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2005-03-07 Home Front: Tech

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Posted by Steve 2005-03-07 10:01:07 AM|| || Front Page|| [2 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 011001111010010011110101001011001011010, Sir!

Posted by Droid 2005-03-07 10:43:15 AM|| 2005-03-07 10:43:15 AM|| Front Page Top

#2 The tendency is to over "bell-and-whistle" the things. Optimally, their design should be like a cross between an APC and a light tank, if possible, a Humvee-like design of multiple configurations. You *don't* want something as useless and maintenance heavy as the infamous Gamma Goat, which is all-too-soon forgotten. Other than that, it has to be very resistant to RPGs and IEDs. A "war wagon" concept would be good, a place where infantry could hide behind armor and still shoot. But you don't want to pack it full of stuff besides the infantry load it carries and maybe one 'medium' weapon. In other type vehicles, remember to keep an open mind for robotics. Anything from a high-speed armored motor (motorcycle) tricycle to a low-altitude "fanwing"-type carrier aircraft (a fanwing aircraft is stronger and quieter than a helicopter, and I could imagine a square fanwing with four farm-harvester-like lift propellers, in effect creating a flat, flying gun platform.)

Posted by Anonymoose 2005-03-07 11:06:18 AM|| 2005-03-07 11:06:18 AM|| Front Page Top

#3 Gee Moose that sounds familar -

http://www.hiller.org/exhibits/online-exhibits/flying-platform/flying-platform.html

now where's my flying car, damnit!

Posted by Cleamp Ebbereling9442 2005-03-07 11:44:26 AM|| 2005-03-07 11:44:26 AM|| Front Page Top

#4 a square fanwing with four farm-harvester-like lift propellers, in effect creating a flat, flying gun platform

Like the SkyNet Hunter-Killers from the Terminator movies.

Posted by Steve 2005-03-07 11:56:47 AM|| 2005-03-07 11:56:47 AM|| Front Page Top

#5 Sounds like their trying to reinvent Francis with a little armor.

Posted by Shipman 2005-03-07 12:17:55 PM|| 2005-03-07 12:17:55 PM|| Front Page Top

#6 Lots of cool stuff on the way, no doubt about it. Getting it to the field and gaining needed experience takes guts, especially with systems that can fight. That would currently be lacking IMO.

Posted by Remoteman 2005-03-07 12:42:03 PM|| 2005-03-07 12:42:03 PM|| Front Page Top

#7 Listen. And understand. That terminator is out there. It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop, ever, until you are dead.

Posted by Kyle Reese 2005-03-07 12:42:56 PM|| 2005-03-07 12:42:56 PM|| Front Page Top

#8 "Look! Mustafa. It's the little robot from Sta..WHOSSSSSSH..or perhaps not."

Posted by toad 2005-03-07 12:49:34 PM|| 2005-03-07 12:49:34 PM|| Front Page Top

#9 Thanks Kyle....

I should have been expecting that, considering this crowd, but you got me, and made me laugh anyway.

Posted by Jimbo19 2005-03-07 12:52:59 PM|| 2005-03-07 12:52:59 PM|| Front Page Top

#10 Cleamp Ebbereling9442: a similar idea, except that by using a fanwing lift, you avoid the instability of a rotor. A fanwing is quieter, has a heavier lift ability, and can be shielded from ground fire. So instead of a single person lift, imagine a four-person or cargo-lift of around 2000lb, to upwards of a squad-lift, 10,000lb platform that can carry all kinds of equipment and can land on any surface the size of the platform--no special landing area required. With an armored bottom able to take a hit from an RPG, these systems could be much like a dedicated infantry company helicopter. And there would be a heck of a lot less maintenance than for a helicopter. www.fanwing.com

Posted by Anonymoose 2005-03-07 1:42:11 PM|| 2005-03-07 1:42:11 PM|| Front Page Top

#11 I'm sure the ACLU will want to install a "Kinder Gentler" chip in each machine.

Posted by Justrand 2005-03-07 1:42:58 PM|| 2005-03-07 1:42:58 PM|| Front Page Top

#12 Eh. I want to see Bun-Bun out in the field.

Posted by Robert Crawford 2005-03-07 1:59:15 PM|| [http://www.kloognome.com/] 2005-03-07 1:59:15 PM|| Front Page Top

#13 RC, Bun Bun the Sheva (aka giant 7000 ton artillery platform that fires nukes), robo-Bun Bun (aka the robot terminator easter bunny), or the actual Bun Bun? I mean they're all pretty much fatal to your health but we gotta be specific here.

Posted by Valentine 2005-03-07 2:04:54 PM|| 2005-03-07 2:04:54 PM|| Front Page Top

#14 I thought I was the only one reading that stuff. Loved the story subplots with Sheva Bun Bun and company.

Posted by Whiskey Mike 2005-03-07 2:12:57 PM|| 2005-03-07 2:12:57 PM|| Front Page Top

#15 Laugh while you can but I will be safe serving our new robot overlords.

Posted by Formerly Dan 2005-03-07 3:58:57 PM|| 2005-03-07 3:58:57 PM|| Front Page Top

#16 I am sceptical of the need for armour over the whole thing. Duplicating critical components and armouring the electronics makes more sense.

Posted by phil_b 2005-03-07 4:19:59 PM|| 2005-03-07 4:19:59 PM|| Front Page Top

#17 Thatn where biology comes in Phil. Should be some sorta X prize for someone who can engineer the brains of a Missouri Mule and build them in a factory.

Posted by Francis 2005-03-07 5:13:18 PM|| 2005-03-07 5:13:18 PM|| Front Page Top

#18 I think their appreciation of Computer Vision (CV) is dated. I saw a demo 6 years ago that was nearly good enough. There's commercial stuff out there that's close, too (Aibo, etc.).

Posted by Dishman 2005-03-07 6:15:33 PM|| 2005-03-07 6:15:33 PM|| Front Page Top

#19 You're mama's a snowblower!

Posted by anonymous2u 2005-03-07 6:32:31 PM|| 2005-03-07 6:32:31 PM|| Front Page Top

#20 ED-209 lives!

Posted by Chris W. 2005-03-07 8:58:07 PM|| 2005-03-07 8:58:07 PM|| Front Page Top

#21 Bzzzt!! Wrong answer, the correct answer was 'Giant Mecha'. Next contestant please ...

Posted by DMFD 2005-03-07 10:17:10 PM|| 2005-03-07 10:17:10 PM|| Front Page Top

#22 Jonny Five?

Posted by Sock Puppet of Doom 2005-03-07 10:41:58 PM|| [http://www.slhess.com] 2005-03-07 10:41:58 PM|| Front Page Top

#23 Keith Laumer's BOLOs? Later gamed as the Ogre Mk. III and Mk. V.

Posted by Eric Jablow 2005-03-07 11:12:38 PM|| 2005-03-07 11:12:38 PM|| Front Page Top

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