EQUIPMENT / STRYKER <<


The versatile GDLS Stryker is due to be upgraded and enhanced for future use in hostile terrain.


blast absorbing mine-resistant seating, non–flammable tires, an upgrade to the remote weapon station that allows it to fire on the go, increased 500 amp power generation, a new solid state power distribution system and data bus, and the automotive and power plant systems improvements to support a 25 per cent Gross Vehicle Weight increase.


The upgraded V–hull formed part of the StrykShield situational awareness kit, which addressed many of the upgrades. Allegheny Technologies’ ATI 500–MIL armour steel was designated the primary armoured plating for the StrykShield package.


Driving issues


The upgrade incorporating lessons learned from combat in Afghanistan is designated LAV–H and General Dynamics had a technology demonstrator displayed at the 2007 Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Exposition. In March 2010, it was reported that General Dynamics and Army were working to incorporate a double V–hull into the Stryker design. In July 2010 the Army awarded a $30 million contract to GDLS to start production of the new hull.


In March 2011, the Department of Defence’s director of operational test and evaluations testified that the new V–hull design was “not suitable” for long missions in Afghanistan’s terrain. The issues are due to the tight driver’s compartment and difficulty releasing the seat to extract an incapacitated driver. General Dynamics stated these issues would be corrected before the new Stryker version deploys. The upgrade also adds significant weight to the vehicle, which can cause it to sink into soft ground.


winter 2012_13 | globaldefencemedia.com


In July 2011, 450 Double V–Hull (DVH) variants of the Stryker vehicle were ordered; the total was increased to 742 a few months later and then to 760 in 2012. DVH Strykers include a new hull configuration, increased armour, upgraded suspension and braking systems, wider tires, blast-attenuating seats, and a height management system.


The US Army is seeking replacement of the M113 APC and derivatives by Stryker, MRAP, and Bradley Fighting Vehicles starting in 2017. In the long term the army is tentatively pursuing replacement with the 50+ ton Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV) . The GCV is the U.S. Army’s replacement programme for armoured fighting vehicles in Heavy and Stryker brigade combat teams. The GCV is organized under the Follow On Incremental Capabilities Package of the BCT Modernization programme. The first variant of the vehicle is to be prototyped in 2015 and fielded by 2017. It replaced the cancelled Future Combat Systems manned ground vehicles programme.


Design control


Specific design elements of the GCV will be contracted out, though the Army will design the architecture and retain overall responsibility for synchronization. This contrasts with the former FCS manned ground vehicles programme where contractors had more control over the design. The GCV will be networked and offer improved survivability, while using the advanced mobility and power management functions. The military is releasing classified details of the FCS Manned Ground Vehicles programme to interested contractors to be utilized in design proposals for the GCV. The GCV family


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