Stryker's mobile gun system

Although it will not be available in time to support the first Stryker brigade combat team (SBCT) in achieving initial operational capability, the U.S. Army's mobile gun system (MGS) promises significant follow-on enhancements to those units, evolving their tactical capabilities in future deployment scenarios.

The MGS is one of the two basic variants of the Army's new Stryker vehicle for the Stryker brigade combat teams. When fielded, the system will provide the SBCTs with a battlefield bunker-busting capability through its 105 mm cannon.

System descriptions from prime contractor General Dynamics note that the "MGS design carries a General Dynamics 105 mm tank cannon in a low-profile, fully stabilized, shoot on the move turret. Its armor protects the three-soldier crew from machinegun bullets and mortar and artillery fragments on the battlefield. It operates with the latest command, control, communications and computers intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C^sup 4^ISR) equipment as well as detectors for nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. The Stryker mobile gun system carries 18 rounds of 105 mm main gun ammunition; 400 rounds of .50 caliber ammunition; and 3,400 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition."

The Stryker MGS has some similarities to the version of the wheeled LAV (light armored vehicle) III with a low-profile turret that participated in the U.S. Army's platform performance demonstration in January 2000. However, as part of its integration onto the Stryker-as opposed to the LAV III-chassis, the MGS design includes: increased armor protection, integration of a C^sup 4^ISR suite, a lowered top deck (necessary to meet C-130 transport height requirements), and an integrated 10 round replenisher. Army sources add that turret differences between the two systems include:...