I think this would make a perfect FCS vehicle as is. That 40 mm  gun  would be able to destoy any thing but a modern MBT from the front. Instead of Tow Missles a small 70 mm rocket pod for GPS guided fire support. Would be interesting to see how the vehicle would hold up in hot dry and humid environments.

50 to 60 tons huh. Doesn't surprise me and will cost 20 to 80 million dollars each no doubt. Next subject will be lack of deployability. Then after that the call we be for a lighter vehicle that is more deployable.  

The Namer is 60 tons and costs $3 million.  The Army wants GCV for $9 to $10 million.  Exactly what drives US armored vehicle costs this high is always an interesting question- see EFV.

 

The whole notion of deploying armored units by air, FCS, was always a fantasy.  Armored units are deployed and sustained by sea.  The medium weight Stryker brigades had a requirement to be deployed by air in 96 hours.  When that goal hit the reality of distance, number of transports possibly available, etc. two things happened.  The first thing is that the studies indicated it would take 5 to 14 days and the 2nd was the Army gave up on the idea.

 

Armored units are continually getting heavier.  This trend isn't going away.  When every support vehicle is armored to some degree worrying how much the fighting vehicles weigh is illogical.  Consider how much more Puma weighs over the Marder (43 vs 28 tons) or new SPG's over the M109's 28 tons (PzH2000 and T-155 are both 56 tons).

 

The combat history of the last decade indicates the requirements are for more armored protection for every single vehicle.  The weight of IFV's is almost besides the point when we're replacing 5,000lb Humvee's with 20,000lb JLTV's.  In any case when the requirement is to carry a squad of 9 with high levels of protection the laws of physics give you a heavier vehicle.

 

 

 "Armored units are continually getting heavier.  This trend isn't going away."

 

 - LB.

 

Well hell then, since we rule the skies,  Landkreuzer P. 1000 Ratte, her...

 

 

 

 

I don't know. We are getting ready to draw down to peace time military Heavy ass vehicles just don't seem to be good for peace time training budgets. I don't think the army is keeping all of those special heavy armour cars they put into service for this war on terror in Iraq. They can't even use them in Afghanistan due to lack of a road network. Will be interesting to see which way they go. One thing for sure they will waste billions of dollars getting there.