Re: Approaching TL9?
Until we have an improved, portable energy storage solution, I am having a lot of trouble saying we've jumped a Tech Level. There is a lot of tech that is nearly ready to go, but we just can't power it reliably. Exoskeletons come to mind, as do man-portable directed-energy weapons.
As for firearms, I am going to climb the hill and challenge anyone to knock me off it: the idea that caseless or plastic-cased ammunition was the Next Big Advance was wrong. I'll forgive the authors for this one, as even a decade ago we didn't quite realize it, but it has become very clear that small arms have absolutely plateaued. Ever since the introduction of the plastic-framed, large-caliber pistol - i.e., the Glock - there has not been a major advance in any firearms technology. For a little bit optics seemed to be improving rapidly, but they too seem have to hit a hard wall. Caseless ammunition has proven to be a huge hassle for nearly no benefit.
|