Stryker

The Bradley Stryker enables deployment of Stryker Brigade Combat Teams anywhere in the world via readily-deployable, combat-ready support vehicles capable of rapid movement.

The Stryker is a family of eight-wheeled vehicles powered by 350-horsepower diesel engines. It incorporates a central tire inflation system, run-flat tires, and a vehicle height management system. Stryker consists of two types: the Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV) and the Mobile Gun System (MGS).

The ICV is a troop transport vehicle capable of carrying nine infantry soldiers, their equipment, and a crew of two: driver and vehicle commander.

The MGS is designed to support infantry. It has a 105mm turreted gun and autoloader system designed to defeat bunkers and breach double-reinforced concrete walls.

There are eight other configurations based on the ICV that provide combat support capabilities:

• Reconnaissance Vehicle (RV)
• Mortar Carrier (MC)
• Commander’s Vehicle (CV)
• Fire Support Vehicle (FSV)
• Engineer Squad Vehicle (ESV)
• Medical Evacuation Vehicle (MEV)
• Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) Vehicle
• Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicle (NBCRV)

The ICV family (other than the MEV, ATGM, FSV, and RV) is armed with a remote weapons station that supports an M2 .50-caliber machine gun or MK19 automatic grenade launcher, the M6 countermeasure device (smoke grenade launcher), and an integrated thermal weapons sight. Stryker is capable of supporting a communications suite that integrates the Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINGCARS) radio family; Enhanced Position Location Reporting System (EPLRS); Force XXI Battle Command Brigade-and-Below (FBCB2); Global Positioning System (GPS); and high-frequency and near-term digital radio systems.

Optimized for close, complex, or urban terrain, the Stryker moves quickly and provides 360-degree protection against 14.5mm armor piercing threats. It is deployable by C-130 aircraft and combat-capable upon arrival. The Stryker is capable of self-deployment by highway and self-recovery. It has a low noise level that reduces crew fatigue and enhances survivability.

The Stryker program leverages non-developmental items with common subsystems and components to quickly acquire and field these systems. Where appropriate, Strykers integrate existing government furnished materiel subsystems. The Stryker family of vehicles stresses performance and commonality that reduces the logistics footprint and minimizes sustainment costs. The 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division Strykers deployed in Iraq have driven over 3 million miles and maintained an operational readiness rate well above 90 percent.

Stryker Brigade Combat Teams (SBCTs) 1, 2, 3, and 4 require 317 Stryker variants. SBCTs 5 and beyond require 328 Stryker variants, because of an added Stryker-based retrans and gateway capability. The current program requires more than 2,000 Strykers to field six SBCTs. In the FY05 budget, Congress provided additional funding and directed the Army to field a seventh Stryker Brigade Combat Team.