Talon independent nation wrote:New Visegrad wrote:Its primary method of propulsion is a pair of fusion reaction drives designed to be fitted to a spacecraft. That's like arguing that a drag racer is useless for commuting - of course it is, that's not what you use it for.
The issue though is that unless your antigrav device also provides some kind of means to cancel momentum or produce a lot of drag, the vehicle will have a stopping distance of a few city blocks when it's zipping along. While you didn't specify a weight, I'd imagine it's pretty heavy, given that it mounts a reactor to power it, which would mean the turning radius and overall maneuverability would be a nightmare. Going fast is all well and good, but tanks also need to fight in close quarters sometimes, and jet aircraft already exist if you need to get munitions on target at speed.
It is capable of producing drag, both via the gravitic system and by using the vehicle's shielding to create friction with the ground. Also, as an AG vehicle it can turn on the spot and perform slides without the risk of losing a track.
The role of the RAV is not intended to replace a proper tank (we have those, complete with tracks precisely because of the problems created by an AG system, as well as heavy projectile weaponry). It is a high-mobility platform for moving infantry around, providing fire support to infantry, and positioning itself as cover for infantry. It can get passengers from A to B quickly in situations where an aircraft would be shot down, while firing accurately on the move. You'd see these moving with infantry units hanging onto the hull or making recon runs ahead of a larger force, not fighting slugging matches with heavy armour.