Tele-viper : should it be phased out?

In the modern age of communications I am wondering if the Tele-viper still has use?


Now, these are the communications and electronics dedicated troopers for Cobra, and their file card illustrates an impressive array of equipment.
However, now I have to wonder if the "basic" Viper doesn't have at least a small part of this very equipment built into their helmet? Per the file card: "... helmets with built-in RTO gear are standard issue."


Also, an aspect I hadn't considered before was the part in the Tele-viper file card indicating a "heads-up display," or HUD. When one considers the silver coloring of the '86 Vipers faceplate and compares it to the Tele-vipers silver visor, would it not be easy to assume that the '86 Viper may very well have a HUD in that helmet? Could the Viper helmet essentially carry the same stuff that the Tele-viper helmet carries?


Consider the ever-decreasing size of modern communications and electronic equipment in the real-world, I think the Tele-viper might be better to be phased out. It's like the mobile cell phone in real life, for example. At one time a large brick-sized device, now it has shrunk to the size of a deck of cards (or less!) and not only serves as a mobile phone, but has so many more endless capabilities beyond simple voice transmission!

Amazing technology these days!


I suppose one could argue that the Techno-Viper "could" replace the Tele-viper. We've seen Techno-Vipers performing many more technical looking repairs and whatnot over the years in the medias. I mean, vehicles have electronics and complicated computer systems in their design where like a real-life automotive-tech, the Techno-Viper would have to "upgrade" their knowledge often, wouldn't they?
Could the Techno-Vipers repair and building skills also incorporate the Tele-vipers communications role? At least from the operating and maintaining level?


But perhaps there is more to the Tele-Viper that is revealed through his Python version?
However, even with the more impressive gear that is described in the file card, the stuff that is described as all new and sophisticated still looks the same as the old gear in toy form.
One thing that is upgraded in a way is the mention of the ability to call-in an air-strike!

But, couldn't any old Viper simply jump on the "phone" and call in the coordinates? Or, couldn't any old Viper simply carry the gear, I mean, doesn't the gear make the Viper?

Perhaps the Tele-viper works as a sort of "forward air controller," as well? Perhaps the Tele-viper has the ability to also work with artillery, too?



But, what about the Laser Viper?
If gear makes the Viper, this Viper has the gear that is effectively taking over that field-role of forward air-control from the Tele-viper, as well as adding to the ability to coordinate the heavy ordnance from other vehicles, land and air, to precisely locate and decimate targets.

The primary role of "target illumination" is very practical. Add in that the short range laser can become a weapon in itself, and that weapon is going to be fairly technical, I would imagine that the Laser-viper would have some knowledge of electronics to make the lasers as well as communication between his ordnance-launching Vipers possible and assured.



So, if the Tele-Viper RTO gear could be built-in to not only the Viper helmet, and really any Viper can carry any field gear. And if the Techno-Viper may be able to "fix" any problems with the gear, and then whatever communication system the Laser Viper uses to communicate his targets to his Viper-pals is employed on the field, well, I wonder:

Is the Tele-Viper still needed?
Should the Tele-Viper become an imaginary technician back at the Cobra base?

Or is the communication and electronic realm so expansive that Cobra needs to have a dedicated Tele-viper on the field along side the assault troops?