Mengtanks

Mengtanks are a fictional class of armored ground vehicles commonly depicted in science fiction and tabletop gaming. The term describes modular, AI-assisted or remotely controlled tanks that can be rapidly reconfigured for different missions. There is no real-world standard for mengtanks; the concept appears in various media as a design and narrative device to explore autonomous warfare and future combat.

Design and configuration: A typical mengtank features a baseline chassis with swappable mission modules, which may include a turret or fixed gun, missile or projectile options, and targeting systems. A modular armor package provides configurable protection levels, while a sensor fusion suite and data links connect the vehicle to allied units and drones within a battlefield network. Powertrains are imagined as flexible, including conventional, hybrid, or electric propulsion, to support different endurance and speed requirements.

Autonomy and control: In most depictions, mengtanks can be remotely piloted, operate semi-autonomously, or function as fully autonomous platforms under human oversight. Onboard artificial intelligence handles navigation, target selection, and cooperative engagement with other networked assets, subject to safety overrides and mission constraints.

Operational use and variants: In fiction and games, variants appear for reconnaissance, direct assault, or engineering support. Common roles include fast reconnaissance with light armament, heavy frontline engagement with reinforced armor, and repair or obstacle-clearing configurations that carry tools instead of weapons. They are often depicted coordinating with unmanned aerial vehicles and other robotic systems.

Impact and reception: As a storytelling concept, mengtanks are used to examine the implications of autonomy, networked warfare, and the ethics of weaponized AI. They also function as a flexible tool in worldbuilding and game design, enabling adaptable combat platforms without naming a specific real-world lineage.