The current concept would go something like this: Post-Firestorm, GDI decides to save some money regarding "garrison" troops patrolling/defending blue zones in order to direct the savings into the forces out in the YZ/RZ. Since BZ would have little/no surface tiberium, the need to avoid conventional vehicle designs for tiberium contamination reasons is unnecessary. So they come up with the Guardian (no amphib capability because patrol routes shouldn't be crossing rivers, etc without a bridge to use) and the Pitbull. Among the capabilities dropped is much of the NBCT (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical, Tiberium) protections. (Note, 2034 era Pitbulls would also not have the sensor package, since the Mobile Sensor Array in service within the last 3-4 years is still massive, unless some degree of Tacitus knowledge caused the required package size to shrink by 2034 from 2031-2032?)
They would've been in service by 2034, where they saw some action at Rio and in Australia. Post-2034 with increasing budget cuts in response to the Liquid Tib fiasco, the decision was made to save costs where possible and replace the amphib APC with the Guardian globally, and likewise Pitbull replacing Hover MLRS (quite possibly the Pitbull gets moving on that sooner if GDI was considering this particular replacement from the start, given Hover MLRS and ion storms). As part of the full replacement, the Guardian and Pitbull would need upgrades (NBCT protection, for one). Some time late 2030s or early 2040s, the Pitbull would get its sensor package that allows it to detect stealth units (also allows GDI to save some more money retiring what Mobile Sensor Arrays are still in service).
Whenever Zone Armor is getting close to entering service, the Guardian gets a slight redesign to the passenger area to allow up to 6 people plus gear or 4 Zone Armor. Next upgrade would be adding ablat armor pattern markings/points to the design (pattern markings to make it easier to line up pucks to start off adding plating, that sort of thing). The newest version would include Ferro Aluminum armor, which would be starting Q1 2062, or whenever we finish the FA refits? Likewise with the Pitbull for ablat and FA upgrades.
With Pitbull, I started considering if maybe the GDI was dissatisfied with the Hover MLRS operating capabilities around ion storms, and thus was potentially looking at the Pitbull as a full replacement from the start that they then downgraded to BZ operation capabilities for the initial production model (essentially designed for but not with everything else). Then if the Pitbull handled things well enough, they could start making changes to phase out the Hover MLRS with something that'd work in ion storms and have similar/same combat capabilities. Events in the mid/late 2030s just kinda accelerated their plans.
The looking to the future section for the Guardian would probably consider lengthening the design for more passenger space due to increasing Zone Armor use, possibly more power generation capabilities given expanding laser use on GDI vehicles. Pitbull... I got nothing. Maybe swap out the missile pods for URLS compatible ones, if that hadn't been done yet (not sure if it has)? I'd say maybe a RWS, but that'd probably interfere with the missile... pods. MODULAR TURRET.
Imagine if the Pitbull had a "plug and play" turret mount point, so you could mount a decent sized laser on the back, a heavier URLS missile system, a particle weapon of some sort, or possibly a Slingshot-style SPAA system (though please add enough gun depression to engage infantry this time, WW2/Korean Army personnel would like to remind everyone that quad 50s did excellent work on infantry when planes weren't around to shoot instead, and with quad railguns...). Would probably need a powerplant upgrade to power whatever options, but the added flexibility would be lovely. Maybe save the mortar Pitbull version for the standard design, or turn it into a twin mortar turret mount. Or hell, just make it part of the standard design that all Pitbulls come out of the factory with (twin mortar turret plus standard mortar on the back? Anyone call for three 120mm mortars rapid firing on a target?
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