At the AUSA 2022 exhibition, General Dynamics unveiled a new Stryker variant, the Stryker-X
introduced as the new all-purpose wheeled APC platform of the future
The Pentagon has commissioned the Stryker armored vehicle since 2002, developed on the basis of the Canadian LAV III armored vehicle
which is a modernized version of the Swiss Piranha wheeled vehicle, designed in the 1970s
And now the StrykerX will be upgraded with some of the most advanced technologies of its time
such as laser weapons, launching attack drones, and conducting electronic warfare operations
As introduced by General Dynamics Land Systems, StrykerX is applied with a range of new technologies, including advanced artificial intelligence computing
common internet protocol, and open technical standards to support continued, long-term innovation as the vehicle moves into the future
Such a modular open systems approach will enable the vehicle to add new technology as it arrives
General Dynamics Land Systems has been testing an integrated sensor-shooter drone system mounted on the vehicle itself
A small vertical-take-off surveillance drone called the Shrike 2, the drone launches 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
Firing a 5 kilowatt laser, a Stryker vehicle destroyed an enemy drone target in prior testing
raising confidence that combat vehicle-fired laser weapons could become operational in the coming years
The StrykerX demonstrator is also armed with an upgradable 30mm cannon
Also, while the 12,7mm is often used as a suppressive fire "area" weapon designed to restrict enemy freedom of movement and allow troops to maneuver
the 30mm gun brings a level of precision fire to the Stryker that is currently unthinkable
Common interfaces and interoperable technical standards may also allow Stryker developers to add new or upgraded weapons configurations to the platform
such as new anti-air missiles currently used in the Short-Range-Air-Defense program
SHORAD, as the program is called, currently fires Stinger and Hellfire missiles against mid-to-lower tier air threats from the Stryker vehicle
introducing an ability to track and destroy enemy drones, helicopters and even some low-flying fixed-wing planes
The new military vehicle features a hybrid-electric engine that provides soldiers with longer “silent watch” capability
According to military officials, the StrykerX was developed in an attempt to put cutting-edge technologies into the US Army’s fleet of armored vehicles
The new vehicle now allows the driver and the commander to sit side by side in a cockpit arrangement
having their own displays in front so they can function better
It has more room in the back for an infantry squad, and it can connect all personnel inside with the vehicle sensors