^ I don't mind the idea of bureaucratic bean counters forcing poorly vetted or unproven technologies on soldiers; that's fairly common today (M-16, B-1, F/A-18A, etc.). Some of it is effective, some has potential, and the rest is pure junk disposed of quickly on the battlefield by the testers.
If I may wax on how I would approach CW's (sorry, I'm feelin' kinda gabby
):
I would begin with stripped down versions initially issued to combat engineer battalions as heavy lifters or construction equipment (basically improved mobility cranes and loaders of popular civilian design). The engineers began modifying the loaders shortly after receipt so weapons and armored panels could be attached when needed. When employed against attackers, the CW's greatest advantage was surprise; noone expected heavily armed and armored cargolifters in combat (just like armored bulldozers of the past).
This led to the development of several models modified specifically for combat. Less humanoid in appearance, they tended to be more like attack helicopters with legs with surplus ground attack a/c cockpits utilized to protect the operator. Aircraft weapon systems were also modified for use, giving most walkers a potent punch against soft targets and light infantry.
The first trials only served to highlight the faults in the concept; the loaders were too slow to keep up with fighting vehicles or troops on the march. When pushed, units suffered numerous mechanical problems from overstress. As semi-mobile weapon platforms, they provided excellent fire support but were quickly dispatched by anti-armor weapons. The program was scrapped although the combat engineers continued to make modifications to their units and successors.
In 2XXX, modified loaders were commandeered by members of the XX Special Forces battalion to assault hardened enemy infantry positions in the valley of YYYYY on ZZZZZ. In addition to providing immediated and decisive heavy weapons support to SF soldiers, the loaders were employed to pack several field howitzers into firing position, under the enemy's extensive anti-aircraft umbrella. After the success of this mission, Special Warfare Command revisited the project.
Under new funding, the previous designs were scrapped in favor of a new approach. SF required a system which was highly mobile, armored against infantry weapons, easily transported by air, and packing the fire power equivalent of an infantry squad. Technological advances in prosthetics and neuro interfaces allowed much of the original rigid loader mechanism to be replaced by synthetic musculature and a rigid exo-skeleton. Weapon systems again were modified from those already in use in combat aircraft. The result was a 1000kg armored suit, capable of withstanding concentrated small arms fire and nearby explosive fragmentation weapons, with limited low altitude drop capability, able to mount a wide assortment of heavy infantry weapons and a/c submunition dispensers. In addition, the unit maintained a 250kg lift capability with only moderate loss of fuel cell endurance.
Dubbed the Titan by the development team, the working proto-type proved extremely effective against soft and semi-hardened targets in controlled combat trials. Armor surface treatments and an integrated countermeasure system proved reasonably effective against anti-armor weapons, given normal stand off ranges. The operators found the interface easy to use and nearly instinctive.
The first units were field tested by the XX Special Forces in 2XXX. In 2XXX, the XX SF employed Titans against enemy forces in three highly successful operations with acceptable losses. With feedback from combat veterans, the designs were improved.
