US Army moving out on plans to field eight brigades' worth of upgunned Strykers

The US Army is moving out with a new requirement to add a 30 mm cannon to its double V hulled, Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicles (ICVs), and seeking industry’s help to field eight brigades with the upgunned capability.

In a recent notice posted on the Federal Business Opportunities website, the service laid out its two-phased approach for integrating the new weapon on its Stryker vehicles, an overlapping approach that involves a design integration study with a production competition.

For the first phase, the army is currently seeking contractors interested in participating in a design integration study, and will select up to eight bids that will integrate a government-provided weapon station – which includes a fire-control system, ammunition-handling system, optics system, and gun – onto the vehicle.

Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicles (ICVs) make up the tactical action centre for the 2nd Cavalry Regiment during Dragoon Ready in Hohenfels, Germany, in 2018. The US Army is moving out with a new requirement to upgun its Stryker ICVs with a 30 mm cannon. (US Army)

“The contractors shall integrate their weapon station design, which includes the XM813 [30 mm] gun, onto the [Stryker ICV],” the service said, before noting that it would then inspect the integration work before it is transported for a “period of performance” that will run from this June until the end of September 2020.

Then in fiscal year 2020, the service will kick-start phase two by issuing a competitive production solicitation and it said it “expects” contractors participating in the study to submit their bids.

“The government anticipates that the potential production prime contractors will demonstrate capabilities and maturity levels required for production and support,” the service wrote.