The Stryker Remote Weapon System

Infantry Magazine, Sept-Oct, 2005 by Kevin Cline

The Stryker is filling the Army's need for a rapidly deployable force to improve the deployability and operational effectiveness of rapid response/early entry forces. This calls for organizing and equipping forces to provide high mobility (strategic, operational, and tactical) yet retain the capability to achieve decisive action through close combat centered primarily on dismounted infantry assault. The U.S. Army requires this force to be equipped with integral capabilities for the successful conduct of offensive, defensive, and stability and support operations as well as the ability to fight as part of a larger formation. This force must be capable of being projected anywhere on the globe and be capable of conducting operations immediately upon arrival, in order to dominate and/or defeat the threat. It must also be capable of effective operations in a major theater of war environment with appropriate augmentation.

The Stryker M151 Remote Weapon System (RWS) provides a multifunctional system that can employ a suite of weapons to include the M2 .50 cal machine gun (MG), and MK-19 40mm automatic grenade launcher. The Stryker RWS is a completely integrated system that will accommodate future lethality capabilities and be capable of firing on the move and from static positions.

The M151 RWS is employed on the following variations in the current Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT) formation:

* Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV)--127 per SBCT,

* Engineer Squad Vehicle (ESV)--9 per SBCT,

* Command Vehicle (CV)--16 per SBCT, and

* Nuclear Biological Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicle (NBCRV)--3 per SBCT.

The core fighting unit within the SBCT that is capable of conducting full range of military operations is the SBCT infantry company. The infantry platoons and squads are the primary means of finishing decisively in the close fight.

The SBCT infantry platoon is currently equipped with .50 cal MGs, MK-19s, and has an organic, light, highly lethal anti-armor capability in the Javelin. While the .50 cal MG and MK-19 can be fired from the M151 Remote Weapon System, the missile currently can only be fired in the dismounted mode. The multifunctional RWS enables mounted and dismounted engagement options. SBCT infantry platoons will face a wide range of threats, to include main battle tanks and light armored vehicles with enhanced reactive armor, and fortified positions including bunkers and buildings.

Given its likely operational environment, the SBCT achieves decisive action by means of combined arms dismounted assault at the company level, supported by direct fires from organic weapon systems (Ml51 RWS, ICV crew-served weapons, MGs, anti-tank systems, and snipers) integrated with indirect fires from artillery, mortars, and joint fires/effects. Although dismounted actions will be the primary means of achieving decision, the high mobility of the SBCTs and its network-based integrated capabilities also allow some immediate actions to be taken without dismounting, enhancing survivability and force effectiveness.

The M151 Remote Weapon System provides overwatch for the rifle platoon and enhances lethality and survivability without additional manpower and with minor equipment modifications. Further, the M 151 RWS accommodates future lethality capabilities and permits the platoon to fire from static positions and on the move. This will allow tactical flexibility during the execution of full range of military operations.

*** The on-the-move capability is a preplanned product improvement that will be demonstrated 2nd QTR (FY 06) and will be fielded by SBCT 6 (FY 07).

The Accelerated Evolution of the M151 Remote Weapon System (RWS):

2000--Stryker SBCT requests a remote weapon station for a number of vehicle applications. The KONGSBERG Protector solution is selected in October 2000. (Kongsberg is the Company that makes the RWS, and Protector is the commercial name for the M 151 Remote Weapon System).

2001

--The Norwegian Army uses the Protector mounted on M113s for mine clearing in Afghanistan, and Kongsberg is contracted to supply the RWS.

--The first EDU (Engineering Development Unit) was delivered to GM Defense in October. The first six units to be mounted on vehicles were delivered in December the same year.

2003

--Strykers equipped with Protectors are deployed to Iraq.--The Javelin anti-tank missile, in cooperation between KONGSBERG and AMRDEC (Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center), is successfully fired from the RWS while both stationary and on the move.

2004

--Block 1 Upgrade is ordered. (See Block 1 upgrade section for more information.) Block 1 is currently in production and will be introduced on Stryker Brigade 5 and will be a retrofitted to all existing Protectors delivered to Stryker.

--The Australian Army selects the Protector as an upgrade for their Type 2 ASLAV (8x8) vehicles under a rapid acquisition program for Iraqi Freedom. The first 40 units which are similar to those operational with Stryker BCT are operational in Iraq by September.