The M1128 Stryker Mobile Gun System is an eight-wheeled armored car of the Stryker armored fighting vehicle family, mounting a 105 mm tank gun, based on the Canadian LAV III light-armored vehicle manufactured by General Dynamics Canada. It is in service with the United States and was also being considered for adoption by several other countries.It was designed to provide direct fire support for infantry units.
The M1128 was designed for low-intensity combats and takes some of the main battle tank roles.
Eight pre-production M1128 Stryker mobile gun systems were delivered to the US Army between July 2002 and March 2003. Low-rate initial production (LRIP) of 72 additional mobile gun variants is underway at General Dynamics Anniston facility. The first was delivered in December 2005.
The M1128 Stryker Mobile Gun System entered service with the US Army in May 2007, with the first operational deployment to Iraq with the 4th brigade, 2nd Division.
By November 2007, three Stryker brigades had received the M1128 Stryker Mobile Gun System. A production contract for 62 vehicles was placed in August 2008.
The M1128 Stryker Mobile Gun System was selected by the Canadian Army, which planned to acquire 66 systems to replace Leopard 1 tanks. However it was decided to acquire surplus Leopard 2 tanks instead.
The M1128 Mobile Gun System is fitted with a low-profile turret, similar to that of the Teledyne Vehicle Systems Expeditionary Tank.The Stryker mobile gun system variant consists of the basic vehicle with a General Dynamics Land Systems fully stabilised shoot-on-the-move low-profile turret.
The turret is armed with a M68A1E4 105mm cannon with muzzle brake, M2 0.50-calibre commander's machine gun and M240C coaxial machine gun
The Stryker mobile gun system can fire 18 rounds of 105mm main gun ammunition, 400 rounds of 0.50-calibre ammunition and 3,400 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
Curtiss-Wright Corp's Vista Controls supplies the fully automated ammunition loading and replenishing system. Two M6 smoke grenade launchers are also fitted.
The mobile gun system has the same C4ISR communications and driver's vision equipment as the ICV, but the gunner has three periscopes and a compact modular sight with dual field of view day and thermal channels.
Armor of the Mobile Gun System protects against small arms fire and artillery shell splinters. Interior is lined with Kevlar spall liner. Vehicle can be fitted with add-on armor, which provides protection against 14.5-mm projectiles. Add-on slat armor protects against RPG rounds. The MGS is fitted with NBC protection and automatic fire suppression systems.
The armour provides integral all-round 14.5mm protection against machine gun rounds, mortar and artillery fragments. In Iraq, in January 2004, Stryker vehicles were outfitted with a 'cage' of slat armour, which encircles the vehicle about 18in from the main body, as protection against rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs).
In March 2005, United Defense (now BAE Systems Land and Armaments) was awarded a contract to provide 289 full-vehicle add-on reactive armour kits for the Stryker.
The US Army awarded a $30m contract in July 2010 to General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) for the production of a dual V-shaped hull for the Stryker infantry combat vehicle to be completed by February 2012.
The Stryker mobile gun system has a protector remote weapon station, from Kongsberg Protech of Norway, with a universal soft mount cradle, which can mount either a 0.50-caliber M2 machine gun, MK19 40mm grenade launcher or MK240 7.62mm machine gun. It is also armed with four M6 smoke grenade launchers.
In August 2005, Kongsberg awarded BAE Systems a contract to supply the TIM1500 640×480 uncooled thermal imaging camera for the remote weapon station.
Stryker can be transported on the ground using trucks or by air on C-17, C-5 and C-130 aircraft. The C-5 and C-17 aircraft can carry seven and four Strykers respectively.
The C-130H can fly safely carrying a maximum 38,000lb load for up to 1,000nm. The Stryker's weight, 36,240lb and size are within the payload limit of the C-130H. The C-130 can operate from smaller airfields in more remote locations. All configurations of the Stryker can disembark from the C-130 in combat-ready status.
Specifications
Weight 18.77 tonnes (20.69 short tons; 18.47 long tons)
Length 6.95 m (22.92 ft)
Width 2.72 m (8.97 ft)
Height >2.64 m (>8.72 ft)
Crew 3
Armor 14.05 mm resistant
Main armament
M68A2 105 mm cannon
Secondary armament
M2 .50 caliber machine gun; M240C coaxial machine gun; 2, M6 smoke grenade launchers
Engine Caterpillar 3126 turbo diesel 260 kW (350 hp)
Transmission - Allison
Drivetrain/Suspension - 8-wheel drive / 4-wheel steering
Brakes - 5 in ABS
Power/weight 14hp/ton
Transmission Automatic 6 forward, 1 reverse
Suspension 8×8 wheeled
Ground clearance 15in
Fuel capacity 56gal
Operational range 330 miles (528 km)
Speed 60mph (96 km/h)
Mobility
Top Speed - 60 mph
50M Dash - 9 sec
Wheel Clearance - 21 in
Vertical Climb - 23 in
Gap Crossing - 78 in
Range - 300 mi (Cbt Ops)
Deployability
C-130 - 1 each
C-17 - 3 each
C-5 - 4 each