Or will it go Cylon on our Marines?
Maybe they can program it to sing out marching Jodies while on the move.
until they learn to make these types of things silent — no combat unit is going to want one along.
My questions...how many Marines will be taken out of the fight to maintain and service these, and who's going to pack and resupply the fuel? It looks like it has a gasoline engine, and the walking motion has to be far less fuel efficient than wheels...
...once you add in the logistics chain for fuel, spare parts, and maintenance, I question how much of a gain this really would be over an actual pack mule that can pretty much graze its own fuel in many operating environments.
You are all forgetting the most important questions.
What’s their carbon footprint?
Are they “green”? (I don’t mean olive drab, either.)
Can they use fryer grease to operate?
Were any spotted owls or darter snails killed in the construction of these things.
Have they “chosen” a gender for themselves?
Is there any chance they will become “self-aware” and, heaven forbid, begin having religious stirrings deep within?
Are they eligible for family or maternity leave?
Will they retire and automatically become a “person of interest” to the Overlords?
CC
So...this solves the problem of women in combat not having enough physical strength?
One word comes to mind..
PANZERFAUST!
in an unexpected discovery, enemy troops are disabled for at least 5 minutes due to laughter.
Evolution of the “Big Dog” robot. It’s a lot more agile than most here think, probably equivalent to a pack mule at least. Go back and look at the footage of Big Dog dealing with ice and rubble.
Also, although it’s loud (for now), and needs gas (more expensive than fodder), it does have several advantages over mules:
It can be armored, and is less likely to be injured (and can be repaired onsite if it is).
It will not be frightened by gunfire.
It can operate unhindered in an NBC environment.
It can run on ordinary fuel which can be siphoned from other military vehicles in a pinch, and so does not need a separate supply chain.
It will never get tired; as long as it has gas it will keep moving.
In an emergency, it can navigate autonomously, such as evacuating a casualty. To go even further, in that capacity it can be equipped to transmit vitals to the waiting medics so they can treat/triage more effectively.
It can be ordered into a fire zone, either as a distraction or a shield, if need be.
Looks like a single well-placed AK round could disable this REALLY expensive toy.
It will be assigned to carry gear for Marines who weigh less than 125 lbs.
I agree with the posts on this thread that this is a noisy, expensive, logistical headache of a nightmare. Why don’t they mount a red rotating beacon on the thing atop a 20’ mast? That way even the deaf know it’s coming.
Just so stupid, why on God’s earth would a premier fighting force want a noise maker like this? Whatever is pushing this idiocy is not related to common sense.
When the VC wanted to move heavy supplies, I believe they were loaded on bicycles and pushed. No noise, and easier than carrying.
And like others mentions, mules, noiseless, easy to feed, and can be eaten.
Probably 95% of the parts will be made in China, so the thing will break down within minutes and will be designed to do so by the Chinese - or they will embed the ability to take control of them.
This is yet another example of more money than good sense or educated fools with no good outlet for their “talent”. Poor dumb leatherneck kids who have no idea about things that have already been and been better.
Ever hear of Sgt. Reckless? She did all her work without commands and did it silently at almost no cost.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergeant_Reckless
