Stryker
U.S. Army Equipment Information

Posted Sunday, October 16, 2005

Designed to fulfill an immediate requirement in the Army’s current transformation process to equip a strategically deployable (C-17/C-5) and operationally deployable (C-130) brigade capable of rapid movement anywhere on the globe in a combat ready configuration. The armored wheeled vehicle is designed to enable the Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT) to maneuver more easily in close and urban terrain while providing protection in open terrain.

Stryker comprises two variants – the Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV) and the Mobile Gun System (MGS). The ICV has eight additional configurations: Reconnaissance Vehicle (RV), Mortar Carrier (MC), Commanders Vehicle (CV), Fire Support Vehicle, (FSV), Engineer Squad Vehicle (ESV), Medical Evacuation Vehicle (MEV), Anti-tank Guided Missile Vehicle (ATGM), and NBC Reconnaissance Vehicle (NBCRV). Eight configurations are in production now, the first systems having been delivered in Feb 2002. The MGS and NBCRV are in development and will be delivered beginning in 2005. Performance highlights include C-130 transportability; internetted C4ISR capability; integral all-around 14.5mm armor protection and 152mm artillery airburst protection (upgradeable to Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) protection with add-on armor); self-deployment and self-recovery capability; reduced vehicle acoustic signature; ability to carry a nine-man infantry or engineer squad; and bunker and wall breaching capability. These highlights provide a force that will move rapidly as a cohesive combined arms combat team, a capability not currently in the Army inventory.

Weight: 19 tons

Powertrain: similar engine used in Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV)

Speed: in excess of 60 mph

Cruising Range: in excess of 300 miles on 53 gallons of fuel

Three block improvements are planned for the Stryker. A crew-installable add-on armor kit that provides 360-degree RPG-7 protection, an internal recoil-mounted 120mm mortar system, and embedded training that will be provided beginning with the third SBCT. Block improvements will be retrofitted to SBCTs 1 and 2 in subsequent years.