Quote Originally Posted by Kadagar_AV View Post
I have heard the same... That humanoids are faster and can also switch already loaded ammo...

However, that is from back in the days when I was in the army... Now 15 years later I wouldnt be surprised if autoloaders are faster.

In Sweden we have this "Archer" artillery system, and it's fully automatic... As there really isn't any reason for this system to autoload if it wasn't the best option, I guess autoloading has taken some steps forwards. We test our stuff SERIOUSLY, and my best guess is that Russia does the same. So suffice to say, if they auto-load they probably have good reasons for it.

BTW, how often would you want to switch the ammo locked and loaded anyway?
Well, this isnt exactly the first Russian tank with an autoloader, even when they were not as advanced as they are today.

As for the artillery, their rounds, if Im not mistaken, are much larger and heavier so it would make sense that an autoloader is better and faster.

Well, Russia, and formerly Soviet, are hardcore into "system warfare"... As is the USA...

It means that the tank is a perfect cog in the wheel that is the armed forces... Russia isn't stupid, and probably have already thought out a defense against drones etc... But no, the tank is not part of THAT function of the military...

Tanks are for taking ground. No more, no less. For anything else we have cheaper and better options. So to say "Why build tanks when we have drones" is faulty logic... Why not have tanks AND drones? And artillery, and marines, and submarines, and nukes, and infantry, and special forces yadda yadda yadda...

You get my point.
Drones are still an important part though, and will be even more important as smaller drones come available. I remember seeing something about how the US is developing swarming drones so you might be able to take out some of them with anti-air and countermeasures but some will get through. Its a challenge for armor going forward for sure, but I think warfare in the future will be more about drones and infantry clashes, I dont think we will ever see another Kursk.