The U.S. Army’s Program Executive Office (PEO) for Ground Combat Systems announced that over the next three years, three Stryker formations across the U.S. Army would receive what it described as a “major firepower and capability upgrade” through the ICVVA1-30mm package. This upgrade will replace the existing ICVD “Dragoon” vehicles and provide “much-needed improvements.” Both the ICVD and the new ICVVA-1 models feature a turret-mounted 30mm main gun, but the ICVD variant was found to have a specific vulnerability in the storage of its 30mm ammunition, which was identified by the U.S. Army in FY2017. The new ICVVA1-30mm upgrade package is expected to address this issue. The U.S. Army plans to begin deploying the upgraded Stryker 8×8 armored vehicles, equipped with the ICVVA1-30mm lethality package, in early 2025 after the completion of Follow-on Operational Testing and Evaluation in May. A total of three U.S. Army brigades will be equipped with the new ICVVA-1 vehicles to enhance combat effectiveness, particularly for forces stationed in Europe.
The Stryker 8×8 armored fighting vehicle (AFV) is a key component of the U.S. Army’s armored mobility capabilities, with over 2,400 units delivered by General Dynamics from 2005 to 2021. Based on the GDLS Canada LAV III 8×8 light armored vehicle, a variant of the Piranha III manufactured by Mowag of Switzerland, the Stryker is available in ten variants, including infantry carrier, command, medical evacuation, fire support, engineering, anti-tank, mortar carrier, reconnaissance, mobile gun system, and nuclear, biological, and chemical reconnaissance vehicles. The ICVD Dragoon, which is being replaced by the ICVVA-1 lethality package, was itself a relatively recent addition to the U.S. Army, initiated in July 2015 to meet an operational need for improved firepower for land forces based in Europe. In 2015, the U.S. Army approved the upgrade of 81 Strykers to the Dragoon standard.
However, a March 2023 report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) highlighted challenges in the Army’s efforts to enhance the Stryker’s firepower in response to increased threats, particularly from Russia. The report noted that the U.S. Army proceeded with the upgrade without “fully analyzing and addressing potential production risks,” which led to hardware and software problems. The Army encountered issues with the contractor’s manufacturing processes and software, resulting in a halt to the acceptance of vehicles in February 2023, after only 19 units had been delivered. In 2022, Oshkosh Defense, a subsidiary of Oshkosh Corporation, delivered the first upgraded Stryker Double-V Hull Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICVVA1) to the U.S. Army, as part of a contract for 269 platforms featuring the 30mm Medium Caliber Weapon System (MCWS).
In June 2021, the U.S. Army selected Oshkosh Defense and its partners, Pratt Miller Defense and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, to integrate the 30mm MCWS onto the Stryker ICVVA1. Based on Rafael’s SAMSON family of turrets, this 30mm gun aims to maintain the Stryker ICVVA1’s mobility and survivability. The SAMSON Remote Controlled Weapon System is designed for lightly armored, high-mobility military vehicles and can be operated by a gunner or vehicle commander. It also offers optional anti-tank guided missiles, smoke grenade launchers, and an embedded training system. The MCWS is designed to counter drones (C-UAS capabilities) and anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) using the combat-proven TROPHY active protection system (APS), enhancing both force and platform protection. The Oshkosh® Defense MCWS provides increased lethality, accuracy, and range while maintaining the mobility and survivability of the Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicle Double V Hull (ICVVA1).
