Oshkosh Defense announced on August 2 that it handed over the first Stryker Double-V Hull Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICVVA1) modernized wheeled infantry fighting vehicle with an MCWS unmanned turret system for field testing. It will soon begin production Verification Test (PVT) trials at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds Test Site in Maryland. The tests will last June 2023, and depending on their results, a decision will be made to rearm the US Army’s I-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT) at Joint Base Lewis McChord, Washington.
The vehicle was modernized in cooperation with Pratt Miller Defense and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, delivered under the agreement from June 2021. According to it, Oshkosh Defense is to deliver a total of seven vehicles for PVT by September 2022. This means that six more vehicles should arrive at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in less than two months.
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“ Our team has leveraged our engineering and production capabilities and demonstrated a deep commitment to deliver the first test vehicle on time despite the dynamic market changes we have all experienced over the past year, ” said Pat Williams, vice president and general manager of US Army and USMC Programs at Oshkosh Defense. – From the moment the first contract was awarded, close cooperation with the ground forces has been crucial to achieving this important milestone.
As of today, Oshkosh Defense has received orders for 269 vehicles with a total value of $ 356 million. The last contract for the rearmament of the Strykers was signed on July 13. The US Army Contracting Command has requested ninety-five additional MCWS-equipped vehicles. The American taxpayer will pay $ 130 million for the modernization of this tranche.
GDLS proposal vs. Oshkosh proposal.
You will find that Kongsberg RT40 turret needs higher hull riser, but Rafael Samson 30 turret doesn’t need to modify the hull design. pic.twitter.com/sxvvAEO5Ci– Ronkainen (@ ronkainen7k15) June 8, 2021
The integration of the 30mm XM813 autocannon with the newly developed V-shaped undercarriage (Stryker A1) had ups and downs. At one point, she even became questionable. Then Raytheon withdrew from the contract, and other companies began to complain about the growing requirements and constantly changing conditions, as well as the correction of the method of evaluation of offers.
The US Army awarded contracts to develop integration projects in May 2019. Both the armament and the platform with a double V-shaped hull bottom were provided by the military. The modified hull is the result of the American experience from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. It features specially modified seats for the crew and landing forces suspended under the vehicle roof. Thanks to the introduced changes, the mine protection of the vehicle has increased.
Modifications to the suspension and running gear have improved the load capacity of the vehicle, which is now 28.5 tonnes, allowing for further improvements. These changes required the installation of a more powerful 450hp Caterpillar C9 engine in place of the 350hp Caterpillar C7 diesel engine. Thus, it was possible to maintain the existing mobility and off-road ability. According to current plans, 331 vehicles with a reinforced hull will be delivered to the US Army. There was room for nine landing troops in the vehicle. They have eight-inch displays with independent image selection from any camera, which improve situational awareness through omnidirectional observation.
It was the responsibility of each participant to integrate the weapons module – including the fire control system, loading system, optoelectronic devices and the XM813 cannon – on the vehicle. The winners – Oshkosh Defense together with partners Pratt Miller Defense and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems – were selected in June 2021. General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS), Kollsman, Leonardo DRS and Raytheon remained in the field. At that time, it was decided that ninety-one vehicles would be modernized. The weapon system supplier is Rafael, and MCWS is a development of the Samson family turrets.
(Oshkosh Defense)
Strykers will be an important component of the Stryker Brigade Combat Teams (SBCT). According to the current plans, rearmed vehicles will go to three of the six. Those that do not receive MCWS will be equipped with remotely controlled CROWS-J weapons modules with the FGM-148 Javelin ATGM launcher. The US Army pays great attention to the creation of SCBT. In June, the Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) program selected GDLS as the supplier of the future light tank. After retooling of the 82nd Airborne Division, the vehicle will be delivered to the SCBT.
The assembly of modules with a 30 mm autocannon is to give the Strykers much greater firepower. Reloading began when eighty-three M1296 Strykery Infantry Carrier Vehicle-Dragoon (ICV-D) were ordered as part of an emergency and delivered to the US Army’s 2nd Cavalry Regiment. The first copy was delivered to the German Vilseck in Bavaria in December 2017. The ICV-D is equipped with a Kongsberg Protector MCT-30 remotely controlled weapon module, armed with a 30mm XM-813 autocannon, 7.62mm M240 machine gun, and M6 smoke grenade launchers. The tower was fully integrated into the new commander’s post.
Are the US Army strykers? Please note that the US Army will receive 144 vehicles in the IM ‑ SHORAD (Interim Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense) version. This set consists of a 30 mm M230 cannon and a 7.62 mm machine gun, a four FIM-92 Stinger anti-aircraft missile launcher and a two AGM-114L Longbow Hellfire radar-guided missile launcher.
Stryker with DE M-SHORAD system – laser-based anti-aircraft gun – during testing at Fort Sill.
(US Army / Jim Kendall)
IM-SHORAD complements the Patriot and THAAD medium and long range systems. Responsible for direct support of the brigade units of the US Army combat teams and responsible for their anti-aircraft and anti-missile defense.
Not all Strykers will remain in service. By the end of fiscal year 2022, Washington will recall all M1128 Mobile Gun System (MGS) wheeled tank destroyers on a Stryker chassis. There are two reasons for the abandonment of these vehicles: their relative age (they have been in service since 2005) and the arming with the outdated 105mm M68A1E4 rifled cannon.
See also: New versions of Chinese ballistic anti-ship missiles
Oshkosh Defense
