A question for you red of trouser types.

Not so long ago you couldn’t move for vehicle concepts that had elevating masts combining electro-optical, thermal imaging and radar sensors.

A few non-UK vehicles also entered service.

All the operational analysis for TRACER seemed to point to them offering significant survivability benefits in addition to increasing flexibility and overall capability

A few concepts have emerged recently like the C-Quad, Blighter Scout and ISTAR Jackal

And not forgetting the TALISMAN Mastiff that was developed for use in Afghanistan in the route clearance role

But what about SV Scout?

No mast.

Why did they fall out of favour?

Are we expecting high definition video and SAR from airborne platforms like Watchkeeper and Sentinel to be always available, is there a downside to putting your very expensive sensors on long unarmoured masts, or is it something else?

Anyone have any ideas why the elevating sensor mast went the way of flares?