Stryker

IAV Stryker
M1126 Stryker ICV
Type	Armored personnel carrier
Place of origin	Canada / United States
Service history
In service	2002-present
Specifications
Weight	ICV: 16.47 t (18.12 sh tn) MGS: 18.77 t (20.65 sh tn)
Length	6.95 m (22.92 ft)
Width	2.72 m (8.97 ft)
Height	2.64 m (8.72 ft)
Crew	2+9
Armor	14.5 mm resistant[1]
Primary armament	M2 .50 caliber machine gun or MK19 40 mm grenade launcher mounted in a PROTECTOR M151 Remote Weapon Station (RWS) (ICV)
Secondary armament	.50-cal M2 MG and M240 7.62 mm MG (MGS)
Engine	Caterpillar C7 260 kW (350 hp)
Power/weight	ICV: 15.8 kW/t (19.3 hp/sh tn)
Suspension	8×8 wheeled
Operational range	500 km (310 mi)
Speed	100 km/h (62 mph)[1]

The IAV Stryker is a family of eight-wheeled, 4+4-wheel-drive, armored combat vehicles derived from the Canadian LAV III and produced by General Dynamics Land Systems, in use by the United States Army. The vehicle is named for two American servicemen who posthumously received the Medal of Honor: Pfc Stuart S. Stryker, who died in World War II and Spc4 Robert F. Stryker, who died in the Vietnam War.^[2] The Stryker is the U.S. Army's first new armored vehicle since the M2/M3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle in the 1980s.

Contents 1 History 1.1 Background 1.2 Into production 1.3 Deployments 1.4 Future 2 Design 2.1 Power pack and mechanical features 2.2 Command, control, and targeting 2.3 Protection 2.4 Armament 2.5 Mobility 2.5.1 Strategic and operational mobility 2.5.2 Tactical mobility 2.6 Cost 2.7 LAV-H Stryker upgrade 2.8 Mission 2.9 Comparison with contemporary vehicles 3 Variants 4 Operators 4.1 Current operators 4.2 Potential customers 5 Appearances in popular culture 6 See also 7 References 8 External links

History

Background

In October 1999, General Eric Shinseki, then U.S. Army Chief of Staff, outlined a transformation plan for the army that would allow it to adapt to post-Cold War conditions. The plan, dubbed "Objective Force", would have the army adopt a flexible doctrine that would allow it to deploy quickly, and equipped for a variety of operations.^[3] An early phase of the plan called for the introduction of an 'Interim Armored Vehicle' which was intended to fill the capability gap between heavy and lethal, but not easily deployable vehicles (such as the M2 Bradley), and easily deployed, but lightly armed and protected vehicles (such as the HMMWV).^[4] A variant of the Canadian LAV III offered by the General Dynamics-General Motors Defence Canada team was ultimately awarded the contract in November 2000.

Into production

The Stryker MGS moved into low-rate initial production in 2005 for evaluation,^[5] and entered full production in 2007.

The vehicle is employed in Stryker Brigade Combat Teams, light and mobile units based on the Brigade Combat Team Doctrine that relies on vehicles connected by military C4I networks.

The Stryker has come under intense scrutiny from military experts since its introduction in the US Army; this has also been the subject of reporting in the mass media. The fact that the Stryker is the first new armored combat vehicle for the US Army since the introduction of the M2 Bradley may have added to the attention it received outside of military circles.

Currently the Stryker is in the research and development phase of being converted to a vehicle capable of Autonomous Navigation.^[6] TARDEC has also tested an active Magneto Rheological suspension, developed by MillenWorks for the Stryker, at the Yuma Proving Ground, which resulted in greater vehicle stability.^[7]

Deployments

Iraq War, 2003–present:

• The first Stryker brigades were deployed to Iraq in October 2003. 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division from Fort Lewis was the first to field and deploy the Stryker vehicle to combat in Iraq from November 2003 to November 2004.
• 3rd Brigade was relieved by 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (SBCT). 1st Brigade served in Iraq from October 2004 to October 2005. Units from this Brigade participated in the Battle of Mosul (2004) and were responsible for the first successful elections in January 2005. The Brigade was awarded the Valorous Unit Award for their tour in Iraq.
• The 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team from Fairbanks, Alaska's Fort Wainwright began its initial deployment in August 2005 to Summer 2006. Their stay was subsequently extended for up to four months and they were reassigned to Baghdad. The Brigade was awarded the Valorous Unit Award for their tour in Iraq.
• The 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division re-deployed to Iraq late Spring of 2006 and returned home in September 2007. Like its sister brigades it too was awarded the Valorous Unit Award for operations in Baqubah, Iraq.
• As part of a three way move, upon redeployment from Iraq, the 1st Stryker Brigade, 25th Infantry Division and the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment both cased their colors. The former 1st SBCT, 25th ID was redesignated as the new 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment in Vilseck, Germany and the former 2nd ACR was redesignated as the new 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division at Fort Lewis, Washington. During the same period of time, upon redeployment from Iraq, the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team was deactivated and reactivated as the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, in Fort Wainwright, Alaska.
• In May 2007, the 4th Brigade 2nd Infantry Division deployed as part of the "surge" in Iraq. This deployment marked the first time the Stryker Mobile Gun System was deployed in Iraq. Also, the 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment (MANCHU), deployed Land Warrior for the first time in combat.
• In August 2007, the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment deployed to Baghdad for a 15-month tour, relieving 3rd BDE, 2ID.
• In December 2007, the 2nd Brigade 25th Infantry division deployed to Iraq.
• In September 2008, 1-25th Infantry based in Fort Wainwright, Alaska was deployed to Iraq.
• In January 2009, the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, from the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, was deployed to Iraq. The 56th SBCT is the only National Guard unit in the U.S. Army to field Strykers.
• In August 2009, 3rd Brigade 2nd Infantry Division was again deployed to Iraq for a third tour.
• In July 2010, 2nd Brigade 25th Infantry Division once again deployed to Iraq, relieving 3rd Brigade, 2nd ID. 2nd Brigade, becoming the first "Advise and Assist" Stryker brigade.

War in Afghanistan (2001-present):

• The 5th Brigade 2nd Infantry Division was the first Stryker unit sent to Afghanistan, deployed in summer 2009, as part of a troop level increase. The brigade's 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment has suffered the heaviest losses of any Stryker battalion to date.^[8]

• In June 2010, the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment deployed to Afghanistan relieving 5th Brigade 2nd Infantry Division.

Future

It is the U.S. Army's intention that task specific variants of the M113 APC (such as mortar or fire support) be replaced by Stryker, MRAP, and M2 IFV/M3 CFV vehicles starting in 2017.^[9]

Design

The Stryker is based on the LAV III light-armored vehicle, which in turn was based on the Swiss MOWAG Piranha III 8x8.

The vehicle comes in several variants with a common engine, transmission, hydraulics, wheels, tires, differentials and transfer case. The M1130 Command Vehicle and M1133 Medical Evacuation Vehicle have an air conditioning unit mounted on the back. The medical vehicle also has a higher-capacity generator. A recent upgrade program provided a field retrofit kit to add air conditioning units to all variants, and production started in 2005 of the Mobile Gun System mounting an overhead GDLS 105 mm automatic gun.

Power pack and mechanical features

For its power pack the Stryker uses a Caterpillar diesel engine common in U.S. Army medium-lift trucks, eliminating extensive retraining of maintenance crews and allowing the use of common parts.^[10] Because of obsolescence concerns, the Caterpillar 3126 engine was recently replaced by a Caterpillar C7 engine. The C7 shares a common engine block with the 3126.

Pneumatic or hydraulic systems drive almost all of the vehicle's mechanical features; for example, a pneumatic system switches between 8X4 and 8X8 drive.

Designers strove to ease the maintainer's job, equipping most cables, hoses, and mechanical systems with quick-disconnecting mechanisms. The engine and transmission can be removed and reinstalled in approximately two hours, allowing repairs to the turbocharger and many other components to be done outside the vehicle.

Command, control, and targeting

Extensive computer support helps soldiers fight the enemy while reducing friendly fire incidents. Each vehicle can track friendly vehicles in the field as well as detected enemies. The driver and the vehicle commander (who also serves as the gunner) have periscopes that allow them to see outside the vehicle without exposing themselves to outside dangers. The vehicle commander also has access to a day-night thermal imaging camera which allows the vehicle commander to see what the driver sees. The vehicle commander has almost a 360-degree field of vision; the driver, a little more than 90 degrees.

Soldiers can practice training with the vehicles from computer training modules inside the vehicle.

General Dynamics Land Systems is developing a new Power and Data Management Architecture to handle computer upgrades.^[11]

Protection

The Stryker's hull is constructed from high-hardness steel which offers a basic level of protection against 14.5mm rounds on the frontal arc, and all-around protection against 7.62mm ball ammunition.^[12] In addition to this, Strykers are also equipped with bolt-on ceramic armor which offers all-around protection against 14.5mm, armor-piercing ammunition, and artillery fragments from 152mm rounds.^[10][13] Problems were encountered with the initial batch of ceramic armor when it was found that a number of panels failed in tests against 14.5mm ammunition. Army officials determined that this was due to changes in the composition and size of the panels introduced by their manufacturer, IBD Deisenroth. A stopgap solution of adding an additional 3mm of steel armor was introduced until a permanent solution could be found.^[14] The issue was eventually resolved later in 2003 when DEW Engineering was selected as the new, exclusive supplier for the ceramic armor.^[15]

In addition to the integral ceramic armor, optional packages have been developed. These include slat armor^[16] and Stryker reactive armor tiles (SRAT) for protection against rocket propelled grenades and other projectiles, the hull protection kit (HPK), armored skirts for additional protection against improvised explosive devices, and a ballistic shield to protect the commander's hatch.^[12]

The Stryker also incorporates an automatic fire-extinguishing system with sensors in the engine and troop compartments that activate one or more halon fire bottles, which can also be activated by the driver, externally mounted fuel tanks, and a CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear) Warfare system which will keep the crew compartment airtight and positively pressurized.

There are plans to add the Boomerang anti-sniper system and Raytheon Quick Kill anti-RPG system.

Reports from military personnel and analysts state that the Stryker is superior to other light military vehicles regarding survivability against IEDs (improvised explosive devices).^[17][18]

Many users of the Stryker defend it as a very effective vehicle; an article in the Washington Post states:

"But in more than a dozen interviews, commanders, soldiers and mechanics who use the Stryker fleet daily in one of Iraq's most dangerous areas unanimously praised the vehicle. The defects outlined in the report were either wrong or relatively minor and did little to hamper the Stryker's effectiveness, they said."^[19][20]

Armament

With the exception of some specialized variants, the primary armament of the Stryker is a Protector M151 Remote Weapon Station with .50-cal M2 machine gun, 7.62 mm M240 machine gun, or Mk-19 automatic grenade launcher. The choice of armament was driven by many factors. The US Army wanted a vehicle that could rapidly transport and protect infantry to and around battlefields. Heavier armed infantry transport was introduced with the Soviet BMP series in the late 1960s. Vehicles armed in this manner are intended to be used in an assault against an enemy position. However, this also adds weight to the vehicle due to the additional armor, and reduces the number of infantry that could be transported when used with a conventional manned turret as a turret basket is necessary.

Mobility

Strategic and operational mobility

One of the key objectives outlined as part of the army transformation plan was the ability to deploy a brigade anywhere in the world within 96 hours, a division in 120 hours, and five divisions within 30 days. Operational mobility requirements dictated that the vehicle be transportable by C-130 aircraft.^[3] While ultimately the Stryker's ability to be transported by C-130 has been demonstrated, there has been criticism about the Stryker's suitability for C-130 transport as the aircraft’s range may not meet its 1,000 mile goal. This is affected by many variables such as the particular C-130 variant and conditions at the departure airport.^[21] The Stryker is too heavy (19–26 tons, depending on variant and add-on features) to be lifted by existing helicopters.

In August 2004, the US Air Force successfully air dropped an up-weighted Stryker Engineering Support Vehicle from a C-17.^[22] This test was to determine the feasibility of air dropping a Stryker MGS. Even though this test was a success, none of the Stryker variants have been certified for airdrop.

Tactical mobility

The Stryker can alter the pressure in all eight tires to suit terrain conditions: highway, cross-country, mud/sand/snow, and emergency. The system warns the driver if the vehicle exceeds the recommended speed for its tire pressure, then automatically inflates the tires to the next higher pressure setting. The system can also warn the driver of a flat tire, although the Stryker is equipped with run-flat tire inserts that also serve as bead-locks, allowing the vehicle to move several miles before the tire completely deteriorates.

Some criticism of the Stryker continues a decades-long ongoing debate concerning whether tracked or wheeled vehicles are more effective.^[23] Conventional tracks have superior off-road mobility, can pivot a vehicle in place, and are more resistant to battle damage. Wheeled vehicles are easier to maintain, and have higher road speeds. The US Army chose the Stryker over tracked vehicles due to these advantages.^[24]

An additional issue is that rollover is a greater risk with the Stryker relative to other transport vehicles, due to their higher center of gravity. The high ground clearance, however, is likely to reduce the damage caused by land mines and improvised explosive devices on the vehicle.^[25]

While not amphibious, the Stryker's watertight combat hatch seals allow it to ford water up to the tops of its wheels.

Cost

The unit cost to purchase the initial Stryker ICVs (without add-ons, including the cage armor) was US$3 million in April 2002.^[26] By May 2003, the regular production cost per vehicle was US$1.42 million.^[27]

LAV-H Stryker upgrade

The US Army plans to improve its fleet of Stryker vehicles with the introduction of improved semi-active suspension, modifications reshaping the hull into a shallow V-shaped structure, additional armor for the sides, redesigned hatches to minimize gaps in the armor, blast absorbing mine resistant seating, non-flammable tires, an upgrade to the remote weapon station that allows it to fire on the go, increased 500 amp power generation, a new solid state power distribution system and data bus, and the automotive and power plant systems improvements to support a 25% Gross Vehicle Weight increase. The upgraded V-hull will be part of the new StrykShield situational awareness kit, which will address many of these upgrades. Allegheny Technologies' ATI 500-MIL armor steel was designated the primary armored plating for the StrykShield package in 2008.^[28]

The upgrade incorporating lessons learned from Afghanistan is designated LAV-H and General Dynamics had a technology demonstrator displayed at the 2007 Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Exposition.^[29] In March 2010, it was reported that General Dynamics and Army were working to incorporate a double V-hull into the Stryker design and possibly as an add-on kit.^[30][31][32] In July 2010 the Army awarded a $30 million contract to GDLS to start production of the new hull.^[33]

Mission

The Stryker family of vehicles fill a role in the United States Army that is neither heavy nor light, but rather an attempt to create a force that can move infantry to the battlefield quickly and in relative security. Brigades that have been converted to Strykers have primarily been light, or, in the case of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, unarmored HMMWV-based cavalry scouts. For these units, the addition of Strykers has increased combat power by providing armor protection, a vehicle-borne weapon system to support each dismounted squad, and the speed and range to conduct missions far from the operating base.

Stryker units seem to be especially effective in urban areas, where vehicles can establish initial security positions near a building and dismount squads on a doorstep.^[34]

The Stryker relies on its speed and communications for the majority of its defense against heavy weapon systems. It is not capable of engaging heavily armored units, relying on communication and other units to control threats outside of its classification. One variant is armed with anti-tank missiles.

However, at the National Training Center (Fort Irwin California) 3rd Brigade 2nd ID proved that, through the use of unconventional tactics and small dismounted teams armed with anti-armor weaponry, a Stryker unit could hold its own against a conventional armored unit, should the need arise. This situation is something that commanders would most likely avoid due to a higher casualty rate.

Brigades equipped with the Stryker are intended to be strategically mobile (i.e., capable of being rapidly deployed over long distances). As such, the Stryker was intentionally designed with a lower level of protection compared to tracked vehicles like the M2 Bradley, but with much lower logistic requirements.

Comparison with contemporary vehicles

Below is a comparison of some modern APC's and IFV's including the Stryker:

	Fuchs[35]	VBCI[35]	LAV-25[36]	Stryker ICV[36]	BTR-90[36][37]	Terrex
Weight	18.3 t (20.2 short tons)	26 t (29 short tons)	12.8 t (14.1 short tons)	16.47 t (18.16 short tons)	20.9 t (23.0 short tons)	25 t (28 short tons)
Primary armament	Up to three 7.62 mm (0.300 in) Rheinmetall MG3 machine guns	25 mm (0.98 in) NATO dual feed cannon	25 mm (0.98 in) M242 chain gun	0.50 in (13 mm) M2 Browning machine gun	30 mm (1.2 in) 2A42 automatic cannon	25 mm (0.98 in) M242 chain gun, 105mm stabilised turret or RWS
Secondary armament	-	7.62 mm (0.300 in) coaxial machine gun	7.62 mm (0.300 in) M240 machine gun x2	-	7.62 mm (0.300 in) PKT machine gun, 30 mm automatic grenade launcher	40 mm (1.6 in) 40mm AGL, 7.62 mm GPMG (twin-weapon RWS)
Missile armament (Range)	MILAN (400–2000 meters)	-	-	-	AT-5 Spandrel (700–4000 meters)	SPIKE (4000 meters)
Road range	800 km (500 mi)	750 km (470 mi)	660 km (410 mi)	500 km (310 mi)	800 km (500 mi)	800 km (500 mi)
Maximum speed (on road)	96 km/h (60 mph)	100 km/h (62 mph)	100 km/h (62 mph)	100 km/h (62 mph)	110 km/h (68 mph)	110 km/h (68 mph)
Capacity (maximum)	2 crew + 10 passengers	2 crew + 9 passengers	3 crew + 6 passengers	2 crew + 9 passengers	3 crew + 9 passengers	2 crew + 12 passengers

Variants

The Stryker chassis' modular design supports a wide range of variants. The main chassis is the Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV). There have been no proposals yet for an Air Defense variant along the lines of LAV-25 LAV-AD Blazer turret, M6 Linebacker or AN/TWQ-1 Avenger vehicles.

The Stryker vehicles have the following configurations:^[38]

• M1126 Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV) : Armored personnel carrier version that provides protected transport for 2 crew and 9 man infantry squad, and supports dismounted infantry. Weighs 19 tons, communications include text and a map network between vehicles. It can be armed with 0.50 inch M2 Browning machine gun, 40 mm MK19 grenade launcher or 7.62 mm M240 machine gun.
• M1127 Reconnaissance Vehicle (RV) used by RSTA Squadrons and battalion scouts, moving throughout the battlefield to gather and transmit real time intelligence/surveillance for situational awareness. The RV's purpose is to anticipate and avert threats, improving the brigade's decisiveness and freedom of maneuver.
• M1128 Mobile Gun System (MGS) : Version armed with an 105 mm M68A1 rifled cannon (M68A1E4) (a lightweight version of the gun system used on the original M1 Abrams main battle tanks and the M60 Patton main battle tank), an M2 0.50 caliber commander's machine gun and two M6 smoke grenade launchers. The M68A1E4 also features a muzzle brake to assist with recoil and an autoloader, a rare feature on US tank guns. The main gun provides direct fires in support of infantry, engaging stationary and mobile enemy targets, such as bunkers to create a combined arms effect of overmatched firepower that improves survivability of the combat team. The MGS can fire one of its 18 ready 105 mm shells every 6 seconds, and carries 400 rounds of 0.50 caliber and 3,400 rounds of 7.62 mm, and the same C4ISR communications and driver's vision as the ICV. The MGS vehicle is a strengthened variant of the LAV III compared to the standard variant other Stryker vehicles are based on, but retains commonality across all vehicles in the family.
• M1129 Mortar Carrier (MC) armed with Soltam 120 mm Mortar supports infantry with screening obscurants, suppressive forces and on-call supporting fires (HE, illumination, IR illumination, smoke, precision guided, and DPICM cluster bombs). Precision Guided Mortar Munition (PGMM) attacks point targets at extended ranges with GPS guidance. Organic mortars provide responsive fire support to the maneuver commander and are an ideal system for indirect fire in complex terrain. Vehicles at battalion level also carry the 81mm mortar for dismounted use, while company mortar vehicles carry the 60mm mortar^[39].
• M1130 Command Vehicle (CV) provides commanders with communication, data, and control functions to analyze and prepare information for combat missions; can also link to aircraft antenna/power for planning missions while enroute aboard aircraft. Situational awareness helps commanders to coordinate widely dispersed mobile units against decisive enemy points. Deployed as 3 vehicles per brigade HQ, 2 per battalion HQ and 2 per infantry company.
• M1131 Fire Support Vehicle (FSV) is organic to maneuver companies and provides surveillance and communications (4 secure combat radio nets), with target acquisition/identification/tracking/designation being transmitted automatically to the shooting units.
• M1132 Engineer Squad Vehicle (ESV) provides mobility and limited counter mobility support. Integrated into the ESV are obstacle neutralization and lane marking systems and mine detection devices. The ESV with its attachments provides a partial solution to the obstacle clearance role, primarily for clearance of hastily emplaced mines on hard surfaces and rubble, plus will enable the Engineer squad to control future robotic based systems.
• M1133 Medical Evacuation Vehicle (MEV) is the Battalion Aid Station for brigade units, providing treatment for serious injury and advanced trauma as an integrated part of the internetted combat forward formation. attendant’s seat that will allow the attendant to change position and visually monitor all patients while the vehicle is in motion. Medical personnel must be seated for safety while the vehicle is in motion, but able to visually monitor patients. Geneva Convention markings can be masked/removed as required.
• M1134 Anti-Tank Guided Missile Vehicle (ATGM) is armed with the TOW missile to reinforce the brigade's infantry and reconnaissance, providing long-range antitank fires against armour beyond tank gun effective range. The separate antitank company can alsobe used to shape the battlefield, reinforce the infantry battalions and reconnaissance squadron (e.g. counter-reconnaissance), serve as a reserve, and of course may counterattack. Vehicle commander independently locates secondary targets while gunner is engaging the primary. After ready rounds are fired, crewman will need to rearm the launcher. A vehicle commander, gunner, loader, and driver operate the ATGM in a tactical environment and to carry equipment if the missile launcher is used in a dismounted mode.
• M1135 Nuclear, Biological, Chemical, Reconnaissance Vehicle (NBC RV) automatically integrates contamination information from detectors with input from navigation and meteorological systems and transmits digital NBC warning messages to warn follow-on forces. The core of the NBC RV is its on-board integrated NBC sensor suite and integrated meteor-ological system. An NBC positive overpressure system that minimizes cross-contamination of samples and detection instruments, provides crew protection, and allows extended operations at MOPP 0.
• Mxxxx Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH) This was a prototype vehicle with turret and ammunition developed by Denel Land Systems. Work stopped after the successful November 2005 demonstration of the prototype.^[40]

Operators

Current operators

• U.S. Army - Seven Stryker Brigades were initially formed.^[41] 2,988 vehicles have been delivered as of 2009^[update]:^[42] In 2009, it was announced that two Heavy Brigade Combat Teams (equipped with M1 Abrams and M2 Bradleys) will be converted to Stryker Brigade Combat Teams by 2013.^[43] This will bring the total number of Stryker Brigades to nine.
  • 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division - final Stryker Brigade formed, formerly 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division.
  • 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division - first Stryker Brigade formed
  • 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division - fourth Brigade formed, reflagged from 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment.
  • 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, fifth Stryker Brigade;
  • 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment was the second Stryker unit formed reflagged from 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. Although they are not officially labeled as a Brigade Combat Team because of their unique Cavalry Regiment force structure they are effectively an independent unit parallel to the regular BCTs.
  • 172nd Infantry Brigade; - third Stryker Brigade formed, later reflagged to the current 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division.
  • 56th Stryker Brigade of the 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania Army National Guard (the only National Guard unit to field them).
  • 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division will begin to convert to a Stryker Brigade Combat Team in 2011.
  • 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment will begin to convert to a Stryker Brigade Combat Team in 2012.

• Canadian Forces
  • Canada originally purchased 66 Stryker Mobile Gun System vehicles in 2003, which were expected to arrive in 2010. However, in 2006 the Canadian Forces asked its government to cancel the MGS acquisition. The MGS was originally intended to be used in the "Direct Fire Unit"^[44] which will include Tow Under Armour (LAV III) and MMEV (ADATS on LAVIII). The MGS was originally intended to provide the direct gun fire capabilities of the retiring Leopard 1 tanks.^[45] However, with the recent demonstrated usefulness of tanks in Iraq and hurried deployment of Canadian Leopard 1 tanks to Afghanistan, combined with political changes in Canada and the Canadian Military, the purchase of more modern tanks occurred with the announcement of the purchase of surplus Leopard 2s from the Netherlands.^[46] The MMEV project has also since been canceled, and the TUA requirement cut in half.
  • 33 surplus LAV TUA hulls will be converted into LAV ISC (Infantry Section Carrier), fitted with Nanuk RWS and similar to the M1126 ICV.^[47]

Potential customers

• Israeli Defence Forces
  • Israel has received three Stryker variants for trials, the first of which were vehicles from early production and did not include add-on armor. A 2004 article in the Jerusalem Post speculated that the Stryker was not chosen due to a number of shortcomings, and cited an unnamed military source that the deal was "buried for good".^[48] Later models featuring various add-on armor suits and different upgrades. In 2008, the IDF began receiving the locally designed and produced Namer heavy armored personnel carriers instead.

• Iraqi National Police
  • The Government of Iraq has requested, via the Foreign Military Sales program, the possible sale of 400 Stryker ICVs for use by the Iraqi National Police. The order would also include 8 heavy recovery vehicles for use with the Strykers.^{[49][50][51][52]}

Appearances in popular culture

The IAV Stryker appears in a number of video games, including Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 where one has the callsign 'Honey Badger' and carries the Boomerang anti-sniper system as well as the Raytheon Quick Kill anti-RPG system as self-defensive countermeasures, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, the real-time strategy game Act of War: Direct Action where it the a versatile combat vehicle for Task Force Talon, and it is also shown in the Mercenaries series as a medium armored personnel carrier for the Allied Nations. Mercenaries 2: World in Flames is particularly detailed in its use of the Stryker family of vehicles; the M1126 ICV, M1134 ATGM, and M1128 MGS variants are all available to the player for use. Only the mortar carrier is absent. Combat Mission: Shock Force also depicts Stryker Brigades in a fictional war between NATO and Syria. A Stryker is used twice in the game Alpha Protocol, the first appearance as an enemy boss and second as an ally but only if the player is allied with SIE.

See also

• ZSL-90/92
• KTO Rosomak
• BCT Ground Combat Vehicle Program
• BTR-80
• BTR-90
• Infantry mobility vehicle
• Armoured fighting vehicle
• Terrex 8x8 Armoured ICV

References

External links

Official U.S. Army web pages

• Army Stryker site
• Stryker Brigade Combat Team Project Management Office
• 3rd Brigade / 2nd Infantry Division, 5th Brigade / 2nd Infantry Division pages and "172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team". Archived from the original on 2006-07-18. http://web.archive.org/web/20060718070024/http://www.wainwright.army.mil/172_SBCT/. 

Other web pages

• General Dynamics Land Systems Canada Stryker page
• General Dynamics Land Systems Canada Stryker brochure
• Army Technology - Stryker
• Stryker at howstuffworks.com
• Stryker destroys VBIED from distance (video)
• Stryker photos and walk arounds at Prime Portal
• Extract from International Defence Review article about Stryker Brigade Combat Teams, April 2006
• A non-military website dedicated to the troops in the Stryker Brigades
• Stryker Information and Images
• A 2003 report criticizing the Stryker program
• Superman - Report of a Stryker named "General Lee" getting bombed by IED in Iraq from Michael Yon, July 2007
• STRYKER family of vehicles at YouTube
• Improving the Strykers on Defense-Update

Stryker ACV M1126 Infantry Carrier Vehicle • M1127 Reconnaissance Vehicle • M1128 Mobile Gun System • M1129 Mortar Carrier • M1130 Commander's Vehicle • M1131 Fire Support Vehicle • M1132 Engineer Squad Vehicle • M1133 Medical Evacuation Vehicle • M1134 Anti-Tank Guided Missile Vehicle • M1135 Nuclear, Biological, Chemical, Reconnaissance Vehicle •

Modern wheeled infantry fighting vehicles and personnel carriers 4 × 4 ACMAT • AGF Serval • Agrale Marrua • AMZ Dzik • AMZ Tur • AMZ Żubr • ATF Dingo • Austin Champ • AXE • Badger ILAV • BPM-97 • BOV • Bushmaster • Casspir • Cheetah MMPV • Cobra • Commando • Chaimite • Cougar H • Duro III • Dozor-B • Eagle • Enok • F2 • Fahd • FNSS Pars • Fennek • FTTS • FMC XR311 • G-Class • Golan • Grizzly • HMMWV • Honker • Iveco LMV • Kaya • Komatsu LAV • Land Rover Perentie • Land Rover Wolf • LOV-1 • M1117 Guardian • Mamba • Marine Multi-purpose Vehicle • Marauder (Mine Protected Vehicle) • Matador (Mine Protected Vehicle) • Maverick (Internal Security Vehicle) • Marksman • Mine Protected Combat Vehicle - MPCV • M-ATV • MaxxPro • Millenworks Light Utility Vehicle • Mungo ESK • MWMIK • MXT-MV • MX-1 Kalakian • MX-8 Barako • NIMR • Ocelot • OKA • Peugeot P4 • Pinzgauer • PVP • Piranha • Puma • Reva • RG-12 • RG-31 Nyala • RG-32 Scout • RG Outrider • RG-33 • RG-34 Iguana • RG-35 • S600 • Sand Cat • Santana Anibal • Saxon • Simba • Sherpa 2 • Storm • T-98 Kombat • Tiuna • Tempest MPV • Type 6614 • GAZ-2975 (Tigr) • UR-416 • URO VAMTAC • VAB • VBL • VPK-3927 Volk • VXB • Vodnik • Willys FAMAE Corvo • Wolf 6 × 6 ACMAT • Al-Faris 8-400 • Alvis Saracen • Arma • Patria AMV • AMX 10 RC • Armoured Multirole Carrier • AVGP Grizzly • BAE Caiman • Buffalo H • Ceradyne Bull • Cougar HE • Duro III • EE-9 Cascavel • EE-11 Urutu • ERC 90 Sagaie • F2 • FNSS Pars • Fuchs • Grizzly HPV • KTO Irbis • Land Rover Perentie • Mastiff PPV • MTVR • NIMR • Pandur 6x6 • Patria Pasi • Pindad Panser • Sibmas • Pasi • Pegaso BMR • Pegaso VEC-M1 • Pinzgauer • Piranha • Puma • Ratel • RG-33 • RG-35 • Shoet • TATRAPAN • WZ551 Type 92 • VBTP-MR • VAB • LKOV Valuk • Rheinmetall YAK 8 × 8 Al-Fahd • Arma • Patria AMV • ASLAV • AV-81 Terrex • Bison • Boxer MRAV • BTR-3 • BTR-4 • BTR-80 • BTR-90 • BTR-94 • Centauro VBC • CM-32 • Coyote • FNSS Pars • KTO Rosomak • KTO Ryś • Lazar BVT • LAV-25 • LAV III • SEP • Luchs • LVS • NZLAV • Pandur II 8x8 • Piranha • Rooikat • Saur 1 • Stryker • OT-64 SKOT • Tatra T815 • Type 96 • VBCI • VBTP-MR 10 × 10 LVSR • Piranha

General Dynamics Corporation Corporate Directors: Nicholas Chabraja · James Crown · Lester Crown · William Fricks · Charles Goodman · Jay Johnson · George Joulwan · Paul Kaminski · Jack Keane · Lester Lyles · Carl Mundy · Robert Walmsley Subsidiaries: Bath Iron Works · Electric Boat · Land Systems · Gulfstream · NASSCO · MOWAG Products: Arleigh Burke-class destroyer · Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle · Expeditionary tank · F-111 · F-16 · Los Angeles-class submarine · M1 Abrams · Ohio-class submarine · Seawolf-class submarine · Virginia-class submarine · Stryker · Bowman Annual Revenue: $29 billion USD (23% FY 2008) · Employees: 81,900 · Stock Symbol: NYSE: GD · Website: www.gendyn.com