New Marine Corps weapon to replace SAW

[stanc]

I'm thinking about some pretty revolutionary "leaps" in maneuverability. Combine them with night, and RPG's pose no real threat. IED's rely on known routes, which is the whole point of this type of technology that will render enemy ambushes worthless, and put them totally on the defense.

Going into and through towns and villages, I think these "individual combat vehicles" will still be channeled into known routes (streets and alleys), and thereby vulnerable to IEDs.

You've seen the videos of guys running around with exo-skeleton legs on, right.

No. The only video I recall seeing previously was the one below, in which the exoskeleton was tethered.

[video=youtube;0hkCcoenLW4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hkCcoenLW4[/video]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hkCcoenLW4

After reading your comment, I checked youtube and found what appears to be the video you noted.

[video=youtube;y1CeBOWm67A]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1CeBOWm67A[/video]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1CeBOWm67A

ETA: I'd love to give the HULC a "test drive" to see for myself how well it works.

Now imagine that concept enlarged to facilitate serious weapons platforms. With advances in armor, lightweight, high-strength materials, and anthropomorphic electronically controlled appendages, the pieces are there. Place an armored tub on it for the warrior, throw in an A/C system, integrated commo suite, LRF targeting with polar-plot JSTARS-type data link, topped off with Mini-gun, munitions launcher, and drum magazines....I see lots of fear.

I fear you're a tad optimistic. But even if you're right about Afghan insurgent reaction, it looks to me like a viable, bipedal, individual combat vehicle is a very long way in the future.

[video=youtube;xPx-bCwHGCc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPx-bCwHGCc[/video]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPx-bCwHGCc