Stryker

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For the manufacturer of medical and orthopedic products, see Stryker Corporation. For the Mortal Kombat character, see Kurtis Stryker. For the X-Men villain, see Reverend William Stryker.
Image:Stryker-IFV-50cal.jpg
Infantry Fighting Variant equipped with the Browning M2 and anti-RPG slat armor.
Country Of Origin:United States
Designation:Infantry Fighting Vehicle
Configuration:8 x 8
Manufacturer:General Dynamics
Land Systems - Canada
Crew:4
Length:6.95 m (22.92 ft)
Width:2.72 m (8.97 ft)
Height:2.64 m (8.72 ft)
Weight:16,472 kg 18.12 t (ICV)
18,772 kg 20.65 t (MGS)
Speed: 100 km/h (62 mph) (road)
km/h (off-road)
Range: 502 km (312 miles)
Primary armament:M68A1E4 105 mm gun
M2 .50 caliber gun
2 x M6 smoke grenades
Secondary armament:.50-caliber M2 gun
MK19 40mm grenade machine gun or
M240 7.62mm machine gun
4 x M6 smoke grenades
mounted in a Remote Weapon Station (RWS)
Armour:mm
Power plant:350 hp

The Stryker is a family of eight wheeled, all wheel drive, armored combat vehicles produced by General Dynamics Land Systems and is in current use by the US Army and the Mobile Gun System variant has been ordered by the Canadian Army to replace its fleet of Leopard I tanksTemplate:Ref. It is the first military vehicle to enter service in the US military since the M2 Bradley in the 1980s. The Stryker is based on the Canadian LAV III light-armoured vehicle, which in turn is based on the Mowag Piranha.

Stryker is named in honor of two American servicemen: Spc. Robert F. Stryker, who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Vietnam War, and Pfc. Stuart S. Stryker, who received the award for his actions during World War II. Both men were killed in action.

Contents

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Production history

The Stryker Brigade Combat Team idea is relatively new and based upon the Brigade Combat Team Doctrine. A newer generation of equipment such as the Stryker digitally connected through military C4I networks greatly enhance the overall units' lethality and ability to react to hostile forces. This light and mobile team was championed by the 34th U.S. Army Chief of Staff, General Eric Shinseki.

The Stryker was recalled from duty early in Iraq in order to be retrofitted with armor capable of adequately defending against rocket propelled grenade (RPG) attacks that it would likely face in Iraq. It has since been redeployed with the "Catcher's Mask" style deflector (known as slat armor) that pre-detonates a RPG's high explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead, thereby reducing the overall penetration power and increasing the durability of the vehicle.

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Variants

The Stryker chassis is very modular in design to tout increased survivability and supports a wide range of inter-changeable parts to create different variants. The two main chassis are the Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV) and the Mobile Gun System (MGS). The MGS is a heavier chassis to support a 105 mm M68A1 rifled cannon, the same gun system as was used on the original M1 variant of the Abrams main battle tank.

The Stryker has the following configurations with more planned in the future: Image:Stryker-ATGM-M240C.jpg

  • M1126 Armored Personnel Carrier (APC)
  • M1127 Reconnaissance Vehicle (RV)
  • M1128 Stryker Mobile Gun System (MGS)
  • M1129 Mortar Carrier (MC) armed with 120mm Mortar
  • M1130 Commanders Vehicle (CV)
  • M1131 Fire Support Vehicle (FSV)
  • M1132 Engineer Support Vehicle (ESV)
  • M1133 Medical Evacuation Vehicle (MEV)
  • M1134 Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) armed with TOW missile
  • M1135 Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicle (NBC RV)

All Strykers share common parts, limited self recovering abilities (the winch is less effective with up-armored vehicles and prone to motor burnout), and bullet resistant self inflating (run-flat) tires, along with their anti-RPG slat armor. Armament: TOW anti-tank guided missile; and a M2 .50 cal machine gun, MK19 grenade machine gun, or M240B machine gun in a Remote Weapon Station (RWS) <ref name ="GlobalSecurity.org">{{cite web 

| last = GlobalSecurity.org
| url = http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/iav-icv.htm
| title = M1126 Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicle
| work = US Weapon Systems
| accessdate = 2006-04-17

}}</ref>.

The Strykers seen in US Army service are criticized for being poorly armed when compared to similar vehicles, like the Coyote. The Stryker could mount the same turret (sporting a 25 mm autocannon) as the Coyote or the United States Marine Corps's LAV but vehicles equipped with this turret are too tall to drive on and off of a C-130 transport aircraft. Being able to drive off of the C-130 was regarded as more important than providing the occupants with a more powerful and immediately usable weapon. It should be noted that the Stryker is too wide to enter a C-130 when the "slat" armor or RWS is attached, and the suspension must be "squatted", requiring the vehicle be driven up to a half mile. Unlike the M113, which can exit a C-130 with weapons ready to fire, the Stryker requires on-site setup time for RWS re-attachment.

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Operators

Image:Stryker-IFV-MK19.jpg Image:Stryker vehicle.jpg

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Combat history

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Deployments

  • Post-invasion Iraq, 2003-2005: the first Stryker brigades were deployed to Iraq in October 2003. 3rd Brigade, 2d Infantry from Fort Lewis was the first to field and deploy the Stryker vehicle to combat in Iraq from Nov 2003 to Nov 2004. 3d Brigade was relieved by 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (SBCT). The 172nd SBCT from Alaska began its deployment in August 2005 and is now operating with Stryker Vehicles in and around Mosul, Iraq.
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Criticisms

Template:SectOR The Stryker has been something of a controversial vehicle, with many criticisms levered at its concept, design, doctrine and costs. The Stryker MGS is most often compared by critics to the cancelled M8 AGS and the ICV to the M113A3. It is argued that any C4I technologies to be fitted on Stryker giving it its purported Situational Awareness advantage can also be installed on existing, more survivable and efficient vehicles

A 108-page report in 2003 to a Congressman reported on many flaws of the Stryker.

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Disadvantages of wheeled vehicles in general

Critics claim that a wheeled vehicle suffers many disadvantages versus a tracked vehicle:

  • Inferior cross-country ability due to higher ground pressure. A track distributes vehicular weight over an area equal to the width of the tracks multiplied by its length on the ground, which tends to be comparable to the vehicle's length. Tires distribute weight only over the relatively small areas of tire contact with the ground. Thus tracks can go over terrain where wheels would sink. This also means it is more likely to set off pressure-detonated mines
  • The performance of a wheeled vehicle suffers more with excess weight than a tracked vehicle.
  • Wheels are high and vulnerable targets for even small arms. The wheel wells cannot be protected by track-style armored skirts, for that would interfere with the vehicle turning.
  • Wheels can turn the vehicle, but tracks can pivot the vehicle. Thus large wheeled vehicles (Stryker), have larger turn radii and inferior maneuverability.
  • Wheeled vehicles find it very difficult to surmount obstacles (such as barricades) that a tracked vehicle would easily climb over.
  • A wheeled vehicle is not really faster in field conditions when one takes into account the tracked vehicle's superior maneuverability and off-road performance.
  • Part of the wheeled vehicle's reputation for superior maintainability is due to the fact they are usually of lower mass.
  • Any advantages a wheeled vehicle has over steel tracked counterparts can be reduced by using new band-track and electric-drive technology. Conventional tracks consist of linked solid metal segments with rubber pads attached; a rubber band track consists of coils of steel cables coated in rubber. While rubber band tracks cannot support the weight of tanks, they have been tested up to weights of 30 tons and were used on US Army halftracks in the Second World War. The M113 APC and its upgraded MTVL form, the most often proposed alternatives to Stryker, could easily be fitted with these tracks. Between the band tracks and an electric-drive motor, it can actually match the Stryker's theoretical road speed of about 62MPH.

See also:

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Design

In addition to generic criticisms from the choice of wheels over tracks, critics claim there are many flaws with the Stryker.

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General Criticisms

  • A lack of amphibious ability. M113s and BMPs can swim either by using their tracks or (when so equipped) with waterjets. The wheeled BTR-90 of similar weight can swim using waterjets, and other wheeled vehicles like the LAV-150 can even swim (slowly) on wheels, but not Stryker.
  • A original "Key Performance Factor" was for it to be air-transportable by C-130. Instead of flying 1000 miles, critics claim it can only fly 100. Size and weight drastically limit what support and personnel gear can be carried with Stryker.
  • It is too heavy for parachute operations.
  • It cannot be heliborne short of using a Mi-26.
  • It is quieter (than some) but larger and taller than comparable tracked vehicles.
  • The stereotype that a wheeled vehicle can self deploy is apparently not true for Stryker.
  • As of now, the RWS has no stabilization ability. The RWS is considered to be slow, and hard to work with due to its Black and White optical camera system.
  • The vehicle's armor protects against 14.5mm, but the add-on-slat-armor only defeats RPGs with HE warheads. Armor-Piercing tipped RPGs have been known to punch through the slat-armor. Stryker armor is inferior to that which can be fitted to the tracked M113 APC and M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle.
  • Computer systems for communications, intelligence and other systems have malfunctioned in the desert heat due to air conditioning problems.
  • Since Stryker is barely airmobile and unit cost is high, funds could be more effectively spent on more versatile systems instead of a narrow-focus armored car. Israeli M113 Zeldas and US (informally named) SuperGavins are successful in urban combat yet can cope with conditions that would strand armored cars.
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ICV-specific criticisms

  • As with any external, unprotected, vehicle mounted weapon, the vehicle commander must expose himself in the hatch to reload or correct a weapons malfunction. Gunshields/TAGS gunshields as used on modified M113s would reduce exposure, but a crewman would still be forced to exit the hull to clear or reload. Reloading concerns limit firepower since magazine only holds 200 rounds. If the weapon is emptied in combat, enemy rifle fire can deter or prevent reloading.
  • High tire usage is a problem due to the vehicle being overweight.
  • The interior is tight with a squad of fully combat equipped soldiers, to include body armor with ballistic plates and a second load of ammunition that is also carried on the vehicle. The squad cannot fight from within the vehicle and are essentially passengers until dismount.
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For further reading

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MGS-specific criticisms

  • The C-130 cannot carry the heavier Mobile Gun System at all, thus totally failing the "Key Performance Factor" above.
  • Instead of using a low pressure gun like the M8 (or the Russian 2S25), the Stryker MGS uses the M60's 105mm M68A1 cannon. This gun has far too much recoil for the Stryker's weight class.
  • Thus, they added a muzzle brake. Muzzle brakes reduce recoil at the cost of extra blast and noise. The noise level in tests approached 200dB. It is estimated that means a soldier cannot safely approach within 450m of a firing Stryker MGS. The blast debris was also extensive, forcing the crew to fight in the buttoned-up position.
  • Even with the muzzle brake, the recoil still damages the MGS' more delicate internals, such as night vision electronics, the lights, instrumentation and helmets worn by test dummies. Without the muzzle brake, the recoil mechanism is destroyed.
  • Unlike the M8 autoloader, the MGS autoloader apparently cannot reliably select the right type of round. It also has a carousel with half the capacity, reducing its battle endurance.
  • Only 2-axles on a Stryker are equipped with run-flat tires. The MGS is too heavy to be supported on 2 axles.
  • The lack of a winch means the Stryker can not perform a self recovery.
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For further reading

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Counter-criticisms

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Advantages of Wheeled Vehicles

  • The raised hull of a Stryker can reduce land mine damage compared to an unmodified/unoptimized tracked vehicle design.
  • Tires do have the bright spot of having the run-flat option. This allows Strykers with extensive damage to tires from IEDs to continue their mission, or at least limp out of the area. Thrown tracks stop tracked vehicles until a towbar is attached or the track is repaired/replaced in situ.
  • Wheeled vehicles generally have lower life running costs (band track systems can narrow or eliminate the difference) and can last longer between maintenance cycles. Ability to put mileage on them that could wear out an M2 Bradley makes them very mobile in theater, lets them shift quickly and often.
  • Wheeled vehicles are quiet in comparison to tanks with conventional steel track, but less so in comparison to modern "band tracks", which also improve speed.
  • Wheeled vehicles consume considerably less fuel than tracked vehicles, reducing logistical demands and reducing the number of fuel convoys required to substain a force.
  • Wheeled vehicles can travel long distances on their own tires, while tracked vehicles suffer excess track wear unless they are carried by tank transporters over long distances.
  • Wheels don't destroy roads or curbs when driven over them, making them friendlier for policing missions.
  • Wheels give the Stryker the agility to engage in mid to high-speed chases through heavy traffic.
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Responses to Stryker-specific complaints

  • Proponents claim it is now capable of an operational radius of 600 miles.
  • It is actually smaller in its basic dimensions than a BTR-80.
  • The armor does make it more survivable than a Humvee.
  • Durability allows fast repair and redeployment.
  • Strykers' advanced communication systems give them excellent situational awareness, letting them coordinate fast raids and missions almost on-the-fly, even in unfamiliar territory, and expect that they will be successful (in fact, this was the purpose of fielding the Stryker in the first place).
  • The Stryker's tire pressure can be adjusted by the crew inside the vehicle, allowing the tires to have low pressure for travel through deserts, or higher pressure for travel down roads, without soldier leaving the protection of the armor.
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Updates

Defense Industry Daily: M1126 Strykers in Combat: Experiences and Lessons. Addresses both the Washington Post article and POGO's honest but puzzled publication of its surprise at the positive reviews it got from soldiers who had used the Strykers in combat. It includes extensive additional quotes and experiences from soldiers and reporters who have served with Strykers in Iraq, and even a Russian analyst review. It concludes by discussing the broader lessons from these experiences that apply beyond the Stryker itself. Source: Star and Stripes, testimony & analysis in DID article.

Soldiers and officers who use Strykers defend them as very effective vehicles; 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.".

One colonel said that the Strykers saved the lives of at least a hundred soldiers deployed in northern Iraq. See Soldiers Defend Faulted Strykers

Colby Buzzell, in "My War" and on his blog, defends the utility of the Stryker over track armor in urban settings.

For a contrasting point of view and considerable background, see http://www.combatreform.com/lavdanger.htm

It must be noted that five of the six planned Stryker brigades were previously foot-infantry units, hence the Stryker (or any armored vehicle) provides a great improvement on their former mobility and protection. Further, Iraq's many paved roads and very dry climate make a number of criticisms less significant in the current conflict, yet no less valid overall.

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References

<references/>

  1. Template:Note The announcement made by then Minister of National Defense John McCallum is quoted at: http://www.defense-aerospace.com/produit/28031_us.html.
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See also

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External links

Template:Modern IFV and APCTemplate:General Dynamics

de:Stryker Armored Vehicle he:סטרייקר

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