cost to make something that complex would buy any army a couple of aircraft carriers and a lifetime supply of Spam

 

[ad5x5]

mechanically they're very vulnerable - exposed joints, inherently unstable and they stand out a mile.

so i'd have to say no - not feasible

 

[Starnerf]

I would think that until we get a smaller and lighter power source a bipedal tank would not be usable in unstable ground. Engines are heavy and use a lot of fuel, plus our current robot designs aren't terribly good at keeping their balance while walking or running, much less attempting to dodge incoming artillery.

 

[mrhappyface]

Here, I did a thread on this a LONG time ago. http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.153531?page=3

 

[Colonel Slate]

Easy way to answer this question, is current technology level, probably not.

We get a high tech level and/or start exploring other planets, a mech type military unit will most likely be the best way to traverse and alien landscape, considering how it the mech would have to be set up, it'd be most natural for a human pilot to get out of a problem.

 

[ad5x5]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9k4oUNHLJs

 

[The Heik]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9k4oUNHLJs

saw this one before. I think that it'll be a great addition to the team, provided that they put some armor on it, otherwise the dude inside is going to be turned into swiss cheese

 

[Soushi]

As a military vehicle, they are not teh best choice. A mine could take out a leg and it would be game over. BUT, there is another thing to consider. Mechs have a terror factor, the terror of seeing something come RUNNING at you that is 10 meters tall and wielding a sword and a gun that shoots bullets the size of your head. One other thing though, i don't think the the whole, running thing is such a good idea. Instead, try doing something like code geass, IE, putting wheels on teh feet so it handles something like a surf board and can move really fucking fast. Now, the legs would be good for rocky terrain though, best of both worlds. Their hands would also be a major plus, the ablity to pick up and move things on a much greater scale than humans.
I mean, you have situations were people need search and rescue after an earthquake or something. the reason why they use humans to dig people out is because the big tech right now would just smash everything. A mech would be able to pick up half a building and move it, with more or less the same level of persicion as a human, only on a greater scale. This would also be handy in combat situations
Mechs are also an extension of the greatest war machine in history, mankind. We are good at fighting, because we are so mobile, an advantage provided to us by by our limbs. If a tank lost its weapon, it couldn't just pick up a freaking tree or a big peice of debris and use it as a weapon, humans and mechs can.
So yes, mechs are an excellent shock and awe weapon and should be the future of warfare (i would rather that there be no future in warfare, but that is aside the point)
oh and one more thing....
HEIL ZEON!!!

 

[veloper]

on two legs, absolutely horrible idea

Now a spider robot might not be so crazy on difficult terrain.

 

[Private Custard]

on two legs, absolutely horrible idea

Now a spider robot might not be so crazy on difficult terrain.

The rednecks are on it already!

 

[veloper]

on two legs, absolutely horrible idea

Now a spider robot might not be so crazy on difficult terrain.

The rednecks are on it already!

Wow. That's pretty cool actually.

 

[Private Custard]

on two legs, absolutely horrible idea

Now a spider robot might not be so crazy on difficult terrain.

The rednecks are on it already!

Wow. That's pretty cool actually.

The major downside to the design is that, to turn, it relies on slipping its feet whilst gripping others. Could cause a problem on rough or soft ground.

On the flipside, imagine being in a firefight and then spotting 100 of these, wielding twin miniguns and heavy frontal armour, just sprinting towards you!!

 

[Weaver]

The difficulty lies in having an unstable thing with a high center of mass. It's now a big, tower target for your enemies and no longer benefits natural cover (like tress and stuff).

They COULD make one, but it's kind of a stupid idea.

 

[bigolbear]

mechs i seriosly doubt, but smaller (infantry sised) robots - remote or ai, or powered suits would definatly be useful as weapons platforms or for going into hostile environments and over difficult ground that tanks can handle.

 

[shotgunbob]

most high standing mechs wouldn't obvious from a mile away and you just have to take out 1 leg