The Practicality of Power Armor in Real Life Warfare: A Comprehensive Analysis
When considering the practicality of power armor as depicted in the Fallout universe, one must take into account several key aspects including its role in warfare, protection, and limitations. The opening sequence of Fallout 4 offers a compelling illustration of how such armor could be utilized in real-life scenarios, providing unique advantages and challenges.
Role in Warfare
Power armor, like the T-51B or T-60 models seen in the Fallout universe, would primarily serve as a supporting role. These suits are designed to provide covering fire, acting as a 'moving wall' for their squadmates by entering hostile buildings first and providing shield coverage. This is a crucial role in urban combat, where small spaces and close-quarters fighting are common. The power armor's advanced sensors, similar to those found in T-45, would also be invaluable for detecting enemy positions, making it a valuable asset in urban warfare.
Protection and Limitations
One of the key features of power armor is its protection against small arms fire. This makes the armor highly attractive for soldiers who need to withstand intense firefights. However, the armor's effectiveness against certain types of long-range or powerful weapons is quite limited. For example, a .308 round, or a .357 Magnum, would easily penetrate the armor with precise shots.
Furthermore, the reality is that such armor is highly conspicuous and would make a massive, bulky target in any battle. An enemy force with even a moderately competent shooter and a scoped lever-action or bolt-action rifle could easily pick off the wearer from a distance. This is further exacerbated by the reality that such rifles are widely available in the Fallout setting, particularly in the Mojave Wasteland and the real American west.
Practical Real-World Alternatives
Given these limitations, a more practical real-world iteration of power armor would be the LAPD Riot Armor, Desert Ranger Armor, or NCR Ranger Armor. These armors offer a high level of environmental protection, including NBC masks and NVG/IR capability. They also integrate ballistic protection and maintain a minimal target profile, ensuring the wearer can move efficiently and stay hidden from enemy fire.
For modern military applications, the LAPD Riot Armor would provide a suitable standard for close-quarters combat and riot control scenarios. While it lacks the extreme protection of power armor, it offers a significant boost to the soldier's capabilities in these environments.
Conclusion
Power armor, especially in its current Fallout form, is not a practical solution for most real-life warfare scenarios due to its limitations. However, the principles behind its design can inform the development of more effective and practical armors in the future. Understanding these limitations and advantages will help in creating more realistic and effective military equipment for the evolving nature of modern combat.
References:
Fallout 4 Gameplay: Opening Sequence Modern Small Arms and their Capabilities Riot Control and Urban Warfare Tactics