Apart from unveiling AbramsX which you can know more about from the video on the above card,
General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) has unveiled the StrykerX platform at the
2022 Association of the United States Army Annual Symposium.
StrykerX has seen the incorporation of a wide range of new components that
would enable it to take on the new challenges of modern battle space.
This includes artificial intelligence-empowered computing, electronic warfare systems, and the
ability to launch attack drones to name a few. It is also engineered to improve troops’
battlefield awareness and fire airburst rounds with long-range precision.
In this video Defense Updates analyzes what makes the new StrykerX a potent platform?
Let's get started.
The Stryker is a family of eight-wheeled armored fighting vehicles derived from the
Canadian LAV III. Stryker vehicles are produced by General Dynamics
Land Systems-Canada (GDLS-C) for the United States Army in a plant in London, Ontario.
It has four-wheel drive (8×4) and can be switched to all-wheel drive (8×8).
The Stryker was conceived as a family of vehicles forming the backbone of a
new medium-weight brigade combat team (BCT)
that was to strike a balance between heavy armor and infantry. The service launched the Interim
Armored Vehicle competition, and in 2000, the service selected the LAV III proposed by
GDLS and General Motors Defense. The service named this family of vehicles the "Stryker".
It is capable of carrying up to 9 passengers , has
an operational range of 310 mi or 500 km and maximum speed of 60 mph or 97 km/h
Ten variants of the Stryker were initially conceived,
some of which have been upgraded with v-hulls for better protection against mines and IEDs
Around 4500 Stryker have been produced for the US Army
StrykerX will essentially take its legacy forward.
Here are some of the features that StrykerX brings to the table.
1. Supporting the Army’s climate and electrification strategies,
the StrykerX technology demonstrator brings to the Stryker family of vehicles capabilities
such as silent movement, silent watch, exportable electric power and reduced
fuel consumption via a hybrid diesel-electric power pack. According to company official Tim
Reece who explains this to Warrior Maven, “The vehicle is driven purely by electrical power.
The diesel engine is only there to generate electricity into the motor… You get a fair
amount of silent move capability, not just a few minutes, but a good period of time”.
2. The driver and the commander now sit side by side in a cockpit arrangement more
like a helicopter or a jet aircraft for better situational awareness. The StrykerX also includes
more room in the back for an infantry squad and the ability to connect the crew with all sensors.
3. It is important for StrykerX to be easily upgradable with new tech so as to incorporate
new innovations. To achieve this, a modular open systems approach has been taken that
adds new technology as it arrives. 4. StrykerX uses advanced artificial
intelligence (AI) computing to provide an edge to the warfighters. While GDLS is not typically known
for its AI exploits, a lot of work has gone into this to provide a very effective implementation.
5. It will have the ability to launch highly lethal “hunter-killer” surveillance and
attack drones. GDLS is thought to be testing an integrated sensor-shooter drone system mounted on
the vehicle itself. A small vertical-take-off surveillance drone named the Shrike 2, would
launch from the turret of the vehicle to find and track enemy targets. Then, using a standard
video data link, it can work in tandem with an attack missile to destroy the targets it finds.
6. The StrykerX demonstrator is also armed with an upgradable 30mm cannon, which can use
a proximity fuse and fire high-explosive rounds, armor-piercing rounds, and air burst rounds. While
the .50-cal is effective for suppressive fire against enemy troops, the 30mm gun brings much
better precision and destructive fire. 7. Stryker is equipped with Maneuver
Short-Range-Air-Defense (M-SHORAD). It currently fires Stinger and Longbow Hellfire missiles
against mid-to-lower-tier air threats from the Stryker vehicle. The US Army is working
on a new variant of SHORAD that will likely be incorporated in StrykerX. The new variant will
also have the ability to fire laser weapons and would potentially incorporate a 50-kilowatt laser
system. This not only introduces a new way for precision attack upon enemy drones but
also presents an ability to attack and defend at the speed of light. Lasers are also silent
giving a very good tactical advantage and there is no need for ammunition storage.
Viewers may note that a Stryker vehicle destroyed an enemy drone target in prior testing with a 5
KW laser system and there is increased optimism that a combat-approved laser will soon be fielded.
Needs - change with time. Modern warfare tech is fast-moving.
No military can afford to remain static. The US military will remain the strongest
if it can evolve over time as per the changing situation.
This is what the leaders and defense partners are working on.
While Stryker has been effective, it needs upgrade as a new era of warfare
dawns upon the battlefield with tech like drones coming to the forefront.
Dismounted infantry units are often among the first-entering battle zone
and hence the role of the Stryker in a battle space cannot be underestimated.
StrykerX will not only be a troop carrier but also act as a modern assault platform
that could take out assets that are above its weight class like a Main
Battle Tank as well as provide mobile air defense against multiple types of threats.