Mobile Gun System
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M1128 Stryker Mobile Gun System
“The two variations of the LAV III that will be produced for the Interim Armored Vehicle program are the Infantry Carrier Vehicle and the Mobile Gun System. The Stryker Mobile Gun System carries a 105mm tank gun, the same gun tube as the one on the original M-1 Abrams tank. This is not a tank replacement, but it gives a direct fire capability to support the infantry elements. The principal function of the Mobile Gun System (MGS) is to provide rapid and lethal direct fires to support assaulting infantry. The MGS is a key weapons overmatch platform to ensure mission success and survivability of the Combined Arms Company.” (Pike,2000-2006)
The Stryker Mobile Gun System is in service in the United States[1] and is being also being considered for adoption by several other countries, including Canada. The United States Army, according to the Army Public Affairs office, “...named its new Interim Armored Vehicle the “Stryker” in a ceremony at Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The Stryker, the combat vehicle of choice for the Army’s Interim Brigade Combat Teams (IBCTs), is a highly deployable-wheeled armored vehicle that combines firepower, battlefield mobility, survivability and versatility, with reduced logistics requirements. The vehicle was named in honor of two Medal of Honor recipients: Pfc. Stuart S. Stryker, who served in World War II, and Spc. Robert F. Stryker, who served in Vietnam. The Stryker will be a primary weapons platform for the IBCTs. It will assist the IBCT in covering the near-term capabilities gap between our Legacy Force heavy and light units. The Stryker-equipped IBCT will provide the joint and multinational force commander increased operational and tactical flexibility to execute the fast-paced, distributed, non-contiguous operations envisioned across the full spectrum of conflict.”
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[edit] The Main Weapon
The M1128 Stryker Mobile Gun System uses the M68A1 105mm cannon which is a modified version of the main armament on the original M1 Abrams tank, while the current M1A1 and M1A2 Abrams tanks utilize the larger 120mm cannon. The Mobile Gun System's firepower includes a turret-mounted 105 mm cannon, a mounted M-240C machine gun and a pedestal-mounted M-2.50 caliber machine gun for the vehicle commander. (Stryker Ramps, 5/31/06) The turrets proposed for these vehicles have been low profile, remotely controlled, and autoloading.
[edit] Design
“They have a maximum speed of 60 miles per hour and a range of 300 miles on a tank of fuel. The vehicle are swift, easily maintainable and include features designed for the safety of soldiers. The LAV's tires can be inflated or deflated from inside the vehicle to adapt to surfaces ranging from deep mud to hardtop, and it has run-flat tires, a built-in fire-suppression system and self-recovery winch. The vehicles run quieter than the current armored personnel carriers, increasing their "stealth." They will also give the new brigades a reduced logistics footprint, and make the units cheaper to operate than today's heavy brigades. The Interim Brigade Combat Team should be about 25 percent cheaper to operate than today's heavy brigades.” (Pike, 2/10/06)
[edit] Survivability
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. The Army says the Stryker family of vehicles are considered less vulnerable to small arms and weapons fire than the M113 family of vehicles. The crew and engine compartments of the Strykers are fully protected up to 14.5mm armor piercing (AP) rounds while the crew and engine compartments of the M113s are protected only up to 7.62mm AP rounds. Although a 14.5mm armor design was developed for the M113s, the armor was never produced and fielded. The LAV's armor protection will stop 50-caliber bullets and protect against 152 mm airburst shells. The basic package on every vehicle is the basic steel hull, which protects against 7.62 mm bullets, and then a ceramic applique, which is added on give protection against 14.5mm machine guns. This is similar to the Bradley add-on armor that is appliqued on top. And just like Bradley armor, the Bradley's don't drive around with that. If there is a situation that requires it, the unit deploys with it, and applies it. The Strykers are protected by armor sufficient to withstand 14.5mm heavy machine gun fire and 152mm overhead artillery fire. A strengthened undercarriage protects the personnel inside from mines. (Pike, 2/10/06) Following the end of the Cold War some theorists believed that the existing suite of U.S. Armoured vehicles, designed largely to fight Soviet mechanized forces in Europe, were not well suited to the lower-intensity missions U.S. Armed forces would be tasked with.
*The Following chart "Mission Capability" is from (Pike, 2000-2006) MISSION CAPABILITY - Low profile turret - M68A1 105mm cannon w/autoloader - Coax 7.62mm, Secondary CDR's MG - Full solution fire control, 2 axis stabilization MOBILITY - 60 mph top speed - 9 sec 50m dash - 78 in gap crossing - 23 in vertical climb - 330 mile cruising range - 53 gal fuel capacity SURVIVABILITY - High hard steel structure - MEXAS ceramic layer - Kevlar spall liner - IBD passive RPG add-on - GFE/ASIOE - M68A1 - ELRF
| 4 x 4 AML | BRDM-2 | Ferret | FV 721 Fox | Piranha |
[edit] Notes
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Pike, J (2000-2006). M1128 Stryker Mobile Gun System . Retrieved October 4, 2006, from GlobalSecurity.org: [1]
- (February 27, 2002). Army Announces Name For Interim Armored Vehicle. Retrieved October 3, 2006, from Army Public Affairs: [2]
- (January 09, 1999). M102 105mm Cannon. Retrieved October 4, 2006, from Military Analysis Netwrok: [3]
- Pike, J (February 10, 2006). Stryker Armored Vehicle. Retrieved October 3, 2006, from GlobalSecurity.org: [4]
- (May 31, 2006). Stryker Ramps Up To Unveil Mobile Gun System. Retrieved October 24, 2006, from LexisNexis: [5]
- Nulle, G 1,000 Stryker vehicle rolls out, ready for action. Retrieved October 25, 2006, from The Voice: [6]
[edit] External links
- SFU web page describing a Canadian Mobile Gun System -- with pictures.
- SFU web page comparing the MGS with competing systems.
- SFU web page with an interesting discussion of alternative thinking about the design of an MGS.
- Mowag has an .avi movie of a MGS firing its gun.
- General Dynamics Canada video of the MGS firing while on the move.
