In most JC games, vehicles (and to a lesser extent, weapons) had pretty badass names.
Something that stood out. Something that made us remember them.
There's an old Russian sying: "The ship will sail accordigly with it's name". The same goes here. Many game vehicles were outstanding with their look, preformance AND name. It made them... Special in many ways. For example: Delta MAH-15 Chimaera was an extremely fun heli to play with, and it's name totally described it's appereance. It was a chimaera - a little bit of everyting, of a Comanche, a Fasthawk, etc. Or a SV1000 Stonewall - how cool is that? Or CS Navajo? Or, maybe, Rage-Jonhston Wraith? Or even URGA Hrom-D? Those names just sound BADASS.
...And what the hell happened in JC4?
A MRAP named "Cavalry"? Seriosuly? A "Prizefighter" tank? Is "Prizefighter" even a word? Not to mention it's not a "tank", but rather an IFV. But a helicopter named "DROPZONE CHOPPER" is over the damn limit.
It's LAME and it's a SHAME. There's little thought had been put into those vehicle names, and it DOES affect gaming experience. These vehicles, devoid of better names, become devoid of a spark of soul.
Something that makes them to stand out. Something we remember after the first playthrough. Something we carry on after.
I totally understand that game creation is a very complicated, resource-demanding and costly process. I was a modder and a content creator for a long time, working with HL2 and GTA VC/SA projects. I am also an artist, so I do understand how exhausting might developing process be.
ASK THE COMMUNITY FOR HELP THEN!
You've already did a contest on designing the special gun for JC4. Why not to take a step further? Ask someone who's willing and able to create cool, badass and outstanding vehicle and weapon names to work with you! I AM OFFERING MY HELP I will take NO CHARGE, I will remain IN CONTACT via Discord most times, and I have AN UNDERSTANDING OF LEGAL ISSUES regarding the developing process. I understand, that by granting me a position in developing of next games and/or DLCs you're creating the possibility of an unwanted insider leaks within your team. But I have a solution: you can only feed me a very vague, need-to-know basis only details on the vehicle. For example: "A western-looking Main Battle Tank of the cold war era". You can even give me portions of false data to ensure that no game details will be leaked before scheduled release.
To demonstrate my point, I've made a list of "Renamed" JC4 vehicles; not only I've made them sound more BADASS, but also made it in concordance with NATO standards on military tech.
Warrior Offroad - Askari MMV. "Askari" means "warrior" in Swahili, but sounds drastically more agressive and more importantly, it stands out as a unique name. MMV stands for "Mobile mounted vehicle".
Prizefighter tank - CV84 Jaguar . Jaguars are spiritual animals that are closely connected to Latin American mythology, and also sound badass as a powerful predator. I'm also try to keep with Native (latin) american theme of vehicle naming that is present in original naming system. CV stand for Combat vehicle as it's not a tank (seriously people, you need a military advisor), and 84 is a designator, usually given alongside most NATO opcodes.
Warchief assault tank - Blackfang MBT OR M3A5 Blackfang. Once again, it's a far more creative, yet agressive name that is made in accordance to modern military standards.
Cavalry armored truck - Warwitch MRAP. Once again, keeping up tribal theme.
Falconer AA tank - Kipanga Anti-Air System Kipanga means "Falconer" in Swahili, and it's NOT a tank, it's a SPAAG.
Firebrand scout chopper - RH15 Firebrand. That actually one of the fine names. Just made it into right designator (Recon Heli, not Scout Heli)
Spectre attack helicopter - AH99 Kivuli AH for Attack helicopter, Kivuli means "Shadow" in Swahili.
Prospero Bloodhound - One of the GOOD names, would not correct it.
Conquistador Warship - Conquistador patrol ship OR Termite patrol ship. Really, it's NOT a warship. "Termite" because it looks like it, and also the insect has some notions in American mythology.
That's a few examples. I have many other ideas that I could discuss and change on demand, if you'll accept my help.
I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT YOU MIGHT NOT BE A RIGHT PERSON TO ASK THAT FOR, if you're an EMLOYEE OF SQUARE ENIX STUDIOS, but reading that article, and in that case, maybe you'll help me to CONTACT THOSE WHO I SHOULD SPEAK WITH?
Maybe I can help the collective in other ways. I have understanding of both basic and complex game design mechanics (as a modder), I'm a military history and technology enthusiast, and I am also living in an active warzone, which gives me a good understanding on some issues you're making your games basis on. I might help you in a number of ways, and I'm willing to. So if you're reading this, contact me - or at least send a good, clear "NO" with explanation on the issues I did not forsee.