US Army to field lightly armored wheeled vehicles...hmmm...

[TechieZero]

Andrew: It is well known that the Army has less Esperit de Corps, unfortunately.

I don't see the Military getting rid of MBTs, but I do see them using a lot of these newer, lighter, faster vehicles. One thing an MBT has is a NICE BIG GUN. I have a friend who was a tanker in the Gulf war and the one thing they did was to have the whole company sit and pick off the Soviet Armor Saddam had by simply out ranging them. Plain and simple. Our MBT's rule, end of story. Unfortunately as Dabone has pointed out, times are a changing, or have changed, and we need a more agile force.

Somewhere I remember seeing a picture in the late 70's about a prototype Army fast attack land vehicle, that looked like a Dune Buggy w/ an AT gun.

BTW -- The Tiger II was made to go against the T34/85. The T34/85 really saw more service in Korea than in WWII.

 

[AndrewR]

Yes, I was surprised that they sold the carrier (read it on Jane's -- check out their website, GOBS of news), but in retrospect, it makes perfect sense since they don't have the money or people to operate it. They could probably float it, but flight operations would be a disaster with the lack of proper equipment, training, or spare parts. Besides, they have no need for it anymore since they need to focus within in their borders as opposed to projecting power. If I remember correctly, wasn't it sitting idle on the east coast of Russia, probably at Vladivostok?

That same report I believe[/b] mentioned that India bought 30 or more Su-27's from the Russians, too. I know they were Sukhois, but I don't recall the exact model. Contrary to you, I am not tremendously worried about even the best airframes from Russia. The best pilots in the world are either in our Air Force, a NATO air force (or other allied), or in the airlines. China and other similarly situated countries do not have nearly the same overall quality of pilots or training. Further, our avionics are second to none, and the electronic warfare aspect is becoming more and more important (from an intelligence, offensive, and defensive point of view). While the Russian planes have spectacular airframes, they will have a hard time dodging an AMRAAM when they never know it's coming.



<< Dune Buggy w/ an AT gun. >>


The military has dune buggys with weapons mounts -- M60 MG, M2 .50 cal, 40mm grenade launcher. You probably saw one with a 106mm recoiless rifle.

 

[MajesticMoose]

Right on skoorb. This world would be a much better place with a few more McClarens

Moose