The Stryker family of eight-wheeled armored fighting vehicles serves as the backbone for medium-weight brigade combat teams (BCTs) and is a key asset for the US Army's combat capabilities.

Renowned for speed and firepower, the Stryker family includes 10 variants, with the Stryker Dragoon and Stryker Mobile Gun System being the most heavily used in front-line combat.

Strykers have been a cornerstone of the Army's combat capabilities since their introduction in 2002.

They were designed to bridge the gap between heavy armor BCTs and lighter infantry BCTs, balancing the advantages of both and providing rapid deployment capabilities and substantial combat power.

A US Army Stryker brigade typically includes over 300 Stryker vehicles and approximately 4,500 soldiers.

These Stryker-equipped brigades can disrupt or destroy enemy forces, control critical land areas and fight with agility and effectiveness.

Stryker brigade mobility

The Stryker family features a versatile drivetrain that can switch between four-wheel drive (8x4) and all-wheel drive (8x8), enhancing its adaptability on various terrains.

The basic armored personnel carrier version provides protected transport for two crew members and a nine-man infantry squad.

The vehicles, with the exception of those equipped with the double V-hull, can be transported by C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, enabling deployment anywhere in the world and enhancing the strategic flexibility of Stryker brigades.

The C-130, which can carry a single Stryker, is capable of landing in austere environments on relatively short landing strips.

The widespread availability of C-130s ensures that Stryker units can be rapidly deployed to support a host nation or to expand lodgment of a forcible entry operation.

Some 70 nations use variants of the C-130 worldwide. Altogether, more than 2,500 C-130s have been built.

Armed for combat

Several variants of the Stryker are heavily armed.

The Stryker Dragoon, one such variant in the Stryker family, is armed with an Mk44 Bushmaster 30mm Chain Gun.

This formidable weapon can fire armor-piercing incendiary, high-explosive incendiary, and armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot rounds at a rate of 200 rounds per minute.

This firepower significantly enhances the Stryker Dragoon's ability to support infantry units and engage enemy targets.

Meanwhile, the Stryker Mobile Gun System has a 105mm cannon with a range of up to 3,200 meters.

The mobile gun system features a low-profile turret with a stabilized cannon, autoloader and fume extractor. It can store 18 rounds of main gun ammunition and fire 10 rounds per minute.

While the mobile gun system can take on some tank roles, it is primarily designed to support infantry combat operations.