Practicality of Mechs

Lt. Nebfer · Post by **Lt. Nebfer** » 2002-10-21 08:51pm

well if we build one to day it woudent work vary well

but what about the concept(is we had the capibility to make one) what woud it do and what funtion woud it perform??

also how big woud it probily be and what kind of armiments?

Post by **Kuja** » 2002-10-21 09:22pm

What do you want it to do?

What materials do you have?

What kind of armaments do you want?

Darth_Shinji · Post by **Darth_Shinji** » 2002-10-21 09:22pm

Well, that depends on what you mean mahad the capability to make one. If you take the abilities they have in the shows...they would be awesome...but they can't work like that in R/L. The most realistic and vaibile concept I've seen was put on spacebattles recently. Its 3-4 meters tall and works like an AV. It would never replace tanks but if we could get it to work like its supposed to it would be a good addition to the armed forces.

Post by **Kuja** » 2002-10-21 09:26pm

Maybe something like the AT-ST, with a machinegun, and rocket launchers...

RayCav of ASVS · Post by **RayCav of ASVS** » 2002-10-21 09:43pm

Lt. Nebfer wrote:well if we build one to day it woudent work vary well

but what about the concept(is we had the capibility to make one) what woud it do and what funtion woud it perform??

also how big woud it probily be and what kind of armiments?

The concept is cool but inpractical. Chances are by the time I write this SeaSkimmer, Pablo, and Phong would have flooded this thread with detailed explanations why

RayCav of ASVS · Post by **RayCav of ASVS** » 2002-10-21 09:47pm

Sorry something happened, delete the extra posts please

Post by **Kuja** » 2002-10-21 09:54pm

Holy fuck Ray, how many times did you click submit?!

Spanky The Dolphin · Post by **Spanky The Dolphin** » 2002-10-21 10:04pm

Looks like about 11 by my count.

consequences · Post by **consequences** » 2002-10-21 10:37pm

Well, I'm certainly not going to feel guilty if I accidentally double or triple post again.
Mechs would really only be practical from a gladiatorial games standpoint, where the increased cost would be accepted as necessary for the cool action.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2002-10-21 10:50pm

RayCav of ASVS wrote:Sorry something happened, delete the extra posts please

Ray, don't jack off and post at the same time. I cab't stress that enough.

Yogi · Post by **Yogi** » 2002-10-21 10:52pm

Mechs would have to support a huge weight on two spindly legs, something that is NOT very efficent. The only possible reason for this would be to navigate VERY tricky terrain that would be impossible for a tank or other armored veichle. Also, if the mech has hands, swaping weapons would be easy, though also horribly inefficent. They could also perform a variety of other tasks with hands. Theoritically, mechs can be more versatile, but at the expense of power and efficency.

In space, the support thing would be nullified since there would be no gravity. Then again, one of the advantages of mechs, being able to travel rough terrain, is also eliminated.

Post by **Mr Bean** » 2002-10-21 11:10pm

Fixed it for you Ray

RayCav of ASVS · Post by **RayCav of ASVS** » 2002-10-21 11:41pm

Mr Bean wrote:Fixed it for you Ray

Thanks

neoolong · Post by **neoolong** » 2002-10-22 12:12am

The only way that I see mechs as useful and practical would be as augmentation for the soldier. Some type of suit that would be armor as well as enhancing running, jumping, strength, etc. Also, some type of sensor system would be helpful.

Bob The Great · Post by **Bob The Great** » 2002-10-22 12:52am

I could see them being practical in two areas. The first is extremely rugged and uneven terrain. If weight is distributed properly, legs can provide mobility that tracks couldn't dream of. This might be more important once humanity gets widely spaceborn and we have access to truly hostile and rugged environments.

In addition, I think a mech would be excellant in low-lying urban areas. One of the worst places a tank can be is in between two low buildings in an urban setting. It can't move freely, can't shoot, and can be boxed in pretty easily by walls or vehicles; just begging for someone to plant a pipe bomb in its tracks or an RPG in the turret. A mech (of sufficient size) on the other hand would be able to both see and shoot over buildings. It would be able to turn in place, even in tight spots, and could easily step over obstables that would stop a tank. Altogether, it would be harder to get trapped, and easier to avoid or "silence" rocket snipers.

As far as the actual engineering of a mech, it would be quite difficult and quite expensive, but with the right design, I think most of the issues could be overcome.

Post by **Steve** » 2002-10-22 01:21am

Maybe one about the size of an Exo-Squad E-Frame. But nothing the size of Gundams or BattleMechs.

Typhonis 1 · Post by **Typhonis 1** » 2002-10-22 01:36am

Well for a large scale mech you would want a four to six legged design with oversize feet this way in case it does loose a leg it has back ups and the pressure is distributed more evenly also it could go hull down like nothing else

Parallax · Post by **Parallax** » 2002-10-22 02:16am

It all depends on what sort of technology you're working with and what you have available.
For example, the UN Spacy force (Macross) gained a LOT of new technology out of the wreckage of the crashed Alien Star Ship 1 ... including such things as micronised nuclear reactors (which they used to power thier Variable Fighters), new weapon systems, guidance systems, etc etc...

And the Variable Fighters they came up with were extremely versatile...

omegaLancer · Post by **omegaLancer** » 2002-10-22 02:32am

Problem of mech is that they tower over the battlefield, making them a target.. with guided weaponary and the shear destructive power of modern anti armor weapons it would be walking Tomb.

The lower the profile the better, the German even design their lastest battle tank with lifters to lower and rise the main chasis...

GrandMasterTerwynn · Post by **GrandMasterTerwynn** » 2002-10-22 02:56am

Lt. Nebfer wrote:well if we build one to day it woudent work vary well

but what about the concept(is we had the capibility to make one) what woud it do and what funtion woud it perform??

also how big woud it probily be and what kind of armiments?

Mecha are almost completely worthless in actual battle conditions. If you had them, they'd be something like the MI in the Starship Troopers book. Augmented power armor for a few select troops. This would allow them to carry more ammo, or more and bigger weapons. If you really want a big mech, then you're looking at say a tank with six to eight legs. It can navigate tricky terrain with reasonable speed, and then squat low to ground to fire it's big guns. Nothing like any of the big mecha you see in anime series. Those are almost physically impossible.

Post by **weemadando** » 2002-10-22 03:19am

I think the most realistic mecha *ducks as Phong attacks* are the tanks found in Ghost in the Shell and Patlabor. Four or six legged, squat and packing a fairly hefty armament.

Post by **weemadando** » 2002-10-22 03:22am

Bob The Great wrote:I could see them being practical in two areas. The first is extremely rugged and uneven terrain. If weight is distributed properly, legs can provide mobility that tracks couldn't dream of. This might be more important once humanity gets widely spaceborn and we have access to truly hostile and rugged environments.

In addition, I think a mech would be excellant in low-lying urban areas. One of the worst places a tank can be is in between two low buildings in an urban setting. It can't move freely, can't shoot, and can be boxed in pretty easily by walls or vehicles; just begging for someone to plant a pipe bomb in its tracks or an RPG in the turret. A mech (of sufficient size) on the other hand would be able to both see and shoot over buildings. It would be able to turn in place, even in tight spots, and could easily step over obstables that would stop a tank. Altogether, it would be harder to get trapped, and easier to avoid or "silence" rocket snipers.

As far as the actual engineering of a mech, it would be quite difficult and quite expensive, but with the right design, I think most of the issues could be overcome.

The best mecha for urban fighting would be the ones from Heavy Gear. Agile, humanoid and not too big. Capable of fighting just like real people, only bigger.

Spanky The Dolphin · Post by **Spanky The Dolphin** » 2002-10-22 03:25am

weemadando wrote:I think the most realistic mecha *ducks as Phong attacks* are the tanks found in Ghost in the Shell and Patlabor. Four or six legged, squat and packing a fairly hefty armament.

A fuchikoma.

There's a variant in the new TV series GitS: Stand Alone Complex called a tachikoma.

Spanky The Dolphin · Post by **Spanky The Dolphin** » 2002-10-22 03:31am

To see the tachikomas in action, go here:
http://www.production-ig.com/GhostTV_Movies.html

It's the second clip. They're the little blue things. The big grey thing primarily in the first clip, and also in the second one is some kind of tank.

Slartibartfast · Post by **Slartibartfast** » 2002-10-22 11:23am

In real life, I think a mech would be practical maybe for construction work (not sure if more than a regular crane). For police work, Patlabor/Heavy Gear sized mechs might do the trick. For military use they are useless, the flatter the vehicle the better. And yes a gladiatorial arena could use them, but I doubt it would work with missiles and firearms, mostly it would be restricted to contact weapons.

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Mech and the lack of cover.

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