Thursday, December 3, 2009

Army Wants 'Stryker of the Future'

The U.S. Army
TACOM Lifecycle Management Command has awarded General Dynamics Land Systems
a $203 million contract to design the Stryker of the future.  The Army
announced an initial $42.6 million increment of this award on Nov. 25.



"Strykers have performed exceptionally well for the U.S. Army over more than
25 million miles of combat experience," said Mike Cannon, senior vice
president of Ground Combat Systems for General Dynamics Land Systems.  "This
contract reflects the Army's desire to build on that strong performance by
incorporating the latest crew-protection technologies, as well as more
power, mobility, agility and information connectivity, into a platform that
will continue to be a critical part of the Army's force structure through
the foreseeable future."



Cannon said the modernization program will significantly increase the
capabilities of the Stryker fleet and assure compatibility with the light
and heavy forces. The award continues the Stryker modernization program,
initially awarded to General Dynamics in 2008.  Work will be performed in
Sterling Heights, Mich.



Under the contract, the Army and General Dynamics will develop designs and
build a demonstrator to assess options for continuing to enhance
survivability, power, suspension, mobility and lethality, and the
integration of new technologies - core enabling capabilities - for the
Stryker.  Mobility enablers include analysis of adding a 450 horse power
diesel engine, upgrading the suspension system and driveline to carry a
60,000-lb. payload, larger tires and a new braking system.  Work also
includes design of a digital architecture system that connects new command,
control, communication, computers, intelligence, surveillance and
reconnaissance technologies, to ensure soldiers continue to have access to
the best available situational-awareness and mission systems.



The Army has seven Stryker Brigade Combat Teams, three of which are deployed
in combat zones: two in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. To date, General
Dynamics has delivered nearly 3,000 vehicles and trained more than 19,000
soldiers in their use.



Stryker Brigade Combat Teams have operated with historically high mission
availability rates in Iraq

since October 2003, demonstrating the value of a force that can move rapidly
as a cohesive and networked combined-arms combat team, Stryker is a family
of eight-wheel drive combat vehicles that can travel at speeds in excess of
60 mph on highways, with a range of 312 miles.  Stryker operates with the
latest C4ISR equipment and an integrated armor package to protect soldiers
against improvised explosive devices, rocket propelled grenades, and a
variety of infantry weapons.

# END