AN SOE SERS aa aa aaa ITT ' U5, Any dsuusze Yaiiclas iu ction (Puri 2) CarlSchue CoMINI COLOR SERIES ' V5, Any Anuorse Yeutelas tu Action (Purt 2) CSOMCOKD PUBLICATIONS COMPANYCopyright © 2008 by CONCORD PUBLICATIONS CO. 10/ 81, Kong Nam Industrial Building 603-609 Castle Peak Road Tsuen Wan, New Territories Hong Kong \www.concord-publications. com All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Concord Publications Co. We welcome authors who can help ‘expand our range of books. If you would like to submit material please feel free to contact us. We are always on the look-out fornew, unpublished photos for this series, If you have photos or slides or information you feel may be useful to future volumes, please send them to us for possible future publication. Full photo credits will be given upon, publication. ISBN 962-361-158-7 printed in Hong Kong MGs MICADIA MSR MITAS: MRAP MIV Nac NBCRS oF PeMcla PLGR Pist RMSOL, RPG. RSCAAL RV sacr * SEP SINCOARS SAW StoRM svaieD TAGs T0W TUSK usme BED wap Abbreviations Automate Chemical Agent Detection Assembly Armored Cavalry Assit Vehicle ‘Abrams Inigrted Managemcat Amora Personne Carnet Advanced System Improvement Program ‘Ant Tank Guided Mile Armor Vebicle-Launehed Hise Commande’ Independent Thermal Viewer Commercial Heay Equipment Transporter Continental United Stes (Grew Potton Kit Container Rou Platform ‘Common Remotely Opertcd Weapon Station (Cena! Tite Infation System Defense Advanced GPS Reveier Driver's Vision Enhancer Electronic Cours Messe Explosive Ondoance Disposal Enhanced Posiion Location Reporting System Embedded Training Mole Eieyted TOW System Feld Arillery Ammunition Supply Vehicle Fexce XXI Bate Command, Brigae-snd-Below Fire Suppor Team Family of Media Tacical Vehicles Fie Suppon Vehicle Fuel Tank Self Sealing System Global Fosioning System Heany Armee ruarters and Headquaners Company hy Mobility Maltinurpone Wheeled Vehicle Intern Arnone Vehicle Infanry Caer Vehicle Improvised Explosive Device oi Combat Wentiiation Marking Sysern Soim EOD Rapid Respoose Vehicle {Load Handing System ight Medium Tatil Vehicle Long Range Advanced Scout Surveillance System Low Signature Armored Cab Main Bate Teak Morr Carer Mine Clearing Blade Mobile Gin System Multipurpose Inepated Chemical Agent Detector Alarm Main Supply Roste Modified Improved Target Acquistion System Mine Resistan Ambush Posted Median Tactical Vehicle Nuelea, Biological, Chemical Nuclear, Biologia! Chemical Reconnaissance System Operation rai Freedoan Personal Computer Memory Cad ntmatonsl Association Precision Lightweight GPS Receiver Pallet Load System Tralee Recciling Morse Sper Rutectnes Protwovankowrj Granatomyot ~ Rocke Propelled Grenade Remote Sensing Chemical Agen Alarm Reconnaissance Vice ‘Stryker Brigade Combat Team System Enhancement Program ‘Single Chanel Grd and Airborne Radio Systems Squad Autortatic Weapon Sill Tactical Opi Rifle Mounted Suicide Vhicle-Bome Improvised Explosive Device “Transparent Armor Gun Shick! “Tube Launched, Opica-acked, Wie command ink: guided “Tank Urban Survival Kit United States Marine Corps ‘Vehicle Bore Impruvised Explosive Device ‘Weapon of Mass Destruction publish the ur 29.000 politi ‘oppo the De War lt finally | ina ‘As the vietims Vehicle work. been fiJanuary 2008: Two years have passed since the frst volume ofthe two-part ork, “Trg Insurgency: US. Army Armored Vehicles in Action has been published. Sel the struggle for peace in Ira has not come to an end, and the number of U.S. troops killed in Iraq has sen to some 3960. fn addition 29,000 US. personnel have been wounded in combat operations But US. Coalition and tragi Security Forces (ISF) have not been the only ‘nes targeted. In 2006, sectarian violence between Shiites and Sunnis cscalated funher. On 22 February 2006, the gold-covered dome of the boly ‘AbAskari Mosque in Samacra was destroyed in an attack. In November 2006, one ofthe deadliest bombings since the begining ofthe insurgency faused the deaths of more than 200 people in Sadr City, Baghdad. fn the incident, five car bombs were détonated on crowded streets. All over Iraq, ‘areas populated hy « mixture of Sunnis and Shites erupted in violence aimed at terminating minorities so as to Jet one or the othe side gain power ‘nthe region, In Baghdad, warring Fetions were fighting for powcr in most, disicts, Even the presence of U.S, and ISF troops did not stop “death Squads” from raiding houses of opposing ethnicities and. slaughicring inhabitans, Inthe USA, inthe meantime, the growing number of American troops killed and the skyrocketing cost of invalvement in Iraq have resulted in a series of politcal clashes between the Bush administration and the political ‘opposition. In November 2006, Congress elections resuied ina victory for the Democratic Party. One could say this was partly the effect of the Iraq ‘War launched by President Bush becoming more and more unpopular with citizens. In what looked like a last attempt at solving the frag problem and finally terminating the faq insurgency. the government launched a series of [As the first step, General David Howell Petracus was assigned as new Commanding General Multinational Forees ~ irq on 26 January 2007, replacing General George Casey. In addition, a massive increase in US. troop levels, called the "Surge", was announced by President Bush on 10) January 2007. In late 2006Vearly 2007, some 132,000 US. troops were ‘officially operating in Trag, not including Special Forces. Another 30,000 were supporting operations in rag from bases elsewhere in the theater. (Originally it was announced this number would be increased by some 21,500 tops, the equivalent of five combat brigades. The plan was 10 Ueploy these brigades to Baghdad to end the bloodshed and sectarian Violence, By June 2047, US. Armed Forces declared that all troops earmarked for the “Surge” had been deployed. By then the number of ‘udtionl deployed troops ha risen from the original 21,500 to 28,000. The total grew fuer and reached a peak in September 2047, when some 168,000 USS. toops were operating in Irag, supported by an additional 30,000 soldiers elsewhere in the region. ‘As result ofthe “Surge” and the massive presence of U.S. and Coalition forces on the sets of frag, the numberof incidents such as TED attacks, bombings of civilian markets and ethnic cleansing dropped significantly. On the other hand, the deadliest single utack of the whole war occurred during the “Surge”, Some 500 people were killed by a series of coordinated suicide ‘bom attacks onthe northern Irgi village of Qahtaniya in August 2007. By December 2007, US. Armed Force numbers hegan reducing in Irag. At the ‘ame time they launched a series of major operations agains! insurgents and ‘AL-Qacdt terrorists all over Ira. AL the time of writing itis hard to say ‘whether the “Surge” has had the effect hoped for, and whether the {insurgency is actually winding down. One thing is sure though, Iraq is still Jong way from becoming a peaceful, democratic county Countering the LED Threat “The weapon of choice for insurgents in Iraqis the Improvised Explosive Device (IED), AX least 1700 of the U.S. to0ps killed in Iraq have been ietims of IEDs. tn order to counter tis threat, the U.S. Army initiated the ‘Vehicle Havdeaing Program in October 2003, as described in Part | of tis ‘work. By 2007, all trucks operated by dhe U.S. Armed Forces in raq had been fited with Level Land Level IL armor as a result ofthis program. In ‘addition, the military also inwoduced new HMMWVs (MIISIPI/AL MLIS2PI/A1 and MII6SPI/A1 Expanded Capacity Vehicles) that feature builtin armor suites and can be fited with modular armor packages. In fonder to further improve the armor of vehicles, MI114 Up-armored HMMWVs and newly introduced HMMWVs were fitted with additional add-on armor packages known as FRAG Kis, So far, FRAG 3, FRAG 4 FRAG 5 and FRAG 6 have been Fielded, FRAG Kits inchide new doors and armor panels mounted onto the original armor of vehicles. In aliion these measures, the USA has also fielded several different Electoic Countermeasure (ECM) systems to jam radio remote-control systems used by insurgents to trigger IED ‘Mine Resistant Ambush Protected mn parallel to the measures listed above, the Department of Defense (DoD) initiated the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicle Program under which a range of totally new vehicles types were procured. MAPS are heavily armored vehicles purpose-designed to withstand mine and TED blasts, and to provide crews with the highest possible level of protection. Although the frst vehicles procured under the MRAP program entered service in 2004, the MRAP Vehicle Program was not fully initiated until 2006, Due to the fact that the US, Marine Corps (USMC) hd already procured large numbers of MRAPs, USMC System Command at Quantico ‘was eventually tasked with overseeing contract activites forall services of the U.S. Armed Forces. According to their mission, troop capacity, weight and size, MRAPs are placed in three categories. The DoD lists these as follows: Category I MRAPS, also known as the Mine Resistant Utility Vehicle, are typically 4x4 vehicles carrying a crew of two and four passengers. Tey are smaller and lighter that MRAPS in the other two classes, and are designed for urban operations. Category 1 MRAPs are the RG-31, RG-33, Cougar 4x4 and MaxaPro MPV. Category II MRAPS are large typically 6x6 vehicles, with a greater payload than Category I They have larger troop compartment in which eight oF ‘ore troops canbe transported in addition 4 a two-man ere. Vehicles are designed as woop transports, convoy’ escort vehicles, engineer vehicles or ambulances. A special version of the MRAP Category Il is the Joint Explosive Ordnance Disposal Rapid Response Vehiele UERRV), Category IMRAPs are the Cougar 6x6, RG-33L. and MaxxPro XL. Category II MRAPS are IED- and mine-learance vehicles. Due to the special mission assigned wo these vehicles, they are the largest and heaviest. So far only the Buffalo has heen procured in this category. tis believed that in addition othe types of vehicles just mentioned, other types from other manufacturers might also be procured inthe near future Only in 2007 did the DoD order production of about 10,000 MRAPS at 3 cost of USDS.2 billion. There are future plans for the MRAP fleet to ‘eventually replace the HMMWV as pateo vehicle in frontline service. The US. military tas announced a iota requirement of more than 20.000 MRAP ‘chicks, of which 17,700 are earmarked forthe U.S, Aemy and some 400 for the USMC. About this book Although we have already covered some MRAP vehicle types in Part 1, in this volume we will look at some moce, namely the Cougar 4x4 and 6x6, plus the RG-33L. We will also cover the Stryker Interim Armored Vehicle Family that had its combat debut in December 2003, and we wil take a look at Crew Protection Kits procured under the Vehicle Hardening Program for the Heavy Equipment Transporter System. the family of Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks, and the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles. Other armored vehicles covered inthis volume are the MI Abrams Main Battle Tank (MBT), MI09A6 Paladin selé;propelled howitzer, MO3AI Fox Noclear, Biological, Chemical Reconnaissance System. MB8AI Armored Recovery Vehicle and MS8A2 HERCULES, For further reading we suggest you also consult the following three Concord Mini Color Series titles Written by the same autor: Iraq lnsurgency: U.S. Armored Vehicles ia ‘Action (Part 1) (Number 7518), Stryker Imerim Armored Vehicle (Number 7513) and U.S, Army HMMWYs in rag (Number 7513) BiLS A The MI Abrams MBT is sin the US. Anmy, Army National Guard (ANG) and USMC. Currently the MI Albrams BU: 1 main weapon system of armor Un tank is the only MBT in service with the U.S. Armed Forces, having placed the M48 and M60, The tank is named after General Creighton Willis Abrams. During WWI, Abrams was a tank battalion commander, and later asa general he was commander of U.S. forces in Vietnam 1968 72, The first MI MBTs were fielded in the eaely 1980s, inital fitted with a 105mm M6SA\ rifled tank gun, In 1985 the MIAI began entering army Service featuring @ 120mm M256 smoothbore tank gun developed by Rheinmetal in Germany, which greatly inereased the tank's firepower. The survivability of the MIAL sit was fited with an improved armor package on the hull afd turet front, as well as an NBC ute system, Between 1985 and 1988, a ota of 2388 MIAL MBTs red for the U.S, military In subsequent years the MIA] Both MIAL variants feature spaced ceramic armor backed by a stel-encased depleted-uranium A total of 2164 MIA HA and MIAL HA were manufactured MIAIs produced from 1990 ges designed to fulfill USMC requirements such were manufac HA (Heavy Armor) and MIA HA+ were produced 4s provision of a deep-water fording kit. These vehicles bear the ‘designation MIAI Heavy Common (HC) and were fielded by both the USMC and army. The USMC had earlier decided to replace its aging fe of MOUAL MBTs with the MIAI Abrams, and according to USMC sources, the first Abrams tanks entered Mi as carly. a8 November 1990. 1991 Gulf War Originally designed to dominate the Europea batlfield in a possible war between NATO and the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact by destroy stacking enemy tanks, the Abrams never saw sction in such a scenario, Instead, MIAL Abrams variants had their combat debut in the 1991Gulf War. Some 1850 M1, IPM1, MIA1, MIA HA and MIAI HAS tanks took part in the 100-hour ground offensive named Operation Desert Saber that at liberating Kuwait, During engagements, MI tanks proved superior to the older Russian-designed 7-55 and T-62 tanks employed by Iraqi Army units, as well as against newer T-72 tanks. With a ding 2500m, the MIA could defeat Iraqi armor well before bat a Within range of the enemy. It is therefore no wonder that MI tanks destroyed more than 201K) enemy tanks The armor of the ting vehicles while US. tank losses were mino MIAI, ba British Chobham armor, also proved itself. In at least one case an MIA‘ mm KE. round fro only 18 MI and ks were damaged beyond repair. Unfortunatly, several ofthe was hit on is frontal armor by a though the round did not penetrate, During the fighting MIALt were damaged by friendly fire. According to unofficial sources, only one ank crewmember was killed in these incidents, though several were wounded Aer the 1991 Gulf War, MIA tank variants saw action in Somalia in n Bosnia from 1996 onwards, and in Kosovo from 1999 onwards. Also in 1999, the U.S. Army launched the Abraats Integrated Managenent (AIM) program. Under this program, aging MIA tanks wer capitalized condition, They were standardized by changing primary pars used in differing version toa common design, and they were modemized by in nology. Since 2000, some 90 tanks have been rating the lates run through the AIM program annually, though the number was recently increased to Panm, finan az: Develo began, Genera Ini product decided schicle MIA2 Comm: Commi equipm basket the MI991Gulf tanks took Saber that Ks proved ployed by nba ange MI tanks g vchicles used on sn MIAL aT $M and ofthese nly one onwards apialized nary parts odernized have heen 5 recent AN MIAT HC patos along Main Supply Ro} @ belongs fo C Company, 2nd Bo Infontry Regiment. ancl was seen In August 2005. Affer tho inl invasion, MBTs were asionaly as ofansive weapons. M time ostle areas and protact moble and stanic vehicle chackpons By vitue of that state-of the-ort thermal Sgn tanks w for survellonce missions. MIA2 and MIA2 SEP. Development of the MIA2 stared right after production of the MIA began, withthe aim of further improving the tank's capabilites. In 1988 General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) received a development vulnerable to human error; Development work aimed at solving these ‘contract, andthe first MIA2 prototypes were delivered in 1992. Low Rate problems and improving the MUA? started under a System Enhancement Initial Production (LRIP) of 62 new MIA2s commenced the same year. As Program in 1994, The work resulted in the most modern version of the proxlction costs had skyrocketed and available funds were limite, it was Abrams MBT, the MIA2 SE SEP decided to convert old MI tanks to MIA? standard rather than to build new features an Integrated Power/Cooling/Environmental System, improved vehicles. Between 199 and 2001, some 566 MIA2s were produced. The displays (16:9 colo flat pane), Mass Memory Unit, Under-Armor APU, I ation MIALD, but only some 100 were converted While it vas revolutionary, the digital C suite of the MLA2 and MIAID proved difficult vo operate, and NAV/POS was no accurate enough and too Among other improvements, the MI MIA2 features a digital Inter-Vehicular Information System (IVIS), Generation Thermal Imaging System, Improved Soldier Machine Inerface Commander's Independent Thermal Viewer (CITV), Improved (voice synthesis, loader's remote display, PCMCIA interface), Tactical Commander's Weapon Station, Navigation/Position (NAV/POS) Communication Interface Module, PLGR (replaced by EPLRS), SINCGARS ASIP radios, and FBCB2/Bluc Force Tracker. Conversion of bolder MIAI Abgams variants, along with MIA2s 10 MIA2 SEP standard, began in 2001. The last order to convert vehicles 1o M1A2 SEP standard was placed in November 2007. Once this order is delivered, the tmy fect will consist of some 1100 MIA2 SEP tanks ‘equipment, and an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) mounted in the turet basket The CITY provided tank crews with a “hunter-Killer” capability that made target acquisition 45% faster, and target handoff from commander 10 ‘gunner S0-70% faster. The MLA2 Control and Communication ( also featured a digital Command, te called Inter Vehicular Information Operation Iraqi Freedom Like the 1991 Gulf War, the Abrams MBT performed well i invasion of traq in 2003. According to an official U.S. Army Lessons ‘System, which improved the crew’s situational awareness onthe battlefield, the US, 85 well as their ability to react to changing tactical situations. At the same time, after entering the coordinates ofa starting position into the NAV/POS. Jmemal navigation system, it allowed the erew to quickly locate their current postion by measuring the distance the tank had moved. Fielding of the MIA2 Abrams MBT took place in the ate 1990s, andthe frst armor unis to be issued with the new tank belonged tothe Ist Cavalry Division at Ford Hood, Texas. In order to speed up digi fleet, MIAIS were fiued with a digital appliqué command and contol (C2) system similar to that of the MIA2 under a separate program. Tanks modified inthis way iation of the army's MB Learned Report, the MI tank provided excellent maneuverability, superior Firepower and excellent overall erew protection. As a result Iraqi armor 5 prey for U.S. tanks. At the beginning of the invasion, the $0 MI Abrams to the theater. Tis 200 additonal tanks belonging to reinforcements aftr the invasion kicked off, The bulk of the deployed fleet were MIAI variants (HA, HA, AIM), but MIA2 and MIA2 SEP also saw action during engagements with the Iraqi Army Compared to the number of MI Abrams deployed, the number of combat with only 14 tanks lost, None of these 10s my and USMC had deployed som: umber was inereased by the arrival of some‘fer on surg 2003. Here on MTA ly. The vehicle belongs fo A were catastrophic kills, bat in most eases enemy fire caused a mobility kill of fire in the engine compartment tha then led tothe final destruction of the tank: Other tanks were lost to mechanical failures, and where recovery was not possible they were destroyed by crew’ to prevent technology from falling into enemy hands, While the MI was used as an offensive weapon in the inital invasion, this changed when Operation Iragi Freedom (OIF) became a guerila war. Tanks ‘were then employed at checkpoints to protect deployed troops, and used at rous teritory where IED mobile checkpoints and for patrolling. das ams MBs were produced between 1994 tegiment and subsequently saw action with the (Merch 2008 - Apr 2004) ain in OF fl (March 20% nent exchanged its M Az AD DRicatais oe sstance In the area in December ane ins of he medieval caliphate city jst north 0 1 “Absolute Chaos” painted on the barel of tacks regularly occurred. In addition, tanks were deployed every time firepower was required, for example during the second Battle of April 2004 (Operation Phantom Fury) or the Battle for Najaf in heavy Falluja i August 2004. Often such deployments forced crews to operate tanks in urban areas where they were vulnerable to enemy attack. Tanks are heavily ‘but the sides rear and top usually feature less a tank defeats the enemy by armored on thet frontal a armor protection. On the open battlefield, cS eriemy antitank weapons ing them before coming. within range ‘an enemy at long range and to use speed and out, but @ maneuverability to avoid engagement by the enemy are pl south of Bagu ‘ath Armor Regiment. Unc Tanks wore recapitatzed t f the AIM program was Wwed 0s newer upgrades entered 19h early MIA AIM cifering fr beloved tt "8 Cases fanks that he ‘ready been through the program tw in 2005 to tho 2nd Battal nis MIA) AIM was soeides a 762mm sader's machinegun and infantry Regiment, can The secondary arma M240 coawol mach: i27mm M2 me weapon on a tank f tank crew does not have this capability in an urban en fighting takes place at close range and in limited space. In addition, built up areas offer the enemy thousdinds of places to hide, as well as ways to sncak up close to tanks to use handheld antitank weapons at cose ran By 2005 the number of Abrams badly damaged by enemy action had risen to around 80, Most ofthe zed by IEDs or handheld antitank weapons such asthe RPG-7. Usually tanks were taken out from the sides, 1 MI was destroyed by a massive hat the turret ofthe from above or from the rear. In one ca TED buried under a dirt road. The blast was sola tank was blown off the hull, Atleast five crewmembers had died inside Abrams tanks asa result of enemy attacks up til 2008. Modifications and TUSK During the inital invasion of lag, various MI MBTs deployed by army Units showed very few operational modifications. As in training exercises fonducted in CONUS and Europe, tanks featured Joint Combat Metiication Marking System (ICIMS) friend-foe identification panels, Forobstacle and minclield breaching, one or two MBTs per company were fied with the Mine Clearing Blade System (MCBS), MIA1 HC tanks of the USMC were fitted with the AN/VLQ-8A Missle Countermeasure Device, an active electro-optical system providing tanks with a self-defense ‘apabilty against antitank guided missiles that employ infrared-guidance technology. While the army also had the AN/VLQ-8A in its inventory af Some 1000 were procured in 1991, the system was not fielded during OIF In order to counter threats resulting from employing MI Abrams in built up ateas of Iraq, the army triggered the Tank Urban Survival Kit (TUSK) ‘ropram in 2004. TUSK includes a series of protection features meant to as the survivability of tanks, but also aimed at improving cooperation Ietween tank crews and deployed infantry In order vo speed up te Fielding ‘of TUSK, it was decided 1 use offthe-shef technology wherever possible, and to sve single components when available. Once all components are Fielded the full TUSK will contain the following components: Remote Weapon Staion (RWS) (CROWS or MISI) of modifications to the commander's machinegun moun o allow Firing ofthe weapon from under anor, Abas Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA), Rear Protection Unit Slat Annor, Transparent Armor Gun Shield (TAGS), Tank/Infantry Phone, a thermal sight for the loader’s machinegun, and Thermal Sight Goggles Most TUSK items can be installed on all Abrams variants. Fitting the RWS iseifferent on MIA2 SEP and MIA1 variants. It is not known if MLA variants will be fitted with an RWS at all, as they already’ allow the ommunder’s machinegun to be fired from under armor. First TUSK ‘components to be fielded were the Rear Protection Unit Slat Armor, frst seen by the author in Ira in late 2004, and the TAGS first seen in 2008. A fist one forthe Abrams ERA wa issued to GDLS in August 2006, The Abrams ERA tiles are the same kind as those used on the N/M Bradley Infatry(Cavalry Fighting Vehicle ‘a-sandstorm this MIAT HA wos seen RIS Tareas close fo Scrmarea in Jy 2006. the vehicle Boones 12 1 Armor Regiment. The ich equipment, advantage over insurgents who do not he In the TUSK program so survabiity ofthe crow. Or ot the same GS is fited to an MIA visit n tis avatry Regiment © fFn December (GP) on the turret se. I De JCIMS was adopted as a tk of ue-on- Blue ena Technical Data Combat weight Crew Length: Height Width: ‘Maximam speed: Cruising range at 46,6km/h: Fuel tank capacity “Turing radius Gradient Side slope: Fording Engine: Transmission: Armarent: Ammunition: (Other systems: Manvfactorer: Barta ure shows an MIA] HC Abrams MBI of © Company, 2nd on. 7th infantry Regiment, n 2008. Regenent 4 FE ieadere 198 0 “Eagle nder the 4 (Commander, driver, gunner and loader) 9827m (with gun forward) 3.091m 3.653m ‘Tkiwh 434k 1909 liters pivot to in ore 40% 122m 274m 124m AGT-1500 mult-ful air-cooled gas turbine devel X1100-38 with four forward and two reverse speeds 1 120mm M256 smoothbore tank gun, 1x 7.62mm M240 coaxial MG, 1x 7.62mm M240 loader's MG, and Tx 12.7mm M2 commander's MG, 2x M250 Smoke Grenade Launchers (each with six tubes) ‘42 rounds 120mm combustible cartridge ammunition, 11,400 rounds for 7.62mm, and 900 rounds for 12-7mm. CCTIV, Under-Armor APU, Generation Theemal Lnaging System, Improved Soldier Machine Inerface, ‘Communication Interface Module, EPLRS, FBCB2/Blue Force Tracker, SICGARS ASIP radios, eye-safe laser rangefinder, Digital Engine Concol, Automatic Fire Deteetio/Suppression System and Mass Memory Unit General Dynamics Land Systems 1300hp aSpycoe iss Siutorse| Yorite lS The Suyker the US. Army) rim Armored Vehicle (LAV) was designed and procured b equip nevly formed Interim Brigade Combat Teams that jeams. SBCTs fill the the US. Army. A SBCT later became known as Stryker Brigade Coral between light and heavy forces is a full-spectrum combat foree that can operate in all environments ealing with low- and mid-range threats that may employ cither conventional or asymmetric tactics. SBCTS ate opt ly for employment in small-scale contingency operations in complex and urban terrain, The infantry-heavy SBCTs feature a high dismount strength and they can be deployed within 96 hours anywhere inthe world. In 2003 the US. Army deployed an SBCT for the frst time part of OIF, namely the 3rd Brigade, 2 Infantry Division, At that time the hrigade could only fe were sill unde eight ofthe ten Stryker LAV family variant Jevelopment, By 2007 this had changed and all ten perated by the three SBCTs deployed in Ia M1126 Suryker Infantry Cartier Vehicle (ICV Protector RWS and has nine dismounts is transported in the rer fighting is fited ith the MIS driver and commander For its erew. A squad of ompartment, leaving and ntering the vehicle via a large power-operated rear ramp. MII27 Stryker Reconnaissance Vehicle (RV) serve ig-Range Advanced Se [LRAS3). Its crew consist of atform for the Lo Surveillance System mand. A five-man scout /mmy mpartment. The vehicle i fitted w ymander’s cupola on which the LRAS3 and rew-served wea M2 heavy machinegun 9 MODS automatic gre apintle or 40mm MII28 Stryker Mobile Gun System (MGS} 05mm MSA 1E rifled tank an automatic loader for wheeled light tank with a rent, The MGS features a and (2.7mm M2 he crew consists ofthe mn and caries 18 105m 2408, machi MI129 Stryker Mortar Carrier (MC). There are wo MC models, the older MC-A and the newer MC-B, While on the MC-A the mortar could not be fired from the vehicle, this changed with the MC-B. The MC-B features 120mm Recoiling Mortar System (RMS) 6-L that is mounted on a base ersable by 400 mills of 6700m and vehicle plate tr ie eae Seg condpataseat Tac omm M: ‘of 48 120mm mortar rounds. In addition, 3 rounds or an Simm M2: 24 mortar with mortar with 35 rounds are carried in the vehicle fr dismounted operations. The crew ofthe M1129 Suryker MC-B consists ofthe driver, c mortar crew. The commander's statha cle M2 the Wer tbe The ihe be ykers oft jh degree of protection. The hulls made of High Hard Stoel armot and ano this @ layer of MEXAS 2C ceramic armor mou the vehicle Is a Keviar spatt nex. Here an 11126 Sitvker ICV of tho Ist Battslon 23r¢ infantry Regiment. can be S200 in Baghciad in March 2007 M1130 Stryker Command Vehicle (CV) is a command post on wheels, and therefore features a comprehensive range of data-processing and ‘communication equipment such as several ASIP radios and a satellite ‘communication system, The vehicle is ited with the MIS1 Protector RWS river, commander, staf officer and and has a crew of five consisting o two worksa MII31. Stryker Fite Support Vehicle (FSV) features all necessary ‘aipment required by the embarked Fire Support Team to conduct automated fire-support planning, directing and eoondination. One major part of the mission-elated equipment is the Fire Support Sensor System Mission Equipment Package mounted at the commander's cupola. The pntle-mounted 12.7em M2 heavy machinegun, The and two additional FIST members vehicles ined with MII32 Stryker Engineer Squad Vehicle (ESV) is basically idem 0 th M1126 Stxyker ICV, but its interior has been modified to allow the storage of engincer equipment. A Jetson Fiting Kit is mounted atthe front to allow the fiting of the following equipment: Surface Mine Plow, Angled Mine Plow, Lightweight Mine Roller or Surfuce Obstacle Blade. The ‘chicle can also be fitted with a Magnetic Signature Duplicator and Lane Marking System. Like the ICV, the ESV is fied with the MISI Protector RWS, It has a crew consisting of the driver and commander. Inthe rear Fighting compartment a nine-man engineer squad is transporte. MII33.Siyker Medical Evacuation Vehicle (MEV) is the ambulance ‘ersion and in its rear compartment four wounded on stretchers, or six ‘or a mixture of two wounded on stretchers and theee seated wound seated wounded, can be transported. The vehicle feature extensive n ‘equipment and a power-operated litter lift system, The erew consists ofthe diver, commander and medical attendant, “ope MII34 Stryker Anti-Tank Guided Missile Vehicle (ATGM) is the tank hile of the Stryker family. Its equipped with an Elevated TOW System (ETS) featuring two missile aunch tubes, the Modified Improved Target Acquistion System and Fire Control System. The ETS can be raised 530mm and rotated 360", With the TOW missile system, the vehiele can ‘armor out toa range of 3750m. Inside the vehicle destroy all known en <7 loader. crew consists of the driver, commander, gunner and MIIBS Stryker NBC Reconnaissance Vehicle (NBCRV) isa laboratory on wheels use to detect and identify contamination caused by NBC weapons. Detection equipment includes a Chemical Biological Mass Spectrometer he MIS] Protactor RWS Is mounted an the M126 ICV, M1129 MC-A, M1130 CV. MI32 ESV andi M1135 NBCRV. The senser package of the RWS Includes @ CCD day camera, thermatimaging module and laser rangefinder The pictured M15] Protector RWS ean be identifed as ‘lock | model asi features @ STORM micro-laser rangefinder. (CBMS), Joint Biological Point Detection System (IBPDS), Stryker Chemical Agent Detector (SCAD) and Chemical Vapor Sampling System (CVSS), Like the ICV, the vehicle is ited with the MIST Protector RWS. The crew consists of the driver, commander and surveyor. The search for an IAV stated after the U.S. Army officially announced the formation of six IBCTS in 1999, Due to cost and time reasons, it was decided to procure an off-the-shelf solution, After a market survey, a Platform Performance Demonstration, and a close evaluation of borrowed ‘Canadian LAV Ill, this vehicle was chosen to become the IAV in 1000, LRIP of the first eight IAV variants (the M1128 and MI135 were not ready yet) began in mid-2001. On 27 February 2002, the army officially named the IAV “Stryker” in a ceremony at Fort Landentale November Florida, The name originated from that of two Medal of Honor recipients, namely Pe Stuart S. Stryker, who served in WWII, and Spe Robert F Up till 2006, the U.S, Army had ordered TAVS in different variants to equip This M1126 Styker ICV belongs to A Company, 1st Battoon, 36in infentry Regiment. and was seen In January 2008. It i common practice for units in raq to mount @ canopy over the rear of their vehicles. Usualy ths Conds of a frame of metal bars conshucied at the unit evel and a: Net. The canopy has three effects - it sbsructs the vision of snipers aiming at froops standing in al-quora hatches: it prevents the enemy ftom lobbing hand grenades oF othe explosives through an open hatch: andi protects froops standing ne hatches from the heat of the kag! 15)san be forded. CTIS further benefits the vehicle's cross-country capabilities tnd runflat tres allow the crew 10 continue a mission even when the tres sre punctured. The brake system consists of dual-crcuit, hydraulically compress i onall wheels, plus ABS. assisted power brakes The commander is seated behind the ne compartment, The squad leade’s seat is located to is left The MISI Protector RWS is: mounted on the roof behind the —¢ngine compartment in front of the commander's hateh. It etn be fitted with either 12.7mm M2 machinegun or 40mm MkI9 MOD3 automatic ‘grenade launcher. The MIS! Protector RWS is controlled by the commander via a Fire Control Unit incorporating a Th M128 Stryker ICV of A Company, Ist Batfaton. 38th Infantry Regiment, was seen curing o patrol on the outskts of Bequbah in January 2008, Note the sat armor and blast plates around the root Gs well os the Rhino and Worlock ECM systems. zoomable CCD day camera, thermal pe ens ee case Inthe rear compartmes infantry squad is benches running down the left and The right sides facing inwards, Inthe roof stop ahove the troop compartment ate 180 eas ange single-piece hatches called air- cles guard hatches, Access tothe troop compartment is via a large power: ‘operated rear ramp. In the ramp is @ eto | snall door that allows personnel 10 nthe | enter and leave withoot dropping the — and ramp. Stored behind the benches are a ee wisi J attank, weapons, ammunition and ay 7128 Sryker MGS opens fre whe on pate Baqubah in January 2008. The vehicle has st troda ip to] personal equipment along with radios "ign M]040 canister round with fs MOBATE fled tank gun. Wh ths round containing a lage number 133m] and ether electronic equipment. More of tungsten bats, cismounfed froops can be engaged af @ range of 60.500m etter open or bul personal equipment and ammunition is reas stored outside on the roof and in baskets along the side walls ofthe hall Among other systems, the Stryker is fitted with three ASIP radios, FBCB2/BIi ker digital C system, ANIVSQ-2 (V) | Enhanced Position Location Reporting System, DAGR, video-display terminals for the commander and squad leader, automatic fire extinguishing system, MRE heater, NBC protection system, APU, NBC ventilation system, diesel fuel-fred personnel and engine coolant circulation heater, hydraulic winch with a pull capacity of 9,525kg, and two wire euters Original Suryker variants did not feature any kind of add-on armor. When the frst SBCT was earmarked to deploy to Iraq, a vehicle threat assessment identified a vulnerability to RPGs, Subsequently all Stryker LAV variants were fitted with slat standoff armor to counter the threat before deploying py ito Iraq, The armor consists of grill panels with horizontal bars, and is mounted some 400mm from the hull, When hit by an RPG, te sat semor hn font of the commander's Cupola of this M1128 Stryker MGS is o deforms the warhead or causes it to detonate, In both cases the armor that itis yor 127mm M2 machinegun. Tis M128 Stryker MGS fs fom A Company, penetration capability of the warhead is reduced to such an exte sf Battalion. 38th infanity Regimen. likely the Stryker hull will be penetrated,Mes MBr.It can tre yed vehicle belongs fo A Company. Ist Batt RE the sore gun used ear orion ism NATO ston eM Al M1128 Stryker n 38th 128 was the ost version of the Stryker fomi The full slat kt for a Stryker has « weight of some 2200kg. but iting it also has disadvantages. The increased width of the vehicle means they can no longer be transported in a C-130 transport aircraft. In addition, handling vehicles inthe narrow streets ofthe towns and cities of Iraq becomes tricky. When examining them closely trends and dents can be found in the slat armor of most Stryker IAVS. The additional ‘weight ofthe slat armor aso altered the vehicle's center of gravity and increased the chance ofa rollover, It also eaused malfunctions of the tire inflation system in several tases. In addition, the dash speed is reduced. In order to replace the slat armor, Suryker ERA suite was developed author has not seen any Stryker fitted with this ERA. tiered service in 2006, However, so far the From 2004 onwards, Srykers deployed to Iraq were fied with blast shields around the roof. Inthe beginning these blast shields were consructed of steel shields and boxes of sand atthe vnit level, Later, industrial Blast Shield Kits were mounted on vehicles, These kits allow parts to he folded down and to be fited with ‘mounts for machinegun pines. In order to counter the IED threat, Stryker IAVs were also fitted with Warlock and Rhino ECM systems, Around 2006, another modification was carried out atthe unit level inorder to obscure the silhovettes of soldiers sta in the open air-guard hatches ofthe rear compartment, metal frames were mounted on, ‘vehicles and covered with camouflage netting. This unit-level modification became necessary after Stryker soldiers had been shot by insurgent sniper in several cases, In atly 2007, Strykers of the 4th SBCT, 2nd Infantry Division, were seen sporting another unit-level modification, a dozer blade. Attached to recovery points on the front, OF the hull, the enide construction featured a strong metal bade lowered and lifted by g the vehicle's sel-recovery winch, The Stryker vehicle fleet deployed t0 Iraq has been intensively used in. combat ‘operations. The fist 30+ Strykers deployed in November 20083 were used by the 3 sade, 2nd Infantry Division, for a year, and then ha replacement, the Ist Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, which used them for a second yet. During this peviod, the vehicles had an operstional availability of 96% despite I vehicles were lost or damaged beyond repair by is. Even more vehicles suffered damage that could Jed over to the brigade's extensive wear and tear. Se roadside bombs, VBIEDS or Rl only be repaired by the manufacturer or in U.S. Army depots. As shipping vehicles beck to the USA takes several weeks, this resulted ina reduction of vehicles aailable in the theater of operations. In 2006, in order to speed up the repair process, the TACOM Life Cyele Management Command awarded GDLS a contract forthe repair of damaged Stryker IAVs to be eared out atthe company's facility in Qatar. In this way. 5 ‘ment times fr repaired vehicles were decreased significantlyBach Kierhy coneany WVGTSECT hie 7 13] Stryker FSV. Here the MIT3T of A Infantry Regiment s seen during on in south Key equipment of the M113 sor Systern (FSS) sion Fu esignater module, Ths MT132 Siyker ESV o Pearson Ughtweight Mine Ugtiwoight Mine Rok detonate and neutralize and Warlock ECM vehicle for night pata’ when the ‘An M1126 Stryker ICV provides cover 98 10,te Ist ate with Foe ‘Technical Data for M1126 Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicle sing crew: 249 (commander, driver and nie distounts) Son || Combat weight 15,300 a Curb weigh 15,9268 i: Overall length: 315m (without sat armor) 2 Overall width: 287m (without sat armen) eo Overal height: 2.692m (without slat aro) ay Engine 7.2 Caterpillar 3126 16 6-