Powered Battle Suits...The Future Of Mobile Infantry

hard science fiction gives us a look at the practical world as it could be if some simple alterations could be made that have been proven impossible, or more correctly, beyond what we are capable of achieving at present. most of these alterations are technological and are usually based on fundamental physics theories (or limitations within physics) that are merely at the hypothesis stage. the sci-fi writer takes this hypothesis and either proves it (less some technological holes) or finds a way around it. for example, ftl (faster-than-light) travel according to einstien’s theories, is an impossibility...basic quantum physics dictates that when you reach the speed of light, you traverse space as a photon would and time not at all...but the idea, as unprovable as it is now, of bending space in order to not have to travel at the speed of light is nearly provable as a theory. thus, ftl travel "could” be possible without the annoying side effect of the rest of the universe growing old while you enjoy a five minute ride.


traditionally, some of man’s greatest innovations have come about by the creation of some “war machine” or another. the constant quest for a better weapon or method of combat has contributed to many things we have today that we don’t equate with war. in this sense, combined with the freedom a sci-fi writer has in the realms of practical technology vs. POSSIBLE technology, we can find some really interesting war machines in the pages of military sci-fi. one of the most appealing fantastic innovations is powered battle armor. if you don’t think it’s that popular, check in on at least half of the japanese action cartoons or anime (GUNDAM!!!!). it’s a popular concept because it allows a normal human being to adopt the powers of a superhero (augmented strength...the ability to destroy or fly) and maintains the aesthetic of the human form. the m1a1 abrams tank moves along the ground and is functional under the guidance of as few two people, but it does not RUN. the f-4 phantom can fly through the air, see for miles and throw fire at the push of a button, but we do not steer it by twisting our bodies and we do not aim the fire by pointing our fingers and saying “boom.” this romantic idea of being powerful because of the clothes we wear is the reason so many sci-fi writers have actually put time and thought into making the idea of these suits come to life.


mechanized ground warfare has relied heavily on the tank. they are well armored as well as armed and they are extremely fast. the sensor suite in the afore mentioned m1a1 has a comprehensive range of over a mile at 360* and they top out at over 40mph over most terrain. the problem is that they are somewhat cumbersome. these rigs are almost 33 feet long, weigh nearly 70 tons and sport a crew of 4. due to armor requirements, size of the electronic equipment and the need for a crew to sort out all of the incoming info and run the beast, this size is necessary--and because of the size, an LT (lycombing textron) 1500 horsepower gas turbine engine is required for pushing the thing around. for actual engine buffs (freaking gearheads), this engine was built in the early 1960’and it eats fossil fuel like my cats do tuna...fast and loud! the sci-fi writer has found an answer to the bulky tank in the form of battle armor because of unreal advancements in micro-electronics “a.i.”, steel “miracle metal “, weapons “more bang for the buck” and power sources “batteries, reactors and magic, oh my!”. in the next three installments of this blog, i will talk about three different examples of powered battle armor - the armor created in john ringo’s trilogy about the posleen wars “2000-2003”, the battle suits in david drake’s “"northworld”" trilogy “1990-1994”, and one of the first in powered battle suits, the ones found in robert a. heinlein’s “"starship troopers" and “1959”.


after this, i’ll get back to the debauchery of the great northwest and who’s doing who in the bar and music scene. it’s just sometimes i like to write essays. is it a crime?