Power Armor?

[Aniah]

Whilst it may be cheap when compared against foreign counterparts, it is still exceeding expensive to spend on equipment for a individual soldier. I doubt it will see widespread adoption at this price point. That's like 10+ robot dogs for each of these exoskeletons.

It will become cheaper and better over time, and I believe I've heard about mass adoption by 2035 from somewhere before.

 

[by78]

Do you have the source video? It's odd seeing a state owned media describing the unit cost of a PLA equipment in USD. The energy density of 420Wh/kg might be indicative of a new kind of batteries than Lithium ones.

Come to think of it, I've now grown more suspicious of this image. It felt odd that the price was quoted in dollars, but now I think it's possible that this image has been at least partially manipulated. Unfortunately, I don't have a source video to verify either way.

 

[wuguanhui]

Is there a type of battery that is sufficiently resistant to damage to work as armor? I think this would be necessary for power armor to become viable.

 

[tankphobia]

It will become cheaper and better over time, and I believe I've heard about mass adoption by 2035 from somewhere before.

Of course, but 80k is outrageously expensive for a individual soldier. Entire kit for the average US infantry is like 10k. An exoskeleton is not enough of a force multiplier to warrant such expense. In fact even if it was 1/10 the price I would still argue it's too expensive.

 

[broadsword]

If it were 80,000 yuan, then it would be just over $11,000, which sounds more plausible.

 

[Aniah]

Of course, but 80k is outrageously expensive for a individual soldier. Entire kit for the average US infantry is like 10k. An exoskeleton is not enough of a force multiplier to warrant such expense. In fact even if it was 1/10 the price I would still argue it's too expensive.

Like broadsword said, it might be 80k yuan and not USD. 11k is still a lot, but I'm looking at prices 10 years from now. You add the commercial/civilian sector, also mass adopt this, then it becomes even cheaper.

 

[qwerty3173]

Is there a type of battery that is sufficiently resistant to damage to work as armor? I think this would be necessary for power armor to become viable.

Solid state batteries are already very close to commercial use. These do not have liquid in them and thus won't have their insides mixed up with external damage. They still smoulder but won't explode.

 

[dingyibvs]

Solid state batteries are already very close to commercial use. These do not have liquid in them and thus won't have their insides mixed up with external damage. They still smoulder but won't explode.

Might be better to go in the other direction, with exploding batteries that can act as ERA. Maybe have such batteries on the bottom as last line of defense against mines, and have VLS anti-tank (or anti-drone?) missiles around the crew compartment as ERA against HEAT rounds.

 

[tankphobia]

Might be better to go in the other direction, with exploding batteries that can act as ERA. Maybe have such batteries on the bottom as last line of defense against mines, and have VLS anti-tank (or anti-drone?) missiles around the crew compartment as ERA against HEAT rounds.

Are you just describing a tank?

 

[dingyibvs]

Are you just describing a tank?

No, it's a mecha!