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M1126 Stryker ICV |
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Country of origin |
United States |
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Entered service |
2003 |
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Crew |
2 men |
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Personnel |
9 men |
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Dimensions and weight |
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Weight |
16.47 t |
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Length |
6.95 m |
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Width |
2.72
m |
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Height |
2.64 m |
|
Armament |
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Machine guns |
1 x 12.7 mm |
|
Grenade launcher |
1 x 40 mm (in place of machine gun) |
|
Ammunition load |
|
Machine guns |
2 000 x 12.7 mm rounds |
|
Grenade launcher |
430 x 40 mm grenades (in place of machine gun) |
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Mobility |
|
Engine |
Caterpillar 3126 diesel |
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Engine power |
350 hp |
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Maximum road speed |
100 km/h |
|
Range |
530 km |
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Maneuverability |
|
Gradient |
60% |
|
Side slope |
30% |
|
Vertical step |
0.6 m |
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Trench |
2 m |
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Fording |
1.2 m |
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The US M1126 Stryker
armored personnel carrier is based on Canadian
LAV III
light armored vehicle, which in turn tracks its origins to the Swiss
MOWAG Piranha IIIH. At the time of its introduction the Stryker
was considered as an interim vehicle, until
more advanced future designs will become available. A contract was
signed with General Dynamics Land Systems for 2 131 Stryker vehicles
of all variants to equip 6 rapid deployment Brigade Combat Teams. First operational
vehicles were delivered to the US Army in 2003. Deliveries were
completed in 2014. However in 2020 addition batch of vehicles was
orders. A total of 4 466 Strykers were delivered to the
US Army. These vehicles currently equip 9 Stryker brigades. In
2023 it was announced that 100 Strykers will be delivered to Ukraine
in order to defend against the Russian invasion.
The Stryker
is better protected than many other armored personnel carriers,
including Russian and Chinese designs. Front arc withstands hits
from 14.5 mm heavy machine gun rounds. All-round
protection is against 7.62 mm NATO ball rounds. A ceramic add-on
armor can be fitted to give all-round protection against 14.5 mm
armor-piercing rounds. Interior of the vehicle is lined with to protect
crew and passengers from spalling. An undercarriage was strengthened
to survive mine-blasts. It is claimed that Strykers are superior to
other APCs regarding survivability against mines and improvised explosive
devices. Fuel tanks are mounted externally and are
designed to blow away from the hull in the event of explosion. This
armored personnel carrier has an automatic fire suppression
and NBC protection systems. Strykers employed in combat zones are
fitted with steel cages, called slat armor, providing protection
against anti-tank rockets and missiles. Recently an explosive reactive armor kit was designed
for this vehicle.
It is intended to replace the slat armor in combat areas.
The Stryker
is armed with an
M2 12.7 mm
heavy machine gun or
Mk.19 40 mm automatic grenade
launcher, mounted in remotely-controlled weapon station.
This armored
personnel carrier takes advantage of high-tech information
technologies. It is fitted with a battlefield information management
system. It links up with other similarly equipped vehicles and
command posts. Position information is available through GPS
receiver.
The Stryker
armored personnel carrier has a crew of two, including commander and
driver and can carry a squad of 9 fully equipped troops. Troops enter and leave
the vehicle through the rear power-operated ramp with integral doors or roof hatches.
Main role of the baseline
M1126 armored personnel carrier is to provide protected transport
for its passengers. In some cases can support assault of its
dismounts. Though due to its relatively light armor this vehicle is
vulnerable on the battlefield.
Vehicle is
fitted with a Caterpillar 3126 diesel engine, developing 350
horsepower. The same engine is used by some US Army trucks. Engine and transmission can be removed
and reinstalled in
less than an hour. Driving wheels can switch between 8x4
configuration on roads and 8x8
configuration on rough terrain. Vehicle is also fitted with a central tyre inflation
system, which allows to adjust to different terrain, thus extending
cross-country mobility. The Stryker is fitted with run-flat tyres
and can move a couple of kilometers before the tire completely
deteriorates. It is also fitted with a self-recovery winch. Unlike
most modern APCs this vehicle is not amphibious.
Stryker is
transportable by the
C-130,
C-141 (retired in 2006),
C-5
and
C-17 military transport aircraft.
The Strykers
operate in rapid deployment Brigade Combat Teams. Each brigade has
more than 300 Strykers of 10 variants. Operational concept behind
these brigades is stressed on deployability, and maneuverability for
counter insurgency operations. The whole brigade can be airlifted and deployed
anywhere in the world within 96 hours.
Variants
M1126 ICV -
The Infantry Carrier Vehicle (or ICV) is
essentially an armored
personnel carrier. It is fitted with a remotely-controlled weapon
station, armed with an
M2 12.7 mm heavy machine gun, or 40 mm automatic
grenade launcher. It is a baseline vehicle of the Stryker family.
M1127 RV -
reconnaissance vehicle.
M1128 MGS -
The Mobile
Gun System, fitted with 105 mm gun. It turned out that this fire
support vehicle has a number of drawbacks and was procured in
relatively small numbers. In 2013 there were 27 of these vehicles
per Stryker brigade.
M1129 MC -
mortar carrier, armed with 120 mm mortar.
M1130 CV -
command vehicle.
M1131 FSV - fire
support vehicle.
M1132 ESV -
engineering squad vehicle.
M1133 EV - medical
evacuation vehicle.
M1134 ATGM -
anti-tank guided missile carrier, armed with
TOW missiles.
M1135 NBCRV
- NBC reconnaissance vehicle.
M1296
Dragoon -
upgraded version of the M1126 ICV with significantly improved lethality. It is fitted with
unmanned turret, armed with a 30 mm cannon. Its
official designation is Infantry Carrier Vehicle - Dragoon, or ICVD.
In 2023 the
US Army awarded a contract to General Dynamics to deliver 300
Stryker armored vehicles built to the latest A1 standard. These new
vehicles have improved armor protection, engine power, mobility,
increased payload and improved combat systems. The Stryker A1s are
fitted with a larger 450 hp engine. These improved production
vehicles are planned to remain in service with the US Army until the
2050s.
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