Lately I've been wanting to build a C-RAM Centurion (Think Phalanx CIWS on a HEMMT). Its designed for relatively static vital point defence against rockets and mortars; incoming projectiles on a ballistic trajectory. It relies on a very high volume of fire to defeat the incoming round before it lands on the base.
I started wondering what a mobile version would look like - something that could move with the forward elements of a Mech Brigade. And instead of smaller calibre and high volume fire, something larger & smarter with lower rates of fire. Similar to AHEAD rounds, but even bigger. Like the C-RAM, this too would have autonomous target tracking & identification. Like the ADATS, this would also have a ground engagement mode, either as direct fire, or as an area suppression weapon (employed the same way as a 40mm Nk 19 or 50 cal, but on a much larger scale)
Here's the mock up so far.
The radar is shown at its highest postion. It has another height half as low, and a travel / stowed position. The gun elevates from 0-80 degrees The 50mm Gatling...fellas, I'm torn. It looks "OK" in real life. Not great. In the photo, it has a decidedly WH40K feel; a look which I am not going for. It's a bit of a deal breaker for me at this point. I've got 3 options:
1. Leave it as is, it will all look better under a coat of primer
2. Rebuild the gatling gun from scratch to about 75% of its current size
3. Keep the gatling gun and adapt it and the radar to the Bandai M61A5 Semovente
Line-of-Sight Heavy Forward Missile Defence System (yeah, clunky name, the marketing boys are on vacation)