@Geoff Maybury I'm not totally up on the Sheridans missile system, but I really like the concept of using a tank main gun to send missiles down range. Seems like a pretty solid idea long term. I mean, guided anti-tank munitions is never a bad thing.To be totally honest, I think a smoothbore 155mm main gun that could launch ATGMs and indirect arty rounds may not be a bad idea. The Sabot rounds are already a thing- just tune it up some to keep that glorious berm punching badassery in place.
And yeah, a mini would lose SOME of it's hilarity, but that hilarity would expand rapidly when someone noticed and made a comment. Maybe have the missile flying out the wrong end? Either way, I think it would be pretty funny.
But I guess getting back on point, what kind of weapons systems would tanks use in the future? Honestly, I think tanks would get replaced- especially for space faring forces- as their mass would be an issue an expeditionary force would have to contend with. I really think powered armor will replace tanks in time, and most (not all, but most) armored vehicles will be replaced as a result with multirole transports.
Tanks, while they look cool, will become obsolete the moment we have power supplies for powered armor, or when anti-grav becomes a thing. If I can have ten guys walking around in literal tank suits, being delivered to the battlefield in what basically amounts to a Hind gunship on steroids- why do I want to build tanks at all?
Tanks have limitations that would become real liabilities when faced with heavy powered armor infantry. Heck, we're on the cusp of making them obsolete now with the drone tech and ATGM's that are out there (and I really like tanks- so don't think I'm ragging on them at all).