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| Stryker M1128 Mobile Gun System | |
|---|---|
| Name | M1128 Mobile Gun System |
| Origin | United States |
| Type | Mobile Gun System |
| Service | 2009–2022 |
| Used by | United States Army |
| Designer | General Dynamics Land Systems |
| Manufacturer | General Dynamics Land Systems |
| Production date | 2008–2010 |
| Number | 142 |
| Weight | ~18.77 tonnes |
| Length | 6.95 m (gun forward) |
| Width | 2.72 m |
| Height | 2.64 m |
| Primary armament | 105 mm M68A1E4 gun |
| Secondary armament | 7.62 mm M240 |
| Engine | diesel |
| Transmission | Allison automatic |
| Suspension | 8×8 wheeled Stryker chassis |
| Speed | 100 km/h |
| Vehicle range | 500 km |
Stryker M1128 Mobile Gun System The Stryker M1128 Mobile Gun System is a United States Army armored fighting vehicle based on the Stryker eight-wheeled family, fitted with a 105 mm tank gun for direct fire support. Developed to provide firepower to Stryker Brigade Combat Teams and to bridge between infantry fighting vehicles and main battle tanks such as the M1 Abrams, the M1128 entered service in the late 2000s and served in multiple operations before retirement decisions in the 2010s and 2020s.
The M1128 program began with requirements set by the United States Army and the TRADOC to arm Stryker Brigade Combat Teams with a direct fire capability complementary to systems like the M2 Bradley and M1 Abrams. General Dynamics Land Systems adapted a low-profile turret and the license-produced M68 gun variant, responding to competition influenced by experiences in the Iraq War and lessons from Afghanistan. Procurement was driven by the Army Acquisition Objective to field multi-role platforms rapidly, resulting in low-rate initial production followed by full-rate production constrained by budget debates in the United States Congress, oversight from the Government Accountability Office, and testing by the ATEC.
The M1128 integrates the Stryker common Stryker chassis with a two-man turret housing a 105 mm M68A1E4 gun, a stabilized fire-control suite, and an autoloader-like assisted loading arrangement. The vehicle displaces roughly 18.8 tonnes and retains an Allison Transmission automatic gearbox, a diesel powerplant, and independent suspension for its 8×8 configuration. Onboard systems included thermal imagers, laser rangefinders, and navigation suites qualified against standards from U.S. Army Futures Command and interoperability protocols used by NATO. Crew doctrine aligned with tactics developed by U.S. Army Armor School and tested in exercises with units such as the 25th Infantry Division and 2nd Cavalry Regiment.
Units equipped with the M1128 deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan in support of Stryker formations, participating in urban operations, convoy protection, and direct fire missions in environments influenced by insurgent tactics observed after 2003 invasion of Iraq. Operational feedback was collected by commands including U.S. Army Forces Command and analyzed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Fielded squadrons reported the vehicle’s rapid strategic mobility useful for deployments alongside assets like the M113 and logistic trains, while engagements highlighted both strengths and limitations relative to threats encountered from counterinsurgency and hybrid forces.
During service life, the M1128 saw engineering changes and field modifications, some influenced by allied systems such as the Centauro and lessons from the LAV III family. Modifications included upgraded ballistic protection kits, counter-IED suites, communications upgrades to link with Blue Force Tracker systems, and integration efforts with digital battle-management systems from General Dynamics and partners. Proposals for 120 mm up-gunning, remote weapon stations, and active protection systems were studied in programs aligned with initiatives from U.S. Army Futures Command and contractor-led modernization efforts.
Armor protection originated from the baseline Stryker configuration with add-on armor packages to defeat small arms, shell splinters, and select improvised explosive device threats encountered during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Survivability studies referenced concepts from the V-hull adaptations and mine-resistant designs fielded by units such as MRAP operators. Mobility emphasized strategic lift compatibility with aircraft like the C-130 Hercules and operational road speeds compatible with convoy doctrine in CENTCOM theaters, while protection trade-offs limited heavy-armor resistance compared with the M1 Abrams and several European main battle tanks.
The primary armament, a 105 mm M68A1E4 gun derived from the Royal Ordnance L7 lineage, was coupled with a computerized fire-control system incorporating stabilized sights, thermal imagers, and laser rangefinding components sourced from defense suppliers used by units such as ATEC and interoperable with NATO standards. Secondary armament included coaxial and roof-mounted machine guns like the 7.62 mm M240, and integration options supported smoke grenade launchers and electronic sensors drawing on subsystems tested by Joint IED Defeat Organization and other capability developers.
The M1128 was subject to debate within the United States Army and among Congressional oversight bodies over cost-effectiveness, survivability against advanced anti-armor weapons, and role redundancy with platforms like the M1 Abrams and proposals from the Future Combat Systems era. Independent assessments by the Government Accountability Office and internal Army evaluation led to incremental upgrades and eventual decisions to divest the system in favor of solutions emphasizing commonality, survivability, and long-term sustainment, culminating in formal retirement plans and disposition actions coordinated with U.S. Army Materiel Command and related acquisition officials.
Category:Armoured fighting vehicles of the United States