INFANTRY CARRIER VEHICLE

1-147. The ICV is an eight-wheeled armored vehicle. It is a four-wheeled drive vehicle with selectable eight-wheeled drive and has—

  • A sprint capability of 50 meters in 9 seconds.
  • A sustained maximum speed of greater than 60 miles per hour (mph).
  • A cruising range, at 40 mph, for 330 or more miles.
  • Central Tire Inflation System.
  • Run-flat tires

PROTECTION

1-148. The Stryker ICV has several levels of protection depending on what armor and systems have been added. Furthermore, it’s reduced audible and thermal signature, speed provide significant additional protection. Future modifications may include reactive and active armor systems. Currently, the ICV has the following protection features:

  • The basic steel body armor protects against 7.62-mm fire.
  • A spall liner protects Soldiers and equipment from fragments of the inner hull breaking off when hit by a projectile.
  • The ceramic appliqué armor, applied to the basic steel body, protects against 14.5-mm machine gun and 152-mm artillery fragmentation.

THE REMOTE WEAPONS STATION

1-149. The RWS provides the ICV and other Stryker variants with an accurate and lethal weapon and is operated under armor. It provides the squad and platoon with close in security and enables the ICV to be used in a support or attack by fire mission.

Description

1-150. The Remote Weapon Station-Improved (RWS-I M151E2) is a weapon mount turret on which an M2HB .50-caliber machine gun or MK19 40-mm grenade machine gun can be mounted. It is remotely operated from inside the vehicle compartment, providing complete armored protection from direct enemy fire. The remote operation of the RWS–I M151E2 is carried through the computerized fire control unit and a joystick. This enables the part of the weapon station above vehicle deck, remote controlled elevation and depression of the weapon mount and 360 degrees unrestricted traverse rotation. The system also has remote weapon charging capability as well as firing. A stabilization system enables the operator to track and engage targets while on the move. The tracking and control capabilities of the RWS-I M151E2 provide a high first-round hit probability against stationary and moving targets.

Characteristics

1-151. The RWS M151E1 is mounted to the top right side of the vehicle and is operated and controlled from the interior of the chassis. The RWS M151E1 can accept either the M2 or the MK19 40-mm grenade machine guns. It has the following characteristics:

  • Both day and night operation modes
  • Traversing a full 360 degrees under power.
  • Powered traverse and elevation at a rate of 80 degrees per second.
  • Maximum elevation of +60 degrees.
  • Maximum depression of -20 degrees.
  • Foldable for transportability.
  • Integrated Fire Control Unit color display for operator interface.
  • Smoke grenade launchers for local protection capable of firing four banks of four grenades each.
  • Thermal Imaging Module : Provides visual images for both day and night operations.
  • Video Imaging Module : Provides a color day camera for clear and easier target identification.
  • A Small, Tactical, Optical, Rifle- Mounted ( STORM), Micro-laser Rangefinder is mounted above the thermal imaging module and allows for accurately determining the range to a target. It also provides visible aiming lasers, and an infrared aiming laser. Although the STORM laser range finder is capable of much more, only these features are utilized when mounted on the RWS M151E1.

Armament

1-152. The RWS M151E1 is capable of mounting either the M2HB .50 caliber machine gun or the MK19 40mm grenade machine gun. Because of stabilization, the machine guns have different maximum effective ranges than when ground mounted.

M2HB .50 Caliber Machine Gun: 1ea.

  • Maximum range (approx): 5000 meters.
  • Maximum effective range (approx): 2000 meters.
  • Cyclic rage of fire: 450-550 rounds/min

40-mm Grenade Machine Gun: 1ea.

  • Maximum range: 2200 meters.
  • Maximum effective range: 1500 meters.
  • Cyclic rate of fire: 325-375 rounds/min

Note.The MK19 40-mm grenade machine gun’s range is reduced when used on a Stryker RWS compared to ground mounting due to limitations imposed by the maximum range of movement of the Sight Servo Assembly in relation to the weapon station platform’s elevation angle.

M6 Smoke Grenade Launchers

  • M6 smoke grenade launchers. Each with 4 smoke grenade tubes.
  • Total of smoke grenade tubes: 16 ea.
  • Detonating Range: 32.8 yards (30 m).
  • Obscuration clouds: 6.6 to 7.7 yards (6 to 7 m) high.
  • Covering arc: 6o 45” (120 mils) per launcher.

 

EMPLOYMENT CONSIDERATIONS

1-153. Leaders must consider the following guidelines when employing Stryker Infantry during decisive operations:

  • Squads and platoons fight through enemy contact at the lowest possible level. Upon enemy contact, all Soldiers and leaders must act at once and follow up. Battle drills are standard procedures that help the platoon take immediate action.
  • Before they can maneuver, squads or platoons in contact must establish effective suppressive fires and gain fire superiority. If the platoon or squad cannot move under its own fires, the leader must request support from the commander. Once they gain fire superiority, they maneuver against an enemy position. The Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicle can suppress the enemy, move to a dismount location (if caught in the open), and dismount the rifle squads. The ICVs quickly build a base of fire for the rifle squads to maneuver.

CLOSE COMBAT

1-154. ICV-equipped Infantry platoons and rifle squads normally operate as part of a larger force. They benefit from the support of armor, artillery, mortars, close air support, close combat attack, air defense, and engineers. They provide their own suppressive fires either to repel enemy assaults or to support their own maneuver. During close combat, platoon leaders determine how to employ the ICVs by considering the following objective:

  • Support the rifle squads with direct fires.
  • Provide mobile protection to transport rifle squads to the critical point on the battlefield.
  • Suppress or destroy enemy personnel and other soft targets with .50 cal MG or an MK19.

1-155. Success in operations hinges on the actions of platoons, sections, and rifle squads in close combat. It depends on their ability to react to contact; employ suppressive fires; maneuver to an enemy’s vulnerable flank; and fight through to defeat, destroy, or capture an enemy. For success, the ICV-equipped Infantry platoon relies on the ability of leaders and Soldiers to—

  • Use the potential of both the rifle squads and the ICV.
  • Operate their weapons with accuracy and deadly effect.
  • Outthink, outmaneuver, and outfight the enemy.
  • Use terrain to their advantage.