So, here I am, bored out of my mind (like usual), so I decided to throw in my old "Mobile Suit Gundam Wing" DvD and watch an episode..

and it made me wonder..


Are militarized Mecha even possible or feasible?


I know nothing about mechanical engineering, but to me it seems that the power it would take to get a machine to walk/move like a human being and be responsive enough to adjust to the ever changing battlefield would be so extensive, it would not be feasible as a means of Military strength..



Opinions?

They might be feasible for very specific things, but if they were as tall as Gundams are, a rail gun would probably tear them apart well before they could start their missions, unless they were very stealth based, which poses its own problems for such a large object. I only can draw upon some background in military history, but unless they became the norm, I just see them becoming very big targets and having higher casualty rates than any other part of the military.

The power supply would depend on what power sources we have available in our future. I wouldn't know though.

I think the legs would be a huge weakness. All the weight would be on those, and it would raise the thing up in the air. One goes and the whole thing is wrecked.

If the mech got drunk and fell over, or if it saw an attractive looking alpha male and went on its knees for it, it's going to have some trouble getting back up. Like, serious trouble.

It's just a matter of scale. These Mech suits are just a fantasy of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powered_exoskeleton We make machines that are huge that walk, 13,000 ton http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragline_excavator and a Mech would weigh a fraction of that. It's really just some engineering, billions of dollars and some development time. All to make something that can be taken out by a $10,000 stinger missile.

No kind of mech related to Gundam or any kind of anime is feasible at all. Mechs would have to smaller and wider, legs would need to be short and more than likely multiple pairs. The engine to power it would be a problem, nothing currently known could od the job.

All in all it would be cheaper, more feasible and infinity better to just create a larger tank model with a larger cannon.

The engine wouldn't be impossible to make, the mech would be incredibly inefficient and slow though.

A larger tank wouldn't even be needed. 120mm cannons are pretty much all you need for practical use. Anything that needs something more would have artillery or a missile launched at it.

What kind of engine then?

I meant if the creator wanted maneuverability on the battle field but I agree all this talk is mute if I blow you up from a dozen miles away

I don't know, I'm no engine expert. But nothing says that the mech has to weigh 80 tons.

They could keep it pretty compact for a one man crew. The engine would just have to move its own weight too.

You just need an engine big enough to power the pumps to run the hydraulics or a generator. Electric motors could power the joints. Construction equipment engines are big, but not so big that they could not be used in something like this.

I didn't mean to come off as rude, my bad if I did. You are right it depends on the size

Well, it depends on the situation, like all things really. If we are talking about Exo-skeletal suits like Power Armor, then the technology is already being deloped and worked on, and has limitless applications, but most notably, giving the crippled the ability to walk again or create Cybernetic prostetics. If we are disscussiong actual Piloted Mechs, then the applications are not as expansive, and would most likely be in a Container dock yard or construction when not being used in the Military but still there.

In the end, it has to do with the power source nessecary to power the Unit, and the practicatality of the device.

I would also like to point out that these two suits are the reason I decided to become an Electrical Engineer.

I don't know about yous guys, but I like my planet in tact, and I don't want it getting destroyed by a hormonal bisixual teenager by causing an impact that obliterates everything, thanks.

My dream is ruined!

For conversation's sake, let's just say that a Mech would need to have the same ammount of computing power and control as a car. Now, instead of just wheels, the Mech would have two independant limbs that would control two different weapon systems, so that input/output program would have to be written, and the Mechanical Engineer would have to figure out a way to build the thing.

I remember reading Iron Man at the time Tony Start was remote Controlling the Iron Man suit, and something similar would probably work better for controlling the Mech, as the pilot would not be in the device itself, but having conrol over it remotely.

exoskeletons definitely have a strong military value (as well as civilian value)

giant mechs like Gundams... I don't think so. They offer nothing over conventional military weapons platforms.

http://static2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130611041228/warhammer40k/images/8/8c/ArmageddonWar1.jpg is why we need to research this technology faster.

I'd say we can maybe make them. They would be hard, but perhaps worth while should you fix the gyrostabilizer problem.

But Eva are alien clones, not battle mechs.

like this?
http://www.halodestiny.net/images/news/halo_4_vehicule_medium_3.png

The more important issue (compared to "it's not technologically/physically possible"), is that it's just not that useful/practical. Armored vehicles want to have a low profile, angled armor, etc. A low, wide tank is better than a tall, fat tank. Just from a targeting point of view. Man-shaped mechs 10+ meters tall? Really big targets.

(And I say this as a big mech fan. Watched Robotech, played Battletech, wanted to build walking robots as a kid, etc. )

I can't wait to test those puppies out. 'Man successfully first to mastvrbate in exoskeleton, says it 'feels great''.

ne er a good idea
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tb627xDlqBs

What advantage does a walker hold over a tank? Because the disadvantages stretch out into the horizon.